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Joe vs. The Cancer

999 replies

TrazzleMISTLEtoes · 08/12/2012 23:26

My 3 year old DS, Joseph was diagnosed with the cancer Neuroblastoma in October.

Survival rates are approximately 1 in 3.

He's coming to the end of chemo and so far, chemo is kicking cancer's butt. 3 cheers.

OP posts:
strictlycaballine · 22/12/2012 18:11

Trazzles whinge away. It must be so very hard having everyone depend on you - it's like the old (cliché - sorry) of the bank account - you are paying out to everyone and yet it's not being replenished. The fall-out is bound to hit you and dh (not that it helps to say so). The whole situation is so unfair.

Are there any organisations out there that offer practial support to spread the load a bit? (When my late father had cancer, the Macmillan nurses were good in that they offered information etc but we really needed someone just to be there/cook dinner/go to the post office/change sheets etc.)

Thinking of you.

LemonEmmaP · 22/12/2012 18:22

Thinking of you and Joe here, hope things look a little better today.

TrazzleMISTLEtoes · 23/12/2012 09:47

dikkert I think DH would conversely say everything is resting on his shoulders. We just see things in different ways. It's odd because in some ways I know he wouldn't leave me/us but at the same time I do worry.

We've been through worse than this together and come out the other side as strong as ever, but you never know what could be the final straw.

He is, generally, a wonderful DH.

Joe had a wonderful time with his friends. His face lit up when he saw them. Although he is much quieter than them even normally, it was a little sad for me to see them all so rough and tumbly and Joe just standing to one side. He's not used to the noise and excitement anymore.

We had a DVD on and one of my friends must have told them to sit down and be quiet because I went in with some drinks and Joe was sitting down with his arms and legs crossed. He whispered "Mummy, I'm sitting very still and very quiet so that I can have some party food". Bless him.

And when he got out of the bath last night he turned around and said "Mummy, all I want for Christmas is you." I cried buckets. Not least because all I want for Christmas is him. He has been so bright these last few days, I'm hoping it continues for Christmas.

The only downside to the weekend is that we have 2 freezers - one in the fridge freezer and another small one we keep in our hall(!) as we freeze a lot of our food. I went to put something in the hall one last night to discover a whole heap of water and a freezer full of defrosted food. Much of it food that people have cooked to help us out. We'll manage but I'm gutted for the time and effort people have put in and it's now all going in the bin.

Grrrrrrrrr.

OP posts:
onedev · 23/12/2012 12:09

Trazzle your post just brought a tear to my eye - I hope you & Joe have your Christmas wishes filled for a very long time to come.

Sorry things are stressful with your DH - I can't imagine how hard it is for both of you & I've no advice unfortunately but keeping fingers crossed that it gets better soon.

Thinking of you all & wishing you the very best.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 23/12/2012 12:42

I'm glad the various Santas have brought a smile to Joe's face Xmas Grin Other than it might be bad in his condition (not sure as I wasn't aware of the yogurt thing until you posted it?!) too much chocolate at christmas time is a good thing Xmas Grin

I can't believe you are back at work - you really are a superstar/glutton for punishment/nutter - can't quite decide, you choose Xmas Grin In many ways though, I do think it will be good to 'keep your hand in' and very probably, like the rest of us, you need the money :(

It's a shame that you and DH are falling out - it happens a lot when a child gets seriously ill :( I agree with the others that have said you need to talk or if you really can't right now, write him a letter - pour your heart out, tell him everything.

You said We've been through worse than this together and come out the other side as strong as ever, but you never know what could be the final straw I don't want to imagine what you could have been through that is worse than what you are going through now :( Talk to him x

Is someone looking after your Mum? Is she looking after herself properly?

Big Hugs
x

dikkertjedap · 23/12/2012 22:32

Lovely to hear that Joe has had a nice time with all the kids. He looks such a lovely boy. Xmas Smile Not all boys are boisterous, he may just naturally be more quiet, but he is maybe quite tired as well. You have all had a rough few months.

I hope you can all have a lovely time together, enjoying each other's company. I hope that you and your DH can find an opportunity to talk things through, although I fully appreciate how hard those things are.

Sorry to hear about your freezer, such bad timing (not that there is ever any good timing for things like that). Xmas Sad

Thinking of you.

Honu · 24/12/2012 10:37

Hi Trazzle, not posted much but following you and admiring your strength under incredible pressure. Just two things I wanted to say ....

Look after yourself. Like the oxygen masks on the plane, you have to look after yourself first to be able to care for others.

I think it's an excellent idea, as others have said, to write down your problems to give to DH for him to read when you're not there. But, in this, ask him to write down how he feels and let him have his say. He must be as stressed as you are and needs his voice too.

{{{Hugs}}} to all of you.

moajab · 24/12/2012 23:21

Trazzle just wanted to say I hope that you, Joe and all your family have a lovely Christmas!

BuffyFairyTopsTheTree · 25/12/2012 00:03

Oh Trazzle it really is one thing after another. Such a shame about the freezer.

What on earth were you doing writing Xmas cards. Lovely to receive one but you really are super Trazzle. I haven't managed them this year and I don't have much excuse.

I'm glad Joe enjoyed some time with his friends. He has such a lovely spirit and was an absolute darling with dd.

How are things with your DH now? Is there any counselling available? People always hit out at those closest to them when they're stressed and this has to be one of the most stressful situations any couple could go through. I hope you're ok.

Are you home for Xmas? Wishing you and your family a wonderful day.

Splodging in Hereford xx

TrazzleMISTLEtoes · 25/12/2012 00:06

Thank you.

Well, we made it home late afternoon. All together. Joe and DD are all snuggled in their beds. Santa has been!

We get the test results officially on Friday but one of the Drs was too excited to keep them from us today Xmas Grin. One of the scans shows that there is only "a tiny bit" of active cancer left at the moment. And they can deal with that. They are happy so we are too!

Yay!

And I'm watching my favourite Inbetweeners episode.

Merry Christmas everyone!

OP posts:
thewhistler · 25/12/2012 00:11

Trazzle,

Merry Christmas to you and Joe and the rest of the Trazzles. Great news, and so glad you got home.

Have a lovely time, all together. Enjoy Dds first Christmas.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 25/12/2012 00:30

Fantastic news Trazzle, hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow.

ninjinglebells · 25/12/2012 00:34

Trazzle - I've been watching your threads from the start and am so impressed with your positive energy.

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Christmas and I'm so glad the news continues to look good.

A splodge from near Manchester x

hackneyzoo · 25/12/2012 00:34

That's brilliant news! Happy Christmas Trazzle family x

minmooch · 25/12/2012 07:39

Great news Trazzle! So glad you are at home.

I hope that your DH pulls his socks up and starts pulling his weight - as if you have not got enough to do.

Happy Christmas xx

BuffyFairyTopsTheTree · 25/12/2012 08:26

I have something in my eye...

Brilliant, brilliant news! That has made my Christmas Grin

X

GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 25/12/2012 09:58

merry Christmas trazzles! thinking of you all. much love and splodging from all at casa glaikit

crashdoll · 25/12/2012 10:01

Merry Christmas, Trazzle family. Big love x

onedev · 25/12/2012 20:01

A very Merry Christmas to you all! So pleased to hear your news! X

barefootcook · 26/12/2012 01:48

Hi Trazzle

Great news about the test results and Merry Christmas to you all. Hope you have a lovely relaxing day with your two little ones.

pinkbraces · 26/12/2012 01:54

That's brilliant news.
I hope the next year brings nothing but happiness

DalekInAFestiveJumper · 26/12/2012 02:47

What spectacular news! And what a lovely doctor to let you know sooner rather than later!

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 26/12/2012 03:03

Excellent news Trazzle! Happy Christmas.
Please do try and take care of yourself, things like housework quite frankly at this point should go out the window!
Cannot wait to hear the update xx

HairyPotter · 26/12/2012 04:51

Fantastic news Trazzle and what good timing. I'm so glad Joe is home for Christmas. I can't think of anything nicer than a snuggle with both your dcs.

More splodging lights from South Lanarkshire cheering Joe on.

Fairylea · 26/12/2012 05:12

I'm a lurker but came out to say what wonderful news.. so pleased for you. :) I really have everything crossed for you and Joe.

Happy Christmas trazzle and your family x