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.

[NomDeClavier]

It's all that chicken he ate

Continuing to think of you all and praying extra hard that this lump is nothing sinister.

[TeaMakesItAllPossible]

that every bump and lump causes you all anxiety. I just wish it was different for you all

Gingers crossed for the CLIC Sargent volunteering being a proper Mary Poppins.

[ancientbuchanan]

Trazzle, what a mixed bag. Great about pain relief and being able to sit by himself, great about clic, and then the lump and worry.

Splodge for them all. Am sitting in sight if a cathedral and if I cam slope off will light a candle there, otherwise it's in my mind.

[barefootcook]

Not another thing! I hope the lump is what you suspect and that you get a little bit of free time soon. Thinking of you guys a lot.

[Trazzletoes]

General consensus has been that he has just had a very very full bladder!!! It's been an ongoing problem during these weeks but good to know nothing serious

Tomorrow morning ( or I guess this morning now) is the year anniversary of multiple symptoms and everything starting to happen. We were so happy a year ago. So naive. So stupid. We thought we had all the time in the world.

[barefootcook]

What a relief! I hope this year brings a perfect result.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Phew, thank god the lump was nothing serious.

I'm so sorry for your shit year. You weren't naive or stupid to assume you had all the time in the world though. We all think and hope for the best and your son was terribly unlucky to get this thing. He is very, very lucky, though, to have you as his mum. You have fought for him and supported him every step of the way.

Let's hope that this time next year finds Joe leading a normal life, going to school, making friends and entertaining you all with his fabulous sense of humour ("Over and out" really made me laugh ).

[TeaMakesItAllPossible]

Phew.

I think Toffee has summed up my thoughts perfectly.

Gingers cross that he continues to empty his bladder in a way that doesn't cause his parents anxiety

[tholeon]

Oh bless you, the anniversary must feel difficult and mixed. I loved hearing about him on the slide though. I am glad you are getting a clic volunteer, I hope she is lovely xx

[northernlurker]

Pleased to hear the cause of lump is nothing to worry about.

[GoingGoingGoth]

Another one seconding Toffee, hopefully soon the full bladder incident will be something to laugh at. My first reaction was the lump was the chicken dinner, but didn't want you to think I was making light of it.

It's understandable that you worry over everything, I know I would.

[ancientbuchanan]

So glad about the lump.

[ajandjjmum]

You were never stupid Trazzles - you were living your life as we all do. Thank goodness that the last year is now behind you, and pray that it's all upwards from here.

[WheresMyCow]

Don't post often but have been lurking and following Joes story from the start. Another one here who found everything went a little bit blurry after reading about chicken and slides...well done Joe [smile[

Sending splodges and keeping gingers crossed for more good days x

[Trazzletoes]

Thanks it was a year yesterday that we went to hospital and a year this morning since Joseph's first thread. The Doctor told me Joe had cancer while DH was still at home. I didn't want him to know before he drove in so had. 90 minutes sat on my own trying to understand what was happening. I will never forget the support I got (and have continued to get) from you lovely lovely people. I couldn't tell anyone but you were all there for me.

What a different story today - I've been at work but Joe has apparently been playing most of the day and enjoying himself until he threw himself off the sofa and got a lump on his head. I don't know whether to cry or laugh that he's got a normal childhood injury from over-excitement.

He managed to get through the antibodies alright last week, just about! And is enjoying being home again.

[Almostfifty]

I'd laugh. He's lovely Trazzles.

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

Awwww. Lots of love.

[nemno]

Thank you for your updates and sharing your story Trazzles.

[ancientbuchanan]

Laugh, with a slightly moist eye.

And you were at work! Wow, fab.

Well done, keep going, and remember that it is this sort of support that keeps us all human . You do it for various of us too.

[Ragusa]

I can't believe it's a year.... but I bet it's been the longest year of your life.

Glad he's enjoying some rough and tumble.

[TwentyTinyToes]

Oh bless Joe, great to hear about him playing

[northernlurker]

Cancer attacks 'normal' life. Today Joe bumped his head whilst you were at work. What a normal, normal thing to happen. Bloody well done . Here's to more 'normal' days than we can ever count or describe

[onedev]

Here here Northernlurker.

[barefootcook]

I'd laugh- it's just a normal everyday event in all homes with kids. He sounds full of beans. Good to hear you are able to go back to work too.

[TeaMakesItAllPossible]

Gaun yersel Trazzle, that is PDB. Not the bump on the head. The rest. You at work, Joe playing. Honestly, I'm so chuffed for a glimmer of normalness.

And you know what? I've learnt a lot from you, your family and Joe. Thank you for sharing with us.

Wishing more normalness and playing. I will continue to light my Joe candle for you all.