Friday 24th September 2004 ( Day 29)

An early start because Tom had a high temperature overnight - it's almost a surprise when Tom gets sick. He might have been ill quite often and Joan and David have taken care of it but he's always so lively when he sees us that we just assume he's been well.

We managed to book and appointment for 9:40 with Tom's doctor. When she found that Alex was waiting with Tom and was due in Leeds at 11, Carolyn let us jump the queue. Tom has an ear infection and has been prescribed anti-biotics.

In Leeds at the Children's Day Hospital, Alex had blood tests and was weighed. Mike, Alex's consultant, took us to a side room and explained from the start about his bone marrow findings. On Monday I asked about the bone marrow from the previous cycle and Mike said that there are markers on some of the cells that may signify the continuing existence of leukaemia. The first thing he said today was that the markers actually were caused by the bad infections that Alex has had over the last few weeks. Mike also explained about the next cycle, to start on Tuesday, and what might happen if he relapses. The chances diminish exponentially over the next few years until in about five years it will be improbable that it will come back.

During the afternoon our lads, one of which was in intensive care last week, rode a scooter up and down the road and went to visit friends at Abacus Nursery.

Saturday 25th September 2004 (Day 30) - Abacus Autumn Fair Day

We arrived at the Autumn Fair at about 10:00. It was almost all already setup. The list of people who donated prises and things to sell on the stalls was huge. Kirsten and Alex were also in the Telegraph & Argos with an advert for the fair. Stalls included jumble, fruit, cakes, tombola, raffle, catch the duck, treasure hunt, balloons, face painting (Tom was spiderman), books, lucky dip, pictures made by the nursery kids, hand-made greetings cards and plants.

It was great fun, especially for the kids and the staff of Abacus also seemed to be having a good time (who are big kids themselves). Thanks to all who helped to raise a HUGE £2500 and tire out both our kids so we had quite a relaxing afternoon!.

Sunday 26th September 2004 (Day 31)

Congratulations to Jenny, Mark, Erin and Jazmin for Jazmin's christening. Welcome back from Aus to Emily and family (we just found out).

It's almost like being a normal dysfunctional family again. We can't become too relaxed though or the re-injection to hospital life will be another bump. Saying that we try to give Alex and Tom full days of amusements while we can. Today, after Jasmin's christening, we met Cormac, Belinda and Jacob at the Back O'The Farm cafe for lunch and then went for a walk at Bolton Abbey. Both monsters have so much energy. Alex looks like a cancer victim only when at rest - his bald head and tubes peeking out here and there give him away - most of the time he's too busy expending energy and shouting "moo" and dogs and "woof" at cows.