2 Corinthians 4:8

I believe that bravery awards for children going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment are a fantastic idea, although sometimes I think that an endurance award would be more appropriate! Catherine has been brave in her treatment so far but today I saw bravery on a greater scale.

When I told her that she had to go and have another two injections, she was obviously quite distressed and upset for a short while but composed herself so that we could get ready and make the journey to the hospital. We entered the treatment room and she was fine. A bit nervous but otherwise ok. When the nurse arrived and she saw the two needles she was very afraid.

It made matters worse when she had the first injection because it was very painful. She cried a great deal and it was clearly very difficult for her. I tried to comfort her as much as possible, but I could see she was having a rough time. The problem was that there were two injections, not just the one. For a split second, I wondered how on earth we would convince her to have the second injection considering the pain she had just felt. But slowly she turned her body round, and in floods of tears offered the other arm. That was it for me. I really had to focus on getting her through it otherwise I would have been in floods of tears with her. She stoicly sat through the ordeal again. I glanced across at Mark and he was also amazed at her courage.

During the walk home, she hugged me all the way with her face pressed tight against mine. We celebrated the end of the day with a chinese take-away. Catherine enjoyed a big bowl of rice and was allowed to watch some 'daddy programmes' (In our house we either have Catherine programmes - CBeebies - or Daddy programmes - anything other than CBeebies).

My daughter is as tough as they come.

Today, she is my hero.