The diet? Ha ha ha, when we went on holiday to Calum's Cabin at the beginning of April, I decided to take a week off the diet, and then the kiltwalk was approaching, so I carried on a little bit more for training purposes! (cough*) Anyway, the gist is I'm not dieting. With a big fat essay and Isla's hospital check-up hanging over my head, I've been in no mood to diet.
Of course, that's not the only thing stopping me from dieting. I am a comfort eater, I eat when I'm down. Yes, I'm feeling a bit down, not depressed, just kinda sad.
And if you were in my shoes, you'd be sad too. Within the network of oncology families that I know there has been quite a bit of bad news, which I guess comes with the territory, but difficult when it's people you're close to. Last time I blogged I told you about beautiful Lewis. Sadly Lewis gained his angel wings about a month ago. I really thought Lewis was one of the kids who was going to beat the disease, and so did many others. For his cancer to come back so aggressive and take him so quick was a shock to many.
More recently our little friend Olivia has become unwell in a hospital in Mexico. When we first went into hospital with Isla, Olivia was the first oncology child we seen. She was often being carried around in her Dad's arms. Unfortunately we were not in that thospital long when Isla needed to go to another hospital for treatment. When we returned to the hospital Olivia was one of the kids who was always on the ward. The summer of 2009 saw a group of families who were always in the hospital. Olivia liked to come and play with Isla, as Isla was just a baby (Olivia loves babies), or Olivia and other friends were capering on the ward, squirting water from the syringes at the doctors. Olivia is a great little kid, strong personality with a wicked grin and a lovely mischievious side. She would always give us a chuckle when she was telling her parents off for something in that cute doric voice she has. During our time in hospital we got to know Olivias parents. As Isla and Olivia both had neuroblastoma we would discuss the stage in treatment, Olivia was about six weeks ahead of Isla with the treatment protocol. Unfortunately Olivia's parents have had to seek furhter treatment for Olivia not offered in this country. It's not been easy for them having to raise money and battle with higher powers to get treatment, and deal with negative remarks from joe public. All Olivia's parents have ever wanted was a chance to give their daugher the life she deserves and what parent wouldn't? Olivia went to Germany for immunotherapy, but still her cancer remained. Olivia's parents tried another treatment, that showed great results. Unfortunately Olivia's cancer persisted. Olivia's parents have used an integrated approach to Olivia's treatment, using homeopathic treatments in a bid to rid Olivia of her cancer. More recently the family decided to try a treatment in Mexico that has shown great results in other children from the UK. Unfortunately Olivia's condition worsened, the long travel was tough on her body. Olivia did start the treatment, and asked doctors to find out the sex of the baby in mummy's tummy, which they did. However, Olivia showed no response, only growing more weak. The sad situation is now the family need to take Olivia home so she can be at rest with her loved ones around her. Currently she is in intesive care in a hospital in Mexico, her parents cannot stay with Olivia at all times, so instead take it in turns to stay outside of her room while the other takes care of her little sister. The doctors are trying to stabilise Olivia so that she will be fit enough to fly. I so wish that Olivia and her parents get home to be with the support they need, to get to be togehter, instead of lying on a hospital floor outside Olivia's room.
Thankfully, the media has run with her story, and celebs have tweeted, and the money has come pouring in today, although the target has not been reached, and the longer she stays in Mexico the higher the treatment costs will be. Unfortunately some members of the public have aired their views on a newspaper website and Olivia's mum has read them. Obviously their mothers didn't teach them what my mum did - 'if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all'! There is a flight on standby waiting for Olivia to be stable enough to fly. I do hope that she can get home. My heart breaks for what her parents are having to go through. No parent should watch their child suffer.
If you've come across my blog, and are tired and feel like you have had a bad week at work, stop and think for a minute. If you have children, remember to cherish them, even if they're teenagers and driving you round the bend, hopefully they will grow out of it. I know Olivia's parents would love for Olivia to be that annoying teenager still telling them off! If you want to donate to Olivia's appeal to help get her home and pay for her treatment in Mexico, you can do so here - www.justgiving.com/olivia-downie
