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Thank you to everyone who attended the Garden open day on Saturday and to those who organised, ran and supported it. It was a resounding success and Momentum will benefit from it to the tune of around £6500. Everyone is really touched by peoples generosity and rest assured the money will be put to good use helping children like Kiera get though their illnesses.

Well, we all had a great week in the Isle of Wight. On Monday morning we waved goodbye to Kiera and her classmates as they set of for Portsmouth, en route to Shanklin. Ann and I then set off for our short break...also on the Isle of Wight. Kiera stayed with her friends at one side Island, we stayed in Freshwater on the opposite side.

Kiera managed the whole week without any problems although she had started to flag a bit come Friday morning but by then it was the homeward journey. The only time we met up with K was to collect her from the hotel on Thursday morning and take her for a routine blood test at St Marys Hospital. Kiera had only missed a 2 mile walk over the Downs so she wasn't too upset when she met up with the class at Allum Bay. Then she was off and we didn't see her again until the coach dropped her off at the school this afternoon.

Her blood test on Thursday was not as good as it could have been so they've decided to delay the third round of chemotherapy for a week, which as it's half term is no bad thing.

We're extremely grateful to Mr Logan and his staff for keeping an eye on her, from what he tells us, she has been really amazing for the whole week. In fact I think his only real problem was putting up with mum, checking up a couple of times each day! Also, we can't forget the nurses and staff at Kingston and Royal Marsden hospitals who did their best to ensure that K was healthy enough to go on the trip.

Ann and I would  like to thank Nicola for allowing us the use of her house on the isle and for pointing out some fine places to eat and drink. We had a great time and a much needed break as well!

Another day another run! Well done to everyone who took part in the Schools Fun Run at Bushey Park today. It was a brilliant event with lots of people and sunshine! The money raised from the event is to be split between the school's funds and Momentum. Kiera managed the 3km, albeit with the aid of her electric scooter and it was a shock for Ann as her legs were only just getting over yesterdays Race for Life!
So that's probably it for a week. Tomorrow morning we're off to Isle of Wight, Kiera with the school and Ann and I lurking around the Isle but not cramping our girls style.

Big congratulations to Ann, Tina, Charlotte, Jo and Kath for completing the Cancer Research Run for Life 5k run in Richmond's Old Deer Park today. Between them they raised over £1150 for Cancer research and they were all running on behalf of Kiera, who was there to cheer them on. Thanks to them and thanks to all of their sponsors! Thanks to Sarah for the champagne at the end!

Kiera's second round of chemo finished today so the plan is now for her to go to the Isle of Wight on Monday for the week with all of her class. Ann and I will also be on the Isle but staying on the opposite side, just in case, but we hope that K will have a good break with her friends and we'll just have a break!

Pleased to repot that K is now back home. Seems it was some kind of viral infection that has run it's course. The chemo continues though for this week and the Isle of Wight looks like it's ging to happen. Fingers crossed!

Kiera is spending another night in Kingston. Her temperature is still up and down like a yo yo but she is being quite stoical about it, Her main concern is to get to the Isle of Wight next Monday with the rest of her class. I'm sure she'll make it!
Today we heard from a friend of ours that someone has asked for a gift to be passed to us anonymously. I sit here trying to put into words exactly how Kiera, Ann and I appreciate everyones thoughts and kindness towards us and I find it so hard to do. The words "Thank you" just doesn't seem to be enough! We've been on a real emotional roller coaster. We've been warned so many times about potential outcomes, we've had bad times and we've had good times and through it all we've had you with us, supporting us and letting us know that we are not facing this on our own. I've typed it so many times and each time I do I wish I could really convey just how much your love, support and friendship means to us.

Kiera has done really well so far to avoid any infections but the last few days has seen her temperature fluctuating between normal and high. Today it went over 39 degrees so it was straight to Kingston, just after she and Ann had got back from the days chemo session at Marsden. Kiera doesn't show any signs of being unwell, slightly tired but she says she's fine, and there doesn't seem anything untoward as far as her blood results are, so we hope that it's just a blip and that she'll be able to carry on with the chemo as planned.

The second round of chemo got underway on Monday, following the pattern of the first round. A week on two drugs, then a week on one and a week to recover. It's an up and down thing, and the last few days has seen Kiera at a bit of a low. Tired for most of the time and today she had a temperature spike at 38.2, which gave some cause for concern. However, the temperature has stabilised back to normal but it's difficult to know if she has an infection of some sort or if it's a side effect of the chemo. Her blood counts are on an upwards trend so we hope that it's just a blip. We cancelled our week at the Clicsargent holiday home, which should have been next week as K will still be on chemo. Hopefully, with everything crossed she'll be on the school trip to Isle of Wight on the following week.

I'm sure that many of you know that Kiera is saving up for her own Smart car. It was great being lent one for a week as a birthday present, but to be able to drive it was not possible...until today! Courtesy of Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands, Kiera was taken out in a Smart car and given her own one to one instructions on how to drive, and then let loose! She had a great time! It was even better when Ed, her instructor took her out on the handling circuit and skid ring in an SLK to show her what a car with power could really do! Thanks to every one at Mercedes Benz World for making her so welcome,treating her to her own special driving lesson and the goody bag!

The parents of Rik, a friend of ours, are having a "Garden Day" on 26th May and would like to invite you to enjoy their garden, along with refreshments and a Tombola. The garden is at Lyne, very near to Woking. Entry is £3 and ploughmans lunches can also be booked. All the proceeds of the day will go to Momentum. If you'd like to go (and it's a beautiful garden), please e-mail rik@narla.co.uk for more details.

Well, Kiera's first cycle of the new chemo protocol ended last Friday and we are amazed at just how well she is! We looked up for all of the side effects that the new drugs can bring but she doesn't appear to be suffering from any of them! Yesterday, she and I walked around Kingston and she left her wheelchair in the car and managed with very little effort. We are so encouraged by her progress! Last Saturday the NCT group met up for a trip to The London Eye followed by lunch. A good time was had by all! On Monday, Ann, Kiera and I spent a night at "The Ritz", courtesy of "Action for sick kids". It was an out of this world experience and a real eye opener as to how the other half live. (Or the other 2% than own half of the UK). Thanks to the Play Specialists at Kingston Hospital for organising this for Kiera (and us!).

We'd like to thank Tina and Hannah and everybody who went for the meal at "The Wharf" a couple of weeks ago. Ann, Kiera and I are overwhelmed at the kindness that everyone has shown and to be honest, words can't say how grateful we are for every ones support and kindness. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES! Knowing that we have so many friends behind us and supporting us really does make a big difference to the three of us. Kieras well being and progress is not just down to the medicine, it's a positive, mental approach which is boosted entirely by your thoughts and deeds.