Joseph's last thread? Here's hoping...

[Trazzletoes]

My now 4 year old DS, Joseph, was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma last October. It's a particularly aggressive cancer with an 80% relapse rate. Long-term survival statistics are not great.

Joe has had 8 cycles of chemotherapy, an operation to remove the main tumour, stem cell harvest, high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant as his bone marrow was destroyed, 3 weeks of radiotherapy and now 5 1/2 months of differentiation therapy and imunotherapy.

In April we learned he had relapsed and so had a 5% chance of ultimately surviving. Then, the relapse spontaneously un-relapsed but we don't know for certain what this means for his future. Whether its good or bad news.

He remains bright and cheery and gorgeous throughout.

So delighted you've had a wonderful Christmas at home. Sounds like the news is pretty damn good, considering where you were at last year. What a trooper but my gosh, you must all be exhausted. Enjoy the rest of the Christmas period and here's a big for continued positive health results in 2014 xx

Thanks all. I can't remember the name of the actual bone that's fractured - scaphoid maybe? It's something in that area anyway and it should heal fine - it just takes time. Quite a shock to find out that chemotherapy can cause fractured though!

What a lovely family Christmas you've had, Trazzle .

Small children when somewhat broken have a huge capacity to mend themselves - here's hoping your Joe is one of them.

That's all such good news Trazzle especially the fact he might not have to have one of his kidneys out. He's not broken - just bent (thanks Pink) and will heal again

Sorry, I'm not good at explaining myself. His kidney wouldn't need to come out, it would just stop working.

He's running a fever again tonight but can stay home on the proviso that he's reasonably well in himself... Am not hopeful.

Splodging for you.

One becomes so expert, alas.

But at least you had Christmas Day.

Crossing my fingers you manage to get another night at home tonight.

Gingers crossed you & Joe can stay at home x

He is doing really well, really really well - let's hope you 'see in' the New Year at home.

So glad about good Christmas and generally positive updates, thank you. I hope you can stay home for longer xx

Just seen this Trazzles wonderful news and hope you're still home.

I know I nag you all to give blood to help children like Joe
Who are SO brave, but I Have decided to nag the rest of Mumsnet as well

nagging thread here

If you can pop in to encourage first timers, it would help and I would be grateful. Thank you

Well done Norks.

Trazzles, just wanting to wish you, Joe, DH, DD & all the Trazzle family a peaceful, happy & healthy 2014.

[As always, thinking of you, splodging as brightly as possible with gingers firmly crossed.]

Trazzle,

Wishing you and your family a happy new year and the best possible 2014.

Hope you're all doing ok Trazzles.

All doing fine thanks! Not much to report... J has finally stopped having temperatures and is on the mend from his cold. We're just kicking along trying to find a new normal, trying not to second guess whether it's temporary or permanent...

Good that there is not much to report. Completely understand the trying not to guess.

Have a good weekend

That sounds like a plan Trazzles

not much to report is brilliant :) Glad nothing grew in the petridish from the line, phew.

That's lovely to hear.

Wishing you a lovely weekend (well, as lovely as it can be with this atrocious weather), a great week, a wonderful month, a fantastic year and a whole lifetime with Joe - I am too scared to say it out loud.

Much love to you all

Oh Trazzle! How fabulous. I have only just seen this. Such lovely news. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

I love to read not much to report Will be praying for everything to go so smoothly over the next few months so J gets the line out as soon as possible.

So pleased he's getting better.