Kiera and Bizzy had their joint birthday party for their classmates today at Painshill this afternoon. Despite an awful cough which we think is the start of a side effect from the chemo, Kiera had a great time and so did Bizzy. Hopefully, if you went, we hope that you enjoyed it too! Thank you to everyone who went and thank you also for the cards and presents.

Last week we found that the two part chemo protocol that K is following, is only two parts for the first week of each cycle. This means no fasting and we can get to Marsden earlier each day this week.

There are many people around the world who read this blog to keep up with Kiera's condition. I'd like to say a big "Hello" to my aunt and uncle, Bina and George and their family who are in America. Hope you are all well and many thanks for the recent photo's that you sent to me.

Once a year, the mums who met all those years ago at the NCT classes, meet up at the crocodile tree in Bushey Park for a joint birthday party for the children that they had. No exception this year, all bar one, present and correct! (It's not a "dad" thing!)

Despite the chemo, Kiera had a great birthday party on Tuesday. Thanks to all of her friends for coming and making it so special for her. Hope you had a good time! There is another joint party with Bizzy on Sunday at Painshill Park, where they'll all be pond dipping!

Thanks also to everyone for the cards, gifts and messages wishing Kiera a happy birthday.

The chemo is continuing and as yet it seems to be having little visible effect on her, she seems so well, but we know that soon it will start to produce the side effects that we are expecting. It was just so good that we could have a break over Easter and especially for her birthday.

 

Ann and K headed off to The Marsden for an 11 o'clock appointment. The chemo protocol is as new to the staff there as it is to us and there were a number of uncertainties as to how it should be administered. Eventually they decided that the first chemo, Temazolomide, should be given orally after not eating for 2 hours and then nothing for a further 2 hours. The second chemo, Irinitecan, is given by an infusion via Kieras Hickman line which will take about 2 hours to deliver and flush through. So the plan is for K to have breakfast at home and then 2 hours later have the Temazolomide, which is in a capsule form. Then we head off to The Marsden where the Irinitecan is administered. This is going to happen for 2 weeks, then a break of about a week then a further 2 or 3, 2 week cycles.

Well, we managed two nights away! Not far, just to a campsite at East Horsley. Thanks to Graham and Lesley for letting us borrow their motor home. Kiera had a brilliant time and it also allowed for her to get a reasonably comfortable nights sleep, apart from me snoring (apparently!). It was so nice for all of us to get away just for a while and feel as if we had actually been away!

So now back home and K is busy planning for her birthday which is on Tuesday, followed by a pond dipping party on the following Saturday.

Her headaches are unpredictable but seem to be easing off with the re introduction of the steroids. Ann called the Marsden on Tuesday but they've not called back so we are assuming that all is still going to plan and that the chemo will start on Monday.

Well, the chocolate fountain party was a great success! More chocolate than Willy Wonker was one quote I heard. Thanks especially to the wonderful Jacqueline Wilson who attended (at Kieras invite) and help the chocolate go down.

Today we were hoping to go to see Skating on Ice at Wembley, but Kiera has taken a turn for the worse, with headaches becoming more regular and one instance of being sick. So it was back to Kingston Hospital for a scan. I don't have the full facts so I can't tell you what is going to happen. K is back home but is back on steroids, which has always helped. She's fine in herself, currently icing a gingerbread house and tomorrow we're off in a camper van for a couple of nights away (but not too far!).

Oh, I nearly forgot (as I'm not allowed to drive it) On Thursday, Ann took delivery of a smart car, which Kiera is saving up for. It's an early birthday gift from Ella, Charles, William, Teresa and Lauren. So thanks to them for that. It's on hire for a week and the girls love nipping around in it.

More when we get back. Hope you all had a good Easter!

 

Well, it's certainly been a busy week so far! On Monday we visited the McLaren Technology Centre at Woking. Slight misunderstanding as the girls thought it was Mercedes-Benz World we were going to and were expecting to drive some of the cars. Not to be, as the least expensive car we saw was the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren at about £350k! I certainly enjoyed the two hour tour and the girls did as well bearing in mind their disappointment. It was fascinating to watch carbon fibre being cut out by hand and laid onto moulds which would eventually become the front wishbone on the suspension of a McLaren F1 car.

On Tuesday, we were collected by a limo, not any limo but a rather large pink one! We were whisked to our hotel, The London Hilton and then on to London Zoo where we were met by Ayleen our guide. We were lucky to be taken "backstage" to meet some real furry animals and then allowed to feed giraffes! Later in the afternoon our limo took us to "The Rainforest Cafe" for dinner and then back to the hotel. This morning after a long leisurely breakfast we made our way back to Teddington. It was a really exciting and special time for Kiera, thanks to Rays of Sunshine for making it all happen!

Things lined up for Kiera include a chocolate fountain party, Dancing on Ice at Wembley and a few days away next week in a camper van. plus a few surprises!

She's been really well but getting tired towards the end of the day but making the most of things before the chemotherapy starts in a few weeks time.

Just a reminder if you shop on-line at stores such as John Lewis, Amazon, Play.com and HMV, then please go to them each time via http://www.buy.at/radiohillingdon In doing so, you will still only pay the usual price for your goods but Hospital Radio Hillingdon will receive commission. Ta!

Ann and K had a great time fishing today as the sun shone! They went to the father of a friends house "somewhere near Andover" according to Ann, where Jonny taught Kiera how to angle! As a result K caught a couple of salmon and Ann three brown trout. They were all fortunate enough to be thrown back! Jonny has given K some of his old fishing tackle so no doubt we'll be off somewhere else with a lake soon. Thanks to Jonny and John for fixing it all up.

Mike Hamblin completed his 8.2 mile run in 62 mins 52 secs and has raised around £900 for Momentum. Thanks to him for doing it and to everybody who sponsored him. A fantastic achievement!

Tomorrow we're off to McLaren in Woking, then Tuesday and Wednesday we 're off to London Zoo. Next Saturday K has a chocolate fountain party so quite busy and hopefully we're not cramming in too much before the chemo starts!

 

Don't know if you've seen the film "Kinky Boots" but it's about a shoe making company in Northampton that, to make money, starts to make big boots for "men that dress as ladies". Well, it was based on a true story and the hotel I'm in as I write this was host to the cast and crew of the film. I'm in Northampton for the National Hospital Radio Awards, it's about 3am and I'm on a bit of a high after receiving the "John Whitney" award, which is presented to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Hospital Radio. It's sponsored and decided by The Radio Academy so I'm really chuffed to have been only the third person to recieve it. Gerard Conway, also from Radio Hillingdon won the silver award in the best male presenter category.

I also had a chat with the Mayor of Northampton. Spent 20 minutes talking to him then asked if he could get me a ticket for the British F1 GP that's held in his county. Guess what? He doesn't even get one! What a waste of 20 minutes! Anyway a few pictures of me getting my award may appear here soon!

Nighty night!