Hardly a day goes by that we don't have a card, letter or email from someone letting us know that they are thinking about us and praying for us. Many of these wishes come from 'strangers'. Yesterday, for example, we had a card from the Netherlands.
One of the most powerful things we have experienced over the last few months is the kindness of strangers.It has made me think about how people become so united together in difficult situations; it has also made me excited that there are so many people who keep going before God and believing in His power to do the miraculous.
I still can't believe how many people are 'praying for Catherine' on facebook. Many of these people we do not know but their compassion has prompted them to join and pray for her.
I've been told that many of these people are reading this post, so as a family we just want to say thankyou. God shows himself in the world through people like you.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Thursday, 16 October 2008
No more medicine, thanks...
Catherine has not had a good day today. She has been thoroughly fed up and miserable all day and was not impressed about going to hospital at all.
On the way to the hospital she said she had decided that she didn't want to get better because then she wouldn't need to have any more medicine. When she realised that if she didn't get better she would be too poorly to go to nursery she sat quietly and sulked.
She also decided she didn't want her portacath any more. Again, when she remembered the alternative - needles - she decided to keep her portacath.
On arrival, there was some concern that she might be anaemic again, but her bloods were fine. The procedure went well and was very quick today.
We met some new people at the hospital today and it was lovely to meet one little girl and her mother. The little girl was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was 13 months old, much younger than when Catherine was diagnosed. She is now five years old and, all being well, she will be given the 'all clear' at Christmas. I was so happy for the little girl, who has managed to get through all the treatments despite some difficulties. I was very taken by the mother's devotion to her little girl. Also when the mother had her most recent child, she thought ahead and paid £2000 for a stem-cell harvest in case her little girl would need a bone marrow transplant later. It was nice to be able to celebrate with a family coming to the end of treatment.
On the way to the hospital she said she had decided that she didn't want to get better because then she wouldn't need to have any more medicine. When she realised that if she didn't get better she would be too poorly to go to nursery she sat quietly and sulked.
She also decided she didn't want her portacath any more. Again, when she remembered the alternative - needles - she decided to keep her portacath.
On arrival, there was some concern that she might be anaemic again, but her bloods were fine. The procedure went well and was very quick today.
We met some new people at the hospital today and it was lovely to meet one little girl and her mother. The little girl was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was 13 months old, much younger than when Catherine was diagnosed. She is now five years old and, all being well, she will be given the 'all clear' at Christmas. I was so happy for the little girl, who has managed to get through all the treatments despite some difficulties. I was very taken by the mother's devotion to her little girl. Also when the mother had her most recent child, she thought ahead and paid £2000 for a stem-cell harvest in case her little girl would need a bone marrow transplant later. It was nice to be able to celebrate with a family coming to the end of treatment.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Hospital Day
I do not like this. The day before 'hospital day' is never pleasant. Catherine always asks me what we are doing tomorrow, so I try and delay answering for as long as possible. The question seems to come earlier and earlier - today she asked me as soon as we got home from nursery.
However, I can delay it no longer as it starts to get dark. Her question 'What's happening tomorrow mummy? Is it a school day?' is quickly followed by a wail of disapproval and distress as she realises it is a hospital day. She is so aware that she even notices when the hospital phones to give us her 'starvation times', so there is no way I could avoid telling her even if I thought it was right to do so.
She doesn't like the anaesthetic as it makes her feel 'wobbly' and so she worries until she has had it. She will play for a bit and then get upset because she knows it is coming. I think it is really sad that a 3-year-old should have to go through this sort of worry - I had always hoped that this was the domain of adults. However it is something we have to deal with. She cheered up a bit when she knew this was the last anaesthetic for a few weeks, but even so, I know she will be nervous all morning until the procedure at lunch time.
Please pray that the lumbar puncture and procedure goes well tomorrow. Please also pray for the other childhood cancer patients and their parents. Thank you once again.
However, I can delay it no longer as it starts to get dark. Her question 'What's happening tomorrow mummy? Is it a school day?' is quickly followed by a wail of disapproval and distress as she realises it is a hospital day. She is so aware that she even notices when the hospital phones to give us her 'starvation times', so there is no way I could avoid telling her even if I thought it was right to do so.
She doesn't like the anaesthetic as it makes her feel 'wobbly' and so she worries until she has had it. She will play for a bit and then get upset because she knows it is coming. I think it is really sad that a 3-year-old should have to go through this sort of worry - I had always hoped that this was the domain of adults. However it is something we have to deal with. She cheered up a bit when she knew this was the last anaesthetic for a few weeks, but even so, I know she will be nervous all morning until the procedure at lunch time.
Please pray that the lumbar puncture and procedure goes well tomorrow. Please also pray for the other childhood cancer patients and their parents. Thank you once again.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Becoming technical...
Catherine is really enjoying her new pink portable DVD player. She spent some time experimenting with the control panel, volume control and the on/off switch until she knew what she was doing. She now excitedly uses it herself. I think she also likes the fact that if we are cooking in the kitchen, she can come and sit up the table with her DVD player rather than being on her own in the living room. Just before bed, she put on her Nursery Rhymes video and sang along to all the songs. It was great to hear her sing and she really enjoyed it.
She had some more bloods taken today and was still nervous. She had a different community nurse today as her usual nurse was on holiday. This was more difficult for her as she has built up a good rapport with her usual nurse.
Otherwise, Catherine has had a good day despite her cold. She hasn't felt unwell today. By this evening she had become much brighter again and spent ages chatting to me about going on trains and going to the seaside. She is still on her oral chemotherapy and has one more lumbar puncture on Thursday so that the hospital can administer some more chemotherapy directly into the spinal fluid. After Thursday, we start on the next part of the treatment plan.
She had some more bloods taken today and was still nervous. She had a different community nurse today as her usual nurse was on holiday. This was more difficult for her as she has built up a good rapport with her usual nurse.
Otherwise, Catherine has had a good day despite her cold. She hasn't felt unwell today. By this evening she had become much brighter again and spent ages chatting to me about going on trains and going to the seaside. She is still on her oral chemotherapy and has one more lumbar puncture on Thursday so that the hospital can administer some more chemotherapy directly into the spinal fluid. After Thursday, we start on the next part of the treatment plan.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Today
Catherine was sick once this morning and had a bit of a headache. We phoned up the hospital and they suggested that she probably overdid things the last couple of days. The problem with Catherine, though, is that she is so determined. Either she has overdone things or she may have an infection looming. She already has a bad cough which has been getting on her nerves, but we were all surprised when she was sick today. The hospital said we need to keep an eye on her temperature and make sure she drinks fluids. If her temperature doesn't spike she should be ok and avoid spending time in hospital.
As we had a day off today, we took Catherine to ToysRus. It is great going in school time as there is hardly anyone there so the risk of infection is lower. She is now the proud owner of her first watch, a Fifi scooter and - the reason we went there - a pink portable DVD player. Now she can sit and watch a DVD in bed if she doesn't feel up to doing much else. She enjoyed wandering round the shop and looking at all the toys.
We also received a lovely gift today in the post from Australia! A friend of Catherine's Grandpa sent lots of lovely cards made by lots of children who are praying for Catherine in Australia. Another lady sent her a collection of little hats that she had owned from childhood. When she heard about Catherine, she decided to send them to her. They are a lovely gift, and Catherine enjoyed having her photo taken in each of them. I will try and upload them later.
Thankyou for your ongoing prayers.
As we had a day off today, we took Catherine to ToysRus. It is great going in school time as there is hardly anyone there so the risk of infection is lower. She is now the proud owner of her first watch, a Fifi scooter and - the reason we went there - a pink portable DVD player. Now she can sit and watch a DVD in bed if she doesn't feel up to doing much else. She enjoyed wandering round the shop and looking at all the toys.
We also received a lovely gift today in the post from Australia! A friend of Catherine's Grandpa sent lots of lovely cards made by lots of children who are praying for Catherine in Australia. Another lady sent her a collection of little hats that she had owned from childhood. When she heard about Catherine, she decided to send them to her. They are a lovely gift, and Catherine enjoyed having her photo taken in each of them. I will try and upload them later.
Thankyou for your ongoing prayers.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
A blank sheet
At church today we were encouraged to draw a picture of something we are anxious about. I found that I couldn't think of anything. I found this quite startling. If I was someone else looking in to my situation, I would expect an undercurrent of anxiety, but I can honestly say I am not anxious. How can I not be anxious in the situation in which we find ourselves? Have I completely lost it? Am I being totally unrealistic?
This is one of the biggest situations I have faced in my life and I couldn't even muster enough anxiety to think of something to draw! The discussion time was a bit embarrassing as I had a blank sheet of paper.
Mark sometimes jokingly says that I am like a swan, serene and calm on the surface but that my feet are paddling quickly underwater trying to keep everything afloat (probably like a lot of mothers). But my feet aren't paddling. I can only give the glory to God for this. I can only thank the people who have prayed for me, for Mark and for Catherine. I have taken so much comfort in God these past few weeks. So many positive words have been given concerning Catherine that it is difficult to become anxious. Yes, I do feel anxious when Catherine is having an unpleasant treatment or is distressed, but generally, when nothing is happening at that moment, I am at peace. I just thank God for this wonderful demonstration of His faithfulness in my life and for the peace He gives which really does pass all understanding.
Thankyou for your prayers. I want to encourage you that God hears them and is answering.
This is one of the biggest situations I have faced in my life and I couldn't even muster enough anxiety to think of something to draw! The discussion time was a bit embarrassing as I had a blank sheet of paper.
Mark sometimes jokingly says that I am like a swan, serene and calm on the surface but that my feet are paddling quickly underwater trying to keep everything afloat (probably like a lot of mothers). But my feet aren't paddling. I can only give the glory to God for this. I can only thank the people who have prayed for me, for Mark and for Catherine. I have taken so much comfort in God these past few weeks. So many positive words have been given concerning Catherine that it is difficult to become anxious. Yes, I do feel anxious when Catherine is having an unpleasant treatment or is distressed, but generally, when nothing is happening at that moment, I am at peace. I just thank God for this wonderful demonstration of His faithfulness in my life and for the peace He gives which really does pass all understanding.
Thankyou for your prayers. I want to encourage you that God hears them and is answering.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Wearing curtains?
We had an interesting night's sleep last night as Catherine decided she wanted to come into bed for a cuddle. This was very cute, but as the night progressed she took over the majority of the bed (diagonally) and Mark ended up going to sleep in the spare room. Also, she woke me up a few times stroking my face. Another cute thing to do but it has resulted in a tired mummy, especially after yesterday's hospital visit.
The hospital visit went as well as could be expected. Catherine doesn't like having the anaesthetic for the lumbar puncture because it makes her feel 'wobbly' afterwards, so she was worried about this all morning. However, she was very happy using the anaesthetic spray instead of the 'magic' cream on her portacath, so I think we will use it the next time. She is already losing the weight she gained on the steroids and is continuing to walk and run about more. This is very good news.
Catherine is also working out that she can have fun with her new hair. I was carrying her earlier and she had a naughty sparkle in her eyes. Seconds later, she had put her 'hair' on my head......back to front! This meant I couldn't see where I was going and also that she was in a fit of giggles which made it much harder to keep hold of her: 'Mummy it looks like you're wearing curtains' she said as she parted the 'hair' to see my face. Typically, as is always the case with Catherine, this had to be a day when we are attending a big conference. She is so funny.
Please continue to pray that she escapes any infections, particularly viruses like chicken pox and measles which would mean we need to go into hospital immediately. Thankyou.
The hospital visit went as well as could be expected. Catherine doesn't like having the anaesthetic for the lumbar puncture because it makes her feel 'wobbly' afterwards, so she was worried about this all morning. However, she was very happy using the anaesthetic spray instead of the 'magic' cream on her portacath, so I think we will use it the next time. She is already losing the weight she gained on the steroids and is continuing to walk and run about more. This is very good news.
Catherine is also working out that she can have fun with her new hair. I was carrying her earlier and she had a naughty sparkle in her eyes. Seconds later, she had put her 'hair' on my head......back to front! This meant I couldn't see where I was going and also that she was in a fit of giggles which made it much harder to keep hold of her: 'Mummy it looks like you're wearing curtains' she said as she parted the 'hair' to see my face. Typically, as is always the case with Catherine, this had to be a day when we are attending a big conference. She is so funny.
Please continue to pray that she escapes any infections, particularly viruses like chicken pox and measles which would mean we need to go into hospital immediately. Thankyou.
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