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!

Well, Christmas came and went and apart from a slight temperature on the morning of the 25th, K has stayed remarkably well. We all had a great Christmas Day at home and we were joined by our friends on Boxing Day. Today we went to the cinema to see "Zoom" (no, I'd never heard of it, either) however K enjoyed it. Made better by the fact that we were the only three in the screening!

We really happy that we've managed Christmas at home this year, with no hospital visit. It's possible that K has got over the worst side effects of the chemotherapy, that and the fact that it's a lower dosage. Next week sees another session of chemotherapy over 2 days and the radiotherapy will start on 2nd Jan 2007, every day, five days a week for about 6 weeks. It's going to be a strain, as it's done on an outpatient basis at the Marsden, but it does mean that the light at the end of the tunnel is, we hope, getting closer and brighter.

So, hopefully this is the last blog of 2006. We wish you all the very best for 2007!

It was a great weekend for all the family, with presents being exchanged and opened as if it was the 25th! On Monday we were all at the Royal Marsden for a kidney function test and also to have a planning session for the radiotherapy that starts in the new year. They have put three very small black dots on her which the radiotherapy scanner will line up on each time to ensure that the same area is being zapped! The dots were done by placing some black ink on her and then a small pin prick, just like a tattoo. School is now over and we don't know what lies ahead over the next few days. Going on past experience we estimate that there is a reasonably good chance of being in the isolation room at Kingston over the Christmas period, in fact the 25th is a good bet. We'll just have to wait and see.

I've said it here many times but once again, THANK YOU to everybody who visits the site to check up on Kiera. The support, love and affection has really touched all three of us. The past 12 months has been an emotional roller coaster, from the highs of Australia and Hong Kong, to the lows of diagnosis and the effects of treatment. But it has been made easier knowing that we have so many friends close by and around the world supporting us and thinking about us. Thank you so much! We hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year will bring you all that you desire.

K's blood count was low on Friday so on Monday morning a nurse called to take some blood and have it checked. It had gradually crept up over the weekend and so Monday afternoon saw K and A heading off to the Marsden once again. Whilst the Marsden are excellent in their care, they don't seem to be all that good in communication and it transpired that the treatment would be just over 27 hours, not the longer duration that we expected. So, A and K are back home now, a day earlier so all is well. We're having Christmas Day part 1 on Saturday when K's Granny, Grandad, Uncle and Aunt will be here so she's looking forward to that. And of course lots of other things happening as we head up to the end of term next week. Have a good weekend! More news as and when and a few recent photos of K are added to the photo section.

K came out of hospital yesterday and is fine but still need to finish her course of anti biotics, of which the last is this evening. She went to school today along with her cycling proficiency badge and her achievement certificate to show her friends. Tomorrow it's of the the Marsden for a few tests then a weekend at home with a 3 day stint at the Marsden starting on Monday.

After a really good weekend, K's temperature shot up over Sunday morning and so she and I went into Kingston on Monday morning at about 5.30. We're really encouraged that the seventh dose of chemo, which is a different regime from the original 6, hasn't hit her as hard as previously. No sore mouth and other effects which has blighted her in the past. Ann is with her at the moment and we hope they'll both be out tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. On Friday it's off to Marsden for pre chemo tests and then the 8th session starts on Monday. K would like to thank everyone who has left messages on the blog for her, she really appreciates it!

Every year our local council, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, host an awards ceremony in which a child from a local school is nominated for their achievement. This year by a unanimous vote, the teachers at St Marys and St Peters School decided that Kiera should be the recipient. Today she received her certificate from the Mayor of Richmond at the ceremony at The Stoop, which is where NEC Harlequins play. We're very proud of her! That said, tonight she's tucked up in bed in Kingston Hospital after developing a bug in one of her lines, but she hopes to be out tomorrow morning to continue her schooling and her cycling proficiency award. Photos are on the left!

K is doing well at the moment. She went back to school yesterday and on top of that has started on her cycling proficiency badge. She was so pleased to be able to ride her bike again, after such a long time of not having the energy to do so. It's all in short bursts and she still gets tired easily but it does encourage us all.

K and A got back from Marsden yesterday. K is well but is requiring a top up of anti biotics every now and then. The first was last night at 11pm, so she and I stayed in Kingston overnight. More later this afternoon and we'll see how it goes from there.

It was going to be oh so easy! Chemo on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then into school Wednesday pm for the knitting club! But not so! K took a bit of a dislike to one of the chemicals that they pump into her which resulted in a bit of a hairy day. She got out of bed and lost her balance and her hands went into a kind of spasm. It seems that this is one of the know side effects of the drugs but usually occurs the first time it's administered. This was the seventh dose so it just goes to show that we can't take anything for granted. Anyway, they pumped her full of some "blue" stuff which seemed to sort her out and this evening I went over to the Marsden loaded with clean clothes and her favourite food (paste). (Tin of peeled plum tomatoes, 2 slices of bread, grated cheese and and egg. Put in blender, blend then gently heat. Pour over pasta etc). If she continues on the up they should be home tomorrow, however, there is also a slight chance that one of the Hickman lines has an infection so that might need some visits to Kingston. As far as long term is concerned, we've been told that the next course of action will be radiotherapy starting on 2nd Jan 2007. As far as I know, this will be a series of daily visits to Marsden as an outpatient, Mon to Friday, over a number of weeks. Plus it's also possible that chemo will continue as well.

(Happy birthday, Dad, wherever you are!)

Kieras 7th session starts today, 20th November. It's shorter than the usual as (I assume) that it's a stop gap while the consultants consider the next course of action now surgery has been ruled out. Since coming out of Kingston K has got better with each day and Ann and I both think the week "off" of chemo has done her good. She's been back to school, been to London and a party. All things that a girl of her age should be doing!

Funny how a week on holiday in Hong Kong goes quicker than a week in Kingston Hospital! K was released this afternoon and is as fit as can be at the moment although she has to have a daily infusion of anti biotics. Her next chemo was due tomorrow but that's not going ahead for the time being. Tonight she's having a sleep over with a friend (she insists!) and Ann and I are off to the Momentum Opera at the Landmark Centre. If you're going, hope you enjoy it! Thanks again to everyone for their support and messages, it's a real comfort to know that we have you as friends and relatives!

This has not been a good week for K! The usual anti biotics haven't worked and there's not been a real clue as to what is wrong. She's developed a number of sores around all the her mouth and bottom area. The codeine side effects are constipation so you can imagine the distress she's been in. Yesterday they changed the pain killer so hopefully that problem has been addressed. Ann had an appointment with the Prof at the Royal Brompton yesterday. He will not operate to take any of the tumour out. He said that it would be too invasive for what he could actually achieve (we're talking opening up the chest cavity as they do with heart patients). "Put it this way, I wouldn't do it on my daughter" were his comments. So that just leaves chemo and radiotherapy. Today K has gone to the Brompton for a series of scans and when she gets back to Kingston a CT scan is booked in. I must admit however that this morning she was sitting up in bed, colouring and drawing and in little discomfort. I've no idea when she'll be out, her count is up as they've put her on the same medicine as she had prior to the stem cell harvest which also seems to have helped her, so sometime soon, I hope!

K & A are still in Kingston. K's temperature is all over the place for no apparent reason. Yesterday she had and x-ray which showed no problems and so it's more down to more blood tests to find the reason. K's next chemotherapy, while longer term decisions are made  is scheduled for 13th to 15th November.

Wearing my other hat as Treasurer at Hospital Radio Hillingdon, I'd like to ask you to visit our web shop if you intend to buy Christmas presents on line this year. Shops include John Lewis, Amazon, M&S, Play.com and hundreds more. If you go to www.radiohillingdon.com and click on the link, or bookmark www.buy.at/radiohillingdon then every time you make a purchase, Hospital Radio Hillingdon receives a commission. Subsequent visits to any of the shops need to be made via the web shop at www.buy.at/radiohillingdon for commission on your purchase to be payable, however there is NO extra cost to you. Having been with Kiera in Kingston Hospital and the Royal Marsden, I know what a difference Hospital Radio makes to patients, so please support us as and when you can! Thanks!

Not too bad a week this week with just a blood and platelets transfusion on Thursday. K managed to get to last nights firework display at school but took a turn for the worse over night resulting in a visit to Kingston hospital. We're hoping that she'll be able to come out for the evening so that we can go to our friends bonfire and firework party. No doubt it's going to be at least another 48 hours before she's well enough to come home.

The sixth course of chemo has been completed and K and A are back home. On Wednesday we had a meeting with K's consultant to discuss what options are available now. I wish I had something definite to say but as yet they are undecided as to what to do. There is a slim possibility that the surgeon who carried out K's biopsy will be able to surgically remove some of the tumour, but we need to see him first. If he does operate then there will still be chemo or radiotherapy needed to kill off any that's left. Chemo and radiotherapy are still on the cards or a combination of both. As yet we're none the wiser except to say that a seventh course of chemo has been booked in for 3 weeks time. K is continuing to show strength and courage, even during the times between the sessions where her defences are down and obviously suffering a lot.

Thanks to everyone for continuing to visit this site, we'll keep you all posted when we have more news.

K and A went to Masrden this afternoon. Despite K's readings being lower than expected they've decided to go ahead with the 6th chemo session. This is the last in the planned medication. On Wednedsay we'll be meeting up with K's consultant to discuss the way forward. So K gets to spend half term in the Marsden.

The sixth round of chemo has been delayed because K's blood count isn't as high as it should be so we've got the weekend together and there'll be another try on Monday. The opening of the Momentum garden appeared in this weeks Surrey Comet and the photo and write up is on the left.

This week is National Giving Week and to celebrate, London's Magic 105.4 are giving away £10,000 to charities that are nominated. This is how you can help get Momentum a share of the cash: Please go to the Magic website by clicking here. Then nominate Momentum and give a brief reason why they should receive some of the cash. And from all at Momentum, a big THANK YOU for doing so!

K was discharged from Kingston this morning, just in time for A to take her for a scheduled appointment at Marsden. Tonight we're all together under one roof and that's how we hope it will stay until Friday when K's 6th dose of chemo gets underway.

Well, Kiera came home on Thursday afternoon and was fine, but a few hours later her temperature went up then down then up again. By 8pm it was over 39 degrees and so after calling the hospital Kiera, Ann and I tootled off to Kingston. And there Ann and Kiera have stayed. Looks like until at least Saturday. Kiera is well but her temperature keeps fluctuating so they need to keep an eye on her. Well, I stayed with K on Saturday and we had hoped that by midday we'd know if K was free to come out. She was, but only for a few hours so that she could go to a party on Sunday afternoon. We'd have liked for her to be home, indeed for all of us to be here but once again there are no clues as to why K has not been feeling her best and they need to continue with the AB's and investigation. Ann & K get to spend another night in their fur lined cell. I'm here. (Got the cat and the fish for company but it ain't the same!)

After a brilliant week in which Kiera met Princess Alexandra, the children's Poet Laureate Jacqueline Wilson and managed todays trip to the Imperial War Museum with her class, the viruses finally got to her and she is now in Kingston Hospital, plumbed up to anti biotics etc. I must admit that the Momentum garden has made a big difference to the view from her room there! Usually the curtains have to be closed as people can see into the room from the corridor at the opposite side of the play area but now there's a curved divider with up lighters and globes in the garden that operate by remote control and change colour as well. It really is superb! It's probably at least a 48 hour stay for the moment.

So, following the false alarm on Tuesday, K has been quite busy this week, managing school all week and Guides on Friday night. Today she was one of two girls asked to present a posy to HRH Princess Alexandra after she had officially opened the Momentum Play Area in the hospital. It really is a fantastic area, with a separate shielded area where children who are suffering from cancer can go without fear of contracting any bugs from other children. Today it was the official opening ceremony and tomorrow all the children will be having a party and Jacqueline Wilson, the children's author and a patron of Momentum, will be there. Pictures from today are on the left!

One other important announcement! Every year the schools in Richmond are invited to nominate a pupil as part of the Celebration of Achievement Awards. Kiera's school, St Mary's and St Peter's School have nominated Kiera this year as a tribute to her courage, bravery, motivation and inspiration. Apparently she was nominated unanimously by all the teachers at the school, so thank you to them and well done Kiera! The awards will take place on 29th November and will also get a mention here!

A & K got back home this afternoon, but just a few hours for K! It seems that there's an infection in her water and so needs to be on some antibiotics again which need to be administered 3 times a day. So tonight, K and I will be staying at Kingston but K should be able to get to school tomorrow. In the morning her class are are attending the Junior Citizen scheme at the Stockyard at Bushey Park. K intends to be with her class for that and hopefully the rest of the day before going back to Kingston for more AB's.

Bit of a false alarm. After spending the night in Kingston, K's samples have come back negative, so she'll be at home for the next few days Hurrah!

A & K set of for The Royal Marsden this morning for chemo No 5. K has been fine since coming home from the stem cell harvest on Wednesday afternoon. It seem that the harvest was a great success and she'll have plenty to recharge herself with later on during the treatment. Thanks to everyone for your comments and best wishes! K should be back home on Monday.