Emily Turns 8 – 10 September, 2011
Hi everyone,
First I want to say that over the last 8 months (ie. since her treatment ended) Emily has had the most amazing times with friends and family and is living life to the full! She has been attending school full time, rarely having a day off! She also went to Lake Tekapo for her Make-A-Wish. The whole family went and it was brilliant! Emily looks amazing.
Today she had the second of her three monthly CT scans. Emily’s amazing Oncologist phoned me up within hours of the scan. Fortunately there was no evidence of disease. Whilst this is the best news for us, it is overshadowed by the fact that 2 children that had the EXACT same cancer and EXACT same treatment regime as Emily at the EXACT same time have since relapsed. Whilst I don’t know these children (I know of them and liase with their parents occasionally), this is a hard pill to swallow for me and the reality of this living hell really hits home when I hear that this monster of a disease has returned to their child/family! I feel completely helpless and wish I could do something. An amazing family in America, whose son Chase had Neuroblastoma (he is in remission thankfully) started up an organisation called Chase After A Cure. Whitney, the Director of the organisation (and Chase’s Mum) has raised over $200,000 for Neuroblastoma research in the last couple of years. She has turned her fear of her child potentially relapsing into fundraising. I’d like to share the website with you. There is the opportunity to donate money or purchase T-Shirts, Wrist Bands or Pandora Beads. I have done so and received the goods in approx 3 weeks. Research is the only way to find a cure for this horrible disease. www.chaseafteracure.com Emily’s story is also on this website.
Sorry I haven’t updated for a while. Normality has been fantastic and right now all the family is doing great :)
Emily celebrated her 8th birthday with her friends on the weekend.
Kath
KATHY
September 15, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
So very glad miracles do happen especially to you Emily.Happy belated birthday wishes too.
Life is to be lived to the full and you are doing that.May you continue in good health, this is best for you Mum and Dad and your brothers and sister.
Natasha and us will sprinkle some
magic dust all around you and your family for lots more happy days full of laughter and love.
Lots love always The Kesselers XXXX(((())))
tina evans
September 14, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
Fantastic news Emily. Its great to see you looking so happy and enjoying your life with your friends and family. You are proof that this horrible disease can be beaten and this was all down to you and your family. Say “hi” to your grandma Sherilyn and grandpa Tom. X
Grandma Sherilyn
September 13, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
To our darling Em
Great news about your scan Emily, What a wonderful 8th birthday you had with all your lovely friends, we have to stay positive that horrible disease stays away and you can keep enjoying your life and being at school and playing with all your friends, thankyou for taking us to Lake Tekapo, we had a great time.
We love you very much
Grandma and Grandad xxxxxxxxooooooo
Jo Patterson
September 13, 2011 @ 7:52 pm
Awesome news Emily, absolutely fantastic. You are such an amazing young lady. You have such a beautiful family with the best Mum and Dad.
Hope you had a fun filled birthday with lots of laughs and excitement.
Im sad to hear about the other 2 children, thoughts are with their families.
Keep strong, sending lots of positive thoughts and big hugs & smiles
Much Love Jo, Tom & William xx
Roydhouse family
September 13, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
Great great news about Emily’s scan! Heartbreaking to hear about the other children, you can only wonder at the ways of the world that these things can happen to innocent young people and their families. We are all just so glad your news was good and its been great to see Emily back at school with her friends.
Catie
September 13, 2011 @ 7:23 pm
Good to see you looking so well, Emily! I haven’t seen you since Camp Q, but already your hair looks to have different colours in it! Mine never went back to black, so now it’s awesome brown, like yours!