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.

[Rainicorn]

Lovely to read Joe is doing so much better.

Reception, eek! Such a big step. Really lovely that school have got everything ready for him as well.

[CafeAuLaitMerci]

Trazzle - I've been away from MN for a while (sneaking back quietly under a wee name change as I'm trying not to let myself get dragged back to spending farrrrrrrrrrr to much time MN'ing!) - but I've been with you from the beginning and it's lovely to read your latest update :)

I hope Joseph really enjoys school, even though it will be very tiring I hope he keeps going from strength to strength and it's not too much longer before he's able to run around with his little sister and his friends as he should be :) However, as you say, he's here - he's alive and that's a whole lot to be very thankful for isn't it :)

I hope that DD is well too and over all of those little bugs she kept getting! That you and DH are finding some time to spend together and that life is 'on the up' for you all.

I think of you all often. Enjoy life :) x

[nothruroad]

What lovely news, I'm so happy for you all. I bet Joseph will love school. Take care.

[thegreylady]

Wonderful news, much love to all the trazzles, especially Joseph. I am hoping the good news keeps coming !

[BlackbirdOnTheWire]

Another name changer here - so so so pleased for you x

[KittieCat]

Lost the thread for ages. Just managed to search it and can't believe I've missed such lovely news. Hope school is going well and that things are still on the up.

[onedev]

For some reason this thread no longer shows updates for me but I was thinking of you guys tonight so glad I found the thread again!

Just saw your updated news - that's fantastic! Glad it's going well & I hope Joseph is enjoying Reception.

Much love to you all - you've come such a long way & I'm so happy the outlook is so positive. Enjoy Biff, Chip & Kipper

[ajandjjmum]

Hope Joseph's well and loving school!

[SnotandBothered]

Had to look for this thread as you were on my mind and for some reason the thread doesn't come up on my 'posts you're on"

Anyhow. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Joseph is well and enjoying school.

[Incapinka]

Wishing you all a happy new year. Hope you are all well and look forward to the next Joe update! Xxx

[Hassled]

Trazzletoes - I was thinking of you the other day and wondering how things were - and then saw this thread in Active just now. I do hope all continues to go well and that school has worked out OK. You're in a lot of people's thoughts.

[Trazzletoes]

I've been off MN for some time but if anyone still follows this, Joseph is still healthy. He is now approaching 2 years post treatment which will be a huge and very positive milestone.

He loves school. He is doing so much. He no longer needs his wheelchair. He wears glasses. He loves lego. To all intents and purposes he is a normal 6 year old boy. Hooray!

[CRtester]

Fantastic news! I remember your posts from two years ago - has it really been that long? - and I'm so pleased to hear that Joseph is doing so well.

[PogoBob]

I followed your orignal posts and when this popped up on active threads I hoped it was good news. So pleased for you all.

[Oldmum55]

Such great news! I've been following your posts and I'm so pleased your DS is well and happy.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Lovely news!

Oh, I seem to have something in my eye

[WishIWasWonderwoman]

Wonderful!

So happy for you and your family.

[VimFuego101]

So glad to hear that, I was wondering the other day about you both!

[Trazzletoes]

it will be 2 years at Christmas. Time flies! At his last check up the Consultant said that even with his wobble in the middle of treatment that 2 years is still massive and the odds should be in his favour. We are very lucky. Aside from being very thin you wouldn't know to look at him.

[StealthPolarBear]

Hooray. Definitely . Lovely update trazzle :)

[Tyrannosaurus]

So glad to see how well Joseph is doing. I have often thought about him.

[SparePantsAndLego]

Really pleased things are still good. I followed your threads (with a different username) and my mind does wander back to Joseph and you all when I'm on MN.

[barefootcook]

Hi Trazzle. Thanks for the update. What great news!! Will you post a photo of Joseph with his glasses?

[Millie2013]

So lovely to read, I often think of you and him, when I pop on here. I hope you are breathing a little (lot) easier now