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!