fab

Very glad to report that although P is heavilly reliant on a wheelchair at the moment, it was ok, because the limo had a huge boot so it was no problem bringing it to the Australia match. Sad about the performance and result but the folks from SONY made us feel so welcome. The photos are at this address:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amoebaswarm/tags/thejoshuafoundation/
Ally had a nice birthday too. Because Pads and Dad were off to the match we fitted in the celebration in the morning by going for a cooked breakfast!

Trip to see the Wales Team

Pads had a great time at the Millenium Stadium today. Nicky Piper, TJF's head of fundraising met and accompanied us for the visit to the 'Captain's run out'. The teams get to sample the pitch the day before the match and a small select band are allowed in to watch. Pads met and got signatures from most of the team, plus two armfuls of souvenirs. He also made a very fleeting appearance with Ryan Jones on the regional news.
It was a fantastic break from thinking about hair loss. He wore a bandanna for the first time ever - because it was emblazoned with a Welsh flag. He was in a wheelchair for the whole time except when we pursuaded him to climb onto the turf. He was worried that he'd get into trouble (like the streaker in the Samoa game!). But he's very wobbly and needed to rest for the whole afternoon to recover.

still down but a good night for the CLT

Pads and Ash spent the day with Auntie Ruth as both their parents were working today. A seems to be recovering but Pads is still pretty low about the hair loss, as one might expect. Ally was digging out all the old hats from last December. It seems that the old 't-shirt on the head' trick to help his bonce stay warm overnight was not fantastic so I've lent him my cotton balaclava instead.
Tonight Ally hosted a busy charity Pampered Chef party that raised over £200 for the Christian Lewis Trust who are celebrating 20 years of fundraising. Even if you couldnt come, if you would like to buy anything to contribute to this successful event you still could. The order book will be open for a short time - have a look at the catalogue online (I especially like the spatulas) and let us know if you want anything.

Moulting again

Neutrophils: 0.47 (improving)
HB: 11 (ok)
Platelets: 27 (poor)
Thus he's been in for a platelet transfusion today. Perhaps the donor was bald because tonight P's hair fell out again. Seriously though, he was very distressed about it. To finish treatment bald when you've been growing it happily for his entire chemo was as gutting as it was unexpected. Last Christmas he was bald from the radiotherapy. At least he'll look more the part when he goes to The Joshua Foundation sponsored events over the next couple of days.
Of course, it doesnt fall out all at once - the sides and patches of the top were still wanting to stay put for now so Ally got the clippers out and completed the job. Feeling rather light on top, he's gone to sleep using my old scout camp technique of wearing a cotton t-shirt on his head.
Asher has had a quiet day off school. If he has a good night he should be back in school for most of tomorrow.

Asher's turn

Today it was Asher's turn in the medical spotlight - he'd cut his head in a school swimming lesson. At 11 am I had a call to meet him at A&E, just a stone's throw away from where I was in my office. He duely arrived, looking rather cold on the trolley - he really does like to be cosy and all he had on was some damp bathers underneath some measly NHS 'blankets'. You can just imagine him though, using flippers and being told to go as fast as he could, tearing through the water until scraping/colliding with the steps. We need to get him some goggles that he's comfortable with!
Asher was very brave indeed for all the cleaning torture, then they glued the cut together.
Meanwhile, Pads, who'd had a fairly mundane day, is slightly miffed that, after all he's been through, Ash is still the only one in the family to have had a ride in an ambulance (although it should be noted that neither siren nor lights were employed). I suppose it sortof makes up for Pad's various rugby-related trips on Friday and Saturday.