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23 October 2012

Life is good :)

Life just gets busier -

I was really pleased that we got 192 new donors on the register at my bone marrow clinic in Ulverston. Roger and all the staff at Ulverston Victoria High School made us feel really welcome - so many pupils were helping direct people and restock bits, so thank you everyone. It's so exciting that the age has been lowered to 16 as so many young people are willing to help if we can just educate them and let them make the choice. I was really pleased that most of the sixth form pupils chose to join up and also that Miss Rann drove some of my old Chetwynde friends through so that they could join. I also got to watch my best friend Sammi join the register which was really special for both of us. So thank you everyone and don't forget, if you are 16 - 30 you can find out more and then apply online for a spit kit (LOL) to join the register HERE.

The Kili trekkers are back home and my poor mum didn't quite make it to the top. They all got to the last camp but some were either sick or got altitude sickness, so 10 of them got to the very top.  But well done to everyone - we're just waiting for all the sponsor money to come in and then I can go and order it which I'm so excited about. You can still sponsor them HERE and help me go and get my caravan!  My poor dad didn't get to go cos I was ill but he and Mum are going back to climb Kili in October next year and my sister Milly is going with them. There's already a few others signing up, so it will be a #KILI2013 for #TEAMALICE :) although they'll be avoiding KLM as even though they booked as a group, they didn't get seats together. Then in 2014, they are all off to Machu Picchu (don't know if I spelt that right) and hopefully we'll get another caravan :)

I've had a really busy few weeks and have hardly been at home. Two weeks ago, we met the team at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey. They are absolutely lovely and are trying to do what they can for me. I was going to be back at Clatterbridge for a few weeks of radiation, but when I got to the hospital on Wednesday, they'd decided to give me a more intense blast and then I ended up back in Alder Hey and had surgery to put another line in (my 8th)! It had to go in my groin which is a bit uncomfortable but at least it's in. I have so many scars all over me - mum used to say I was like a butterfly, but they're not that even now, so I think I'm bit more like a caterpillar chewed leaf! So I'm feeling a bit better from that and slowly walking a bit more again.

I'm trying to get on a drug trial but things haven't been going quite as well as they should and it's not that simple. I think I'm a difficult case so I'm making them really think. The team down here are really nice and have a good sense of humour which we like. I know it's kind of serious, but being miserable and serious doesn't make it any better. So I'm keeping myself positive and I won't stop smiling :)

I had a lovely Saturday evening as well. Because I'm down in London, I got to go to the Million Pound Drop and spend time with Davina who has been lovely to me and my family. She is really a very normal person, a bit mad which fits well with me and just really, really nice. Milly enjoyed a bit of a fashion show with her and we also got to meet Peter Andre who was really nervous about going on the show. I felt so sorry for him cos they lost at the end but they'd been doing really well and it was a shame.

And my last bit of news … I've won a PRIDE OF BRITAIN award! I found out about this about a month ago and to be honest, I have worried about it since because I just don't think that I'm like the other winners that they've had. So I'm a bit nervous about it and worried about what people will think, but really excited too. My friend Emma (Forbes) is having me a dress made and I'm so grateful to her cos I just can't find anything to fit me anymore. I'm looking for some really soft ballet pumps if anyone knows where to find any. I mean really soft, slipper sort of ones cos my feet are so sore that I can't manage in heels anymore. I just hope that I don't fall over in front of the television cameras.

My life is just too good to for me to go anywhere at the moment!

58 comments:

  1. Lovely news, Alice, thanks for the update!!

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  2. "Davina is a bit mad which fits well with me" So you're saying you're mad as a hatter too huh Alice?!;-) Never stop smiling:-)

    Marty xx @Daneed4

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  3. Still following your story with interest, keep going, you're an inspiration!

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  4. Hi Alice,

    As always, so nice to get an update from you. Best of luck with the drug trial. I hope they will be able to let you in on it and that it will help you. I know you are proud of your mother. Just to be able to make it as far as she did is a HUGE accomplishment! And a HUGE congratualtions to you for the Pride of Britain award. A well deserved award for such a special young lady! I know you will look beautiful when you go to accept the award and I feel certain you won't be falling over either. :) Keep that positive attitude Alice!

    Love and hugs,
    Aly in SC, USA

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  5. Congratulations on the award you do deserve it. I've had three lines and hated each one so I can only imagine what it is like to have to had 8! You are doing the right thing in being positive as that is the one thing along with smiling that will get you through the day. Once again congratulations and what a treat having David Walliams present you with the invitation.

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  6. Congrats on the Pride of Britain award you really deserve it.
    As for the ballet pumps, have you tried Barrats? http://www.barratts.co.uk/en/womens/ballerinas/?ref1=1|Footwear+Type|Ballerinas They have loads of them, and some are so comfy. I swear by these : http://www.barratts.co.uk/en/ballerina-with-elastic-strap-137751.

    Hope you find some . Kelly. x

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  7. Great news all round Alice. Have you tried calling local ballet schools to see who they get their shoes from? Maybe they can help you?? Nice to see your updates and hope all goes well.

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  8. Are these any use Alice, or are they too "slippery"? I have the black ones and they are so comfy, and do pass as actual shoes.

    http://www.next.co.uk/x504302s7#799389x50
    http://www.next.co.uk/g484200s7#761884g48
    http://www.next.co.uk/g65290s2#736563g65

    Congrats on your award you deserve it. All the best to you and all your family!

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  9. Hi beautiful, I have followed U 4 so long, that I hope U know how special UR PMA and life's dreams are to us. I pray in some small way the world has shown you what the power of love can do. Saying thank you for sharing your life never seems to be enough. As always, May the Angels always watch over you.. UR naughty friend, Tony D

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  10. Hi kid,do me a really big favor,,plez,, If it is not too much trouble,, wear UR ST Christopher medal to the Pride of Britain Award, I know it will look great with UR new dress,,Thanks

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  11. Sorry to hear your mum didn't quite make it to the top of Kili, but I hope she enjoyed herself otherwise!

    Congratulations on your Pride of Britain award!! You definitely deserve it! I've never seen Little Britain, although I have heard of it. I'll have to check it out some time on your recommendation per the article. Funnily enough, I recognize David Williams from seeing him as a guest on Top Gear, lol. Now that is quite a funny show, even if, like myself, you are not interested in cars.

    Glad to hear that your spirits are still up. Thanks for updating and letting us in on your life :)

    Love from NM, USA
    Brittany

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  12. Dear Alice,
    You wrote it perfect! Yes, it is Machu Picchu!
    Did you know Machu Picchu means old mountain in Quechua? It is awesome, but you should try too to climb the Wayna Picchu... You will get the most beautiful sights of Machu Picchu from there...
    The other day you told me your mum did the Inca Trail, do you remember? Peruvians will be so proud to have all of you in our country!
    Write me if you need anything!
    Best wishes from Peru,
    MarĂ­a Jose

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  13. Thanks for such a lovely and cheerful update! Huge congrats on getting so many signed up to the bone marrow register.

    "I know it's kind of serious, but being miserable and serious doesn't make it any better."
    I want to remember this quote forever - I'm currently a (very) junior doctor, and my aim in life is to be a doctor in children's palliative care. I think your quote could apply to quite a lot of my work with young people in the future. Of course there is a time for miserable, occasionally, but you're right, it doesn't usually make anything better.

    Hope your next treatment goes well. I've never heard of long-term lines having to be put in the groin, you must be running out of veins! Hope it's not too uncomfortable.

    ro

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  14. p.s. I never wear heels (that would usually spell disaster) and I got some lovely soft satin pumps from Debenhams earlier this year. Well worth a look (or getting someone else to look for you). They're not a bad price - mine were £16 and have worked well for a wedding, christening, graduation and a ball. Pretty good as far as flat shoes go!

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  15. Great news! You're so deserving of a Pride of Britain award, have a fantastic time! x

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  16. Well deserved award Alice. Your an inspiration.

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  17. Hi Alice, You amaze me with how you put a positive spin on everything you've gone through even in just the last few days - surgery, etc etc. I just checked up on "Pride of Britain" and I read it's for people who have "acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging situations". Sounds perfect for you. Best of luck and I hope you find the perfect soft comfy shoes to go with your new dress. Can't wait to hear all about it. Congratulations Alice and I'll be thinking of you. - MEM from NB, Canada

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  18. Congratulations on the Pride of Britain award Alice, you so deserve it! And kudos to Vicky for climbing most of Kili! Love reading your blog updates, keep 'em coming :)

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  19. Thanks for the update :). You can get some really nice pumps that are actually slippers at next. http://www.next.co.uk/x504302s9#797281x50 and http://www.next.co.uk/g484200s7#761884g48. Hope those help :) xxxxxx

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  20. Stay strong! You are so amazing!!!

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  21. You a great inspiration keep blogging!! Things always get tough but will get better. Ever try vaporizing? vaporizers can always help with the symptons

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  22. Smile and the world smiles with you!! You are an amazing little lady and I think you most assuredly deserve the Teenager of Courage Award! Look at what you have done to change the world! Over 40,000 registered donors because you put it out there and were not content to go silently into the night! The world is blessed by your being a part of it! Bless you today and always!

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  23. Such a wonderful posting. Congratulations of you award, it is so deserved and I am quite sure you will beautiful for the cameras. I hope you manage to find the shoes you are looking for. have a wonderful time. xxx

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  24. Thanks for keeping us updated! All good news, - well done to the Kili team, and to you for getting so many people signed up to the register! I'm disappointed to see I am too old but I read about why. It will be fabulous for you to get the new caravan and well done for doing all that! I think that is one of the reasons that you have won the award, plus the fact you are so positive - you help others to be positive too and that is a really special way to live. So well done to you! Just off to look for shoes now to see if I can see any... We love to hear from you and I hope so hard that the brilliant hospital team can make you smile through all the treatment. Lots of love xxxx

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  25. Keep smiling and fighting Alice!! You're doing great. And you completely deserve the Pride of Britain award! Just think of how much awareness you've raised, how much money you've helped and encouraged people to raise, how much good you are doing with it to help others and just how many people you have inspired! And you're not done yet......!! :-)
    Huge hugs and purrs from a mad cat woman and her 6 furry nutters!! :-) xx

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  26. Hello Alice!
    I found your blog today and I really wanted to say how lovely you are. I have recurrent cancer as well and am really happy when I see fellow patients take the best from their ordeal. It is really hard but in the end maybe we will get to live a really meaningful life, with our friends and family. Be strong, we are all in this together.
    PS. do you have a labrador? I saw Marley and me and got a puppy early in summer. :) She is my love!

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  27. You always make me smile, Alice. Thank you.
    The softest shoes I know are Repetto pumps. They are amazing.

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  28. Great news... Is that registry you posted for UK only or for the USA too?

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  29. The award is so well deserved. I'm sorry to be commenting so late, but so very glad for you. Still hoping that one day I'll be chosen as a Bone Marrow Donor again - the last time I was selected I was on a course of anti biotics, so couldn't do it.

    Take care :)

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  30. The award is well deserved. Glad to hear people are taking are on board with the bone marrow list.
    Hope you are looking forward to Twilight. x

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  31. Just found you from watching the pride awards, you are inspirational!
    I look forward to reading more.

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  32. Your a total inspiration!!!! amazing just doesn't cover it, congratulations on you well deserved award xxx

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  33. You looked gorgeous in your dress Alice. Congratulations on your award. X

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  34. Hi Alice. I just want to say what and amazing and special angel you are. What you are doing is so inspirational and you are the bravest, most beautiful young woman. Lots of love to you and your family xxxx

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  35. Hi Alice. I just want to say what and amazing and special angel you are. What you are doing is so inspirational and you are the bravest, most beautiful young woman. Lots of love to you and your family xxxx

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  36. I have just seen you on pride of Britain and I have to say you had nothing to worry about. You touched me more than anyone else ever has. Don't doubt the good you have done, you may have saved lots of lives. You are one extraordinary young lady and I want to thank you for making me see the beauty in life and not just the bad. You are truly truly beautiful inside and out and I send all my love to you. Your family are very lucky to have someone like you in there lives. And one last thing, you looked stunning . Thankyou again x x

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  37. Hi Alice, I just watched Pride of Britain and your story touched me so much, you are so very brave. I have lost both my parents to cancer, my dad just 5 weeks before my little baby boy was born this January. I wish only amazing things for you and you looked so beautiful at the awards, ooh and well jel you met Robbie!! Take care sweetheart x

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  38. What an inspirational young lady u r, im sat here crying at just how amazing u r Alice n u deserve the pride of britan award so very much u have done an amazing thing. Im proud to be from the same country as u and am gobsmacked at how brave u r! Well done Alice n i wish u all the happiness, love and luck in the world. your family must b so very proud! Big hugs xxxx julie xxxx

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  39. Congratulations on your Pride of Britain Award Alice.

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  40. I'm glad you have had some positive things happening for you Alice :)

    Congratulations on the Pride Of Britain award. You deserved it more than words can say and please don't feel any differently. I remember when I first read your blog and I didn't realise how big it would become. You have achieved so much through this blog and made such a difference to others. You really are an inspiration.

    You looked absolutely stunning tonight, truly beautiful.

    x

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  41. Saw you last night on the awards. You looked fab. Congratulations.

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  42. Congratulations on your award, it is very well deserved!

    Your story really struck a chord with me last night, not only because you are so inspirational and selfless, or because you are from ulverston and I am from Barrow, but also because you demonstrated exactly how powerful a blog can be in raising awareness.

    I am writing my own blog about my recent diagnosis with Rheumatoid Arthritis, in the hope that my experiences will help others who are newly diagnosed understand what is to come next. I hope you dont mind but I have mentioned you in my latest blog post :) http://porcelaindoll-xo.blogspot.co.uk/

    Good luck with everything x

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  43. Hi Alice
    I saw you on the Pride of Britain awards last night and I think you are totally and utterly amazing and your award was very well deserved.
    I work for a cancer charity and speak to many people affected by cancer but your story really touched me mainly because you are such a positive and selfless person who has helped so many other people.
    You inspired me to go on the Anthony Nolan website today to register as a bone marrow doner, I feel priviliedged to have contributed to your goal of having everyone registered, I'll be asking all of my friends and family to register as well.
    Wishing you all the best - keep smiling.
    Laura

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  44. Hi Alice,

    Congratulations on winning a Pride of Britain award, you're an inspirational young lady - truely deserved xx

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  45. Much love from Canada!!! Congrats on the award!

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  46. Happy for you! :D
    Life is beautiful.

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  47. Big Big Big congratulations on your pride of Britain award, you looked so beautiful and I'm sure you had a lovely night - very much deserved. You are a huge inspiration and such an amazing young girl! You look after yourself! Lots of love Hayley
    www.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com
    xxxx

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  48. Hi Alice,what a beautiful'couragious girl you are,you are such an inspiration,and i wish you all the love and luck in the world!!

    Lots of Love and Hugs to you xxxx

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  49. Hi Alice,just wanted to say what an amazing and beautiful girl you are,you are such an inspiration,and i would like to wish you and your family all the love and luck in the world,and hope all your wishes and dreams come true.

    Lotsa Love and Hugs xxxx

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  50. such a wonderful blog i have never seen.
    wallpapers

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  51. Congratulations on your Pride of Britain award, you looked absolutely beautiful and are such an inspiration to others. The fact that you are using your situation to help others is utterly selfless, and the fact that you can carry on smiling through life's troubles is amazing and really makes you think about the important things in life. I wish you the absolute best for the future, you are a wonderful and beautiful person. Carry on smiling, the world needs more people like you. :) xxx

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  52. Hi Alice, I've just watched the Pride of Britain awards online and wanted to congratulate you on your award and on your achievements. You're a wonderful girl. You're family must be so proud of you! Love and light from Scotland x

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  53. Hi Alice,
    I'm rooting for you and admire you loads. I'm much older than you but I'm also fighting terminal cancer and have my own bucket list. As I'm a writer, some of them are connected with that. I had a great boy friend many years ago who contracted leukaemia. Sadly, that was way before bone marrow transplants and the like. Anyway, I'm sending you hugs and hundreds of good wishes, and I will think of you as I battle on. Maureen X

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  54. Dear Alice,
    I follow you and your bucket list since from the beginning, I'm a mum of 3 and you have always been a great inspiration for me. It makes me so happy seeing you planning Christmas in November - again!

    I never wrote but I was always here, reading, crying, laughing with you. However today I write, because yesterday my 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma. Our world kind of crashed, but today I remembered you.
    Wish you all the best, and keep going! We will!

    xx Cleo

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  55. Hi Alice:

    I found your blog today. Your story had inspired me and made reflect about life and what you do with it.

    My admiration and regards to you and your family.

    Best Regards from Puerto Rico,

    Nayda

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  56. you got wonderful strenght and you think so positive.. i think thats the most important thing if someone catchs cancer. Im 14 and diseased of cancer (especially leukemia..) too.
    greats from germany (and sorry for my bad english.. :D)

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  57. Soursop is good for cancer please try it

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