Catherine is now four! She has had a good birthday but I think she still feels the highlight is to come as her party is tomorrow. She is feeling well and happy and is looking forward to her birthday celebrations tomorrow. Thank you for all her cards and e-cards - she loved receiving them!
She has been very funny today, and after opening her presents this morning, she broke down in big sobs! Mark and I just looked at eachother in amazement before asking her what was wrong. 'Mummy', she said, 'I don't want to be 4, I want to be 3'. It seems that she likes the number 3 better than the number four, mainly because she can't write 4 as easily as she can 3! Also, she knows that now she is four she will be able to help mummy with some 'jobs' i.e. tidying her bedroom more!
We are planning to get a new family photo taken to celebrate Catherine becoming a 'big girl'. I was waiting until Catherine had some more hair so that she doesn't feel self conscious, and now that she has, we will be having a celebratory photo taken soon.
Also, I just wanted to take some time to thank Suzanne especially today. Suzanne's post on her blog today about Wouter's fourth birthday on Sunday (http://krokkenoster.wordpress.com) gave me the courage to admit that I, too, experienced mixed feelings about my child's birthday. Catherine's approaching birthday made me realize that without God's healing and the chemotherapy treatment, Catherine would not have seen her fourth birthday. It also made me think again about the treatment ahead, which will continue until she is 5.
I have spent time giving thanks for the life and healing of my child, but it does bring up the emotions too. Don't think I'm an emotional wreck, though, as I'm not, and I am enjoying the celebrations! But thank you, Suzanne, for being so honest that I now don't feel alone in feeling this way on what should ordinarily, in different circumstances, have been a carefree time of celebration.
This is Catherine's story: Expect Miracles
This is Catherine's blog. Catherine is now six years old and is in remission from leukaemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia - ALL). Leukaemia is a rare yet treatable form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. This blog began at the start of her treatment in August 2008. The treatment lasted until October 2010. She went into remission remarkably early and the treatment was focussed on making sure the disease never returned. Over 15000 people have prayed for Catherine during the past three years for which her parents are deeply grateful. So many people love Catherine that it was hard to update everyone, so her parents began this blog to keep everyone updated. Catherine is the daughter of two Salvation Army Officers in the UK. This blog is a place to be updated, to send wishes to the parents and basically for everyone who knows Catherine (or doesn't) to be able to find out more about her progress. Feel free to post comments, concerns and questions. All prayers for Catherine at this time continue to be warmly received by her parents and Catherine's extended family. Catherine is now receiving blood tests and will be monitored regularly until she is ten-year-old when she will be give the official 'all clear'. Her parents especially welcome readers who are experiencing a child dealing with any form of cancer. Their prayer is that this blog will help them in their journeys.
Catherine aged 3
Doing her favourite thing - eating fruit!
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More photos of Catherine when younger...
Having fun
Our family
2 comments:
Happy Birthday Catherine and I'm pleased to read that someone else's blog as helped you during a difficult time. Take care, Judith
If only you knew how many times your blog has helped me! Congratulations on Cath's birthday and I hope she had a wonderful party! Woutertjie enjoyed his so much. It was such fun seeing him having fun.
Suzanne
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