Christian Jacovides: February 2009

Christian's next chemo block was cancelled, he was supposed to start it last Friday, but his blood counts were not up to the required level. This happens every time :( his blood just doesn't recover quick enough from the last chemo.

He has developed very bad rush all over his body and we were told it is dermatitis type of eczema. He was prescribed steroid cream, lets hope it will help to clear it. The rush is particularly bad around his port, which is not good, because when he has his needle in he has to have a big plaster in that area.

Tomorrow nurse is coming to do a blood test and see if he will be ready for the chemo this Friday.

We also have seen a dietitian and keeping food diary, just to see how much and what he is eating. At the moment the food he likes is chocolate and toffee dessert and lots of milk. Now and then he will have something like spaghetti ( few spoonfuls) but that doesn't happen very often.

Apart from the rush , which is not too itchy he is feeling well himself. Little bit more tired than usual in the mornings, but full of energy during the day.

17Th February nurse came, blood counts not up to the level but Royal Marsden decided to give him chemo this Friday in his spine ( Lumbar puncture) and do a bone marrow. He will not start his oral chemo drugs and steroids until his blood counts will be up to level. He will also have Vincristine ( another chemo drug) on Monday and this will be given at East Surrey hospital.

19Th Today is 8 month since Christian was diagnosed with Leukaemia. We still haven't finished the intensive bit due to many cancellations, we are about 2 month behind, but this is not unusual and happens to many.
Time has gone fast and we believe the most difficult part is over and hope he will continue to be in good health and in a remission.

Every day 10 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer. CLIC Sargent ( http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/) is there for them...with clinical expertise, emotional care and financial support in hospital, at home and in the community all over the UK.

I have been so incredibly upset about Jade Goody's terminal cervical cancer diagnosis. I know that people are dying every day all over the world because of cancer and she is just one of those people, the only difference is she is in a public eye.

I think her talking about her Cancer battle publicly have raised more awareness about cervical cancer and showed the devastation that cancer brings in a family. I do believe by talking about cancer, reading, writing we can raise awareness and also hopefully make people to donate so there can be more research done and new drugs developed.

There are many things you can do to donate by organising an event, coffee morning, sponsored walk and many, many more to help raise money for cancer researching.
One of the good websites is http://www.cancerresearch.org.uk/

I am also doing Cancer Research Race for life on 4Th July in Brighton. I have set up a fundraising page and my target is to raise 300 pounds http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/ilzejacovides Any donations would be greatly appreciated!
This race is open only for women and if anybody would like to do it please let me know, we can organise a team. Its a great event for a good cause. It is only 5 kilometres and you don't have to run it we can walk so you don't have to be in very fit condition ( I'm not anyway :))

Christian has been fine. He has been constipated for a few days, but is better now.

His blood counts are not so good, low hemoglobin and platelets, so he will possibly need a blood and platelet transfusion next week. He has got lots of bruises ( due to low platelets) and is a bit pale in colour but not too lethargic.

He also is starting to try some foods, which we are very happy about!

We took donations from Sebastian's school to East Surrey Hospital and they were very pleased!
Thank you to everybody who donated !!!

Christian is getting very frustrated, he is fed up with staying home all the time ( it has been more than 7 month), but unfortunately due to the high risk of infections,especially this time off year, it is not wise to take him to nursery or any other public places.

It will not be like this forever, but for time being the safest for him is to stay home. In his condition infections, any other illnesses, especially chicken pox or measles could be fatal, so it is not worth the risk.

I know that at some point I will have to take him out but I do get very nervous about him being around other people, because of the risk of infections and germs. I'm sure that parents in the same situation as we feel the same.
Obviously Sebastian can not have any friends round either, so it has affected him as well. The are no family outings, no parties, no social life what so ever, but we know that Christian's health is all that matters now and we will have one massive party once his treatment is over :))))