"Tabby Birthday to you!"

Following the last blog, Tabby's blood tests were all pretty good which meant she could start the next phase of her treatment. This is part of regime C and known as "Escalating Capizzi no. 1". It involves incremental doses of intravenous methotrexate every 10 days. We have been warned that it can be hard going and will continue until she can no longer tolerate the side effects. It all sounds horrible and indeed Tabby has had problems with mouth ulcers sore tummies and sickness already. With the appetite of a sparrow she has lost over a kilogram in the last fortnight - thats a lot when you only have 22 to start with! The dietician has given us a variety of high calorie and high protein drinks to try, (none have met with approval so far) and encouraged us to let Tabby have anything she fancies including fried foods and Big Macs. At the moment healthy eating is not a priority.

Despite all that is going on, Tabby remains irrepressible. Where she gets her energy and spirit from is beyond me. As you will note, it was her birthday today and as ever she was desperate to go to school. We have, since Easter, had a few false starts where, having arrived at school, Tabby has not felt well enough to continue or has been sick and returned straight home. It is disappointing and a bit demoralising for her. Today I picked her up after school and I think it had all been a bit of a struggle - "just feeling poorly and sad".

For birthday dinner tonight we had Pizza and we watched (she danced to) "Happy Feet 2". Perhaps Tabby identifies with "Mumble" (the dancing penguin) - a little different but oh so talented!

We would all like to thank everyone who has sent or delivered - even in torrential rain- Birthday cards and wishes. It is very kind of you all. Anyway, we will see what tomorrow brings and decide if Tabby is fit for school.

Last week-end Tabby and her friend Danielle went up to stables near Kinross to look at horses. After that, they went to play in the local park She had a wonderful time and enjoyed her day out.

Tabby had her chemo at the start of this week and so, in theory, has a quiet few days ahead - we hope. The only thing on the horizon is the imminent departure of her right front tooth. It is now very loose and sitting at an odd angle - she may dance like "Mumble" but is looking more like "Nanny MacPhee".

Once again, thankyou all so much for your support and good wishes and, as ever, taking the time to read this blog

Best wishes,
The Lawsons

Happy Easter

Those of you who read the last blog will remember that we were looking forward to our first chemo-free week followed anxiously by the start of a more toxic regime. It didn't really work out like that.

Despite having no chemotherapy 2 weeks ago, Tabby was really off colour. She only managed 2 mornings at school, had 2 unplanned visits to the sick kids and a cocktail of different medicines (pain killers, anti sickness tablets, strong ant-acids and a laxitive for pot luck!). She had a really sore tummy, couldn't eat and was being sick. I suppose a bit of a leukaemia reality check.

By the end of the week we were pleased to see her perk up a bit and her tummy settle down. We even went for our usual cycle round Dundas estate and took bread to feed the ducks. The ducks weren't interested; the geese just hissed and when we ran out of bread we were persued by the swans who chased us up the embankment. I've never seen Tabby get on the bike and cycle so hard!

"Tabby! Quick, the swans are behind you!"

Our hasty departure was all the more impressive when we got Tabby's blood count result the following day. It was so low that the methrotrexate treatment could not take place. We have been given another week to see if it comes up enough for Tabby to start the next phase of her treatment.

As you can see it is difficult to plan ahead but we are relieved to see Tabby eating once more - 2 visits to Pizza Express and a curry in the last week alone!

Because of her low blood count, yet again we felt unable to take her to the Easter Service in Church but I am sure she will get there soon. Tabby would also like to thank Angela at Murrayfield Hospital for her personalised Easter Egg. It is a big chocloate egg which says "Tabby" in white chocloate. Try as I might, I still cannot get the letters T-A-B-B-Y to look like D-A-D-D-Y . Then I would have eaten it myself!

Tabby was also really lucky to get a lovely Easter Egg and Build-a-Bear voucher from our friends Mandy and everyone at "Jog-Scotland, South Queensferry". Thankyou so much Guys! (send me one and I may start running again!)

We spent most of yesterday having an Easter Egg hunt in the Garden. Tabby's cousin Rory was so patient hiding more and more Easter Eggs around the place. Tabby and Donella then made Easter table decorations for Easter Sunday dinner.

Reading this, it does seem most of our life revolves around food and eating. Maybe it reflects a change in emphasis in our lives and when Tabby is able to eat we want to make hay while the sun shines.

Tomorrow, it's back to the Sick Kids for a blood test and if it is ok then all systems go once more after our unexpected Easter interlude. This means a bone marrow biopsy and spinal chemotherapy on Wednesday under general anaesthetic. Followed by intra muscular chemo (the sore one) and intra-venous methotrexate on Thursday. Back to reality!

We hope you all had a lovely Easter,

Thankyou for reading the Blog

The Lawsons

Oh, and well done Edinburgh Rugby for beating Toulouse on Saturday - What a day!