Back to School and "Street-Dance"

I have to admit it has been a while since my last post on this blog. My apologies.  I am pleased to report a gradual improvement in things generally. The most obvious thing is the reappearance of Tabby’s hair. At first it was a light downy covering – a bit like stroking a peach, quite blonde as well. Today Tabby’s hair is looking a bit thicker - almost kiwi fruit-esque. However, there are a lot of red-heads on Donella’s side of the family, so I am concerned the next look may be a coconut if we continue the fruit analogy!

Ready for a Bar-b-que at St Andrews



In for a top up

Along with her hair, Tabby’s appetite has also started to re-emerge. Two weeks ago we went up to St.Andrew’s to get the keys for Olivia’s flat for 2^nd year at university. We had lunch at an outdoor Bar-b-que restaurant and Tabby devoured a whole medium-rare sirloin steak.  Ironically her blood results later that week were still a bit low, so we were back at the “Sick Kids” for a top up transfusion. As ever Tabby was very jolly and chatting to patients and nurses  in the ward. One dad told us that his daughter was back in the ward with a temperature and a cough and the Doctors had diagnosed  the common “rhinovirus” as the cause.  To which Tabby replied “Does that mean she has grown a horn?” Her wit was too quick for us Dads. I think her blood transfusion was donated by a comedian. That weekend, Tabby had a “Sleep-over” at her friend Ruby’s house. It was the first time in ages that Tabby has had a night away. Tabby loved going to “Yo Sushi”

Last Wednesday, Tabby was due to have more chemotherapy but – you guessed it -  her blood count was still too low. Yet another delay. Instead she had her first day of Primary 3. The highlight so far has been the “Street –Dance” lessons. She comes home to show us what she has been taught. I have to say she is certainly throwing down some crazy shapes (I think that is what you are supposed to say).

Ready to start Primary 3

Last weekend went well. On Saturday morning I took Tabby back to her swimming lessons at the David Lloyd. It was really good to see everyone there again and the instructors made Tabby really welcome. They had often been asking how she was getting on.  This was her first lesson since December 5^th last year when she was too cold and tired to finish the lesson....  Anyway, she is in the same group as Poppy once more and by the end of the lesson was thrashing around the pool along with everyone else. Whatsmore, I didn’t get criticised on my ability to tie Tabby’s hair into bunches or a pony tail afterwards as I usually do.

That afternoon, Tabby and I went to a bar-b-que at Richard and Julie’s cottage in St Abbs. After a wonderful  lunch, we all trooped down to the beach to run on the sands, explore rock pools and paddle in the sea. Then back to the cottage for pudding.  It was the sort of afternoon Enid Blyton would write about in the “Famous Five”, although lashings of ginger beer were replaced with just lashings of beer! When we got back to Edinburgh (7pm) Tabby and I joined Donella at John and Felicity’s Lunchtime drinks party.  With an impromptu disco, Tabby was back in there with more of  her “Street Dance”.

On Sunday morning, Tabby went to Sunday School, where Ewan is currently a “Sunday Club” helper. At this point, we would like to thank everyone in Sunday Club for their lovely “Get well” cards and presents. Tabby loves them and has shown them to everybody.

As I mentioned in the last blog, a group of us are taking part in the Glasgow to Edinburgh cycle ride as team “Pedal 4 Paul” to raise funds for our local childhood cancer charity “It’s good 2 give”. With a bit of luck, hopefully we will have a bit of a tailwind from the west! If you would like to sponsor me, I have set up a sponsorship website via the link below:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GRAHAMLAWSON

If you see any of us cycling past on Sunday 9^th September give us a cheer. Alternatively visit the link above to see what we are doing.

Finally, Tabby started her “Maintenance Chemotherapy” today. Although it goes on for around 80 weeks (yes 80 weeks), it means that her high dose, Intensive Chemotherapy regime is now behind her.  We reckon this is a bit of good news. I know that it is a “school day” etc but suspect we will join Tabby in a quiet toast to herself and the Staff of Ward 2. Who knows?  We may even do some “Street Dance”!

 

As always, Thank you for reading this blog.

 

The Lawsons

 

Brave

Following the hiccups and stutters of the last few weeks, we now appear to be back on an even keel.  Although Tabby made an excellent recovery from her shingles, her blood count remained too low for her to resume her chemo – so another week’s delay.  We are now back on the “Delayed Intensification Regime” albeit more delayed than originally planned.  Another three weeks of this then we move onto “Maintenance Therapy”.

Tabby and Mischief the cat

The weekend before last,  we all took the train to Glasgow to meet  Donella’s  sister, Grace  with  John, Hannah and Andrew who had flown over from  Los Angeles to come to the Olympics.  It puts us to shame insomuch they have travelled 6,500 mile to see the games and we did not even manage the 300 miles or so from Edinburgh. Oh well, next time!?!?  Anyway, Grace works for Mattel ( The Barbie people) as Vice President of H.R and presented Tabby with a unique gift – “Ella”, Barbie’s friend who  has had chemotherapy and has no hair.  As you can imagine she does have an assortment of wigs and scarves. I believe it was produced at the request of the CEO of Mattel  in response to a friend’s situation.  It seems that Tabby’s “Ella” is the first one in the UK. These will be produced in greater numbers next year  but only available to charities and children in hospital. I think they both look great.

Tabby and Ella

We had a wonderful day in Glasgow.  Even the rain held off – almost.  We then got the train home and slept soundly until we got home.  Tabby always enjoys a train ride – as does her Dad

Bald on bald

 The Edinburgh Festival and the Fringe have now kicked off.  Donella took Tabby and her friend Poppy to see  “Mr Brown.... and his singing Tiger”. I think they enjoyed it.  Tabby is going to see some more shows over the next few days  with Poppy and Ruby.

On Sunday, Tabby and I were back at the “Sick Kids” for the 4^th consecutive day of Cytarabine injections. We had planned to go for a cycle afterwards but you will remember that the weather on Sunday was awful. Instead we went to the Disney shop! Sadly I could not find anything my size but Tabby found  pretty cool outfit - Princess Merida from "Brave". Next week we are going to watch “Brave” the new Disney film which is about a brave wee Scottish princess called Merida who did not want to conform – or behave like a princess.  Need I say more?  Tabby is even more brave than “Brave”.

Princess Tabitha

On Sunday 9^th September, a  team of us  will take part in the Glasgow – Edinburgh Cycle run to raise funds for our charity “Its good 2 give”. We are “Team Pedal for Paul”.  I have set up a fundraising website so that if anyone reading this blog would like to sponsor me for the ride. The link is:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GRAHAMLAWSON

Your donation will go to an extremely good cause – a charity that has helped us and hundreds of families like us to cope with childhood cancer.

I now have a month to grow my Bradley Wiggins sideburns.

As ever, thankyou for reading this blog,

The Lawsons