Kiera continues to be in "good health". We really are surprised but pleased that she continues to be active and able to do things that a few weeks ago she couldn't. Today she went to the King Charles Adult Education Centre in Surbiton to do some pottery and throw some pots. You can see from the photo that she had a really good time. Thanks to Momentum for arranging this and also to Derek for showing how it should be done! We are taking advantage of her good health at the moment as, once the chemo starts on 16th April, her health will obviously deteriorate. On Sunday, while I recover from the National Hospital Radio Awards in a hotel room in Northampton, Kiera and Ann are going.......trout fishing!  While we're doing these things, Mike will be doing the sponsored run for Momentum and so far he's reached £760. If you're planning to sponsor him, please do so, don't put it off! Click here! It would be nice if we could reach £1000!

On Monday we're having a visit to the McLaren site in Woking (guess I'll go to that!), and on Tuesday Kiera has been granted her wish from Rays of Sunshine and we'll be at London Zoo. So lots to keep her occupied and of course, I'll let you all know how things have gone.

Have a good weekend and thanks for your continued love, support, kindness and best wishes!

 

Kiera had her last blast of radiotherapy to her head on Tuesday and yesterday had a bone marrow biopsy. The biopsy involved a general anaesthetic and then removal of bone marrow from her pelvis, through two small holes in her back which is still a bit sore from the op. Over the last few days she has continued to improve in her strength, morale and general demeanour and it's been great watching her draw, paint and do general arty stuff that's been beyond her capabilities recently. The radiotherapy is a gradual process and we hope that it's a good sign that she is making a recovery but there is still the chance that she may go "downhill" as it takes effect. Her chemo is scheduled to start on 16th April (a day before her birthday) but it will allow us to have some quality family time together over the Easter holidays.

Thanks to everyone once again for your messages and support. You continue to give us the strength to carry on. Thanks also to everyone who has sponsored Mike on his 10k run. There is still time to do so by visiting the "Just Giving" site. Momentum have some big plans to improve the life of children in Kingston Hospital and you can be part of it!

Well, just one more dose of radiotherapy tomorrow and then after a weeks break, Kiera will start on more chemotherapy. The chemo is being funded by our insurance company which is good news! For the last few days she has been exceptionally well considering the amount of treatment she's received. Over the weekend Kiera and some friends went to the flower show at Hampton Court and they all had a good time, but she does still get tired very easily, a by-product of the treatment.

So last radiotherapy tomorrow and a small bone marrow op on Wednesday is the plan for this week.

Thanks to all who have so far sponsored Mike on his run on 1st April. The target of £200 was beaten and last time I checked it was over £500. Don't forget that all the money raised will go to Momentum.

A friend of ours, Mike Hamblin, will be entering the Kingston Breakfast Run on 1st April and will use this to raise funds for Momentum. If you'd like to sponsor him, please visit his "Just Giving" site here and sign up. Thanks, Mike!

MONDAY 12TH UPDATE! Thanks to all who have generously sponsored Mike so far. His initial target of £200 had been smashed, but please don't let that put you off if you're still planning to sponsor him. Plus, Gift Aid makes is swelling the amount everytime someone signs up.

Kiera's radiotherapy is continuing this week. She's doing "fine" but the radiotherapy is taking its toll and she gets tired quite easily. The shingles have responded well to the treatment and we've heard that our insurers will cover the chemo treatment should the PCT not, so all is going as well as we could hope for.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that Kiera had taken part in a short promotional video for Momentum. That video is now on-line and can be found here. (It's 18MB, so a broadband connection would help!)

Kiera had her first dose of radiotherapy to her brain today. Although the actual process of delivering it is pain free, there's a rather uncomfortable procedure that she had to go through first, and that was to make a mask of her face. This involved a "U" shaped piece of plastic that had a plastic mesh across it. This was heated up in warm water and while she was laying down, pushed over her face and down past her ears to the table that she was laying on. The plastic was then fixed to the table until it was set and then she had to undergo various scans and an x rays. The mask was then marked so that the radiotherapy machine will concentrate in the same area each time. There are more details about how it's done, here. The radiotherapy will be over 2 weeks this time, and then there will be some chemotherapy, which will be different from the last. It will probably be taken by mouth and it is not a registered drug so our consultant will need to apply to the PCT for extra funding for it. We may also have to fall back on to our private health care policy for it, but that's a few weeks away, anyway.

Her shingles are clearing up and she has been eating for England! She's doing well! Tonight shouldd be her last night in Kingston.

Thanks to everyone, once again for the comments, it is really helping her along!

This afternoon, Kiera was visited at home by Kim from "Save the World Club", a Kingston based charity who have been responsible for a lot of the wonderful mosaics that you see around Kingston. Kim and her colleagues have recently completed a wonderful mosaic at the entrance of the Children's wards at Kingston Hospital. It really brightens the entrance up and makes it more welcoming. It was arranged that Kiera would have a couple of friends over after school and they would create their own mosaic masterpieces. They all did a mosaic of their hand and Kim has taken them away to be finished off. Many of you will know that Kiera really enjoys this kind of activity so thanks to Kim and also Bianca from Momentum for arranging this diversion!

Kiera was due to have a bone marrow op tomorrow but that has been cancelled due to her shingles, which are responding well to the treatment. However, we'll still be going to the Marsden where her radiotherapy will be planned and, I understand, begin.

You wouldn't believe the afternoon that Kiera and her friends had today! Kiera had been told that they were going in to London in a mini bus, but that was a lie! They were met outside the school gates by a stretched limo and were ferried to the show in real style! They all received Mama Mia goodie bags and were treated like VIPs. It was so nice to see Kiera enjoying the company of her friends and it has made a real difference to her after all the recent bad news.

I would really like to thank everyone for this day! To Momentum and especially Bianca, to the staff and management at Mama Mia! and The Prince of Wales Theatre, to Wild Stretch Limousines and ichauffeur for providing the transport and to Mr Logan at school for allowing Kieras friends the afternoon off. Everyone was so kind to the girls and it has really made Kiera's day.

 

Thanks!

Kiera is back in Kingston hospital again. This time it's to treat a bout of shingles that have appeared on her arm and has been very painful for her. St Georges originally gave her anti biotics by mouth to treat it but they didn't work. Now she has to have an infusion through her Hickman line three times a day. The process takes about an hour and a quarter, so she can come out during the day...which is good news as it's Mama Mia tomorrow for her and 4 of her friends. In the meantime, she and Ann will spend the nights in Kingston.

 

Kiera's back home this afternoon, via Kingston where she had the staples in her head removed. Not too painful a procedure and soothed by the offer of £1 per staple, so that's probably the easiest £21 she'll earn!

She and some friends are planning to see "Mama Mia" in London on Monday afternoon, followed on Tuesday by a "Mosaic Party" at home with some friends and the team who are doing the mosaic in the children's wards at Kingston.

Wednesday it's off to the Marsden where she will have a bone marrow test, which involves another spell under general anaesthetic. Then later in the day she'll meet the radiologist where her next treatment for her brain tumour will be planned.

She's come home with more drugs than Boots which will see her through until the radio therapy starts. As for chemo, there will be more at some time.