Royal Mail
It’s 7am on a chilly October morning. Our cockerel is punctuating the still air with metronomic ‘cock-a-doodle-do’s’. I’ve just peeked in Fabian’s bedroom to remind myself that, yes, he really is back home in his own bed (next to Cassia who offered to be his water bottle last night). He was given the all clear at 9am yesterday but in NHS terms that means a 4 hour delay by the time all the discharge routines, drug prescriptions and final obs are done. It is good to see him in such high spirits again, keen to pick up the lego construction he left off 8 days ago. We managed a quick jaunt over to Legoland especially as the weather was glorious. There was, however, a very timely surprise awaiting him – a personal letter, sent special delivery complete with Buckingham Palace postmark, from the Duchess of Cambridge (or Kate as we have come to know her!). As this is, of course in the national interest, we’ve shared it with you via the Photo section without any redactions..We are very honoured that she has made this gesture for our Fabian. We know it doesn’t change the reality of his situation but it gives us a tremendous feelgood factor and is a positive distraction from the weariness of this fight against leukaemia. A certain royal reporter has shown special interest in our story so there may yet be more to share.
As reported in the Daily Mail
So the next few days will be spent at home before the delayed delayed bone marrow aspirate on Tuesday. Thereafter Fabian is to be admitted on Thursday for a long stretch of treatment (cytarobine and aspariginase – the Brothers Grimm). A practical complication next week is that Lydia herself requires some routine diagnostic surgery on her throat so some meticulous planning and logistics is going to be needed. I suspect our half term break is going to be anything but.
Fabian has been watching the visitor counter to the blog rise steadily and is always glad to see a new guestbook entry, growing with international contributions (welcome USA, NZ). Your encouragements are recorded for him forever and form an ongoing petition to God for his total healing and cure (Phil 4:6). Thank you!
Good news big fella…
dave boniface
Love the letter Fabian!!
dave boniface
sunny morning in Newcastle so a trip to the allotment lies ahead. not sure what we’ll find to dig. there may be some corn on the cob left. do you like sweetcorn? sorry we can’t post some! great to hear you are HOME! enjoy your lego and other home treats. sounds good having ‘Kate’ write to you.
love, Peter and Janet xx
Janet and Peter Nicolls
Hey Fabian,
I met your sister a about 2 months ago through mates – but only found out about you and your family’s situation upon watching the BBC news and again today whilst eating my cereal and watching Daybreak! I can tell that you’re a really brave guy – and the fact that you’re coping so well with all this awful treatment is really something to be admired. Also, I don’t know how you managed to compose yourself so well whilst chatting to Kate and then again on national television, but I know I couldn’t keep as cool as you under those circumstances! I wish you the best of luck in the future and my thoughts go out to you and your family.
Jacob 🙂
Jacob Ketcher
Hey Fabian, seems every time we open a newspaper, you’re in there!
Missed your slot on Daybreak but will catch it on i-player. That was a lovely letter from Kate, and it seems to have turned you into a superstar! Sounds like you’re having fun times, if only you didn’t have to have the treatment to go with it. Sorry to hear you’re a bit sore just now, hope you feel much better soon. Love and prayers for you and all the family.
Lesley & Steve xx
Steve & Lesley Benge
Hello Fabian
Thanks for putting up with me and David the photographer today!! You were very patient – and you looked great in the photos with Cassia and Ole – though am sure you won’t be surprised that they look super pretty in the pics. I thought you were very funny in the car – and we loved your hat. David says next time he will bring the Porsche for you to have a ride in…..! Hope your treatment tomorrow goes OK and fingers crossed for the test results.
All the best
Emily
Emily A
Hey Fabian! It’s Zach. I saw you on tv this morning before I went to school. We prayed for you and hope to see you soon. I’m going on a visit to a bakery with my class today – I hope there will be biscuits there for us to try. Have you got any more Lego? I got a mini figures boxing man yesterday. Have you got him yet? I’ve got 3 gangsters now but I really want the lady with the monkey and bananas. We can do swapsies if you’ve got some doubles too. Anyway got to go, see you soon, high five! Zach x (typed by mum but dictated in car by z!)
Emma Coates