The radiotherapy continues but it seems to be affecting her recovery from the chemo sessions that run concurrently. She was due for a session a week last Monday but blood counts were below a required level. They're gradually improving and yesterday the Marsden called and asked for her to come in for chemo. The session is much shorter and the chemo seems less aggressive to the extent that her eye brows are starting to re-appear. Her progress is certainly encouraging!

The newly re-designed web site for Momentum has been launched. Lots of info and pictures at http://www.moment-um.org/index.html

 

Been a bit of a week this week. Although K appears to be fine, the effects of the continuing radiotherapy is taking it's toll. She's staring to get quite tired and her throat is hurting and if that wasn't enough she seems to have a bit of a cough and cold. If you don't have shares in Kleenex, get some 'cos she's going through them at a rate of knots! Anyway, nothing planned for this weekend so time to rest and relax before the fourth week of radiotherapy starts.

I've added a picture of what the radiotherapy machine looks like. Basically K lies on a table, it's lined up using lasers targeting small marks that were "tattooed" on her and the unit just rotates. A few minutes later the procedure is finished! Completely painless at source!

Today, Kiera and lots of other children who have been treated at Kingston Hospital took part in making a short documentary about Momentum, the charity based at the Hospital. The film will be shown at the Venetian Ball in February and will also be seen on The Community Channel (Sky and NTL/Telewest). Parents were also interviewed about how they felt when attending the hospital and how Momentum has helped them. Jacqueline Wilson was once again kind enough to visit and read to the children and be filmed. If nothing else, the hanging around and waiting has re-enforced Kieras desire not to follow in the footsteps of the other Keira from Teddington and pursue a career in acting! While she was there, Kiera had some blood taken as she's a few weeks since her last chemo and is doing OK. (This was also filmed!).

Well, either Ann or I have taken Kiera to the Royal Marsden each weekday since 2nd Jan and Kiera is a bit of an old hand at the radiotherapy malarkey! Straight on to the table, line up with the lasers and a few minutes it's all over. It's really strange watching this happen as there's no physical contact yet we've been told that it will result in the loss of 28% of her lung capacity at the end of the treatment. That sounds worse that it is as many people survive on just one lung! They've added a couple of extra days for the radiotherapy but this is normal. Kiera is remarkably well, all things considering. On Tuesday evening she went to see Kylie and enjoyed it thoroughly and continues to go to school as well.

        ***** VENETIAN MASKED BALL AND DINNER *****

 

                               FRIDAY 16^TH FEBRUARY 2007 (7.30PM)

 

                              LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE TEDDINGTON

 

 

Why not start of the New Year by planning a fantastic night out?  The Kingston-based charity, MOMENTUM, have joined forces with top West End theatrical events company, ACT ONE EVENTS, to arrange a fabulous VENETIAN MASKED BALL AND DINNER.  Tickets for this one-off event would be ideal for a special occasion or to entertain clients.  Why not buy a whole table?

 

The evening will be truly spectacular (as you would expect from a company who have worked on renowned stage shows such as MAMMA MIA!)  As you arrive at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington, you will be ushered into the stunning gothic interior of this former church, which will be completely transformed into a Venetian ballroom!  As you sip your complimentary champagne cocktail, you will be entertained by a live 12-piece orchestra!  You can then relax and enjoy a four-course banquet, after which you will have the opportunity to bid for fantastic, Italian-themed ‘lots’ in an auction, under the expert gavel of a Christie’s auctioneer.

 

Then dance the night away.  A glittering night to remember!

 

THE VENETIAN MASKED BALL AND DINNER will cost £70 a ticket and they are selling fast.  There are also a limited number of V.I.P. tickets available, seated on a raised platform in the Chancel, with a fabulous view of the evening’s proceedings and a complimentary bottle of champagne per pair of tickets.  These are £100 each.

 

Most important of all, all proceeds from this memorable evening will go to MOMENTUM, a registered charity supporting children with cancer and other life threatening conditions.  MOMENTUM’s next project is to completely redesign and re-equip the playroom and the teenager’s room in the paediatric unit at Kingston Hospital, which admits children from all over Surrey.

 

DRESS CODE – BALLGOWNS AND BLACK TIE (OR EVEN TAILS!)

 

 

To reserve your tickets please call 020 8255 0945

or e-mail contact@moment-um.org. 

 

We accept debit and credit cards.

 

www.moment-um.org

Registered charity no.1106677

Happy New Year to you All! We had a splendid Christmas and New Year without any need to go into isolation, which was our biggest fear over the festive period. On 2nd Jan, K went to Marsden for her next dose of chemotherapy and also to start her daily dose of radiotherapy. Understandably she was very nervous about this new treatment and it kept her awake for a lot of the night of the 1st Jan. But she overcame her fear and today she had her second dose before returning home with Ann. The chemo is quite low dose so we're hoping that she'll be staying away from Kingston over the next few weeks.

The radiotherapy is given everyday and K attends as an outpatient. It only takes a few minutes to administer and the real bug bear is going to be the daily "commute" but obviously it's all worthwhile! At the moment she's doing a backwards jigsaw and singing "Kung fu fighting", so perhaps the side effects of the radiotherapy are already showing!