It was Daddy's birthday on the 25th November and Joni-Mai made a cake with Aunty Sophie. We also went for dinner in Romford.
Happy Birthday, Daddy. We hope you had a lovely day XxX
Monday, 28 November 2011
Saturday, 26 November 2011
A very Christmassy a-fayre
Today, we went to the Christmas fayre at Joni-Mai's school - Scotts Primary School, Hornchurch. It was a lovely afternoon and she got to see lots of her friends, all of whom have been truly missed!
We ate cupcakes made by the beautiful Tracy, had cuddles with Father Christmas and had face painting and tattoos by the wonderful FoSA mums. Joni-Mai REALLY enjoyed herself!
To finish my entry for today, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that came today and raised funds for the school and Joni-Mai (FoSA and Mr Abelado have decided to donate 20% of funds raised to Joni-Mai's cause)! Scotts is a brilliant school, we are very lucky to be a part of a wonderful community. Everyone cares and we have had so many lovely offers. If I could thank you individually, I would. Thank you, you are all helping us through this hard time.
Friday, 25 November 2011
A CALL FOR HELP!!
As you may or may not know, there are lots of people rallying around to raise funds for Joni-Mai and the hospitals in which she is treated.
A very beautiful lady, Lauren Browne has decided to run the Barcelona Marathon for Joni-Mai. If you would like to support Lauren, please click HERE!
Our very good friend, Katy Lille has vowed to throw herself out of a plane for Joni-Mai. If you would like more info, please click HERE!
A lovely, yummy mummy friend of ours is holding a raffle for a £50 voucher for her boutique "FRANCESCA'S BOUTIQUE" in Hornchurch. If you would like some tickets please get in touch via HERE!
Our good friend, Tracy - who makes extra super yummy cakes -will be running a Prize Draw to win a Christmas Cupcake Class from now and until her final Event in December. It will be £1 to enter and all monies raised will be donated to Joni-Mai's fund. If you can't make it to an event and would like to enter, please contact her on
A fun run is being organised at the boating lake in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch on the 11th of December, if you would like to take part, please click HERE!
WE NEED PEOPLE TO HELP!!!
A very beautiful lady, Lauren Browne has decided to run the Barcelona Marathon for Joni-Mai. If you would like to support Lauren, please click HERE!
Our very good friend, Katy Lille has vowed to throw herself out of a plane for Joni-Mai. If you would like more info, please click HERE!
A lovely, yummy mummy friend of ours is holding a raffle for a £50 voucher for her boutique "FRANCESCA'S BOUTIQUE" in Hornchurch. If you would like some tickets please get in touch via HERE!
Our good friend, Tracy - who makes extra super yummy cakes -will be running a Prize Draw to win a Christmas Cupcake Class from now and until her final Event in December. It will be £1 to enter and all monies raised will be donated to Joni-Mai's fund. If you can't make it to an event and would like to enter, please contact her on
A fun run is being organised at the boating lake in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch on the 11th of December, if you would like to take part, please click HERE!
WE NEED PEOPLE TO HELP!!!
NEW WHEELS!!
THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER:
Today, we went to pick up Joni-Mai's new wheels!! Because she can't walk too far and because she gets tired, Whizz Kids have arranged for her to have a super snazzy wheelchair. She LOVES it, particularly spinning around in it - she certainly IS a Whizz Kid in her new set of wheels :-)
Thank you to Andrea Goldsborough for cheering Joni-Mai up today! Whilst waiting for the wheelchair, we bumped into one of Joni-Mai's friends mummys, who has invited Joni-Mai round to their house for tea, one evening. She's a very excited little monkey and looks forward to her evening of fun with Millie. Thank you!
Today, we went to pick up Joni-Mai's new wheels!! Because she can't walk too far and because she gets tired, Whizz Kids have arranged for her to have a super snazzy wheelchair. She LOVES it, particularly spinning around in it - she certainly IS a Whizz Kid in her new set of wheels :-)
MRI
WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER:
A trip to UCLH for Joni-Mai today for an MRI scan. She was very excited to see Emma - the play specialist and she was also excited to see if any of her friends would be there, too. Fortunately, some of her friends WERE there and she was pleased to find out that they'd be there again next week when we go in for VIDE 3 - her 3rd course of the VIDE combination of chemotherapy drugs. (Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide) VIDE is also complimented by Mesna.
We are pleased that she is looking forward to going back in to hospital next week. Although she gets terribly poorly she still remains so positive. Joni-Mai is inspirational in ways I cannot describe!
A trip to UCLH for Joni-Mai today for an MRI scan. She was very excited to see Emma - the play specialist and she was also excited to see if any of her friends would be there, too. Fortunately, some of her friends WERE there and she was pleased to find out that they'd be there again next week when we go in for VIDE 3 - her 3rd course of the VIDE combination of chemotherapy drugs. (Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide) VIDE is also complimented by Mesna.
We are pleased that she is looking forward to going back in to hospital next week. Although she gets terribly poorly she still remains so positive. Joni-Mai is inspirational in ways I cannot describe!
Blood counts and Christmas wreath's!
TUESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER:
And so, another day in Queen's hospital! Today, we went in so Joni-Mai could have her final G-CSF for this course of chemotherapy and so she could have blood counts taken - to see if she would need another blood transfusion as her Hb count was dropping again after her first transfusion.
Joni-Mai spent a lot of time waiting around until, Jan - the teacher - came by and gave her something to do...
A Christmas wreath made entirely of bits of material! It will live in Jan's school corridoor until after Christmas, whe Joni-Mai will get to bring it home.
After having spent 5 hours waiting around, Joni-Mai was given the thumbs up to go home. She didn't need a blood transfusion and she was well enough to go out!! She didn't need to stay indoors any more, so we went to Lakeside for some much needed retail therapy... And an ice-cream.
And so, another day in Queen's hospital! Today, we went in so Joni-Mai could have her final G-CSF for this course of chemotherapy and so she could have blood counts taken - to see if she would need another blood transfusion as her Hb count was dropping again after her first transfusion.
Joni-Mai spent a lot of time waiting around until, Jan - the teacher - came by and gave her something to do...
After having spent 5 hours waiting around, Joni-Mai was given the thumbs up to go home. She didn't need a blood transfusion and she was well enough to go out!! She didn't need to stay indoors any more, so we went to Lakeside for some much needed retail therapy... And an ice-cream.
And yet MORE hospital!
MONDAY 21st NOVEMBER:
A morning in Queen's hospital was enjoyed by all, Joni-Mai had to return for her 9th G-CSF. Her specialist nurse, Carolyn administered the jab via her insuflon. Carolyn is very caring and made sure she gave the hormone how Joni-Mai liked it - slowly and gently. We spent another day back at home, watching films on TV!
A morning in Queen's hospital was enjoyed by all, Joni-Mai had to return for her 9th G-CSF. Her specialist nurse, Carolyn administered the jab via her insuflon. Carolyn is very caring and made sure she gave the hormone how Joni-Mai liked it - slowly and gently. We spent another day back at home, watching films on TV!
She's coming home!!!
SUNDAY 20th NOVEMBER:
Joni-Mai's blood cultures returned negative - this is to say, no bacteria grew from the blood that was taken from her PICC line which also meant her PICC line wasn't infected! She was still hugely neutropenic, she had no platelets or white blood cells and her haemoglobin (red blood cells) were decreasing but, she was carrying no infection and so she was allowed home. She was to stay indoors until her blood counts had returned to a suitable level, but we were happy to get her home so she wasn't confined to one room.
She was happy to come home and saw her cousin Leah when she got back. We spent the afternoon with Nanny, Grandad Bill and Uncle Matt and spent the evening with Gramma, Grandad, Uncle Sam and Aunty Sophie.
Joni-Mai's blood cultures returned negative - this is to say, no bacteria grew from the blood that was taken from her PICC line which also meant her PICC line wasn't infected! She was still hugely neutropenic, she had no platelets or white blood cells and her haemoglobin (red blood cells) were decreasing but, she was carrying no infection and so she was allowed home. She was to stay indoors until her blood counts had returned to a suitable level, but we were happy to get her home so she wasn't confined to one room.
She was happy to come home and saw her cousin Leah when she got back. We spent the afternoon with Nanny, Grandad Bill and Uncle Matt and spent the evening with Gramma, Grandad, Uncle Sam and Aunty Sophie.
And yet MORE time in hospital...
SATURDAY 19th NOVEMBER:
After days of being stuck in room on her own, Joni-Mai was fed up - and rightly so. Daddy was fed up because things weren't being done as they should have been, the medical staff (MINUS A FEW EXCEPTIONS!!!) on Tropical Lagoon were not following protocol and kept fobbing us off with poor excuses for not doing things as they should have been done. Joni-Mai needed her dressing changed on Tuesday and it still hadn't been done on Saturday - leaving her vulnerable to infection developing on her PICC line (which goes straight to her heart...). Daddy got hard and told them it HAD to be done, and thankfully, someone changed the dressing. It was annoying but it isn't a CLIC unit and so, they aren't used to the discipline that is needed while dealing with an oncology patient. There were a few exceptions to the rule, a kind student nurse - Simon - was very good with Joni-Mai, taking obs on cue. A really nice oriental male nurse who was very gentle with Joni-Mai and gave her the G-CSF slower than anyone and in more of a friendly manner than anyone else ever had. Joni-Mai spent a lot of time with the teacher Jan and Viv the play specialist. They helped her through what would have been a boring time had they not been there!
Today, we were expecting Joni-Mai to be allowed home, her blood cultures had been with the pathology labs for over 48 hours, more like 54 hours. Daddy kept asking where the results were and no one could answer the question. It wasn't until the late afternoon when someone told him Joni-Mai couldn't leave until she had her blood culture results but that could take some time and mean an extra night in hospital because the Pathology Lab's computers were down.
Joni-Mai ended up staying another night in hospital because of a computer fault.
After days of being stuck in room on her own, Joni-Mai was fed up - and rightly so. Daddy was fed up because things weren't being done as they should have been, the medical staff (MINUS A FEW EXCEPTIONS!!!) on Tropical Lagoon were not following protocol and kept fobbing us off with poor excuses for not doing things as they should have been done. Joni-Mai needed her dressing changed on Tuesday and it still hadn't been done on Saturday - leaving her vulnerable to infection developing on her PICC line (which goes straight to her heart...). Daddy got hard and told them it HAD to be done, and thankfully, someone changed the dressing. It was annoying but it isn't a CLIC unit and so, they aren't used to the discipline that is needed while dealing with an oncology patient. There were a few exceptions to the rule, a kind student nurse - Simon - was very good with Joni-Mai, taking obs on cue. A really nice oriental male nurse who was very gentle with Joni-Mai and gave her the G-CSF slower than anyone and in more of a friendly manner than anyone else ever had. Joni-Mai spent a lot of time with the teacher Jan and Viv the play specialist. They helped her through what would have been a boring time had they not been there!
Today, we were expecting Joni-Mai to be allowed home, her blood cultures had been with the pathology labs for over 48 hours, more like 54 hours. Daddy kept asking where the results were and no one could answer the question. It wasn't until the late afternoon when someone told him Joni-Mai couldn't leave until she had her blood culture results but that could take some time and mean an extra night in hospital because the Pathology Lab's computers were down.
Joni-Mai ended up staying another night in hospital because of a computer fault.
Transfusion
THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER:
We spent today, in a side room. Joni-Mai started her blood transfusion quite early in the day and it ran over 4 hours. She coped surprisingly well with being attached to a drip for the 5 hours (4 hours for blood transfusion and an extra hour for a flush to go through the line). She had no reaction and she even told the nurse off because she got a little bit of blood on her bed sheets. Immediately after having the transfusion, she had warmed up (low RBC was the reason for her being cold at Jo Jingles!!) and her cheeks and lips returned to a beautiful rose colour. Her bloods were showing no signs of infection but she was still neutropenic. She was not to leave hospital until her blood cultures had returned from the labs. These would take 48 hours so she was due to stay until Saturday at the earliest.
The afternoon saw Joni-Mai going for an X-Ray on her chest, to see if they could find a cause for her heightened temperature - as they were'nt seeing infection in her blood results. The doctors were slightly mistified because she was so perky and looked so healthy even though she was severely anaemic and she was showing no symptoms of anything like infection but she'd had a high temperature - which is an indicator for infection!
Daddy and Nanny came to see us on their lunch breaks, they both work just down the road in Romford. Joni-Mai enjoyed her guests and spent the afternoon still in her side room, watching films and making Christmas decorations for the ward. We were told that she was to stay in the room as there were lots of children with highly contagious illnesses. Unfortunately, this meant that she was unable to go to the play room or the outside play area and was confined to her small side room with only a TV and a few craft activities to keep her occupied - unfortunately, there is no CLIC unit nearby so each time Joni-Mai ends up in hospital, she will be confined to a room on her own which is sad, but it is necessary if we want to stop her from catching any horrible bugs.
We spent today, in a side room. Joni-Mai started her blood transfusion quite early in the day and it ran over 4 hours. She coped surprisingly well with being attached to a drip for the 5 hours (4 hours for blood transfusion and an extra hour for a flush to go through the line). She had no reaction and she even told the nurse off because she got a little bit of blood on her bed sheets. Immediately after having the transfusion, she had warmed up (low RBC was the reason for her being cold at Jo Jingles!!) and her cheeks and lips returned to a beautiful rose colour. Her bloods were showing no signs of infection but she was still neutropenic. She was not to leave hospital until her blood cultures had returned from the labs. These would take 48 hours so she was due to stay until Saturday at the earliest.
The afternoon saw Joni-Mai going for an X-Ray on her chest, to see if they could find a cause for her heightened temperature - as they were'nt seeing infection in her blood results. The doctors were slightly mistified because she was so perky and looked so healthy even though she was severely anaemic and she was showing no symptoms of anything like infection but she'd had a high temperature - which is an indicator for infection!
Daddy and Nanny came to see us on their lunch breaks, they both work just down the road in Romford. Joni-Mai enjoyed her guests and spent the afternoon still in her side room, watching films and making Christmas decorations for the ward. We were told that she was to stay in the room as there were lots of children with highly contagious illnesses. Unfortunately, this meant that she was unable to go to the play room or the outside play area and was confined to her small side room with only a TV and a few craft activities to keep her occupied - unfortunately, there is no CLIC unit nearby so each time Joni-Mai ends up in hospital, she will be confined to a room on her own which is sad, but it is necessary if we want to stop her from catching any horrible bugs.
Joni-Mai having her blood transfusion!
Back to Hospital...
WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER:
Joni-Mai had a good day, today. She had a visit from the community nurse to give her a dose of her G-CSF - the dreaded jab. G-CSF stimulates the production of white blood cells (WBC). In oncology and hematology, a recombinant form of G-CSF is used with certain cancer patients to accelerate recovery from neutropenia after chemotherapy, allowing higher-intensity treatment regimens.
After the nurse left, we quickly got ready to go into town for Daisy to go to Jo Jingles. Joni-Mai was thoroughly excited to be going to Jo Jingles and seeing her best friend's Mummy, Lynne. When we got there, she was a little subdued as there were lots of people in the hall, her nerves soon wore off and she was singing and dancing with the other children. She kept complaining that she was cold but, it was cold outside and I thought nothing of it. I cuddled her until she was warm again and she continued to play happily again.
Once we got home, Joni-Mai ate us out of house and home. A welcomed chenge to the refusal of food that we'd been enduring for weeks. Three lots of lunch, that's what she'd eaten! After her lunch, I took her temperature and it was slightly higher than it should have been, which set me off monitoring it hourly. Each hour that passed saw her temperature creep up a little higher and by a quarter to 6, her temperature had peaked up to 38 degrees. A no-no while she could possibly be neutropenic. Over the course of the hour, I monitored it further and the only change to be seen was increase, no decrease. This meant ANOTHER HOSPITAL TRIP FOR US!! We dropped Daisy to Gramma and went straight to our local hospital, Queen's (Romford). Once we arrived, we were put in a side room to stop Joni-Mai catching any nasties from any other children on the ward. After assessment, we were told - to EVERYONE'S surprise - that Joni-Mai's RBC (Red Blood Count) was 5.2 and she was needing a blood transfusion ASAP. She was also Neutropenic and had nothing at all in her blood to fight any infection and we were going to have to stay until she was better enough to go home! A side room was found on the inpatients ward "Tropical Lagoon" and a course of antibiotics was started.
Joni-Mai had a good day, today. She had a visit from the community nurse to give her a dose of her G-CSF - the dreaded jab. G-CSF stimulates the production of white blood cells (WBC). In oncology and hematology, a recombinant form of G-CSF is used with certain cancer patients to accelerate recovery from neutropenia after chemotherapy, allowing higher-intensity treatment regimens.
After the nurse left, we quickly got ready to go into town for Daisy to go to Jo Jingles. Joni-Mai was thoroughly excited to be going to Jo Jingles and seeing her best friend's Mummy, Lynne. When we got there, she was a little subdued as there were lots of people in the hall, her nerves soon wore off and she was singing and dancing with the other children. She kept complaining that she was cold but, it was cold outside and I thought nothing of it. I cuddled her until she was warm again and she continued to play happily again.
Once we got home, Joni-Mai ate us out of house and home. A welcomed chenge to the refusal of food that we'd been enduring for weeks. Three lots of lunch, that's what she'd eaten! After her lunch, I took her temperature and it was slightly higher than it should have been, which set me off monitoring it hourly. Each hour that passed saw her temperature creep up a little higher and by a quarter to 6, her temperature had peaked up to 38 degrees. A no-no while she could possibly be neutropenic. Over the course of the hour, I monitored it further and the only change to be seen was increase, no decrease. This meant ANOTHER HOSPITAL TRIP FOR US!! We dropped Daisy to Gramma and went straight to our local hospital, Queen's (Romford). Once we arrived, we were put in a side room to stop Joni-Mai catching any nasties from any other children on the ward. After assessment, we were told - to EVERYONE'S surprise - that Joni-Mai's RBC (Red Blood Count) was 5.2 and she was needing a blood transfusion ASAP. She was also Neutropenic and had nothing at all in her blood to fight any infection and we were going to have to stay until she was better enough to go home! A side room was found on the inpatients ward "Tropical Lagoon" and a course of antibiotics was started.
Happy days!
SATURDAY 12th & SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER:
A very uneventful and restful weekend was spent at home with family. Our good friends; Craig and Jane popped in to see Joni-Mai on Sunday with their two lovely girls - Sophie and Brooke. Joni-Mai spent hours playing with her Hama beads and made a princess for Brooke to take home with her. Joni-Mai's big cousin, Lauren popped in to see her too. Joni-Mai was a very tired girl but the sickness had passed so she was able to rest. She even slept until 10am on Sunday morning!! Mummy and Daddy thought all their Christmases had come at once.
A very uneventful and restful weekend was spent at home with family. Our good friends; Craig and Jane popped in to see Joni-Mai on Sunday with their two lovely girls - Sophie and Brooke. Joni-Mai spent hours playing with her Hama beads and made a princess for Brooke to take home with her. Joni-Mai's big cousin, Lauren popped in to see her too. Joni-Mai was a very tired girl but the sickness had passed so she was able to rest. She even slept until 10am on Sunday morning!! Mummy and Daddy thought all their Christmases had come at once.
Joni-Mai & Brooke's Hama Beads
Saturday, 12 November 2011
GOING HOME!!!
FRIDAY 11th NOVEMBER:
Today is the day we go home! After a very restless night, the doctors were worried that Joni-Mai was going to be too dehydrated to go home. She had been so sick in the night that they were going to put her on an extra rehydration drip and extra anti sickness via her PICC line, it would have put her home time back by at least 3 hours and would have meant another night in hospital, in isolation! After arguing with her that drinking would be the best thing to do, she gave in and had a drink of water - VERY RELUCTANTLY!!
Almost an hour later than anticipated, we were allowed to go home. Our tired princess was fed up and ready to return to normailty. Uncle Eddie took us home in his posh Mercedes, Joni-Mai was very happy to spend time with her Uncle Eddie when we got back home. He played with her and Daisy and they had lots of cuddles before a very tired Joni-Mai and Daddy fell asleep in Gramma's living room.
We had a lovely message from someone very special that would like to meet Joni-Mai after reading her story in our local newspaper, hopefully, he will be coming to our house on Sunday to see us :-) We can't wait!!
Today is the day we go home! After a very restless night, the doctors were worried that Joni-Mai was going to be too dehydrated to go home. She had been so sick in the night that they were going to put her on an extra rehydration drip and extra anti sickness via her PICC line, it would have put her home time back by at least 3 hours and would have meant another night in hospital, in isolation! After arguing with her that drinking would be the best thing to do, she gave in and had a drink of water - VERY RELUCTANTLY!!
Almost an hour later than anticipated, we were allowed to go home. Our tired princess was fed up and ready to return to normailty. Uncle Eddie took us home in his posh Mercedes, Joni-Mai was very happy to spend time with her Uncle Eddie when we got back home. He played with her and Daisy and they had lots of cuddles before a very tired Joni-Mai and Daddy fell asleep in Gramma's living room.
We had a lovely message from someone very special that would like to meet Joni-Mai after reading her story in our local newspaper, hopefully, he will be coming to our house on Sunday to see us :-) We can't wait!!
Isolation!!
THURSDAY 10th NOVEMBER:
This morning, Joni-Mai was moved into isolation. She had a bit of a loose cough which worried the doctors - passing infection onto another cancer patient could be devastating - so they thought it better to be safe, rather than be sorry. She was put in a side room and the door was to be left closed. People coming in had to wear aprons and had to wash hands thoroughly before leaving the room - to stop the spread of infection.
School was a no-no today. Unfortunately, there were musicians coming in to play for the children and run a music workshop for the children but thankfully, the teacher's assisstant had thought of Joni-Mai and arranged for them to come to her room and play some music for her. When they came in, they told her the story of The Grasshopper and The Ants - an Aesop Fable.
The piece of music was called La cigale et la fourmi, you can listen to it on this video:
Joni-Mai really enjoyed the music workshop and was a very happy girl for the rest of the afternoon. She spent another evening being poorly, her medicine is making her very sick and all the anti sickness medicine is not helping her at all. After an evening with Daddy and watching "Johnny English" she went to sleep (in between being sick and running to the toilet...) ready to return home in the morning!
Thank you to Gramma, Nanny & Aunty Linda for coming to see us today and for bringing Daisy to see her big sister, too!
This morning, Joni-Mai was moved into isolation. She had a bit of a loose cough which worried the doctors - passing infection onto another cancer patient could be devastating - so they thought it better to be safe, rather than be sorry. She was put in a side room and the door was to be left closed. People coming in had to wear aprons and had to wash hands thoroughly before leaving the room - to stop the spread of infection.
School was a no-no today. Unfortunately, there were musicians coming in to play for the children and run a music workshop for the children but thankfully, the teacher's assisstant had thought of Joni-Mai and arranged for them to come to her room and play some music for her. When they came in, they told her the story of The Grasshopper and The Ants - an Aesop Fable.
The piece of music was called La cigale et la fourmi, you can listen to it on this video:
Joni-Mai really enjoyed the music workshop and was a very happy girl for the rest of the afternoon. She spent another evening being poorly, her medicine is making her very sick and all the anti sickness medicine is not helping her at all. After an evening with Daddy and watching "Johnny English" she went to sleep (in between being sick and running to the toilet...) ready to return home in the morning!
Thank you to Gramma, Nanny & Aunty Linda for coming to see us today and for bringing Daisy to see her big sister, too!
Tom's Birthday Party!
WEDNESDAY 9th NOVEMBER:
Today, Emma - the play specialist - threw a party for one of Joni-Mai's friends, Tom. It is going to be his 11th birthday on Sunday 13th November. Tom and Addie are going home tonight, so today is the best time to have his party. There was lots of party food, the children all got to play on the Nintendo Wii and most exciting of all... FACE PAINTS!!! Everyone got to play with the face paints - the children painted the grown up's and vice versa. Mummy painted Joni-Mai and Joni-Mai painted Daddy. Daddy was a rabbit and Joni-Mai was a clown:
As soon as it got to half past one, Joni-Mai wanted to leave the party and go to the school room (they must be doing something right in there for her to want to leave a party!!!). She stayed for the afternoon and as soon as school had finished, she climbed into bed and slept for the afternoon!
After waking, Joni-Mai wasn't so perky. She spent the evening being sick - one of the side effects of her chemotherapy drugs - watched about 20 minutes of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and then fell asleep... Again!
Joni-Mai also had some visitors today! Thank you to Uncle Matt, Uncle Neil, Uncle Dave, Aunty Sally and Kerry-Ann for coming to see her :-)
Today, Emma - the play specialist - threw a party for one of Joni-Mai's friends, Tom. It is going to be his 11th birthday on Sunday 13th November. Tom and Addie are going home tonight, so today is the best time to have his party. There was lots of party food, the children all got to play on the Nintendo Wii and most exciting of all... FACE PAINTS!!! Everyone got to play with the face paints - the children painted the grown up's and vice versa. Mummy painted Joni-Mai and Joni-Mai painted Daddy. Daddy was a rabbit and Joni-Mai was a clown:
As soon as it got to half past one, Joni-Mai wanted to leave the party and go to the school room (they must be doing something right in there for her to want to leave a party!!!). She stayed for the afternoon and as soon as school had finished, she climbed into bed and slept for the afternoon!
After waking, Joni-Mai wasn't so perky. She spent the evening being sick - one of the side effects of her chemotherapy drugs - watched about 20 minutes of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and then fell asleep... Again!
Joni-Mai also had some visitors today! Thank you to Uncle Matt, Uncle Neil, Uncle Dave, Aunty Sally and Kerry-Ann for coming to see her :-)
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Poorly poppet
TUESDAY 8th NOVEMBER:
So, last night I was informed that Joni-Mai wouldn't be starting her chemotherapy on time due to her file being lost. Computers were saying they were somewhere they were not and everyone was searching frantically for a file that was nowhere to be found.
Today started with yet more searching and profuse apologising, lots of people in different parts of the hospital looking for a file that didn't want to be found. Without the file, they couldn't start the chemotherapy as there were no consent forms, so, after signing a new form and expressing my worries (about her anti sickness drugs more than anything else) they started her medicine, 24 hours later than originally planned! Joni-Mai had a nice easy day, she spent the morning playing with the other children on the ward and the afternoon in the school room. She had some visitors today (thank you Nanny & Katy) and got to spend some time with her baby sister, Daisy.
Our ongoing battle with food and getting her to eat has once again, decided to rear its ugly head. We spent over an hour at lunch time trying to get her to eat and about the same, again, at dinner time. She has even started to refuse Macaroni Cheese, which is somewhat disheartening -particularly as it is about the only thing that she has decided to eat for the last month(ish). So we are welcoming any food ideas to try with her - please send any suggestions my way!!!
After everyone had left and Joni had settled, she began complaining of a tummy ache. The dreaded sickness has returned, despite being on a higher nausea management program. The poor dot was very poorly. It seemed that all the time we spent getting her to eat today was wasted! We had started to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas before she got sick but she went to sleep shortly after taking some anti sickness medication.
She's fast asleep now, I have just watched Sleeping Beauty on my own without so much as a flinch from Joni-Mai - I know she's poorly if she won't watch a film with me!
I have also had news on some fabulous items for the fundraising event, if you would like more info on how to get involved please go to
So, last night I was informed that Joni-Mai wouldn't be starting her chemotherapy on time due to her file being lost. Computers were saying they were somewhere they were not and everyone was searching frantically for a file that was nowhere to be found.
Today started with yet more searching and profuse apologising, lots of people in different parts of the hospital looking for a file that didn't want to be found. Without the file, they couldn't start the chemotherapy as there were no consent forms, so, after signing a new form and expressing my worries (about her anti sickness drugs more than anything else) they started her medicine, 24 hours later than originally planned! Joni-Mai had a nice easy day, she spent the morning playing with the other children on the ward and the afternoon in the school room. She had some visitors today (thank you Nanny & Katy) and got to spend some time with her baby sister, Daisy.
Our ongoing battle with food and getting her to eat has once again, decided to rear its ugly head. We spent over an hour at lunch time trying to get her to eat and about the same, again, at dinner time. She has even started to refuse Macaroni Cheese, which is somewhat disheartening -particularly as it is about the only thing that she has decided to eat for the last month(ish). So we are welcoming any food ideas to try with her - please send any suggestions my way!!!
After everyone had left and Joni had settled, she began complaining of a tummy ache. The dreaded sickness has returned, despite being on a higher nausea management program. The poor dot was very poorly. It seemed that all the time we spent getting her to eat today was wasted! We had started to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas before she got sick but she went to sleep shortly after taking some anti sickness medication.
She's fast asleep now, I have just watched Sleeping Beauty on my own without so much as a flinch from Joni-Mai - I know she's poorly if she won't watch a film with me!
I have also had news on some fabulous items for the fundraising event, if you would like more info on how to get involved please go to
Or to purchase raffle tickets for a £50 voucher to spend in Francesca's Boutique in Hornchurch, please visit:
Thank you all for all the support and for reading about Joni-Mai xMonday, 7 November 2011
She's famous!
Joni-Mai has made the local paper! Please click HERE for the article.
The piece also mentions a fun run and other fund raising events, for more info on how you can get involved, please visit:
For the love of Joni
Back in hospital!
MONDAY 7th NOVEMBER:
Today we are back in the hospital (UCH) for the second course of chemotherapy. Joni-Mai had a fun weekend to take her thoughts away from going back in to hospital for the week, on Saturday she went to the pictures with Gramma, Laura and Harriet to see TinTin and on Sunday we had some good friends over for tea. Our visitors on Sunday were particularly special - Katie, Anna and Monique - as they are members of a wonderful group of acting, singing, dancing and quite frankly magical storytellers called Tiger Tales. They arrived with a ukelele and lots of songs to sing to the little monkey, we had a wonderful evening and our minds were relaxed and refreshed after singing and listening to Anna sing and play the uke.
After a peaceful sleep, we woke to get ready (which is always a stressful rush in the Stevens household...) for another week in hospital for round 2 of the chemotherapy. We arrived in London with lots of time before our appointment in clinic and so we went for a hot chocolate, Joni-Mai preferred to drink grandad's Lilt and eat biscuits. After our clinic appointment, it was time to make our way to ward T11, the ward upon which Joni-Mai is being treated. She spent the afternoon in the school room and once school had finished, she chilled out on her bed playing games on phones and on her Nintendo DS. While she was chilling out, we heard the voices of excited patients talking about meeting Justin Bieber! On investigation, I found out the he had indeed been on ward T12 (the adolescent ward, a floor above us) and some of the patients had gone from our ward to see him. Unfortunately, Joni-Mai wasn't invited because she wasn't a teenager - the visit had been arranged by the Teenage Cancer Trust - which is actually quite mean (in my own honest opinion). I know it would have made her the happiest girl alive, and it was sad that her friends got to go but she never!
Never mind!!!
We spent the evening playing with her new friends, learnt how to play Uno and ate copious amounts of sweeties.
Oh, and we aren't starting chemo today - they can't find her notes!! D'oh!
Friday, 4 November 2011
Only a couple of hours on...
Daddy, Grandad and Uncle Sam had their hair chopped off so they could be just like Joni
Baldylocks!
FRIDAY 4th NOVEMBER:
Joni-Mai has lost even more hair since last night. Our little Rapunzel is no more!! Probably by the end of the weekend, she will have no more hair.
Joni-Mai has lost even more hair since last night. Our little Rapunzel is no more!! Probably by the end of the weekend, she will have no more hair.
FRANCESCA'S BOUTIQUE
Our lovely friends over at Francesca's Boutique are holding a raffle in Joni-Mai's honour. The prize will be a £50 voucher for the boutique and tickets will be available from the boutique itself. For more information, please get in touch with myself or the beautiful Jo.
Psssssst... If you go to their Facebook page and like them, they are offering a 10% discount until tomorrow evening. Have a look, they've got some smashing bits'n'bobs as seen on catwalk during Essex Fashion Week.
If you'd like to get involved in any fund raising, please follow this link : For the Love of Joni
Going bald!
THURSDAY 3rd NOVEMBER:
Today Joni-Mai has lost a lot more of her hair. The chemotherapy is starting to take effect on her hair, and it makes her look even more ill! She took Gramma to get her 'Flu jab - Gramma was a very brave girl and she didn't cry. Joni-Mai also had a visit from Occupational Therapy, who prescribed a bath stool, board and step for her. She'll soon be the proud owner of a new toilet frame, too!
Today Joni-Mai has lost a lot more of her hair. The chemotherapy is starting to take effect on her hair, and it makes her look even more ill! She took Gramma to get her 'Flu jab - Gramma was a very brave girl and she didn't cry. Joni-Mai also had a visit from Occupational Therapy, who prescribed a bath stool, board and step for her. She'll soon be the proud owner of a new toilet frame, too!
Joni-Mai's new hair!
CAKES!!
We received a lovely gift of personalised cupcakes for Joni-Mai from the wonderful Tracy's T-cakes
Tracy makes some awesome cakes, please do pop over on the link below and have a look at some of her creations - they taste as good as they look!
Tracy makes some awesome cakes, please do pop over on the link below and have a look at some of her creations - they taste as good as they look!
Back to school!
WEDNESDAY 2nd NOVEMBER:
Today, Joni-Mai returned to school. Before leaving for school, I warned her not to pull her hair out in front of people as it may upset someone. She gave me her word that she wouldn't and we set off for school, when we got there she was greeted by a chorus of excited 5 year old children calling out "JONI-MAI!!". It made me smile knowing that they had missed her and she'd be looked after by her class mates.
At lunch time, she came home for lunch - sporting a few new bald patches. I asked her "Have you been pulling your hair out, Joni?", she looked sheepishly at the floor so I repeated the question. Joni-Mai replied with "Yes, Mummy". I asked her why she had been pulling her hair out "because everyone wanted to see!", who am I to argue with that? She then informed me that she'd let other children in her class pull her hair out too!!! Little monkey, she makes me proud with her strength.
After school we spent some time with Sophie - Joni's best friend - and her family. It was lovely to see the girls play together after almost a month of near constant hospital trips. We left and came home for another dinner of macaroni cheese - we've turned into a family of macaroni lovers since Joni's hospitalisation (by Joni's choice!!) - and a visit from Aunty Sophie. When it got to bed time, Joni-Mai developed another temperature. Not wanting another hospital stay, we stripped her down to her tights and vest and thankfully her temperature came down.
She went to bed looking forward to another day at school.
Today, Joni-Mai returned to school. Before leaving for school, I warned her not to pull her hair out in front of people as it may upset someone. She gave me her word that she wouldn't and we set off for school, when we got there she was greeted by a chorus of excited 5 year old children calling out "JONI-MAI!!". It made me smile knowing that they had missed her and she'd be looked after by her class mates.
At lunch time, she came home for lunch - sporting a few new bald patches. I asked her "Have you been pulling your hair out, Joni?", she looked sheepishly at the floor so I repeated the question. Joni-Mai replied with "Yes, Mummy". I asked her why she had been pulling her hair out "because everyone wanted to see!", who am I to argue with that? She then informed me that she'd let other children in her class pull her hair out too!!! Little monkey, she makes me proud with her strength.
After school we spent some time with Sophie - Joni's best friend - and her family. It was lovely to see the girls play together after almost a month of near constant hospital trips. We left and came home for another dinner of macaroni cheese - we've turned into a family of macaroni lovers since Joni's hospitalisation (by Joni's choice!!) - and a visit from Aunty Sophie. When it got to bed time, Joni-Mai developed another temperature. Not wanting another hospital stay, we stripped her down to her tights and vest and thankfully her temperature came down.
She went to bed looking forward to another day at school.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Can you help?
Lots of people have been asking of there's anything they can do to help. Soon there will be a fundraiser for Joni-Mai and for the ward on which she is being treated. If you would like to get involved, please do so!
There are some very kind people taking part in Movember for Joni-Mai and lots of other people offering services for the raffle on the day amongst other things.
Please, please if you can help in any way (however large or small) it would be greatly appreciated. If you can't then just sharing the page and this blog helps more than you could possibly realise.
Thank you so much for reading and spreading the message.
Holly x
There are some very kind people taking part in Movember for Joni-Mai and lots of other people offering services for the raffle on the day amongst other things.
Please, please if you can help in any way (however large or small) it would be greatly appreciated. If you can't then just sharing the page and this blog helps more than you could possibly realise.
Thank you so much for reading and spreading the message.
Holly x
NO MORE G-CSF... FOR NOW!
TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER:
Today saw the last of the dreaded G-CSF jabs (for now), Joni-Mai's blood counts have reached a level that the doctors are pleased with and so she can also stop taking her antibiotics. To celebrate, we went shopping and Joni-Mai is now fascinated with The Nightmare Before Christmas after watching a clip in the Disney store.
Joni-Mai has discovered a new party trick, today! She can pull out great big clumps of hair without it hurting her. Her funny quote of the day, today was to Daisy - while presenting her with two hands full of her own hair and laughing - "LOOK!!! Soon I will be a baldy head, Daisy!!!".
Her positivity absolutely astounds me!
Today saw the last of the dreaded G-CSF jabs (for now), Joni-Mai's blood counts have reached a level that the doctors are pleased with and so she can also stop taking her antibiotics. To celebrate, we went shopping and Joni-Mai is now fascinated with The Nightmare Before Christmas after watching a clip in the Disney store.
Joni-Mai has discovered a new party trick, today! She can pull out great big clumps of hair without it hurting her. Her funny quote of the day, today was to Daisy - while presenting her with two hands full of her own hair and laughing - "LOOK!!! Soon I will be a baldy head, Daisy!!!".
Her positivity absolutely astounds me!
A long drive home
MONDAY 31st OCTOBER:
Today, we drove all the way home. With one stop in Truro for a G-CSF and a blood test. We left Cornwall with a sigh of relief and decided not to go on holiday again until Joni-Mai has finished all treatment and is all better. It was a long hard week but it was worth it for the little time we got to spend all together as a family.
Today, we also noticed that Joni-Mai was starting to lose some hair. Every now and then, she'd rub her head and plumes of hair would shower down gracefully. It was hard for us to see and it was decided that she needed to be told. When the subject was raised with her, Joni-Mai responded with "I don't care if my hair falls off, Mummy!". She's so very brave, she fills all of our hearts with absolute pride.
Today, we drove all the way home. With one stop in Truro for a G-CSF and a blood test. We left Cornwall with a sigh of relief and decided not to go on holiday again until Joni-Mai has finished all treatment and is all better. It was a long hard week but it was worth it for the little time we got to spend all together as a family.
Today, we also noticed that Joni-Mai was starting to lose some hair. Every now and then, she'd rub her head and plumes of hair would shower down gracefully. It was hard for us to see and it was decided that she needed to be told. When the subject was raised with her, Joni-Mai responded with "I don't care if my hair falls off, Mummy!". She's so very brave, she fills all of our hearts with absolute pride.
FINALLY!!! A DAY OUT!!!
SUNDAY 30th OCTOBER:
Finally, a day we can smile about! Today we made it to the National Seal Sanctuary, Joni-Mai had her insuflon changed, without even flinching. She had her G-CSF and then was allowed to go. The plan was to go to the Seal Sanctuary, have dinner and then go back and watch a film with some popcorn and treats.
The Seal Sanctuary was lovely, however, it decided to rain as soon as we got there. So, our trip was cut slightly shorter than we had anticipated. We were all damp and cold but we were not bothered because we were enjoying a day out. Off to find somewhere for a nice roast dinner... Was slightly harder to find than we had imagined it would be. In our minds, we would find a nice cosy country pub and have a good old fashioned roast dinner, in reality we drove for about an hour from pub to pub to find nobody serving a roast dinner... Until we got all the way into Penzance, we stumbled across The Lugger Hotel after popping into four other pubs. It was a tad strange, but the pudding was nice. When we got back to the car, there were piles of kelp on the pavement where we were parked, it turns out the sea was going slightly crazy and the waves were very excited. Maybe the great Sea Cat had something to do with the waves? It was very funny when Daddy was strapping Daisy into her car seat and had to duck down to avoid being soaked by a big wave!
The drive home was something rather special, the fog that had descended upon us was unreal. Possibly like something from a war story, maneuvering the country lanes with 0% visibility was interesting, particularly as we reached the house with its cliff side road... I'll leave you to imagine how scary that was for us all! We finished our disastrous day with fireworks and "The Princess and The Frog" on DVD. Everyone went to bed happy after having had our first and last day out in Cornwall.
Finally, a day we can smile about! Today we made it to the National Seal Sanctuary, Joni-Mai had her insuflon changed, without even flinching. She had her G-CSF and then was allowed to go. The plan was to go to the Seal Sanctuary, have dinner and then go back and watch a film with some popcorn and treats.
The Seal Sanctuary was lovely, however, it decided to rain as soon as we got there. So, our trip was cut slightly shorter than we had anticipated. We were all damp and cold but we were not bothered because we were enjoying a day out. Off to find somewhere for a nice roast dinner... Was slightly harder to find than we had imagined it would be. In our minds, we would find a nice cosy country pub and have a good old fashioned roast dinner, in reality we drove for about an hour from pub to pub to find nobody serving a roast dinner... Until we got all the way into Penzance, we stumbled across The Lugger Hotel after popping into four other pubs. It was a tad strange, but the pudding was nice. When we got back to the car, there were piles of kelp on the pavement where we were parked, it turns out the sea was going slightly crazy and the waves were very excited. Maybe the great Sea Cat had something to do with the waves? It was very funny when Daddy was strapping Daisy into her car seat and had to duck down to avoid being soaked by a big wave!
The drive home was something rather special, the fog that had descended upon us was unreal. Possibly like something from a war story, maneuvering the country lanes with 0% visibility was interesting, particularly as we reached the house with its cliff side road... I'll leave you to imagine how scary that was for us all! We finished our disastrous day with fireworks and "The Princess and The Frog" on DVD. Everyone went to bed happy after having had our first and last day out in Cornwall.
HURRAH!!!
SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER:
After a restless night for Joni-Mai and her Daddy, we were told that her blood counts had miraculously boosted to a level that the hospital were happy with. The fluctuating temperature had gone down and her blood cultures had shown that there was no infection in her PICC line. Joni-Mai was allowed to leave the hospital!! After another G-CSF, we were allowed to take her back to the house, where we had a halloween party - to celebrate!
Joni-Mai and Daisy played trick or treat in the house, knocking on all the bedroom and bathroom doors to receive goodies from us all.
A brilliant end to a rubbish week!
After a restless night for Joni-Mai and her Daddy, we were told that her blood counts had miraculously boosted to a level that the hospital were happy with. The fluctuating temperature had gone down and her blood cultures had shown that there was no infection in her PICC line. Joni-Mai was allowed to leave the hospital!! After another G-CSF, we were allowed to take her back to the house, where we had a halloween party - to celebrate!
Joni-Mai and Daisy played trick or treat in the house, knocking on all the bedroom and bathroom doors to receive goodies from us all.
A brilliant end to a rubbish week!
Another day in hospital
THURSDAY 27th & FRIDAY 28th OCTOBER:
Joni-Mai remained in hospital, after numerous blood tests and doses of antibiotics, her low blood counts were not moving upward. We were told that she would have to stay in for the weekend and that she may have to have blood transfusions to help boost her levels. The level of infection in her blood was also increasing which was worrying for us. Joni-Mai was missing her holiday and was spending yet more time in hospital, understandably, she was getting very grumpy and fed up with everything. As much as we tried to keep her spirits up, not very much was helping - not even watching Tangled!!
Joni-Mai remained in hospital, after numerous blood tests and doses of antibiotics, her low blood counts were not moving upward. We were told that she would have to stay in for the weekend and that she may have to have blood transfusions to help boost her levels. The level of infection in her blood was also increasing which was worrying for us. Joni-Mai was missing her holiday and was spending yet more time in hospital, understandably, she was getting very grumpy and fed up with everything. As much as we tried to keep her spirits up, not very much was helping - not even watching Tangled!!
The Mousehole Cat
I thought I should share this with you all, our reason for wanting to visit Mousehole so badly is because of beautiful children's book called The Mousehole Cat.
Please watch the video post to experience the story for yourselves, the illustration is just stunning and is very true to the little fishing village.
Please watch the video post to experience the story for yourselves, the illustration is just stunning and is very true to the little fishing village.
Things not going quite to plan...
WEDNESDAY 26th OCTOBER:
Today, we had planned to go to the National Seal Sanctuary. We got up nice and early, had a lovely full English breakfast (Mummy cooked full English breakfasts for 8 people!!) and got ready to go out. We had to go to the hospital, first - Joni-Mai needed another G-CSF jab to help her blood. We arrived at the hospital slightly later than on previous days and had a slight wait. We didn't get out of the hospital until quite late and had to get some groceries on our way back to the house (to collect Sam, Lauren and Sophie). By the time we had reached the house, it was quite late in the afternoon and therefor was too late to go to the seal sanctuary. Instead we went to the beach and played in the sand for a while. Joni-Mai and Daisy wore their new welly boots, Uncle Sam jumped into the sea fully clothed and Mummy and Gramma got caught out by a wave that came in faster and further than they had anticipated. We all had a lovely time but had to cut our trip short because the tide decided it was time to come in. Joni-Mai thoroughly enjoyed her time out on the sand and did not want to go back so soon. Daddy suggested that perhaps we go to Mousehole (we've wanted to go there for a very long time) and when Grandad suggested we go out for dinner "Mousehole for chips" was the suggestion that won the vote.
A wonderful evening was had by all but when we reached the house, it all started to go a bit wibbly-wobbly... As part of her post-chemo care, we are meant to monitor Joni-Mai's temperature very closely, we take her temperature as often as we can as a temperature could mean infection, which - after chemotherapy - could be very dangerous because of the lack of white blood cells. Unfortunately, her temperature was above 38 (deg. C) which is too high. We stripped her off but it was still too high for someone who was neutropenic (basically an extremely low neutrophil count). After a telephone call to the hospital, Joni-Mai was to be taken in and admitted for monitoring and possibly for antibiotics.
Our little princess was confirmed to have an infection and had to stay in for a course of antibiotics, IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics. More blood samples were taken - including some extra for blood cultures to see if she had an infection within her PICC line. She was to stay for at least 48 hours, something we had not anticipated for the week of her holiday.
Today, we had planned to go to the National Seal Sanctuary. We got up nice and early, had a lovely full English breakfast (Mummy cooked full English breakfasts for 8 people!!) and got ready to go out. We had to go to the hospital, first - Joni-Mai needed another G-CSF jab to help her blood. We arrived at the hospital slightly later than on previous days and had a slight wait. We didn't get out of the hospital until quite late and had to get some groceries on our way back to the house (to collect Sam, Lauren and Sophie). By the time we had reached the house, it was quite late in the afternoon and therefor was too late to go to the seal sanctuary. Instead we went to the beach and played in the sand for a while. Joni-Mai and Daisy wore their new welly boots, Uncle Sam jumped into the sea fully clothed and Mummy and Gramma got caught out by a wave that came in faster and further than they had anticipated. We all had a lovely time but had to cut our trip short because the tide decided it was time to come in. Joni-Mai thoroughly enjoyed her time out on the sand and did not want to go back so soon. Daddy suggested that perhaps we go to Mousehole (we've wanted to go there for a very long time) and when Grandad suggested we go out for dinner "Mousehole for chips" was the suggestion that won the vote.
A wonderful evening was had by all but when we reached the house, it all started to go a bit wibbly-wobbly... As part of her post-chemo care, we are meant to monitor Joni-Mai's temperature very closely, we take her temperature as often as we can as a temperature could mean infection, which - after chemotherapy - could be very dangerous because of the lack of white blood cells. Unfortunately, her temperature was above 38 (deg. C) which is too high. We stripped her off but it was still too high for someone who was neutropenic (basically an extremely low neutrophil count). After a telephone call to the hospital, Joni-Mai was to be taken in and admitted for monitoring and possibly for antibiotics.
Our little princess was confirmed to have an infection and had to stay in for a course of antibiotics, IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics. More blood samples were taken - including some extra for blood cultures to see if she had an infection within her PICC line. She was to stay for at least 48 hours, something we had not anticipated for the week of her holiday.
Another day, another jab!
TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER:
Today was nothing spectacular, we got up and pottered about the house and got ready to go to the hospital. Today, Grandad came with us - so he could see how brave Joni-Mai was when she has her G-CSF. We drove into Truro and headed straight to the hospital. Today, Joni-Mai was very anxious about having the jab in her special button (insuflon), she knew that it hurt and was very reluctant to let anyone near her! We promised Joni-Mai she could have ANY dinner of her choice if she let them give her the jab, and of course she chose a roast dinner with all the trimmings! After a set of blood samples were taken and a few ear drums had been burst with her screams while they jabbed her, she left the hospital smiling and joking.
Grandad took us all for breakfast, Joni-Mai decided that she and Grandad had to have EXACTLY the same thing for breakfast - much to Grandad's dismay - and her choice was to be: scrambled eggs, bacon, beans and hashbrowns (Grandad HATES hashbrowns, we managed to get her to allow him to have chips, instead!). Joni-Mai also decided that she'd like pudding after having breakfast. She wanted ice-cream and only ice-cream would do, unfortunately we had left her coat in the car, so in order for her to have ice-cream Grandad bought her a brand new coat!
After our morning in Truro, we went back to the house. Mummy cooked a full roast beef dinner for 9 people while Daddy and Grandad went fishing and Gramma took Joni-Mai and Daisy for a walk and to play with bubbles on the terrace. It was a lovely day (minus the jabs!!) for all, followed by a huge roast beef dinner!
Today was nothing spectacular, we got up and pottered about the house and got ready to go to the hospital. Today, Grandad came with us - so he could see how brave Joni-Mai was when she has her G-CSF. We drove into Truro and headed straight to the hospital. Today, Joni-Mai was very anxious about having the jab in her special button (insuflon), she knew that it hurt and was very reluctant to let anyone near her! We promised Joni-Mai she could have ANY dinner of her choice if she let them give her the jab, and of course she chose a roast dinner with all the trimmings! After a set of blood samples were taken and a few ear drums had been burst with her screams while they jabbed her, she left the hospital smiling and joking.
Grandad took us all for breakfast, Joni-Mai decided that she and Grandad had to have EXACTLY the same thing for breakfast - much to Grandad's dismay - and her choice was to be: scrambled eggs, bacon, beans and hashbrowns (Grandad HATES hashbrowns, we managed to get her to allow him to have chips, instead!). Joni-Mai also decided that she'd like pudding after having breakfast. She wanted ice-cream and only ice-cream would do, unfortunately we had left her coat in the car, so in order for her to have ice-cream Grandad bought her a brand new coat!
After our morning in Truro, we went back to the house. Mummy cooked a full roast beef dinner for 9 people while Daddy and Grandad went fishing and Gramma took Joni-Mai and Daisy for a walk and to play with bubbles on the terrace. It was a lovely day (minus the jabs!!) for all, followed by a huge roast beef dinner!
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