Bugga!! Laurens relapsed!!

I never thought I'd ever be publishing a post about Lauren ever being treated for cancer again. Unfortunately I'm wrong on this front. Saturday morning just gone, Lauren had a wild nose bleed which she eventually stopped. However in her panic she rang me and then her Grandmother. Lucky her Grandmother rang me and strongly suggested I go home and see to her. Anyway, took her to the Medical Centre and it was only whilst there I noticed how pale she looked. (In hindsight, I was trying to work out why I hadn't noticed that paleness previously, but whilst we live together, we've been like ships passing in the night. She's been getting home late from Acting classes & her dancing and I'm already asleep, and by the time she's up I'm gone in the morning). I remember once thinking she looked a little pale, but she's so active, you don't think anything is wrong......like the first time in 2002, maybe she's overdoing things and just needs to rest up. Something she seems to resist!

Anyway blood results came back abnormal within a few hours. Later the Doctor rang me back and advised I should get her to hospital that night. So Saturday night we're in Royal Adelaide Hospital for the first time. Numerous tests run past midnight and then Sunday morning (early hours) we were transferred into the Haematology ward (incl blood cancers). I think when that happened she got an inclination it might be her Leukaemia back. Sunday morning they were able to confirm, she's relapsed!! Fu%K Blast cells!!!

So here we go again, round 3. I don't know how she does it, but she deals with it in her time so well. I can only marvel at her strength. I wish I had just 5% of it!!

As usual, I'm already getting calls and requests for updates. I just can't update everyone individually. One, it takes too long per call and I'm already getting tired explaining what's happened and where to from here. So the old blog from the transplant on 2008 is back in operation for those who want to follow it themselves.

Thanks,
Michael

6 Year Anniversary!!! Still going well

Out again tonight at Royal Thai (Lauren's and my favourite for Thai food in Adelaide) to celebrate her 6 year anniversary since the bone marrow transplant - (with Lauren & Kate). All continues to go well. Minor hiccup, Lauren's last blood readings a bit out for a second time (not overly out) - could be related to having her wisdom teeth infected and subsequently extracted, so we're doing 6 weekly blood checks as a precaution for a while. Other than that, all going well!

Lauren is in her second year at Adelaide College of Arts enjoying her drama classes. Has a lead role in this terms production being played in September.

5 Year Anniversary from transplant - CURED!!!!!!!!! :)

Woooohoooo, 5 years today since Lauren's transplant!!!! Cure status now official!!! What better way to celebrate than dinner to make up for the one we missed 5 years ago. As I said in my facebook post this morning, whilst I'm grateful for our outcome, I pay tribute to those parents who have lost a child to cancer - those parents are the unsung heroes in our society, who are too easily forgotten. BTW for those interested Lauren has followed her dream of an Acting career and is in AC Arts 1st year acting and loving it!!!

4 Year Anniversary since transplant

4 years today since the bone marrow transplant in Sydney. All still going well. A few months left of Year 12 before Lauren finishes School and goes after her career!!!

10 Year anniversary from original diagnosis yesterday (2/1/2012)

Been 10 years since Lauren's original Leukaemia diagnosis yesterday (2/1/2012) when she was 7!! ....and continues to do well. Celebrated the day by sailing Sydney Harbour

Merry Christmas 2011

All continues to go well!!! Ten year anniversary since Lauren's original diagnosis being celebrated by us in Sydney - 2/1/2012!!!

3rd Anniversary since Lauren's transplant

3 years today since Lauren's bone marrow transplant at Sydney Children's hospital......and she continues to go from strength to strength. Getting on with life :-) All going well

Merry Christmas 2010

Ran into a teacher from the hospital school who knew Lauren when she was 7 and first diagnosed. She was wondering if all going well as she lost the blog address - anyway as you can see from this year's Christmas photo - all still going really well.

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a great 2011.

Michael, Lauren, Kate & Nathan