23/10 - 29/10
Amelia finally started the TVD this week after a couple of weeks wait. We had to wait for
her blood counts to be high enough. For the first batch of TVD she had to go into Bristol
as they wanted to keep a close eye on how she reacted to the drugs. The way that this
course was set up was for her to go in daily for the Topetecan and then be admitted for a
joint infusion of Vincristine and Doxorubicin for 48 hours. As per usual this was all taken
in her stride and with a smile on her face. The thing that she liked was that the 48hr
infusion looked like "Iron Brew".
As Amelia was in hospital Jacob had to spend time with his nannies during the week,
nanny Corston kept an eye on him while we popped to the hospital and then he got to 
spend the weekend with nanny Peasedown, Jacob is also a brilliant child as he also just
takes things in his stride and doesnt like to worry Mummy and Daddy. Jacob and Amelia
both make me very proud!
All of Amelia's hair has now gone but it seems not to have affected her and she is quite
happy to go on as normal, she has quite an impressive collection of hats from her first
lot of treatment but none of these are any good now and she feels that they are just not
her and that we are going to have to buy her a new one! Unfortunately we have yet to
come across a hat that meets the standards of her Ladyship as she has to pick it or she
just wont wear it! 

Sun 15/10 - 21/10
Amelia's hair is starting to fall out after the chemotherapy, we werent expecting this to
happen until after she had started the TVD treatment. It was party time again on Sunday
as it was my cousin Rosie's 1st Birthday. On Wednesday Amelia asked if she could go to
Playschool. As she hasnt been able to go since it started again in September Leah took 
her for a couple of hours as we felt a full session would be too much for her to cope 
with. She really enjoyed herself playing with her friends and also stayed for lunch. We 
took Jacob & Amelia to have their photos taken on Wednesday afternoon as we wanted 
them done before Amelia had lost all her hair. On Thursday Batheaston School where
Amelia's Grampy works had a sponsored walk to help raise funds for a trip to Euro
Disney. All the staff and pupils took part in the walk and Leah took Amelia to the school
to see the children arrive back from their walk. On Friday Amelia went to gym for the
first time, she had a lovely time on the trampoline.
Amelia was excited this week as she received another present from the kind people at
Post Pals. They sent her a pretty pink bag for her wiggly, she thought it was lovely and
wanted to wear it straight away. Amelia also received two cards, a sticker book and a
picture of Barbie Princess to colour from two very kind people in America. There was
also a card from Sheffield and another two cards,DVD and sticker book from Devon.
Receiving post really puts a smile on Amelia's face and cheers her up; Thank you for
writing it is really appreciated and makes our Little Princess very happy.
Next week is the start of the TVD treatment, this means daily visits to the hospital on
Mon-Fri and then Amelia will spend the weekend in the hospital. It was a busy week but
as we dont know how the treatment will affect Amelia. We wanted her to do as much of 
the things she loves doing.
NEW Pictures have been added to the 2006 collections

Sat 14th Oct
Amelia & Jacob were excited today as its their Christening day. As we hadnt had them
christened as babies we felt it was time we should have it done. It was a real family
occasion as their two cousins Charlotte & Jade and Aunty Hannah were also
christened. We had a really lovely day and it was good having our family with us on 
this special occasion.


Fri 13th Oct
Karyn the CLIC nurse came today to do blood checks on Amelia. These needed to be
done to see if she is able to start the TVD treatment next week. Karyn rang this
evening to say all Amelias blood counts are low and will need ot be checked again 
on Monday. We are hoping all will be well on Monday as we want to get the treatment
started.

Thurs 12th Oct
Today it was mine and her nans birthday, this has meant another tea party. October is
a busy month in our house for birthdays, we still have Jacobs birthday to come on the
31st when he will be 7.

Weds 11th Oct
Amelia received a parcel in the post today, it was a cuddly toy called "Chemo Duck". 
He is wearing pyjamas and a bandana on his head complete with a wiggly (hickman line)
 It was sent to her from the people at Post Pals. This is a website www.postpals.co.uk 
listing sick children where people from all over the world log on and can send cards/ 
gifts and good wishes to the children to help cheer them up. Its a brilliant idea as I know 
how much Amelia & Jacob love to receive post and its comforting to know there are 
caring people in the world.

We had a meeting with Amelia's consultant today. He has decided NOT to give her the
3rd course of chemo but hopefully next week to start her on TVD. This is a more
intense form of chemo, she will have 5 days of Topotecan followed by 2 days in hospital
having an infusion of the other two cancer drugs (Vincristine, Doxorubicin). She will then
 have a day off of treatment and then have the GCSF. This is to boost her neutrophils. 
After 21 days she will then have TVD again. Amelia will then have another MIBG scan to 
see if the treatment has slowed/stopped the Neuroblastoma spreading. It will then be 
dependant on the results as to whether further treatment will continue. We are both 
hoping and praying that the treatment is working and can continue.


Mon 9th Oct
We've got two days off from the hospital. While her mummy went to a coffee morning 
with the mum's whose children go swimming with Jacob, Amelia helped me do some
baking. We made bread & scones, she really enjoyed helping and was proud to show
them to her mummy when she came home.

Thur 5th Oct
Today is the last day of Chemo for this week. Amelia had her blood checked and her 
blood levels have dropped. This means she needs a blood tranfusion. We took Amelia 
back to hospital at 6.30pm for the transfusion and didnt arrive back home until 10.30pm

She had Irradiated blood as she has previously had stem cell treatment. She is 
Neutropenic and so this will delay next weeks Chemo as she will have to have her
blood checked on Wednesday.

Party Pics are now on site... Link here [PartyPics]


Wed 4th Oct
Amelia had Chemotherapy again this morning. Today is her mummys birthday so
Amelia wanted a party. Her two nans & two grampys and her Aunties Hanna & Naomi
visited for tea, Amelia loves having her family visiting and really enjoyed herself.

Tue 3rd Oct
We were back at the hospital today for Amelia to start her 2nd course of Chemotherapy

Sunday 1st Oct
The after school club that Jacob goes to in our village had a party today. It
was a fancy dress so Amelia went as a Pink Fairy (what else :-) ) and Jacob
went as a brave little knight. They really enjoyed it and had a wonderful time. Hope the
pics come out, will announce when they're onsite.

Thursday 28th Sept
It was a busy day today, First we went to Jacobs school for the Harvest
Festival, then it was off to the hospital for Amelia's chemotherapy. When
this was finished we had to go back to Jacobs school for his school
photo to be taken with Amelia. This was the third day of Chemotherapy and
Amelia now has four days off.