Chicken Pox

Last Friday when we were at the specialist hospital, one of the children that Catherine came into contact with had the chicken pox virus. Chicken pox can be very difficult for children if they are receiving chemotherapy as they become immunosuppressed (little or no immunity). This poor child, who is also receiving chemotherapy treatment, is now in hospital receiving treatment for chicken pox. Unfortunately we do not know the child's name, but please do pray that this little person recovers quickly - God will know who we mean!

Due to the fact that Catherine has hardly any immunity, the fact that this little child had the virus means Catherine is now at risk. Today the hospital telephoned and we had to take Catherine for a blood test. The results of the blood test showed that she has no natural immunity to the virus. We then had to go back and receive two injections of chicken pox antibodies - one in each of Catherine's arms.

If the antibodies are given within 72 hours of being in contact with a child with chicken pox, they will prevent, or lessen the impact of, the virus. We hope they managed to get to Catherine in time. The incubation period for chicken pox is two weeks, so we will not know for certain whether she has escaped the virus until the end of two weeks.

Catherine was quite distressed when I told her we needed to go to hospital for a second time that day, especially as she does not 'like needles anymore'. She was, however, very brave when the time came to have the needles. We explained to Catherine that sometimes true bravery and courage are when we are scared but still do the scary thing anyway.

We have been praying hard today for the child at the hospital, and that Catherine and the other children who attended the specialist hospital on Friday do not come down with chicken pox. Please pray for these children as contracting chicken pox means a stay in hospital and, I think, intravenous antibiotics/anti-viral drugs to try and sort out the virus.