Short and sweet(ish!)

Hello, Hope you're having a good week, this is a long term isn't it? Already we're on week five here, and still three weeks to go :/

Anyways, I thought I'd let you know that Cerys is off for a blood test tomorrow, and we are hoping she gets a transfusion too. I hope we can have a word with one of the nurses there, and pick her brain about a few things, so if they do transfuse, it may well be a long day (judging by the last one she had done at Bangor).

We've also had the appointment throught for the transplant clinic, and we are to go there on the 27th at 10.30 (what a start to half term!)

That's all for now, just trying to keep you posted as it filters in here....I'll let you know what happens tomorrow, would love to hear from you, speak soon.
Melanie
XxX

Mixed bag!!!

Well, about time I filled you all in really! I know some other people have started reading too, so hello to everybody, hope everyone is good and well.

We've been steadily busy here all Month, and our big news comes from the latest trip to the hospital. Cerys's blood is steadily drifting down again, and although the latest bone marrow biopsy showed no major nasties, it didn't look as healthy as the one before. So they have more or less decided they would like to do a bone marrow transplant. Feels so surreal typing that!!!!!!!!!!! She is going to be monitored here at Bangor, on a weekly basis for the next month, and then we are to attend the transplant clinic on a Monday morning in around a months time, when we will discuss the next steps. They also asked us to bring Iwan with us that day, so he can start to familiarise himself with the place and the people, because he is going to be tested to see if he is a match as apparently, he is our best chance. Despite that, he still only has a one in four chance of being a suitable donor, so we will have to check the national database too, and I'm not sure if they're willing to test random strangers we pick up off the street!!! A transplant (they call it a graft for some reason) is a fairly big deal for the person receiving apparently. She will most probably need a dose of chemotherapy first, and the effects of that should last around a month, then they need to supress her existing immune system, so she'll have to be put in isolation for a while beforehand. Then they'll transfer the marrow, and that'll be followed by another period of isolation. So really really tough times ahead, but as long as we get to bring a healthy and normal Cerys home, we can do it. No idea how, but we will!!! Cerys is quite happy at the hospital though, she's getting to know everyone, and the facilities are excellent at Alder hey. Here's a pic of Jon, quite put out by Cerys wanting a go on the games console on Thursday!!

So, in the meantime, we have been trying to make the most of days when we're all at home together, and trying to keep things as normal as possible.
I'd better not forget to tell you about Iwan's starting at Nursery school! He is quite happy there, but he does have one advantage over the other kids as his Mam gets to stay!! He's not too sure he likes all the sitting down yet, but so far so good. He even got a good behaviour star last week too, but decided he didn't want to wear it! Here he is, a rare moment where he is sat still there! As you can see, his hair is taking on the Clapham turn....

We went visiting family yesterday, and the kids decided to pick the apples off the tree that Barney has in his garden. The Pictures didn't come out too good, but there were hundreds of apples on this tree, and every shake produced dozens at a time! The kids loved it!!

So there we have it! Lots to tell you but nothing much has happened really! I shall leave you with a pic of them both smiling and sat still.


I shall keep you all informed of any more news, keep fingers crossed for us.
Speak soon
XxX

A STAR!!!!!

Hello, Cerys just wanted to show you this particular picture. It's her very first star from Miss Jones at school. She was awarded the star for singing, they are busy practising for their thanksgiving festival, and she obviously has the Clapham voice ;)



So there we have it! A green star! We are having some juice and biscuits now, before the tea time rush, then we're all tired out and ready for bed!Hope you've had a good day, Speak soon
XxX

Another first for us

Hello there, hope you are all good. We're fine here, we've had a busy weekend. A birthday party yesterday, and we've said bon voyage to Nain and Taid today (they have gone on holiday for 10 days) and hello to Grandma! Just wanted to upload some pics really. Here goes! Here's Cerys doing her best twirl...that girl does like a frock! Iwan (almost) smart in his waistcoat! Its accessorised with a chocolate roll by the way. And here he is in the ball pool, amongst the girls (again!) Now here is what Cerys has been up to for hours this afternoon..... and as reward, Jon said she was allowed her very first ride on the Harley. Check out her reaction!!



Hope you're all well, we've a fairly busy week ahead, but nothing exciting, although after all our recent excitement, boring and normal will do me fine! take care, kisses to all XxX

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

Hello English side of the family! Hope you are all ok, how's term going?

We have had another long day at the hospital, Cerys had her bone marrow messed with this morning, and late this afternoon, the consultant told us it didn't look like there was any Leukemia present. We have been flying high ever since!!!! SO bottom line, they still don't know why's not poory, but at the moment, I'm quite happy to settle for the fact it isn't Leukemia. Once again, she has been a star, waking up from the anasthetic bright as a daisy! She got abit bored even of all the waiting around, and even wih a poorly hand (where they had inserted a canulla in case she needed a transfusion) she managed to cover us all with gold glitter, kindly supplied by the recovery ward play therapist!

When we'd finished the glue, she decided Ted was hungry, Poor Ted has been through a lot recently!

Iwan is fine, he has been good as gold today for Nain and Auntie Beryl today, although he has been scrapping with Mam's dog (not happy about it!)

He is allowed the run of the house, but he chooses to read his books in the porch!This is Auntie Beryl's house



But he has been keeping everone's spirits up, and the next thing for him is starting Nursery wih me next week. They won't know what's hit them!!!!

And there we have it, another short post, but I will ramble more next time I promise!!! Hope you are all alright, and we will have to arrange to get together soon, or it'll be Christmas before we know it (frightening!!) Kisses to all,

One very relieved Mel
xXx

Who wants some sniffles then?

Good morning! Short and sweet update from us. Cerys loved school,and even came round to the idea of the dinners having had a bellyful of roast pork on Wednesday. Unfortunately, she has caught Iwan's cold, which turned into tonsilitis, so missed Thursday and Friday. She's on some strong anti-biotics though, so will be fighting fit by Monday morning I'm sure. My turn for the sniffles now though, but hey ho!!

Carolyn has sold the house, so that's a waiting game now, and she's off on her Hols tomorrow too. Then as soon as she gets back, Mam and Dad are off, so everyones jetting off :( Jealous me? Never!!!

We will hopefully be up at Alder Hey on Wednesday, to see if we get a better idea of what's going on, so will update when we know anything new. Hope you all ok, kisses to all.

FIRST DAY!!!!

Well, here is my baby, how the heck has she grown up so much!!!



She enjoyed her first day really, but said she didn't really enjoy the dinner! It was made up for by the chocolate cake pudding, but apparently it wasn't the same as Mams!! That's my girl!!

So first day and she didn't look back, wonder how the second one will go!

Hope your first day back was ok. Cerys has just asked when she'll get to play with Dan again, so must sort something out soon.

Kisses to all, with a side serving of cuddles on the side!