Lost and Found

Isn't it amazing that the news is full of terrible things going on around the world..it's all doom and gloom, isn't it? How many times a day could the media make us think the world is full of bad people? And yet...in the space of 36 hours, I have met and been in contact with countless people, known and unknown to me and our family, who have shown such acts of kindness, I have probably cried more these last couple of days than I have since Leo was diagnosed (well, nearly anyway!)

At the Eye Hospital in Bristol yesterday, this rather more mature lady with a walking frame offered to help me as I bent down to pick up something I dropped, whilst I was carrying a sleeping lion (Leo?!) Seriously, I am not sure she could have actually bent down or helped me with Leo, but the look in her eyes was that she really wanted to help.

Also at the Eye Hospital, the pharmacist could see I was struggling so came over to give me the prescription as opposed to me having to go to the counter under the weight of Leo. These people were going out of their way to help me, albeit it was obvious I was struggling, but twice in one day to be offered help?

This was the offer of help from people unknown to me. Today, I was reduced to tears (again) by the most amazing kindness of an old friend from school with whom I have had little contact, except Facebook, for over 17 years. Matt Tombs was always a good guy. We all knew that! A while ago when he heard about Leo's cancer, he offered to promote and do a gig to raise money for a holiday for Leo and funds for Clic Sargent. Now we're nearly on the home-straight in terms of treatment, I gave him the nod and said we're now ready to think about fundraising. Well, to say he's on the case is an understatement. Looks like we'll be having a full-on day with face painting, an auction, a fully licensed bar, bands, open-mic and much more. Amazing...just amazing, and all this from a lost and found friend who has a huge heart. Once we know where and when this will be, details will be here so if you'd like to come along for some fun and fundraising, the more the merrier.

Today the most lovely Clic Sargent Community Nurse, Caroline, came to the house to take Leo's blood. It's always checked before chemo to make sure his he is well enough to have the chemotherapy. Caroline was such a lovely, warm lady..well she'd have to be to do the job she does. Clic Sargent, the awesome charity for kids with cancer in the UK, pay for this service which will now help us a significant amount on a weekly basis. Her visits will negate the need for us to fight the traffic, find a parking space at an already over-burdened hospital and then reduce the risk of infection for Leo by reducing hospital time as that's where most infections manifest. This service will help Leo keep as comfortable as possible in familiar surroundings, by coming to the house to do his routine tests. She can also answer my questions, and that's alot of questions, over a cup of tea whilst Leo sits drawing, playing or watching TV.

In terms of Leo's eye, his cornea was raw and very dry, and past where other 'normal' eye drops would have helped. So we're back to the antibiotic ointment and within a day of using it, Leo is still extremely sensitive to light and so wearing his sunglasses and hat inside the house BUT it's looking much easier for him and less blood-shot, thank goodness. The doctors had talked about further imaging (MRI etc) to see if it's tumour related yesterday, but fortunately the eye doctors were more easily convinced the problem is radiotherapy related. Phew!