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.
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| 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!
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| 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”!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
