Tuesday 3rd August 2004 ( Day 1 )

His drip feed was removed at 01:30. He's not allowed anything but clear fluids until 07:00 then nothing till after the operation.

We managed to get the car packed by 07:00 and set off back to the hospital. Alex happy and alert in the back. We have been put back into Room 18, which is familiar to Alex. This may be a good or a bad thing, not sure how Alex is with coming back into hospital. The operation to remove a sample of bone marrow and spinal fluid went smoothly. I was at work but Kirsten said he was very floppy as he came out from the general.

He's eaten very well today. He drank nearly a litre of orange squash between 18:00 and 21:00. Full nappies were flying off at quite a rate. More Nanna and More Gramps (my Ma and Pa) have arrived back from Spain after a 4 day drive. Alex was quite excited and after a short sleep decided to wake again to play. He finally went to sleep at about 22:00.

Kirsten has gone home so it's just me and Al tonight. He's started the second cycle of chemo. No side effects yet of course but I'm paranoid now.

Saturday 7th August 2004 ( Day 5 )

Kirsten had not slept all night. There was another little boy, Lee, brought in as an emergency at around midnight. The staff switched all the lights on in the bay waking Alex and Jacob. After the lights went off Jacob kept calling for his Mum and Alex woke again and again.

Since Alex's treatment is going well and he is eating and drinking well, he does not need a drip during the day. We were allowed out of the ward for the day. We picked-up Tom and Andrew and went for a picnic in Ilkley park. It's was very sunny and very hot. Evil Uncle Jonny travelled from London for the day. Andrew looked after Alex, while Jon spent most of his time with Tom. Water fights and loads of food and ice cream later and we had to make our way back to Joan and Davids for some shelter from the sun. Alex had a sleep and Tom paddled in a pool in the garden. We had to be back for 17:00 so Alex could receive his chemo. Kirsten was still tired from not sleeping last night so she disappeared for a long bath and an early bed at Eckersly House. Alex finally fell asleep at 22:00.

Sunday 8th August 2004 ( Day 6 )

Alex slept well through the night, even with Lee's TV on until very late and Jacob shouting for his Mum. He must have been very tired because he did not even stir when the cuff tightened to take his blood pressure. Once I woke to see just white, it took me a few moments to realise that it was Nurse Julie's bum filling my vision. Sorry Julie, it's not that you have a big bum just that it was very close!

Alex even woke with a smile. We tried to play quietly so that Lee and Jacob were not disturbed but Alex had the worlds biggest poo that overflowed his nappy and spread about the cot. This was rather upsetting for him and me. It was difficult to change the sheets because the curtains around our beds are close and there's no-where to put Alex apart from the cot. Julie came to the rescue before I got too tangled.

The proximity of the curtains means that it's not easy to unplug his pumps and take him to the playroom. I waited until I could hear the others stirring then took Alex out. It was very warm so we took a trip to Eckersley House to find Kirsten. She had gone round the other way and was up at the ward waiting for us.

Alex was well enough to be allowed out again so we travelled back to Ilkley to join in the Fun in the Park event. Alex loved it. Tom loved it too and even looked after Alex. Tom pushed him on the swings and hugged him when he cried. Very sweet.

A quick visit to Charlie's house for Tom to show Charlie his new toy and then back to the hospital in-time for Alex's Chemo. Tom stayed with me in Eckersley House. We all had tea in the hospital cafe. Alex does not need a drip tonight, there's no chemo that requires it. This meant that Alex could come down the the cafe with us. Still with an appetite, he ate most of my food.

Monday 9th August 2004 ( Day 7 )

Alex and Kirsten had another bad night but at least they had some sleep. Alex was up and screaming before 6. Kirsten felt he was disturbing the others in the bay so took him to the playroom. Because he's been very crotchety, they've taken him off an anti-sickness steroid which can cause mood swings.

Tom watched TV until he dropped after 22:30. He moved around the bed all night, making sure that once I became comfy he put a foot on my head, kicked me in the goolies or put an elbow on my shins. We surfaced at about 7 and played in the playroom at Eckersley House not wanting to disturb Kirsten and Alex.

Alex, though he did not have much sleep, was still well enough to go out for the day. We dropped Tom off at school and then went home to find that the cat had pooed a few times in the playroom and a big shelf had fallen down in the kitchen. So much for ensuring a clean house to come back to.

It was ward round so we battled Leeds traffic to get back to the hospital by 16:30 to see the consultant. He told us that Alex is doing well, the marrow test from Tuesday showed that he is in complete remission. He may be able to go home after the end of this session of chemo (Wednesday) if he has no infection. They are expecting an infection sometime during the weekend so we probably will no have much time at home.

After tea, Kirsten disappeared back home for a well deserved rest. As Alex slowly fell asleep, Emma, Jacob and I watched a film until late then went to bed ourselves.