Schools out for Summer!

I’m sitting in the day-case ward at the “Sick Kids” Hospital just now waiting for Tabby to come back from theatre where she is getting a further dose of spinal intra-thecal chemotherapy. She is so cheerful and happy and chatting non-stop to all the staff we have met this morning. It was me who had a slight lump in my throat as she fought to count up to 14 before falling asleep. I managed to hold it together!  I am taken back to the ward to await her return.

The school holidays have been good. We’ve actually had a summer – which certainly makes a change. Because of ongoing treatment Tabby cannot be away for more than 3 or 4 days at a time and certainly not far afield. London is ok because they have “The Royal Free Hospital” who could see Tabby if there were any issues.

Chilling in Lochcarron

At the start of July, Tabby and Donella spent a few days at Grannie and Grandpa’s house in Lochcarron. As you can see, they had glorious weather. Tabby and Donella went cycling and jogging each day. It seems Maimie the sausage dog simply could not keep up. I suspect Maimie lost a few pounds that week!

 

New Plaster

In fact this summer has been the summer of cycling and back home Tabby has loved cycling her Christmas present bike alongside Donella when she goes for a jog. However, just as Christopher Froome was leaving his “Tour” rivals behind on the Ventoux. , there was a small incident at the back of the peleton, where Tabby and best friend Danielle collided and came off their bikes. Poor Tabby got a broken wrist and was in a plaster for 4 weeks. Fortunately, she did not need an operation or manipulation of the fracture. It did however put pay to her swimming and tennis and beginner’s Hockey Camp.

Happily, the plaster did not stop her going to see lots of kids shows at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. At one show, we made the bad mistake of sitting in the front row before the inevitable happened – I was called up on stage to demonstrate some cool “Dad dancing” much to Tabby’s embarrassment. I have always believed – “If you’ve got it, Flaunt it”!

Festival Fringe at George Square

Anyway, the plaster eventually came off just in time for us to go to London for a short visit. We took the train down, booked into our hotel and spent the afternoon in “Hamley’s” in Regent Street. Five floors of toys and games – wow!  She added a few more to her “Monster High” collection. If only she had been interested in Scalextric. After a wander around Carnaby Street we had dinner in Covent Garden.

The next morning we bought tickets for a “hop on hop off” open top bus tour of London. We hopped off at Westminster Abbey and took photos of the Abbey and Big Ben, hopped off at Covent Garden for lunch then hopped off at the Tower of London. We did the full Tower of London tour before a boat trip back to Westminster Bridge. That evening we went to the theatre and watched the new production of the musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. It had shades of “Oliver”, a touch of Tim Burton and a nudge of pantomime. I’m sure it will be in for a long run.

After the show, as a treat for Tabby, we got one of the cycle rick-shaws back to the hotel – or tried to! I think we knew our way around London better than the driver did. After 10 minutes we were actually further away from our hotel than when we started. He had free-wheeled all the way down to Trafalgar Square! We now faced  a slight incline up to Soho when he told us he could not manage the hills – game over. It was a nice night for a stroll through ChinaTown anyway. All part of the tour.

On Friday we hopped back on our tour bus and hopped off again at “Harrods”! Legs are starting to get a bit tired after all this hopping. Harrods, as ever, was amazing, the pet department was Tabby’s favourite. I now know where you can buy a puppy for £8,000. We liked the doggy spa and grooming centre. After a little more retail therapy we headed off to the London Eye.

Giving it "The London Eye"

The queue for the London Eye was enormous. Good thing we had pre-booked the “Champagne London Eye Experience”. Does that sound smug? I hope so - into the Priority area, taken direct to the front of the line and straight into a pod with six others and a guide handing out glasses of champagne. It really was an unexpected highlight. On the way back along the South Bank Tabby wanted to stop and watch a young street performer doing amazing things with hoola hoops (not the edible variety). She was very good and was attracting quite a large crowd. She then grabbed me and another poor bloke to be her assistants. We had to give her “a leg up” onto her performing  platform then hand her hoops as required. Having to wear a red feather boa, however, was the difficult part.

No comment!

Anyway, Tabby has now just returned from theatre and, as ever, is amazingly bright and perky. The nurse has just gone off to get her some toast and a glass of juice. The “Clown Doctors” children’s entertainers have arrived and are making Tabby laugh. After her spinal chemotherapy, Tabby has to remain on bed rest for 2 hours. So another afternoon of arts and crafts. Anyone want a freshly painted pink china piggy-bank?

 

Thanks for reading

 

The Lawsons  

"Bucking Broncos" and "Horrible Histories"

Well can you believe it we’ve actually had a bit of a summer and done things you do in summer. This post is testament that we have had at least 5 days of sunshine.

On the last blog I mentioned that Tabby had been getting tennis lessons. The following week she was asked to play for David Lloyd u8’s against Mortonhall. As they say, “It’s not the winning.......” Although she won one of her games, Tabby was a bit annoyed with her principal coach (me) as we hadn’t quite got on to overhead serves yet. This has now been rectified!

One of the highlights of the last month was our BBQ, which happened to coincide with the sunniest and hottest day of the year so far. We were so lucky! Donella decided that we should hire a “Bucking Bronco” for the occasion – a bouncy castle for adults. I have to say it looked a lot more like a giant hamster than any form of horse or bull. However, for those of you who have never ridden a “Bucking Hamster”, it was great fun. As you can see Tabby was laughing fit to burst.



See it's a hamster!



The following day, Donella and Tabby were at Craigie’s  Farm open day helping Lynne McNicoll at the ”It’s good 2 give” charity stall. Again the sun shone, the farm was packed and more burgers were eaten. With the Pedal for Scotland Glasgow-Edinburgh cycle ride coming up we tried to encourage people to join our “Pedal 4 Paul”. Hopefully we made some useful contacts.

I defy you to get this picture the right way up!

The next thing that usually gets rained off in a summer deluge is the school sports. But Hey! – yet again clear blue skies, birds singing, the sound of children laughing and cheering, the pistol-crack of one dad’s Achilles tendon snapping in the father’s race......! Anyway the children had a good day and Tabby was running and winning and determined as ever. This was an amazing contrast to last year when she was really weak and struggling to run at all. Long may this progress continue.

Over the last few years, Tabby has loved to read the “Horrible Histories” series of books. Written by Terry Deary these books focus on certain periods and places in history and pick out the more gruesome and often pooey aspects of the time – thus a universal appeal to children. “It’s good 2 give” arranged for Terry to take part in an open top bus, historical tour around Edinburgh. He then signed copies of his books for the children. Olivia took Tabby along for the trip.



Terry signing his book for Tabby



The "It's good to give" team



Over the last couple of weeks Tabby has had a cough and sniffles. As her immune system is still pretty compromised we took her back to the “Sick Kids” Hospital last week. Lots of swabs and blood tests later it appeared Tabby was fit to return home. The ward phoned a couple of nights ago to let us know they had identified  a “rhinovirus” as the cause of her cough. This is a fairly harmless virus but it’s name causes no end of amusement to Tabby.

Anyway, summer holidays are now upon us. Amidst  everyone’s travel plans to far off places, Tabby really cannot go far away for any length of time because of her ongoing treatment and susceptibility to infection. Donella and I  hope we may sneak her a few days in London or go to see Grannie and Grandpa in Lochcarron. Despite all this Tabby just doesn’t complain although, it has to be said, she is compiling quite an extensive list of places she wants to go on holiday to when her treatment finishes next May!

Last of all, I have been the chance to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of our local childrens cancer charity “It’s good 2 give”. When first suggested last year, we had no idea how Tabby would be doing so were not keen on going far away for any length of time. As you can see she is making good progress and so when the chance came up! I now have 3 months to get fit and raise a lot of sponsorship. If you fancy sponsoring me, I have set up a site as follows;

www.virginmoneygiving.com/GRAHAMLAWSON

Thanks for reading,

"Ride 'em cowgirl"

Birthdays and Bicycles

My apologies to those of you who have been looking for the next update. My last blog post was 7 weeks ago – oops! I am pleased to report that Tabby has been pretty well and the last few weeks have flown by.

We all had time off over the second Easter week and so it was good to potter around and catch up on things.

Although not exactly ice-cream weather, on the Tuesday, Tabby and I went for a walk around South Queensferry and an ice cream .

 On the Wednesday, Tabby had her routine check-up at the “Sick-Kids”. I don’t normally get the opportunity to take her so I was keen to see how things were going. We arrived too early (a Lawson trait) so killed some time in Starbucks before going to see Dr Thomas, Tabby’s consultant. It was all very friendly and relaxed and Tabby just giggled non-stop throughout. It must be very hard to listen to the chest of a giggling 7 year old. Tabby asked something about her treatment – I can’t remember exactly what – to which the reply was “Not usually, but you’re special!” More giggles. Tabby is special but we are also so lucky to have such wonderful care at the “Sick Kids”.

Later that day we went to Dunblane and stayed overnight at the Hydro. After a visit to the Cathedral Tabby Donella and I went to the hotel swimming pool (no pictures!) Tabby’s crawl stroke now beats my breast stroke. We had a lovely meal in the “Nick Nairn” restaurant although having commenced her week of steroids, Tabby’s appetite was faltering. With horizontal rain the next day we didn’t bother about Blair Drummond Safari park and went home.

Tabby in the grounds o Dunblane Hydro Hotel - with a friend

On the 25^th, Tabby had her 8^th Birthday. She opened some of her presents in the morning before going to school where her class sang “Happy Birthday” to her and classmate Beth who also had her Birthday on 25^th April.

Birthday Girl

In time honoured tradition we went to Pizza Express for Tabby’s Birthday tea. The following weekend, Tabby, Beth and and Ruby had a combined Birthday “Street-Dance” party. I had to send my apologies as I was cycling the Kinross Sportive.

Quick blow them out before the smoke alarm goes off



Although the steroid laden  first week of each four-weekly cycle is hard going, much of the time Tabby is well and very active. She now has tennis lessons at David Lloyd as well as tennis lessons at school.  She is really good and can keep a rally going for ages.

Two weeks ago we went to Cramond foreshore to try out her Christmas present – a new bike. It was the first time she had been on a bike for a very long time. Her wobbly cycling just about matched my wobbly jogging.

A few Saturdays ago I returned from a long cycle ride and as ever (nearly) began cleaning my bike. Tabby saw what I was doing and wanted to do it for me. What can I say other than “What a girl!”

 

Thanks for reading,

Hopefully it should not be 7 weeks until the next post.

The Lawsons

Happy Easter

This time last year, Tabby was in the midst of her “Intensification” chemo regime but at least we were sitting out having   barbeques in the back garden. A year later Tabby is now on her less toxic maintenance regime but we have a garden under a covering of snow. Funny old world!

March kicked off with a three-way tie. Tabby went to Danielle’s birthday party and sleep-over, Donella went to the “It’s Good 2 Give” fundraising ball (where she gave an after-dinner speech about the charity) and I went on a skiing holiday to Whistler.

Tabby had a wonderful time at Danielle’s party with an entertainer and face painting followed by a sleep-over. What could be better? Donella hosted an all girls table at the “It’s good 2 give” Ball and has consequently now made it into “No. 1” Magazine – sharing the March edition with Liz Hurley, David Beckham, Karl Lagerfeldt and Beyonce. I suspect they are saying the same on their blogs! Whistler was pretty good as well – lots of snow and fine wine.



Where do you take a hungry post steroids 7 year old?



Continuing the Canadian theme, my cousin Mike who lives in Vancouver Island sent Tabby a beautiful gift of a silver necklace and bracelet. But these are special! They are made by a friend of Mike’s -  Richard Hunt, an awesome First Nations artist. They depict the “Sisiutl” a two headed sea serpent. It is a protector and if you ever found a scale of the sisiutl, it would bring you good luck. I am sure you will agree they are stunning. Mike – thank you so much.

Tabby’s chemo has continued to roll along as it has over the last few months. The usual 4 weekly cycle kicking off with a week of steroids and concommitant grumpiness and mood swings.  On this occasion, she missed a couple of days off school, did not make her Saturday morning swimming lesson and even missed Sunday School. The following day – back to normal. Throughout this time, I am always amazed how Tabby just takes all her tablets without batting an eyelid.



Daily ration of Tabby's Tabs



Two weeks ago was Poppy’s party – where they all learned to be cheer-leaders.

Last week Tabby took part in the school Primary 3 show “The Lemonade Kid”. This was a musical about... well... guns, shooting and drinking and all those things that happened in Western towns. The crime ridden town is then cleaned up by a cowboy who drinks lemonade. It was a little like Clint Eastwood in “High Plains Drifter” with a bottle of Irn-Bru! It was a super show. Tabby played the part of a cow-boy. Her hair is still a little too short to be a cow girl!

Yesterday – last day of term - Tabby woke up with a temperature! She had been suffering from a chesty cough for a couple of days previously. So it was back to the “Sick-Kids” Hospital. After a day of intra-venous antibiotics, Tabby’s temperature had dropped enough for her to be allowed home on a course of antibiotics – more tablets to add to the collection!

This morning Ewan flew off to Russia on a school trip so this evening we went into town and had dinner at ”Divino Enoteca” with Olivia as our designated driver! Whoopee!

 

Thank you for reading this Blog

Happy Easter,

The Lawsons

Sledging and Sushi



After  the excesses Christmas and New Year, life in Newmains house has slowly returned to some degree of normality. Olivia did not return to University until the end of January and it was so nice to have her around for a while longer. Tabby especially enjoyed an afternoon’s sledging up at Swanston Village in the Pentlands. It’s not often that we actually possess sledges when there is any snow around – so this was a good day.



Olivia and Tabby sledging



Tabby 'n' Tim

The following week Tabby had to go to the dentist. Despite everything that she has been through over the last year, a simple visit to the dentist remains something of a trial. However – all fears were allayed by the patient before her – Scottish Rugby’s try-scoring hero, Tim Visser. Tabby left with a filling and a new gum shield!

Once again, Tabby and I would like to thank Janet and Theresa from the Day Bed Unit at St.John’s Hospital for their gifts of sweets, comics and games. Tabby is currently in the middle of her “Steroid week” which invariably makes her grumpy, irritable and just generally out of sorts. Janet and Theresa’s latest bag of gifts worked wonders a couple of nights ago. I may actually  ask them to make up a goodie bag for me sometime – only to be opened in times of stress or excessive grumpiness.

It is a shame that Tabby’s “Grumpy-week” coincided with her class book week. On Friday Tabby had to dress up as a character from a book or a film. Tabby wanted to be “Dorothy” from the “Wizard of Oz”. We think she was one of the best in the class. We even managed to coax a smile out of her – sort of!

Lunch at Yo Sushi

I am sure I have mentioned the effect that Tabby’s steroids have on her. I feel so sorry for her as she is painfully aware in her sudden change in temperament. On the upside, however, the steroids serve to kick-start her often poor appetite. Sol ast weekend we had lunch at Yo Sushi. It should be noted that in the time it tookTabby and I to finish 6 dishes, the couple next to us polished of over 30 dishes between them. Tabby was mesmerised. She was scared to put her hat on the counter in case they ate it as well!



Anyway it is now half term holidays and Tabby, Ewan and Donella have headed North to spend a few days with Granny and Grandpa. Undoubtedly there will be a great deal of eating, dog walking and discussion. Tabby cannot wait to see “Maimie” – Granny and Grandpa’s little sausage dog. The two of them love running around the house, playing football and playing in the garden (that’s Tabby and Maimie I am talking about and not Grannie and Grandpa) Any pictures of them will be in the next blog.

I have no days off this week and so I am still in Edinburgh. The house seems strangely quiet and empty. Even the attraction of being able to watch SKY Sport whenever I wish doesn’t stop me wondering how Tabby and the family are. This is the furthest Tabby has been from home in over a year! This may be the time to see if I can get “Facetime” to work – any suggestions anybody?

Thanks for reading the Blog,

The Lawsons

Happy New Year

Where did December go? I had every intention of posting a Christmas Blog and now it’s January already!

Happy Christmas from Mischief

At the end of November, Tabby, once again, was a little under the weather. She was admitted back into the “Sick Kids” with a temperature and a sore tummy. Her blood tests showed that she had no neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) whatsoever.  0.00 for three days in succession.  This was a concern as we had an appointment to meet “Mother Goose” on the 6^th. After 4 days she managed to squeeze out a neutrophil and with her temperature back to normal she was allowed home.

Tabby and Dad at the "Kings"

After a pre-show curry we sat in our “Box” in the Kings theatre. I am not sure if we got a box to stop Tabby picking up a bug or simply because we are dead posh! Anyway the show was terrific and afterwards we were invited backstage by Grant Stott who played the evil “Demon Vanity”. We also met “Fairy McSqirrell”, “Jill” and were shown round the backstage and props. Tabby was presented with a plate signed by members of the cast.

Tabby and Grant Stott

The following week was Ewan’s Birthday. As a special treat we went to see the “Snowman” ballet at the Festival Theatre. Ewan’s treat was that he did not need to come! Tabby loved it. Then we went for another curry. Am I seeing a pattern emerging here?

Although I was unable to attend Tabby’s school carol concert I did manage to see her “Street Dance” class open evening. What a mover! I was a little disappointed that having spent the last year or so showing her “The Sprinkler” (courtesy of the English Cricket Team) she did not include it in her routine. The show finished with a competition – running around the room until only one dancer was left. You guessed it – Tabby.

Cutting some crazy shapes

“T’was the week before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse – then the in-laws arrived!” 3 generations of family from Los Angeles, St.Louis, Wick, Wester-Ross and Glasgow all stayed with us in Newmains House. Is there a collective noun for a group of “In-laws”? You may want to keep these to yourselves.

On Christmas Eve some of us went to the Watchnight Service in Kirkliston. When we got home we left some Christmas cake and a dram for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. Santa was really good to Tabby. Her favourite presents were a new bike, a box of Hex Bugs, toys from “Monster High” and her Tartan Skirt.

Donella, with the help of her sisters, catered for 19 of us for Christmas Dinner.

On the 27^th a hardy group set off to X-scape, the indoor ski slope in Glasgow. To burn off some Christmas calories.  Unfortunately Olivia and I were working in Edinburgh and could not go. Tabby and Donella went sledging on the children’s slope while Ewan and the older out-laws went skiing on the main slope. Then they all went.....for a curry!

Hogmanay meant I was no longer on call – Hooray. That afternoon, nine of us went indoor GoKarting at Newbridge. Even better, I won. I think, deep down, Ewan and Olivia were pleased for me.  

Well done Dad!

The winner is....!

After dinner we celebrated the Bells and then, lead by Tabby, we all took part in that old, quaint, family, Hogmanay tradition – KARAOKE! Abba, Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues,  Robbie Williams and Les Mis, all took a pounding. I reckon a tribute band could be in the making.  

"Mama Mia, here I go again"

On New Year’s Day, Tabby and a few of us went to watch the “Looney Dook” in South Queensferry. Here, 100s of people in fancy dress run into the Firth of Forth – and run out again! Had there been a Triathlon in “Alice in Wonderland” it would have looked like this.

The following day in-laws and out-laws began departing, heading for home. Brian and Heather, last to leave, took Donella and me to dinner at Edinburgh’s new Thai restaurant (nearly a curry) while Olivia and Ewan baby sat Tabby and cousin Ian. It was a lovely way to chill out.

At the weekend, we took down the Christmas decorations, took out the Christmas tree and put the house rightway up. Donella and Tabby went for a walk to Dundas Estate to feed the swans. Normality restored. 

This time last year, we had just returned home with Tabby from the “Sick Kids” having been in hospital for 3 weeks of chemotherapy following her diagnosis of leukaemia. It was very hard coming to terms with her diagnosis, her illness, her treatment and the effect it was having on her.  You only need to look at the blog throughout the last year to see this.

What a difference a year makes. Despite all that has happened over the last 12 months Tabby has continually amazed us with her cheeriness, positive nature and “have-a-go” attitude.  Over the last year we have met some terrific people and would like to thank everyone who has been looking after Tabby, or offered help or support – too many to mention. Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to look at this blog during this time. With approaching 20,000 views, the response has been astounding. We will keep the blog going on a monthly basis until tabby is better. Thankyou

All the best for 2013,

The Lawsons