Alice's Bucket List

LEJOG-ing Blogging

2012-03-01T22:23:00.001Z

One thing I forget to do when I wrote on here was mention the LEJOG blog to you all. Simon, Cathy and gang are all keeping a blog in the lead to the big ride in April. Please go and have a look at it if you get it a minute because it's really very funny in parts. Anyway you can find the Team Alice on Tour blog here - LEJOG BLOG. They are happy to accept sponsorship for all the miles that they are peddling and there's a link on the blog I think :)

The other thing I want to mention quickly, is that the Kili trek is now properly booked (I know that because mum is looking more panicky) and they have a team just giving page up and running so that you can all dig into your pocket and support them. They are hoping to be able to raise enough money to buy a holiday caravan for our families to stay in - how cool. Surely my mum climbing up the world's tallest freestanding mountain is worth at least as much sponsorship as my sister raised running 5k? Ha ha I hope so, you can sponsor them HERE - they might even do a funny video of it all if you sponsor them enough!

Finally, Dave Askham sent me some really cool photos today, arranged by his friend Simon, who works on the pylons. It's their take on the Lunchtime atop a skyscraper … "Teatime atop a pylon" and I've made it my main photo on here this week! Thank you - brilliant photos and made us all smile.

Hello :)

2012-02-28T21:32:00.001Z

Well you know that I had a break away in a cottage. That was really nice because we were allowed to take Mabel with us and that made it perfect. We didn't do loads of things, just a few trips out and lots and lots of crafts. The cottage had an arga in it which would have been really nice but it was making really bad fumes, so they had to turn it off and we all had headaches for ages. When we got back from the cottage, we went to a place close to us called Eden Lodge cos it was my Gran's birthday and we had a lovely lunch, it's my favourite place to go at the moment and they're always really nice to us.

Last week was busy doing things for the charity and I'm really happy to tell you all that Alice's Escapes is now a proper charity, all registered and everything. I was so excited when my mum told me - I really did wonder if it would happen cos everything seems to take ages. So now I'm made up that I'm here to actually plan things for the charity and I'm so looking forward to getting our first family on a holiday.

We now have some proper events booked in and the first thing will be the Coniston race which our friend Lesley is organising. There is a lovely group of Team Alice runners and they meet up for training runs and on 31st March, they are going to be running around Coniston Waters for Alice's Escapes. They even have proper Alice's Escapes running vests so you should see them if you're there. Lots of them are also running the Coniston to Barrow in May, which is 23 miles.

Team Alice On Tour - LEJOG

Then, on 20th April, Mabel's Uncle Simon (from the kennels) is leading a team of cyclists on quite a big bike ride from Lands End to John O Groats (LEJOG) which is miles and miles. I'll have to check exactly how many but I think it's nearly 1,000! Every day, we'll be stopping off somewhere overnight and you can see the route for each day on their blog. So if you're somewhere along the route, you'll have to come and cheer them on - they've got really cool cycling jersey's sponsored by 'Fuse Fashion Network' and I've got to say a huge thank you to Wendy Hallett who was very generous in supporting me.

In May, we are entering the largest ever team into the Keswick to Barrow. Luke, who runs the THHN in Torbay is coming up especially, which is really nice of him. It is because of Luke that I started Alice's Escapes and the beach hut mug I originally designed raised money for the THHN.

And the last thing is that my amazing Mum has booked the Kilimanjaro trip and on 27th September she will be flying out to Tanzania to climb the world's tallest freestanding mountain. Mum has been to Africa 3 times and she always said that she'd climb Kili one day. Dad is doing it too and early in the morning on 4th October, which is also my Granddad's birthday, they'll be standing up there with an enormous smile on their faces :) Quite a few of our friends are going with Mum and Dad, so it will be special to know that they will all be together out there. Mum and the rest of Team Alice will have Just Giving pages so if anyone wants to sponsor them, I know they'd be really grateful - it's not easy to climb big hills when you're as old as my mum and dad are lol. We are hoping to raise enough money to buy a lovely holiday caravan so that our families will always have somewhere to stay, especially in the summer months when our business supporters might be full up.

Is anyone going to see the Olympics this summer? We applied for a few things but didn't get anything and then wished we'd put other things down - but we didn't put everything down cos we didn't want to end up with everything and having to pay thousands. It was a bit impossible and after all that, I watched a program about how some people are still selling packages and guaranteeing really good tickets that we've been told are sold out. It made me really mad cos it's making the Olympics into something that only very rich or famous people can get to and it should be something that everyone can experience. We were really glad we didn't get tickets in the end, because then we saw the price of hotel rooms and you could go on a nice 5 star holiday for the same price, apart from I can't actually go anywhere abroad but you know what I mean.

Well, it's the 1st of March tomorrow and it's one of my best friend's birthday - so happy sweet 16 to Clarissa, can't wait to see you on Saturday. Next week, I'm going to the Love Barrow awards on Friday which I'm kind of excited and nervous about at the same time. I got a lovely new dress sent from Emma at the weekend and if I can find something to cover my horrible legs, I'm going to wear it to the awards evening next week cos it's really nice. They came to film me and Milly for them and it took about 5 minutes for Milly's piece to be filmed and about 5 hours for mine! I'm hopeless and kept getting mixed up, I was glad that they had a sense of humour and laughed with me! After the Love Barrow Awards, I'm really excited about Crufts! I can't believe that it's come round and that I'm actually feeling okay still and it looks like I'll be fine to go. I'm getting to go to the Best in Show on Sunday which is really exciting because I haven't been to the final judging before. I've been saving my Christmas money for ages, well since Christmas doh, and I'm going to enjoy buying a special present for Mabel.

Okay, that's it. I'm going to go and do some tweeting now cos I've been a bit bad lately and not doing it as much. Today Davina McCall has been rowing across the Channel with John Bishop to raise money for sports relief and just before I started this, I saw that they had made it back to Dover, so that made me really happy for them. John has already cycled nearly 200 miles before he rowed across the channel and now he has to do 3 marathons over 3 days! Doesn't it show what you can do when you put your mind to it? I think that's part of the reason I am still here now, I don't really think too much about not been here and I always make sure that there's something to look forward to and something to do. And when I do go, no one will ever be able to say that I didn't do anything with my life.

Hello from my cottage :)

2012-02-11T20:43:00.000Z

So much to say! I've been quite tired the last few weeks but I think it's partly Milly's fault cos she got a cold at school and passed it to me and it always takes me ages to get rid of anything. I was a bit miserable last week and that's not really how I like to be but there's been loads of hassle with getting things in order for when I need more care and although they are definitely trying to help us now, it really seems to be that we just live in the wrong area and that I'm the wrong age.

My charity is still slowly coming together and I'll be so excited when we get the charity number through as there are so many things we can't do until that is sorted. I keep thinking that it's a good job I've lasted longer than they expected me to, cos I wouldn't have been around to see it otherwise. I went down to London this week and we met up with Emma Forbes again, who is our amazing charity patron. We sneaked into Selfridge's and shared some chocolate cake and laughed about our dogs.

We had booked tickets to see Blood Brother's which is something I have always wanted to see, but I wanted to see War Horse even more, but hadn't got any tickets ever cos we're always last minute when we know we're going. But my friend Cathy was tweeting with Jack Holden who is Albert and without me knowing they managed to arrange for me to go and see War Horse AND to go backstage and meet everyone and I even got to stroke Joey!!! So War Horse is now my favourite show, I really loved the way they make the horses come to life and forgot that they were puppets. So big smiley hello and a special kiss to Jack, Matt, Luke, Alex and Shaun who made my week and special hugs to Cathy for spending ages arranging it for me, I loved it.

Then I went back to Alder Hey for a check yesterday. I kind of thought that it would be bad news cos I've been quite tired and I've been coughing and whatever, but things aren't really moving that fast and we decided that I'm not going to pop off quite yet. I've got to tell Barry, my consultant, to have a nice holiday cos he's gone off to Dubai for a holiday in the sun (I told him it will be too hot lol).

And I'm on holiday in a nice cottage in Herfordshire (I can't spell that and can't actually say it either), but I've got Mabel with me which is making me happy. Milly has brought one of her best friends Lucy with her so she's happy and Mum is on her second glass of wine so she's happy too lol.

In just a few weeks, I'm off to Crufts. It's the highlight of my year and although Mabel can't be in it, I still love to go and have a look at all the different breeds. I really enjoy the agility and the fly ball as well, the dogs get so excited, they're like children. This year is special cos when i went last year, I never thought I'd be here this year, so I'm going to doubly enjoy it :)

Will update when I get back from my break x

My new mug

2012-01-25T22:34:00.000Z

I'm trying to be good and update my blog a bit more cos everything keeps thinking I'm dead or something when I don't, so here it is. I have had lots of good news in the last couple of days.
Firstly, my new Emma Bridgewater mug comes out tomorrow and I am so excited that I can't stop thinking about it. My first mug raised a huge amount of cash for the THHN and this mug is going to be raising money for my own charity, Alice's Escapes. It's so nice to know that my charity will be there after I'm gone and that other kids like me can always have a holiday with their family. I think that you'll be able to FIND MY MUG ON HERE from tomorrow. We had fun seeing your photos last time and I'm hoping to have a new photo album on my Alice's Escapes Facebook pages so that we can see pictures of everyone with their mug again. I still have the picture of Holly the Labradoodle with her mug on my wall :) and I loved the chickens and the Spiderman photos. I challenge you to do something unusual with your mug - my mum has said that she'll take hers up Kilimanjaro with her and raise a toast to me at the top!

The second thing that is really interesting to look at, is our Team Alice on Tour LEJOG blog - I like saying that, LEJOG BLOG, LEJOG BLOG ... ha ha you go wrong very quickly! If you have a look at their blog, it tells you all about the training, the route and our wonderful sponsors. On the right side is a list of the different days and if you click into them, you can actually see exactly where they'll be cycling every day, how far it is and if there are any big hills! If I wasn't already dying, I think that cycling 100 miles a day would finish me off! I'm keeping focused on living and I'm hoping that I might be able to do an appearance along the route, but from the comfort of the support car.

My charity is coming along and we have had more generous offers from local businesses. I'll get told off for not remembering them all, but one new accommodation provider is Park Cliffe at Windermere and I'm so excited about them supporting us, cos caravan holidays are one of my favourite. So, huge thanks to them and all the other businesses who are supporting us. Park Cliffe have also kindly offered to make us their charity of the year as have the ladies of Dunnerholme golf club in Askam. We're really grateful to everyone who is thinking about how they can help us. Our registration to be an official charity has gone in and we're all hoping that will be back very soon and then we will be able to offer collection tubs for you to have in your shop or work.

Mabel is still so lovely and I'm hoping to get to visit the people at the home this week - I was away all of December and haven't managed to get back there yet this year, cos I've been so tired, but I'm going to try on Friday if they'll have me lol. I think Mabel has missed her little trips there cos she gets lots of biscuits. Mum is trying to fit lots of walking in so that she can do the K2B - she's organised a huge group of Team Alice walkers and it wouldn't look very good if she can't do it. Ha ha I know she'll do it really. Mum has also booked the Team Alice trip to climb Kilimanjaro so she's kind of committed to that now. As soon as we're registered, we'll have Just Giving sponsor sites and you can sponsor her, Dad and the rest of the team.

So that's all folks lol, Alice xxx

Sleepy, Happy!

2012-01-20T23:46:00.002Z

Happy 2012 and I hope it's a nice one for you.
I was trying to think about what I should say about not blogging for a bit and then I thought I'd just say that i was a bit sleepy and not really with it to write too much, but that I'm still happy. So I decided I would call this Sleepy, Happy cos I remembered they were two of the seven dwarves and I really loved Snow White when I was little.
I've been sleeping loads lately but still going out in the afternoons and I'm spending lots of time doing charity things in the evenings. My charity is just about ready to go and it's really exciting cos there's so much going on. I haven't got the list cos mums downstairs, but I've spoke to some really nice people over the last week and managed to get some sponsors for some of our main charity events and everyone has been really nice to me. I'm not really very good at phone things or tv stuff and I always get stuck and don't know what to say. I wish I was brave enough but I just can't do it and it's a shame because I keep missing things where I know it would be good if I had the confidence to talk. But it's probably a bit late for me to worry about that now lol.
We've got lots of things arranged for fundraising and I think that you can see them all here under events. It's just a homemade site for the minute because we still haven't got our proper one going, oh and the pay button thing doesn't work either. My mum is trying to figure that out lol, we were never very good with these things lol. My mum has spent hours and hours sorting the Keswick to Barrow and Coniston to Barrow teams out and I was probably as glad as her when she said that she'd got all the teams in and made the lists. But now she's starting to do other things, I don't think she likes doing nothing! Anyway, it was my mums birthday a week ago and we made her promise to do no work and to leave her iPhone in her drawer (that killed her) and we took her for a nice lunch and my nan did her a party tea as well. Mum said it was her best birthday ever :)
There is a group of runners training for the Coniston 14 for Team Alice and another brave group who are going to cycle all the way from Lands End to John O Groats - yikes. Simon who is doing that has started a blog so I'll get mum to tell me address and I'll add it later on the side bit. Then it will be the Keswick to Barrow and my sister is walking the coast to coast walk in the summer holidays with my uncle and then on 27th September, my mum and dad are going up Kilimanjaro with a whole group of Team Alice. They're all mad!
I was down at Alder Hey after mums birthday and we had a meeting about who will look after me when I need extra care and stuff. Home are trying to make me have a man and I really don't want him and now we don't know if we're going to have to move just to get a care team who I am comfortable with. I think it's silly that you keep reading about human rights but that is only for people who have come here illegal from abroad or have done a crime or something. Not for children who are dying, I have no rights. We'll see what happens but it really wouldn't matter to me as long as I have Mabel. I think mum is getting tired fighting and all they do is arrange meetings to discuss things that we already know.
I've been gone off here a little bit but you don't know that, but I got a message about a girl in Scotland called Vanessa. Well, Vanessa is a bit like me because she has cancer as well, but one called Neurobalstoma - I can't spell it and my spellchecker doesn't recognise it ooops. This country can't offer her any chances now but in America, there are still quite good chances for her to get better again. The bad bit is that it will cost a fortune but her friends and family are all trying to get the money together to try and save her. Watch this video of her, she's so lovely and she does still have a chance. I know that if I had even a tiny chance, my mum and dad would do anything to make it happen. So please have a look at her video and if every single one of my followers on here gave just a couple of pounds, she'd get thousands. I don't know why the message came to me tonight but it did and I was just blogging here so I think it means I was meant to try and do something to help. She has her own website here and if you want to donate directly, this is her Justgiving page.
Last week I was invited to open a new charity shop in Barrow in Furness, called the Furness Children's Trust and I was so pleased that they asked me. I've been trying to tell everyone to take any unwanted things in there. They are raising money to support families with children who are ill or disabled buy helping with things like wheelchairs or travelling costs. We hope that we'll be able to offer some of their families a break and they are hoping to help us too, so it was special to be part of it. I'm hoping to go in next week and mum has got a bag of stuff to take down :)
I'm busy making little felted animals and cards for when we have a coffee morning for Alice's Escapes. My nan is knitting and mum is planning some crafts too so hopefully we'll have some nice things whenever it happens.
The last thing that happened to me this week is that I found out that I've made it to the finals of the Love Barrow award, a local award celebrating good things in the area. I'm in the Courage section and Milly also made the short list in the Young Citizen which made me happy :) It made me think about it. What is courage? To be courageous, you have to face a fear and I'm not really afraid of much - well, maybe standing on a stage speaking, but I haven't managed that, have I lol.

Christmas in December :)

2011-12-28T22:29:00.000Z

Well, I've survived radiation treatment, I'm still here and I'm actually feeling pretty good :)

So much to update on so I'll try to cover it all in a short 'ish kind of way lol.

Ready to be zapped!

I moved down to Cheshire into our little caravan at the Ridgeway Caravan park, Frodsham. The owners, Sue and David wouldn't let us pay a hire charge for it so we were really grateful to them and it was such a nice place. They are right next to miles of walks and beautiful woods and they even didn't mind Mabel staying there for a night which made me very happy! So thank you Sue and David. Radiation went well and it felt like I'd never been away, even though it was 3 years since my last lot. I had post sent there quite a few days - letters and cards, a light up pink christmas tree from Emma and my friend Sammi sent me a huge balloon Teddy which made me smile. I also met a special friend in radiation who is still there - hello Paul x x x

A special 16th card

We came home for my 16th birthday and had some family and friends round for lunch which was nice. Mum ordered me some special balloons from Balloon Monkey but they were all floppy and not like they should have been so we were really disappointed. Then I was off on a surprise as spent the night at the Lakeside Hotel, which was a present from Tracey Jackson and some nice friends of hers. I really enjoyed the night, it was magical and it was a shame that we had to go the next day. Thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday and sent me cards and gifts and things - so many people thought about me and that made my day.

After my 16th birthday, Dad had a surprise and we went for a break to Center Parcs at Penrith which was so lovely to be away when everyone was stressed at home about Christmas. Mum was a bit panicky because she hadn't done much shopping but her computer worked, so she just started ordering things online lol. All of the Special Delivery stuff turned up but the courier companies are a nightmare and we had cards saying they'll call tomorrow and we got people to wait in and they didn't call, and then three days later there was a card saying we missed them and to 'collect from your local depot' which isn't local! So one parcel is still missing but all the rest got here, so not too bad.

Christmas was really special because I actually felt quite good and I was excited and so I woke at about 6am and didn't go to bed until midnight which is a really, really long day for me! We had a lovely day - we opened some pressies in the morning and then my Nan and Grandad came and my cousins and Uncle and then we opened more pressies and then we had a nice lunch, but it was almost tea time by then lol. We watched Polar Express in 3D at night time and it was amazing - it's my favourite Christmas film. Well, that and 'Elf' which always makes me laugh.

On Boxing Day, it was my Nan's birthday and we went to her house for a family party and ate far too much and then just came home and lay on the sofa feeling fat. We watched 'Lou and Andy' on 'Little Britain Abroad' and it was so funny - I love them, they make me laugh so much.

I've spent some time with my cousin Rhys yesterday and today and we went into the Lakes for some lunch and then a bit of shopping in Ambleside and at last I got to see 'New Years Eve' at the cinema (I've been trying to go for ages). It was great and I laughed quite a bit - go and see it while it's still on. It made me want to see this ball drop thing in New York city. I've also seen 50/50 which I thought was hilarious too even although it's about a lad with cancer - I kind of got the humour, even though everyone expects you not to find anything funny about cancer lol.

I'm starting full on with my charity in the New Year and so if you have anything that you can offer to help families enjoy a break, please email and let me know. Our website will be up and running soon and we'll be telling you all of our plans for the next year :) Oh and I think that my friend Simon still has two places left on his LEJOG bike ride (a very very long way) so if anyone fancies doing that let me know (or you could climb Kilimanjaro in September with my mum lol).

I'm home and back in business so I won't leave it so long next time.

Still very much alive and kicking lol,

Love Alice xxx

Happy #Christmasinnovember

2011-11-26T20:37:00.001Z

Ha ha Happy Christmas in November! Yesterday, we had the most amazing day and I had my 16th birthday party at Emma Bridgewater in Stoke and it was my best ever party, I loved it. It's not my actual birthday until 15th December, but I'll be down at Clatterbridge having treatment and we don't know how I'll feel so we thought we'd do it early. My BFFs were there and everyone at Emma Bridgewater had just done so much to make it special for me. I had a hearts banner with my name printed on and a card that they printed especially for me and it was just amazing. I haven't got any photos yet because they're on my mums camera but I'll put one on here when she puts them on the computer.
Mum had ordered me a Mabel shaped birthday cake and we were on the motorway when we suddenly realised that we had forgotten to pick it up, so we had to go back again lol. But we got there on time and it was so magical with lots of fairy lights, I love it there.
For my birthday, they painted me a special dog bowl for Mabel with my Beach hut mug design stamped all around it and it is amazing. I don't think that we can ever touch it because it's the only one and it would be awful if we broke it. It's going in our Emma Bridgewater cupboard so Dad doesn't break it. We all painted things and everyone had a really nice time and then we ate lasagne which was really tasty and then we had a disco even, with special lights like sheets of something coming across the floor. I loved it so much, so thank you to everyone who made it special for me because it really was my best ever party :)

Today we had our Christmas Day and it was really nice and we all said that we should have done it every year because there wasn't any stress! We did this one cos I felt so ill last year that I was in bed and missed it. So mum said I wasn't missing it this year and we said if we have it twice that's not a problem. We opened some presents this morning and then we had chocolate for breakfast and then we went into town to our Dickensian Festival. But it was raining so much and I felt really tired so Dad went and got the car and I came back home for a rest while they cooked the Christmas lunch. Then we had a proper Christmas lunch with turkey and crackers and Mum and Dad had some champagne and I had a taste but thought it was revolting!

The other night, I put some things on ebay for my new charity and it's doing really well so I'm very excited but a little bit worried about sending a shower gel and a mug for so much money! I have made something very special tonight so I hope that the person who wins it will be happy that they will be helping lots of poorly children get a holiday. I have put a link to my auction but it ends really soon so really it's just for you to look at Alice's Escapes Charity Auction

Tomorrow we are moving down to our caravan cos my radiation starts at Clatterbridge on Monday. I'm having radiation every day and hopefully it will stop these lumps in my neck getting any bigger for a bit. So when we get to our new home I'll blog from there and tell you all about our caravan and my treatment.

Oh and everyone is busy on Twitter doing #alicebucketlist again. Someone said I didn't want that, but I've never said I didn't want it, I just didn't ask for that in the bucket list cos I wasn't even on Twitter. But I've never trended (and seen it) so it would be fun and it would make more people think about bone marrow donation so I don't think it's a bad thing.

Happy #ChristmasinNovember :)

Love Alice

A Lush day :)

2011-11-19T21:36:00.001Z

I just remembered that I forgot to tell you about my day at Lush in Poole. It was so amazing that it is now up there in my top 3 ever things that I've done. They were really, really nice to me and Milly and I just loved the whole day so much that I was quite sad when it was over.

I'm trying to remember the names of everyone so here goes - Karen, Jack, Dan and Olga met me and spent the day going around with us ... is that right? I wish I could remember all the names of the people that let me destroy the jobs they were meant to be doing, like the comforter bubble bars! Mine were so bad that I don't think they'll ever see a Lush shop lol. Filling the snowfairy bottles wasn't any better and it was so quick, I can't believe that they have to move the bottle so fast. The funniest test was when I was trying to tie the bows on the gift boxes and they were just moving down the belt thing so fast that I kept bumping into the end. But they were all really nice to me and I didn't meet a single miserable person in there, so mum and me have decided that Lush is a happy smiley place to work and it smells good too.

If any of you follow my Facebook page (alice pyne) you'll have seen the photos of my very own bottles of Snowfairy which they made me special 'made by Alice Pyne' stickers to go on. All Lush things have a sticker on them so that you know who made it or who packed it and I was so pleased to get my own batch. I don't know where my bottles have gone, but if you all have a look in your nearest Lush shop, you might find one. You must let me know cos it will be fun to see where they ended up. I got a big box of goodies and I got to go to the Lush spa which was so relaxing, so thank you LUSH, you made me so happy and I am enjoying my daily baths.

Before I tell you something about my treatment, I have something really exciting to tell you. There's going to be a second 'Alice' mug from Emma Bridgewater, but this time for my own charity here in Cumbria. I was so pleased when I heard this and I've got my designs drawn and can't wait to show you all what my second mug will look like. There'll be mountains and lakes and hopefully Mabel too!

The other news is that I had another scan at Alder Hey last week and it looks like it's spreading a bit quicker than I hoped. There isn't many things that they can do now but my consultant did say that I could try some radiation to see if it will help for a bit. So we met my new consultant at Clatterbridge who is called Freda and she's really nice. This week we've been away doing the planning and I had my mask made which is like having a plaster of paris put over your head and shoulders to make a mould. I've had some more scans done and there's just a little bit left to do before I start having my treatment. Unfortunately, I'm going to be there on my 16th birthday so I don't think that will be a fun day but I suppose that if I want to do the treatment I need to do it properly. Mum is on the computer now looking for somewhere to live or we might drive, I don't know yet but Dad said we'll book a hotel for my birthday night so that it's special.

When we got home last night, the Ulverston Curry Club had dropped off a special certificate for me and my family saying we were their Citizens of the Year. I thought that the curry club was like a Chinese restaurant or something but mum and dad explained that they support lots of good causes in the area and do not spend all their time eating curry! So thank you x

Next Friday, I'm doing something with friends for my 16th birthday and on the next day we're having our family christmas day. If you follow me on twitter I keep talking about my #Christmasinnovember and although I should be here for the one in December as well, I'm not risking it and making sure that I get my pressies lol. I'm joking, we're going to give just a couple of presents and then maybe wander into town as it's the Dickensian weekend in Ulverston and it's very Christmassy.

:))

2011-11-09T14:52:00.005Z

I'm absolutely worn out but I've had another amazing weekend.
I didn't know if I'd like the football or not. Paul met us at the QPR Loftus Road reception and Jay, who had invited me, was there too, plus his wife Stella who is lovely. I'd put a pale blue bandana on which is Man City's colours, oops, so I was glad when Bradley Orr gave me his QPR shirt to wear LOL.
We had a lovely lunch upstairs and then we went outside to watch the game and within about 5 minutes, I was hooked! It was so exciting and I cheered louder than anyone when my Jay scored the first goal. QPR were really, really good and City who are the top team had to really fight. It was 1-0 to QPR and then it was 1-1. Then City scored another goal and it was 2-1 and I was really tense and then we scored another one to make it 2-2. Honestly I was so into it, I was convinced that we were going to win. I was willing the whistle to go and then with about 10 minutes left their No 21 who was like a magic man (he was just everywhere) scored for them and I was so disappointed because I really thought that QPR deserved to win or at least draw. Anyway, that's my intro into football and QPR are my club for however long my ever is! We had a drink after the match and TC who looked after us in the lounge, presented me with a signed team ball which will be kept well out of Mabel's reach LOL. Thank you everyone for looking after us, we had a fabulous time.
On Sunday, we went shopping and in the afternoon I got to meet up with someone very special to me. Emma Forbes is my biggest Twitter supporter and we met up because I wanted to ask Emma if she would be the Patron for my charity ... and she said YES! She was really really nice and natural and it was nice to meet her in person rather than through my iPad! We had a giggle talking about hamsters and rabbits LOL and we're going to meet up again to do an interview for my website.
So, I'm going to tell you a little bit about my charity (just in case ... LOL) even though it's not quite ready to go yet. Last year, we were all invited on a break by Luke Tillen who runs the THHN in Torbay (have a look at his website) and while we were there I thought that it was such a shame that no one did that in the north as some children just can't travel that far when they're ill. So, I'm doing it -
Basically, we're a network of local businesses joining together to give a free break to a seriously ill child and their family. Any business can help me, you could offer a hotel room or a caravan, a meal or afternoon tea, a self catering food box, cakes or bread, a boat ride, an experience or entry into a tourist attraction. Little boys would probably love to visit the motor museum and girls might like having their nails done! Anything can be offered and all of these things will be put together to give these families an escape. The businesses don't have to give a certain amount and they will gain so much from knowing that they've made life that little bit better for these families.
I've got to say a huge thank you to 'The Hydro' in Windermere - our very first accommodation supporter, 'The Mountain Goat' who have offered guided tours to our families and 'Verstone Kennels' who have offered free boarding for any families wanting to have their dogs up here with them. And to Ros and Anne who are working round the clock with mum to make this happen for me and other kids like me :)
So if you're a business and you want to offer anything to us (it can be a one off or a regular offer) then please email me on here and you could be one of the first on our charity website which should be launching very, very soon. I'm going to be as involved as I can be and I'll be checking our Facebook and Twitter pages and responding as much as I can. Hopefully, I'll get to meet some of our supporters and it will be all go - I've agreed to do some television to officially launch the charity, so I can keep myself busy stressing about that LOL.
I've got to go cos I'm really tired after the last few days, but I'll come back and tell you about my Lush experience which needs a whole bit to itself cos it was so brilliant.
Love Alice x x x

Too busy to go

2011-11-03T23:29:00.002Z

I've so much to get done that I've decided I'm just to busy to go anywhere yet. If my cancer could just listen to that it would be good LOL.
I always get too far behind on my blog and then I can't remember things, so I thought I'd write tonight cos I can't sleep and I'm going away for the weekend.
Jay has invited me down to watch my first ever football match and I don't know whether I'll get it or not, but I'm going to try to understand all the rules and bits.
Then we're going to meet someone special on Sunday and I think we're doing a Christmas Fair thing as well cos I want to get a load of things. I don't know what's there exactly but I know that I need to get loads lol.
After that, Dad has to get on a train to come back to work cos he loves work lol and me and Mum have been invited to go to the real Lush factory in Poole and see how it all gets made and even have a go. I am so excited because Lush is one of my favourite things in the world. When I go to hospital I always take some Lush things with me and all the nurses love the smell of my room. This was something on the bit of my bucket list that I never put up on here so I didn't think that I'd ever get to do it, so it's even more special. We're going to stay with our friends Jan and Paul cos we haven't seen them for ages either.
When I get back, mum is going to go and find a real Christmas tree and then we're going to decorate it.
Have a good weekend and I'll be smelling gorgeus next time I write.

Lazing in the lodge

2011-10-30T19:07:00.002Z

Hello, I've had lots of messages asking why I haven't updated and I'm pleased to say that I've not died yet, i've just been busy lol.

There's a lot been going on. I've been down to Devon with my family and we stayed in a really beautiful lodge at Finlake which was offered to us through the THHN. We had a really nice week doing not very much, watched lots of DVDs and me and my sister got invited to go for horse riding at the Finlake riding stables. I haven't been on a horse for years so I was a bit nervus but once I got going, it was really good fun. We also went to Angel's Tea Rooms in Babbacomb which is our favourite place to visit when we go down there. You've got to go, it's amazing and I love the heart shaped scones.

When we got back, mum did some more decorating cos she's trying to finish our hallway that she started two years ago lol. She also did my room and I've got nice sandy gold walls and aubergine cushions and bits and it looks really nice, I'm dead pleased.

I've been down to Pets at Home in Barrow to see Jason and all my friends there and Milly bought loads of things for our rabbit and then she cleaned his house out which is her old playhouse so it's huge for a rabbit. He's quite lucky I think! I'm dead excited to see the treat packages that Mabel is going to be on soon. I'll be sending them to all of Mabel's doggy friends with a ribbon on.

We took Mabel to see the old people down the road again. They all give her biscuits which she loves, but some of them forget who she is and tell us that they've never had a dog before. Mum is dead patient and just says oh haven't you, well we'll come back should we. And we know that when we go back they've probably forgotten us again. It's quite sad but mum said at least they won't sit there worrying about things at night cos they won't remember lol. Anyway there's a couple of them who do remember Mabel and their faces are really happy when they see me walk in with her so that feels really good. I'm hoping to go again this week, but I've got my infusion tomorrow so I'll have to see how I feel.

Tomorrow will be my last infusion which is a bit weird cos I know there's nothing else. My scan isn't booked for a bit so I think that it will be too late to do the radiation thing by then, so there's nothing else now. I know I can't keep having things done but if they did the radiation now on all the lumps on my neck, it might just help a little bit. But I don't know and I suppose it probably costs a fortune and if I hadn't done my blog I wouldn't even have been given the trial stuff cos they'd already sent me home, so I suppose I've had longer anyway really.

You will probably laugh at me because we're having Christmas in November this year as well as in December ( i hope). I've got a chocolate advent calendar and on Tuesday when it is the 1st, me and Milly are going to start our Christmas thing. I've bought a new gold tree for my room (cos it's gold) and mum is going to decorate the house and all that. We were going to have Christmas Day on the 25th but it will be year since my little friend Fergus got his wings so it wouldn't be right to do it on that day so the 26th can be Christmas Day and we're going to have a proper lunch and open a gift and have a party for my friends on the Sunday. Last year I was so ill at Christmas that I didn't even open a present and dad had to eat his lunch on his own. So we aren't been miserable we're just making sure that we do get one this year.

I can't say too much but I'm really excited that I'm going to be launching my own charity very soon. It will help lots of other kids like me and it will something that my mum can do to keep her busy. I think that the website will be working very soon and that I will be able to tell you all about it in the next week or bit more.

Sorry I was a long time writing this. Have a nice week, love Alice :)

A lot to say :)

2011-10-13T12:22:00.000+01:00

I've had such a busy week that I am having to think about what I told you last time (I can't see what I wrote when I do this).

I think it was my Grandad's birthday and we all went out for a meal which was nice to be together but our meal was horrid. I made Grandad a photo album of mainly me and Milly and he loves it. Mum had got him a Emma Bridgewater 'Papa Bear' mug cos thats what she calls him lol.

The day after, I went to Alder Hey and I had my scan as well. The new drug has been helping massive amounts on my chest areas but the cancer is just not playing and it is growing new lumps in my neck. So I don't think that there's anything else really, unless they blast them with more radiation or something? I've had radiation before but not on my neck so maybe they can do that.

After Liverpool, we went down to London and the train was a nightmare. We missed the first one so that was our fault but the second one had no seats and then the man on the train told everyone to get off at Preston as the line was closed further down, so we got a train back to Oxenholme to get our car and by the time we got back, the line was open again! Anyway, Kevin at Oxenholme put us all in first class and I slept almost all of the way cos I was so tired, but the seats were nice and comfy. We arrived at our hotel, The Mayfair, after midnight and it was really posh. There was a bit of a mix up with our room so we got upgraded to a suite and it was amazing - it was bigger than our house. On Friday daytime, we all loved the rooms so much that none of us went out!

At night time it was the Inspiration Awards and everyone came to our suite for drinks before we all went. When we got there, we stopped the taxi and sneaked in the door at the side so I didn't have to go through the cameras lol. It was a lovely night and I met Beverley-de-Gale who is such an inspirational lady - I'm going to add a link somewhere. I was really nervous so I was glad my category was first, but I still couldn't believe it when I won. I was terrified so I ran on and took it off Jay Bothroyd who was presenting it and then I ran off again. But when I went backstage with him we laughed about it, I said I didn't know what to do and he was really nice. The singers were amazing and we all really enjoyed listening to them. We met Sky who is the founder of the awards (he is dead dead funny). Then it was Milly's turn to find out and I was really happy that she won her category too. She was much better than me and managed not to fall over in her huge heels and stood on the stage looking really good. And Mum said I've not to really mention this but that doesn't normally stop me, so (ha ha). Sky went on stage and started reading about this amazing group and we were all just listening and then I heard dad go oh no, and then Sky called our entire family up for a special award. Mum's face was so funny and she couldn't even talk properly on stage. After that Mum was dead excited to hug a lady we met backstage and I didn't have a clue who she was, and mum was like, what, you must know who she is! It was Annie Lennox (I've looked her up now, doh).

The next day, we had to go back to our life and move from the very posh suite to the Premier Inn at Euston lol. Our room there was about as big as the bathroom in the Mayfair, but it was fine and staff were really nice too. At the awards, Dad promised me and Milly a treat and so we asked to go to the theatre. We wanted to see War Horse but the only tickets we found were really expensive and so we ended up going to see the Wizard of Oz, which was brilliant and we all really enjoyed it. We got the train back up on Sunday - the Virgin man at Euston was so unhelpful when we tried to sort out getting on with my wheelchair, but then a lady told dad to go to mobility services and they were really helpful and smiley with it! We arrived back into Oxenholme to the smiles of Kevin who had waved us off on Thursday. I enjoyed visiting London but I was glad to be back in Cumbria!

On Monday we did a radio interview at like 6.45 and I went blank and there was this silence on the radio and mum had to help me. Then, I was back down to Alder Hey and neither of us felt like the long drive cos we were so tired. Although my scan wasn't really good news as such, I feel so much better at the moment and they've decided that I can finish off the stocks! So I had one on Monday and I have my final one in two and a bit weeks and then, if there's no radiation, I guess that's it.

I've only just got up today because yesterday was one of those days and the first thing I've opened is a gorgeous huge card from Emily, congratulating us all. It's so funny that I'll try to scan it onto here.

One of my missions at the moment is talking to any card companies that want to help me gain more bone marrow donors by raising awareness through their 18th cards, and I'm really happy that both Hallmark and Clinton cards have been in touch with me. A few others have been in touch for more details but a lot haven't - I'm waiting!

Next week, mum is taking us off for a break with the THHN and we're staying at a place called Finlake. Dad has to work, but I can't wait and I'm taking lots of DVDs and planning some duvet days lol. I will update from Devon and when I get back I won't have long until I can share with you my really big news. No, it's not a cure for me, but it's something that means so much to me and I'm hoping that Cumbria will support me!

Another for the bucket list

2011-10-04T11:15:00.001+01:00

I have a few missions in my head. One is going to become real very soon and then I can tell you about it, but there's another thing that's bugging me. It's really good that I'm getting so many people to join the register, but what about when I'm not here? I don't want it all to stop and I've been thinking lots about how to carry on telling everyone forever. I said something the other day and I can't even remember why I said it, but I said that it's a pity that the card people don't put details of Anthony Nolan on the back of their 18th birthday cards. And that made me think why don't they - it's a really simple idea but for whatever reason it doesn't happen and I really think that it could work to encourage young, healthy donors.

So my next mission is to start another Twitter campaign and contact all of the big card companies like Hallmark, Clinton, Carte Blanche, Camden, Phoenix and the internet places like Moon Pig and Funky Pigeon, and get them to think about doing something about it. Such a little thing could make such a big difference and I bet that some of their workers must have been affected by cancer and in need of a transplant. There's must be loads and loads of 18th cards bought every day and I want them all to have a message on them.

So email me and I can come and meet you with one of the Anthony Nolan people. I really, really need this to happen!

Big Smiles :)

2011-10-02T20:04:00.000+01:00

I have had probably the best weekend that I've had for ages and ages. Alton Towers was brilliant and they really looked after us and the Chocolate room was really cool. There was a really cute teddy waiting for me with a load of balloons! It had loads of chocolate hidden and every time you walked in, it had all these sound effect things, like been on a steam train. We had a good meal in Flambo at night and Cristina looked after us with lots of smiles :)
They even gave us fastpass tickets so we didn't have to queue which was good. I really did try to do a big ride. I nearly did 'Air', but I was a bit unsure so mum said she'd go on and wave at me and I could think about it. Uncle Gary stayed with me and mum took Rhys and Sammi with her, but they were gone for ages and the ride had stopped but we didn't know why. When they arrived back, guess what? They'd got on the ride and it had clamped their legs and then it had tilted them so they were hanging face down and then it broke down. So they'd been stuck in it, hanging there for about 20 minutes. Mum thought it was hilarious, but it put me off. I loved the mine train and we all laughed cos it was quiet and they gave us extra goes and every time we went through, we shouted 'Choo choo' (cos that's what the man had to say but he was laughing with us). So thank you Alton Towers, I had a really brilliant brilliant time x

On the way back from Alton Towers, we called in to see Leigh and Rachel at Emma Bridgewater and we met some new people too. It was really good to see them and they were having a coffee morning downstairs, so we bought some cakes and I painted a new bowl for my cereal with Mabel on it (mum smashed my last one by accident). I got some bits in the shop for presents and I bought a chocolate labrador mug (we already have a yellow one and a black one). I've got another reason to try and get to my 16th birthday, because I decided that I'd like a pottery party there for me and my friends. Mum said that we can book a hotel down there so it's not too much on one day.

And then, my weekend got better because I went to the Andrew Collinge Salon in Liverpool to get my wig. We were really late because the M6 had an accident on it and the traffic had stopped but we phoned and Amy was really nice and said not to worry. I got to meet Andrew who was a really nice man and he introduced me to Olivia who was doing my hair. It was really weird because you have to put it on so that it can be cut into a style on your head. I was watching myself in the mirror and I just couldn't stop smiling. Gemma did mums hair and mum was so happy and it looks really nice. So I'm going to put a photo on here of me with my new hair, because I love my new hair. Thank you to everyone at Andrew Collinge and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Me and my new hair

We were staying in Liverpool for the whole weekend as my treat and I got to go to Pizza Express for my dinner and on Saturday I found a dress for next Friday. I was really worried about finding something to wear but I'm quite happy and I think I look okay in it. I haven't found any shoes yet but I'm looking. I know I don't have to worry, but I'm a bit nervous about the awards night. We are going to London on Thursday night so that I don't have to travel on the day of the awards and we might get to stay an extra night and do a show on the Saturday night.

Yesterday, mum did a workshop thing at the Apple shop in Liverpool and she started to put her photos in order but she has got thousands of them so it was a bit of a mess. She's trying to do a video of me but she is finding it hard to work her new laptop. But they were really good and then today she had a proper lesson and she said it was really good and that she thinks she gets it now. So I'm in my bedroom doing this and Dad is doing work stuff (for a change NOT) and Mum is in the study doing her photo thing. So I've got to say a special thank you to Chris and everyone in the Apple store who helped my mum.

So I've had a really nice weekend :) I better go now cos we're going to go and meet my sister from her school trip. I can't wait to see her and here about her adventures.

Alton Towers ahoy :)

2011-09-26T00:47:00.002+01:00

Yay guess what, I am going to get to go to Alton Towers this week yay! I've only been to Alton Towers a few times and I've never stayed in the hotel there, so I'm really excited that they have offered to let me go and sleep in the Chocolate room. I'm going with my BFF Sammi and my cousin Rhys and I can't wait. I'm so glad that I get to do it and I'm even going to push myself to go on just one really scary ride lol and I might even buy the photograph to prove it.

Then, I'm back in Liverpool and as well as hospital things, I'm going to Andrew Collinge and I'm going to feel really special because I'm getting my wig and they're going to cut it into a style for me. I'll post a photo on here when I've got my new hair so you can see what it's like. My sister is going away to Scotland with her school so I get to choose a treat weekend and I said stay in Liverpool, because I only get to go there when I'm in hospital and it's a really nice city. Mum is going for a lesson in the Apple shop because she can't work anything and I'm going to look for a dress for the awards night which is the week after. At night time I want to eat pizza and then maybe listen to music somewhere. Oh and I want to go on the duck boat thing that I keep seeing. It's a yellow bus that drives around the city but then goes into the water as well. Sounds a bit mad but it looks fun.

A bit ago, we bumped into a girl who was out for a walk with an old lady from the care home across the road from us. The lady said that she was really sad that she'd had to leave her dog and she fussed Bess and Mabel lots. So Mum checked our insurance and we gave Mabel a really good wash because Labradors are always dirty and we went over (mum phoned first). It was so lovely and I was really glad that we went and most of the people were really pleased to see Mabel (they didn't really notice me or mum) and Mabel was very well behaved too. Lots of them told us about the dogs they'd had and their names and other stories. When we came home, we both said that it felt really nice that we had done that and we've decided that we'll go over a few times a month and see everyone. They were lovely people and all the staff were friendly and happy to have us there too. Plus Mabel got lots of hugs and some biscuits so she was very pleased too.

Before I go to London for the award night, I need another scan done. I don't like the scans because they're quite long and the machine is really noisy. We told them that we don't want to know the results before I go to London because it might spoil the weekend. It might be bad luck to be planning two weekends but it does feel nice to be doing normal things and not thinking too much about hospital. Today, we saw our friends Phil and Diane, and Phil said to me and mum 'are you planning on being around at christmas' and we both started laughing. Phil meant were we planning to go away or stay at home and we both thought he was asking if I was planning to be around. So I laughed and said 'I hope so'! I'm trying cos it's my 16th birthday the week before so that means I can ask to try archery. I have done a bit of it but I'm not sure if anywhere does it around here so mum is going to find out and maybe I'll have a go at that too. I might even add it to my list.

Keep telling everyone you know to join the bone marrow registers, don't stop and if you're going to send an 18th card, you could print out some information and put it in their card for me. Wouldn't it be good if every card company printed information about the register on the back of their 18th cards. Maybe that's a new mission for me!

Dresses!

2011-09-20T20:02:00.002+01:00

I am still looking for a dress to wear for the awards in a couple of weeks. I would laugh if I had other things to wear, but I've lost a lot of weight since I last went anywhere and they're all huge on me. I've also got loads of scars everywhere and I want to hide them. Oh and my legs aren't great either! I'm hoping that my wig will be ready before the awards, so I should at least have some hair. And I want to get it done in London on the day of the awards, because it's made of real hair and you can do anything with it.

On Saturday, I got to go to the Lantern Procession in Ulverston for the first time in 4 years and it was amazing. My Mabel lantern was still wet at about 2pm and so mum had to use the hairdryer on it. Loads of our friends had made lanterns as well, some from my bucket list and lots supporting Anthony Nolan and Bone Marrow Awareness.

Me with my Mabel lantern

The Bucket List Lantern

Today, I went to Apollo Cinemas in Barrow to watch 'I don't know how she does it'. The Apollo have given our family an honorary lifetime membership and we laugh because when I go in, they just say 'Hi Alice, just go on through'! The film was really funny and if you get the chance to see it, go.

Mum and me have been busy planning something very special. I can't say what yet, but I will do soon. But it will be amazing and it will help lots and lots of other people and I hope people will support us doing it!

I've had lots of lovely things sent to me and it's really difficult to write back to everyone but I want to say thank you so much for thinking of me. I love the bandanas, especially the ones from other countries and today I had Australia on my head! I also got a cute Angry Birds T-shirt from Tracy in America, thank you. A few schools have written to me, I got some really cute pictures drawn from Kenya and I'm enjoying a whole stack of letters and things from the International School in Alicante.

The last thing but the most important is that mum found out that two more people who signed up through my recruitment clinics are going to donate their cells very soon. I can't explain how happy it makes me to know that they've got a chance. I keep thinking about all the people that will be able to have a life because of the people like you who have listened. So thank you :)

Oh and you can still vote for me and Milly in the awards by clicking on the link at the top of this screen!

Updated video ...

2011-09-20T18:51:00.000+01:00

A few months ago, Abigail Breslin and Cassidy Reiff wrote and recorded a song for me with their band 'CABB' ... it now has an updated video which shows some of my bucket list wishes coming true. I love this song, just figuring out how to save it to play on my iPod

PLAY THE UPDATED VIDEO

Raymond & Sebo sing for me!

2011-09-20T18:32:00.002+01:00

"2 The Universe" with their song dedicated to Alice

VOTE HERE

2011-09-15T09:34:00.001+01:00

Thank you for all of your emails helping me do this ...

VOTE FOR ALICE & MILLY HERE x

Sarna, wigs and lanterns

2011-09-15T00:17:00.000+01:00

I eventually escaped from Alder Hey on Friday and I was really pleased to be back home as I had a Mabel lantern to make. I started off well but then didn't do any more until late last night, but it's nearly done now. I'm in Liverpool again now but I'll finish the legs on Friday (it has only got 2 legs so far)! Every year, our town Ulverston, has a lantern procession through the cobbled streets and loads of people make lanterns from willow and once it's dark we light them and do the walk. This year the theme is Vikings but we're ignoring that and doing a mix of bone marrow awareness lanterns and bucket list lanterns. We have cinema ticket lanterns, sharks, a big camera, my Emma Bridgewater mug and of course Mabel. They are all things from my bucket list! I can't wait because I've always been in hospital and I've missed the last 3 years. I will put some photos on here next week.We had Merseyside Police in the hospital today telling us all how to be safe. We can remember someone from the dog unit sent us a message saying that I could go and see them training and meet some of the dogs. But then we couldn't find the email and Mum said we'd look stupid just randomly phoning police stations so I never got to go. Anyway, because they were there today, they gave us all the details again and now I'm hoping to go one day. I also went to the Andrew Collinge salon in Liverpool which was amazing. Not for my own hair, I'm getting a real hair wig! I had a really nice time and I picked a nice long style in quite a warm reddish brown. I can't wait for it to come cos then I get to go back and they will cut and style it on my head! I think that mum is going to try and book an appointment at the same time.My skin has been really horrid for years because ive had so much treatment. After i started my blog, an American company called ISClinical sent me a box of creams and things. The serum is making my scars fade and get softer and I love the body complex as well, ive decided that it smells happy!. One of the things you get with Hodgkin's is itching and it's not as bad as it used to be but it does still annoy me. Well we've found something for that as well and it works. It's called Sarna and my mums American friend gave it to me try and now I'm in love with it. It makes it all cold and tingly! I have a Lush bath and then I put Sarna on and it feels really nice.A few people have been busy nominating me for an award thing and they let us know that I've been shortlisted and we get to go to London for the night, as long as I'm well enough. What is really nice, is that Milly has been nominated too, for all her fundraising and charity things. But it is all down to the votes we get. So if you would like to vote for me and Milly, please do. I'm looking forward to the night but it feels a bit like school was when they picked two teams and you were terrified of been the last one picked. The link is www.inspirationawards.co.uk but I still don't know how to put a proper link on here. Will ask mum tomorrow. I'm in the second category and Milly is in the last one.I had three tweets today from people who have just signed up to be a BM donor. Hearing that makes me really happy, thank you and keep spreading the word and posting on Twitter and Facebook for me. I'll put pictures up when I'm home on my proper computer. I don't think I can do it on this.

#GET10

2011-09-07T01:55:00.000+01:00

It's either very late or quite early depending on how you look at it, but as I'm awake, I wanted to end the day with a message to all of my followers. This afternoon, I was busy tweeting and I was really shocked to find out that just 107 of a possible 650 MPs have taken up John Woodcock's challenge to #GET10, the campaign to recruit 10 fit, young men to the Anthony Nolan bone marrow registry.That means that, em a heck of a lot haven't signed to do it. So please tweet, email and Facebook YOUR MP, don't assume someone else will do it. There is a letter template here at http://www.anthonynolan.org/What-you-can-do/Grow-the-register/GET10/Contact-your-MP.aspx - please do this for me, it's really important! The link might not work, as I've had to nip back into Alder Hey and am using myipad, so I can't attach it the same way as normal.I realise that we all have busy lives - I had that too. But cancer doesn't stop for board meetings, lunches, dinner dates or shopping trips. It's there all the time and we've had to change our lives. But that doesn't bother me anymore because I've found out what's important and I've found a way to make a difference to lots and lots of people around the world. Spread the word and gather those donors up! I remember when we were looking for a donor for me for my second transplant, and mum kept visiting the supermarket looking for men and saying, "he's quite young and fit, I wonder if he's on the register?" and out would come the Anthony Nolan leaflet. Make a promise to ask someone new tomorrow and contact your MP.The truth is that someone, somewhere NEEDS YOU to try and save their live. Please repost / tweet and message ... we must make people aware.

Thanks Tesco :)

2011-09-01T14:12:00.000+01:00

Wow, guess what? Tesco have phoned my mum and I'm getting to choose a new phone and they are getting me connected again and I shouldn't be without a phone for too much longer. Thanks for all the tweets, i'm getting to be a big twitter fan, it's cool once you get used to it. So if you don't tweet yet, go and try it lol :)

Look no hair!

2011-08-31T20:35:00.000+01:00

It's actually look no hair for the 6th time and I was a bit upset at first, but I'm fine now. The reason it's dropping out is because I've been trying a new drug that will hopefully slow things down and give me longer - I'm aiming for Christmas partly because because it will be my 16th and partly so that I can write my Christmas list to santa. I didn't want to say anything about it until we knew if it was helping me in any way, but that's why i have gaps away from here. Anyway, I've been having it for about 6 weeks and it seems to be working at the moment but the downside is that I'm quite tired and also that my hair has fallen out. Mum has been busy ordering me some new bandanas because we gave all of mine away last year to some other girls on the ward as mine wasn't going to fall out again. Nice one mum!

I'm glad that I've now got a sim card for my iPad because my mobile phone still isn't working. Mum and Dad bought me a top up voucher for my new Nokia at the beginning of August and it didn't work and we went backward and forward in-between hospital stays and Tesco gave us another one and then another one. None of them worked and then the store said it was my phone and we had to call Tesco mobile and sort it out with them. So my mum rang them and spent ages on the phone and they said that it's not their fault and that it is the stores fault and that mum has to go back to the store. Mum said that she's been driving up and down to Tesco and it's 20 miles every time and that she wanted them to sort it as nothing was getting done and I have no phone and the woman said she'd put her through to another department and then they cut mum off! So I've had no phone for nearly a month and I can't get a different sim because it is stuck to them. So Tesco, if you're reading this, please sort my phone out for me.

This is my big surprise. I got out of hospital just in time to take Mabel for a photoshoot with Jason because guess what Mabel is going to be a Pet's at Home cover girl and go on the front of their new dog treat packets. So every time you go into Pet's at Home, Mabel will be hanging up on a packet somewhere in the store. And that's another reason I want to be here at Christmas lol. We had lots of fun having the photos taken and trying to get Mabel to sit still with her mouth just a little bit open and her tongue hanging out. That was my first day out of hospital and basically I've slept every day since that until today when I got up at lunch time to go shopping at Pet's at Home. I bought Mabel and Bess a new squashy bed.

Although I've been tired I do feel a lot better at the moment and I'm looking forward to doing a few more things but I still can't really get on a plane and go just anyway so it's lovely to get nice offers from away, and I'd especially love to do the Whale watching in Alaska but it's not going to happen and I did get a cool video sent to me. I might try to go to Scotland if Mum and Dad will take me because ages back, we did have a lovely email offering a whale boat trip and things in a seaside village. That would be quite nice I think :)

Right, I'm going to go to bed now I'm tired but I wanted to update you all and ask you to all keep spreading the bone marrow word ... spit spit spit!

Milly's GOSH Christmas Card

2011-08-22T10:12:00.001+01:00

Hello, I've had a much better weekend and although I'm still stuck in hospital, I hope to get out soon!
My little sister Milly did some drawings for Great Ormond Street a few years ago and in May, they asked Milly if it was okay to use them to create a new card. Her last Christmas card raised over £50,000 for GOSH, so I hope you'll all buy this one and support the hospital where she has been treated since birth. She loves her hospital and we really hope this gets them lots of money to help the kids there.
Please share the link that I'm going to put on the side somewhere - buying just one pack will really make a difference!
Oh and I'm also going to try and link to a video of Milly's Snowman card from a couple of years ago. It shows you why you should buy charity cards direct from the charity and not through a high street store!
Alice :)

Still here :)

2011-08-18T22:42:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, sorry it's been ages. I've not been well but I'm doing okay and there's no way I'm going anywhere yet! I'm not allowed to use the hospital wifi and it's been a bit boring so mum went out today and bought me a sim for my iPad and so yippee, I'm online.
It's a bit ago now but I had a night at Livingston Lodge safari park which was amazing - I left from hospital and came straight back here but it was really cool, we got to feed the giraffe really close up. Miranda and everyone at the Thistle made me feel very special too.
I was really cross on Monday when mum and me watched Granada news and they said that I had been admitted to hospital in a really sort of glum voice and made it sound really serious. Mum got loads of texts and emails from friends who thought that I was about to drop dead. We can't stand negative people. Mum said that they must have been short on news, but if they wanted to do something about me, they should have picked up on my Emma Bridegwater story which was nice and positive. Liberty of London are now selling my mug and so are Murrays in Barrow (mum says thank you Helen), and you can still get it online at Emma Bridgewater.
I have just seen a lovely message from Priya but I really can't travel anywhere which is sad but just life, but thank you anyway. I would have loved that. And I do remember you, the nice security man from when I met Take That. There's been so many nice people, I wish I could remember all the names.
And I'm sorry I can't post photos, we are still trying to do it securely. It's sad that a few feel that they have the right to pinch photos and then pretend to be me, but that's what happened on Facebook at the beginning and because of them we have to be careful.
Okay, I'm going but I will be back. Tomorrow is Milly's birthday so we're having a party lunch on the ward :)

RAISING AWARENESS ...

2011-07-30T16:23:00.000+01:00

Abigail Breslin, Cassidy Reiff and their band 'CABB' wrote and recorded this for me -

I must learn to shut my mouth!

2011-07-28T21:17:00.000+01:00

I said that I had a quiet week ahead in my last post lol. Well, it turned into a mad week back in Alder Hey. I had got more and more puffy through the week and they called me to say that my scan showed loads of fluid around my lungs. I guess that was why I couldn't breathe! Anyway, they got over 2 litres of fluid out of me in theatre and I feel almost new again. So my quiet week didn't happen and we've had visitors all day every day since I got back so I'm still waiting for my chill week.

I got back to lots of nice post, including some from two very special people DF and JI ... it was so lovely to hear from you both and Mum is figuring out how I can send mail back to you. I also had a video sent from Abigail Breslin and Cassidy Reiff who have written and recorded a song for me, to be used to promote bone marrow awareness in the States and worldwide. It's so awesome - I'm hoping that we'll figure out how to put a link on here but don't hold your breath, you know we're useless at anything technical. I also had a lovely package from Beads of Courage. They've sent me a load of beads, each symbolising a different treatment or procedure through my journey and I'm hoping to take them away to do next week.

On Monday we are going to stay in a caravan (thank you to Heather and family) and I'm really looking forward to that as no one will know where we are and we can just stay in our jim jams and do nothing all day lol. I'm off for a really nice treat day at the Lakeside Hotel with Milly and Mum on Wednesday and then we're back to Alder Hey, before heading on to London. So it's busy, busy again but in a fun way. Liberty is going to be stocking my Emma Bridgewater mug and I'm so excited about that, it's a really big thing, so I'm hoping to pop into the store and have a gawp at all the lovely things. My mum takes Milly in there when Milly is at GOSH, but I've never been. If I'm up to it, I would like to go and see Shrek one of the nights and I also need (need not want) to go and look in the pet department at Harrods because I just love the stuff they have - it's really expensive but it's just so amazing. Then on the Sunday, I'm going on safari in Kent lol ... I always wanted to go to Kenya and I know that's not going to happen so this is Kenya recreated in Kent and I'm really, really excited about it.

The most exciting thing that's happened is that when I got back from hospital, Jason from Pets at Home came to visit me and I got two geckos. They are so, so cute although my mum said they're ugly! The bigger one is called Humphrey and the teeny one is called Wally, because we keep having to look really hard for him. When I was going into theatre last week, Mum was trying to distract me with 'Where's Wally' (the book) and the anaesthetist then said he had an app on his iPhone, so I had the Wally bit in my head lol.

If you can, email me a photo of you with your mug - the furthest one has gone to Sydney at the moment. I know that there's a million other things I should be writing, but because I'm so far behind, I can't remember what they are lol. So i'll post this and then I can just add the other bits when I think what they are!

Love Alice x

Another gap!

2011-07-18T00:43:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry that I haven't updated for a bit. I've had such a mad week and it left me feeling a bit worn out.
I had a scan at the hospital on Tuesday and it was a nightmare because you're expected to lay flat for ages and I couldn't manage to without coughing and that messed the image so they had to start it all over again. So because the scan took hours, we missed our train to London and then we were all really stressed. We shouldn't have been because the Virgin staff at Liverpool were really nice and gave us first class tickets and I just snoozed!
We didn't arrive at our hotel until quite late and we were just all so tired but, as usual, I couldn't sleep. I couldn't believe how noisy it was, I'm used to hearing nothing at night and just the cows in the morning - it was sirens all night in London.
In the morning, I got up late (but was still tired) and then we were picked up to go to meet John Woodcock who is our local MP here at home. We went to the House of Commons firstbto meet Ed Miliband. He must have thought I was a right numpty. I was dead nervous and struggled to open my mouth doh. Thankfully, by the time we went over to Downing Street, I felt a bit better and wasn't quite as nervous, plus the PM joked with me about sharks and that made things easier. I think that the day achieved a lot for Anthony Nolan and the NHS BM services, let's hope. Downing Street was amazing and I loved looking at the Prime Ministers portraits hanging all the way up the stairs. I had a few photos with the PM and we had some photos at the front with our MP although Dad joked that we looked like the Royle family (we are a bit mad)!
We went straight from Downing Street over to Chiswick to a film set where we'd been invited by a lady called Malina (I might have spelt that wrong)! The director and the producer were there (Ol and Pete) and they made us feel so welcome, Milly was in her element with headphones and a directors chair lol! I met Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine who were so nice to me. Unfortunately I was feeling so tired from the day that we didn't get to see the Snow Angel's scene, but it was still so amazing. Hopefully, if I can pick up a bit, they've said I can go back which I'd love.
After London, we had to be back in Liverpool for Thursday morning. I spent all of Thursday and Friday in Alder Hey and it was stressful because they couldn't find a vein to get a cannula in. There's always a problem because I live over 100 miles away and I'm "out of area". Really, they'd just like me to use our "local" children's hospice, which isn't local, it's over an hour away. But then they wouldn't need to bother with me although the nurses are really nice at Alder Hey and I do love lots of the other people there. My mum is determined to make things better for other kids and their families in the future, it's not fair that kids like me miss out purely because we live in the wrong place.
I've had a quiet weekend doing not very much and I haven't got anything planned this coming week, which is nice for a change! I'm hoping our 'Alice' mugs arrive tomorrow! Hope you have a nice week x

Leaving ...

2011-07-12T10:32:00.000+01:00

Well, mum is running around shouting like a mad thing so I guess that means we're leaving soon! I've got to go to Liverpool first, and then I think we're getting on a train at tea time to go from there to London.
I'm not really nervous about tomorrow's meeting with the PM, I'm just worried about getting there and it happening lol. Mabel has gone to my Nan & Grandad for a few days and I'll miss her, although she probably won't miss me cos she loves being there, it's like a holiday camp for dogs!
Then, on Thursday I've got be back at Alder Hey again, but hopefully home on Friday so that's not too bad. Okay, I've got to go cos mum is getting stressy! I won't be able to update my blog for a few days because I don't have a sim card for this yet, but I'll update at the weekend :)

Oops

2011-07-10T04:07:00.000+01:00

Another oops - I can't figure out how to put the link to my mug on, so I'll have to get mum to do it tomorrow. I should have known it would go wrong. Sorry!
Well, I had another surprise tonight and I went to the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal and they put us in a gorgeous private cinema room with squashy sofas and coffee tables. Then, they started the film and suddenly, there was Tracey Jackson who wrote the film 'Confessions of a shopaholic' talking to me! She was really nice and quite funny too and she has sent me a huge signed poster and a flip camera I'm so excited about. I did some animation when I was in hospital and they told me about these flip cams so watch out, I'll be making a film next. The film was fab and it was so nice to be chilling on a sofa with Sammi, plus popcorn and drinks of course! Thank you to Tracey and to everyone at the Brewery Arts.
I'm not too good at the moment and so we've had to decide against the trip to Alton Towers next week. I don't think I'd enjoy it and it seems a waste just to go for the sake of it. Hopefully, they'll be another chance.
Mabel has been very naughty again and eaten yet another flip flop (green this time). It's almost funny, because mum shouts at her but you can tell she's not really serious. I know that she has a big soft spot for Mabel and Mabel gets away with murder! Bessie isn't quick enough, she always gets caught!
Hope you're all having a nice weekend,
Alice x

My Emma Bridgewater mug ...

2011-07-09T02:12:00.004+01:00

A few people have asked how to find my mug, so here is a link which should take you straight there - www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/specials/alices-12-pint-mug

A bit of a delay

2011-07-08T01:03:00.000+01:00

Sorry I've taken ages to update. We had a THHN break last weekend and it was really nice to be away. The sun stayed out most of the time and we had lovely lunches at the Cliffs Railway cafe and at Angels. I love being by the sea, especially when the sun is smiling! I've been a bit tired this week and haven't got much done really. Today I was back at Alder Hey again - my line is still playing up and I feel really ill every time they flush it, so I'm hoping that it gets sorted.
This weekend, there is a surprise arranged for me but I don't know what yet. Knowing mum, we'll be jumping out of a plane or something! Then, on Monday, I get to go and stay in the chocolate room at Alton Towers, with all my friends, which I can't wait for. On Wednesday, I'm going to London to meet the Prime Minister which I'm really nervous about. I know what I want to achieve, but I'm not sure that it will come out right. Perhaps I'll write it down and just smile and hand it over lol.
Im still having lots and lots of fun with my new iPad. It is so amazing and I keep finding more things to do with it. And I've found lots of new games and apps. I really like camera+ which Annabel told us about.
Okay, tired and yawning so I'm going to go. I do manage to sleep better now. I think it's a mix of all your ideas - vicks on feet, lavender oil, lemon water, oh and sleepy tablets lol.

Happy smiley day :)

2011-07-02T00:46:00.000+01:00

Today was a good day :)
I actually managed to sleep a bit last night, so that meant I felt better today!
About 10 years ago, a photographer called Annabel Williams took some lovely photographs of our family. Me and Milly look dead cute in them :) Well, just after my blog became big, Annabel contacted mum and offered to do some up to date family photos for us and today was the day. We did some photos in the house, some in the field and then we went down to the beach with the dogs for more. I was quite tired by the end, but I'm really excited to see the results, especially the ones with Mabel in. Thank you to Annabel :)
Then tonight, after I'd had a good snooze, Clarissa popped to see me and I showed her how to tweet - that was funny because just a week ago, I didn't know what I was doing! Now I've just got to get Sammi and Megs on Twitter.
I have lots of things arranged in the next few weeks - we're hoping to visit some friends in the south, I'm off to stay in the chocolate room at Alton Towers and I'm going to be meeting the Prime Minister to discuss bone marrow registry.
Oh and Mr whatshisface didn't get to me, I'm made of much stronger stuff!
Night, night .... keep spreading the words BONE MARROW REGISTRY x

Mr John Smith ...

2011-07-01T23:08:00.000+01:00

Mr John Smith from the US who posted a message on 30 June ...

Your blog comment is ignorant ... I've pasted extracts below. Has it occurred to you that we have both researched and tried several alternatives. That may be something to do with why I'm still here FOUR YEARS after being diagnosed! I'm confused, do we not all die eventually? As for wasting a huge amount of time, I've spent four years fighting this - now I am resigned to nothing other than filling every day with magical moments ...

"you seem resigned to death and wasting all your time and blogs and lists. i really think you and your mother should be researching alternative cancer cures instead of wasting all this huge amount of time on collecting randoms people sympathies and trying to become famous"

BLAH DE BLAH DE BLAH .... (several hours later) ...

"might be best if you invested some of your time in doing your own research as unfortunately free things are seldom appreciated and often resented. up to you. adieus.i won't be posting again as i don't believe in mollycoddling and if you can't be bothered then why should i?"

At least we can all thank our lucky stars that you won't be posting again. Please don't, you're not welcome on my happy pages ... saddo :P

Normal update to follow for the happy people :)

Can't sleep ... again

2011-06-29T02:46:00.002+01:00

Another night exactly like every other :(
Although I cough all day, the second I try to get some sleep, it starts off big style. Mum is laying on her air mattress pretending she doesn't mind being awake. We've been to the doctor today and I now have a variety of things that are going to calm the coughing and knock me out ... except they're not working and we're all awake.
I've got to be up early to go down to hospital so that'll be great. A million weeks after mum mentioned my line splitting, they are going to do something with it.
Last night I had a great time at my local cinema, the Apollo in Barrow. They'd arranged it as a surprise for me and I even got to go in a limo! Along with Team Alice, I watched "The Bucket List". I didn't cry, but I caught a few out lol. Small town, big heart!
Then tonight, I went with Milly, Clarissa, Sammi and Megs for a girly photo shoot at Kells Studio in Barrow - that was fan dab and Dawn managed to make me look quite good too (I usually look half asleep and I never wear make up). Mabel managed to crawl her way into some of the photos so they will be special. We had so much fun!
More big news is that my mug is available to order on the Emma Bridgewater website ... so if you want one, hurray!
Got to go because I'm coughing so much that this is taking me hours to type.

Oops

2011-06-26T13:08:00.003+01:00

I'm sorry that some of you can't find me on Twitter. I promise I'm there, just look for @Alice_Pyne and you should find me. I actually quite like twittering and as I had to close my Facebook account, it means a lot.
I've been getting loads and loads of emails and messages about my mug and I'm a bit worried if there'll be enough for everyone. The mug should be on in about 2 weeks time, that's all I know. They're supporting the THHN, a great charity that is very close to my heart
I will get the original - the very first stamped by me, next week. Tempted to say I'll auction it to raise even more for charity, but I know my mum will use it forever so maybe not LOL!
Tomorrow, I'm having my very own cinema screening at the Apollo in Barrow so I best get my invites out as I've only managed to tell a couple of people. Oops!

Mug heaven

2011-06-25T00:21:00.000+01:00

There was a point when I thought we were never going to get there, but after 3 1/2 hours and three major hold ups, we got to the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke. I have been so excited about today, because we've collected Bridgewater pottery for years and to have my own design in production is unbelievable. The mug will be available on the Bridgewater website in around 2 weeks time, supporting the THHN. Stock will be limited and all will bear my signature x
Tired now, bed time, night night x

Doodle jump and Angry Birds ...

2011-06-22T23:00:00.002+01:00

Oh wow, I am having so much fun with this ipad I can't believe it. I have started buying some of the games (oops mum will be reading and it's her itunes account) and I'm getting quite hooked on Angry Birds. Every time I almost get it but not quite and then I just have to have another go! I'm not that good at Doodle Jump yet, it's taken me ages to figure out that the thing jumps off the side but comes back on again. I keep missing it and die, more practise needed.
I'm also having so much fun using all the camera bits and I keep getting unsuspecting people to pose for me, which makes it even funnier because they don't know ;)
Today wasn't my best day :( I can't get to sleep at night and then by morning I'm so tired that I could sleep all day. So I didn't even get up until 2 today, how bad is that. But once I was up I went to see my neighbour Adrian (he bought me my ipad) at his work and I wandered around and said hello to all the staff there. I even got David to play Doodle Jump but he was about as good as my mum which is not good lol. Then we went for a drive around and went out for some tea because mum hasn't been shopping for about a year.
Tomorrow is the first of my massage and treat days and I can't wait for that. My skin is all dry and a bit of a mess really so I hope that I feel a bit nicer afterwards. Mum is going with me and I think she is planning to sleep in the waiting room for an hour lol.
Please don't forget to keep asking everyone you know to go and join the bone marrow register in your country. Somewhere out there, is a young lad in his 20s who, a year ago, was told he was a match for a child in the UK. Whoever you are, thank you for been willing to save me x

ipad heaven

2011-06-21T20:19:00.001+01:00

Oh wow I am in ipad heaven, I love it! My mum does too but not for the reason you will think, you'll laugh. I can't sleep at night and usually mum or dad end up staying up all night to keep me company but last night I had my ipad to play with. I watched a film on it and then I played games on it and then I checked my twitter on it, and then I played with the camera thing that makes your face look all weird lol. My nan bought me a itunes voucher so I'm going to buy some more games and films with it. Any ipad app suggestions you think I should try?

My mum is trying to protect some of my photos for me and then we'll put a few up on here because I really want to share some of them with you, especially my dad in a pink hummer lol.

I have a really huge thing happening on Friday and I'm so excited about it. I'm going to the Emma Bridgewater factory to design my mug and I can't wait. I have my idea and I'll have to see if they like it and if it will work on a mug. My mum is dead funny because she said, right that's everyones xmas pressie got lol. I don't think she's joking.
On a serious note, some sick person has managed to hack into the Post Pals site again, only this time they're changing the pages and content. Sadly, the site has had to be taken offline for a bit while they sort this. Would you please follow 'Post Pals' securely on facebook and use the secure donation link to the left to donate directly (without going near the Post Pal site). I can't believe anyone would want to take from such poorly innocent children, please don't let them win.

It just gets better

2011-06-21T01:26:00.000+01:00

Wow, what an incredible day. Today was amazing, I got to fly in a private plane from home all the way up to Scotland which I thought would be scary but it was so much fun. It was a really nice sunny day and the views were incredible as we were flying quite low. I got to sit in the front seat and my dad had to go in the back with our friend Phil. It was quite funny looking at them back there. I felt like a real celeb lol.

When we landed, a pink hummer was waiting to take us to the Deep Sea World and it was so pink that I thought my dad was going to die of embarrassment. Inside it was a bottle of pink bubbly and I got my glass and sat back to enjoy the ride, waving and singing as I went like a 10 year old ha, ha.

The Deep Sea World people were waiting for me and I felt dead important again because there were loads of them all lined up to welcome me. We went in and through the shark tunnel which was really long and then she said right, shall we get you ready? I didn't have time to worry and I got into a nice warm drysuit and before I knew it we were ready to get in. We had to walk through a little pool before we got in and I couldn't stand up properly and they had to put extra weights on me, I was like a telly tubby, I couldn't stop laughing. Then they helped me with my mask and snorkle and we walked through and got onto the platform in the big tank ... scary! I smiled every time a shark came past me and the biggest shark was 3 metres long - she was called Tinkerbelle which was funny. I couldn't stop smiling but every time I smiled, the water kept leaking in. I was in there for quite a long time and it was another of my best days ever. I am so glad I did it as last night I was worried and I didn't know if I'd do it.

After the shark tank, I got to train the seals which was really funny. I got kissed by one yuck and I played ball with them, but they weren't as good as Mabel at bringing it back. I got to hold a Bearded Dragon and I loved that because I wanted mum to buy me one but she wouldn't. A little corn snake needed a name and they said I could choose, so I called it Sam because it looked like a Sam!

We had such a great time but the time went really quickly and we were saying goodbye too quickly but then there was a huge fire engine outside with lights, music, bubbles and smoke! They gave me a cowboy hat to wear and we all got a lift back to the airport in our fire engine. It was so funny watching Dad and Phil in there. We flew back home over the Lake District and I spotted lots of places I knew along the way, including my sister's school. I was quite sad to say goodbye to Gordon and we watched him take off again before we got back in my mums car. I wish that today was starting again.

I slept lots when I got back home because I was shattered, but then my next door neighbour Adrian arrived and he had a little something for me ... an iPad and a purple cover. Wowie wow wow I am so excited I can't believe it. I have just finished charging it so I am going to explore now. Next time that I post or tweet, it will be from my iPad. Night, night x

Happy Post :)

2011-06-19T20:31:00.000+01:00

This is my happy post! Yesterday I had another best day. I had my very own dog show and Mabel did really well and we won loads of rosettes and I didn't stop smiling all day. Loads of doggy people came along and Mabel loved playing with all the other dogs and her best friend from puppy classes came along, she's called Molly and they were so pleased to see each other. The judge was so nice as well and she has had a battle of her own and so I think she knew what it's like. My sister had to show Bess who is our old black labrador and Bess only uses three legs, even though she has four, so we all laughed at poor Milly. Simon and Cathy who own the kennels were so lovely and the sun even came out and we just all had such a nice day. Mabel won the best puppy in show and she was very proud of herself but then she won the best dog in show and I did wonder a bit.
We were raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, Anthony Nolan Trust and for Cancer Bio Dogs who train dogs to sniff for cancerous changes in our wee which is a bit yucky but amazing. The lady who came from Cancer Bio Dogs asked if they can call their next puppy Alice, after me. So Alice will be around for years helping save lives.
I haven't worked out how to load more photos onto here yet, I think I can only have one in a box but I'll have a think and then I'll ask mum lol.
And tomorrow, i think I'll have jaw ache because I'm going in a private plane which feels dead posh and I'm flying up to Scotland and I'm going to go and jump in with some sharks. I've wanted to do this for ages and ages and now that I am, I'm a bit nervous. Well a lot nervous but I hope that I still do it. My dad is going with me so I'll make sure we take lots of photos and when I work out how to do the Mabel ones I'll do a shark one as well.
Emma Bridgewater are going to let me go down to their real place and design a mug of my own which I can't wait to do but I think they'll need lots because my mum will want to buy them all. I'm excited for that and I have a design idea already.
I'm going to go and snuggle up and watch Desperate Housewives now which is my favourite program. Thank you for following me and thank you for your nice messages, have you joined the register yet? lol

:(

2011-06-19T19:47:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it! My mum just told me that some piece of poo has hacked into the Post Pal site and managed to put a PAYPAL button on there and is enjoying spending your donation to them. Post Pals are one of the charities that have supported me from the start of my journey and I was desperate to help as a little bit of money goes a long way for them. It's horrible that someone thinks it's okay to take money because some of the children are really ill and it's sad that they may miss a smile because of this. My mum is taking the link off here for a bit because we don't want to add to their problems but please don't let the piece of poo win. Why don't you pick a child and send them something direct and that way no one can spoil it.

I'm going to post this and then do another one about my dog show because it feels wrong to do it in this post where it's a bit sad.

WARNING to the low lives

2011-06-15T10:34:00.000+01:00

With regard to all the not so lovely 'anon' comments been left, particularly the one asking if the bitch had died yet - you are only 'anon' on this blog, you are not invincible and you ARE traceable. We will find and prosecute every single one of you. I haven't stood by Alice for four years to be affected by a bunch of (can't say what I'd like to on here). And to 'Ed Harding' and 'Scott' ... if you continue to advertise your seedy businesses in Alice's guest book, I swear to God I will reveal your personal details and get Alice to do the same on her Twitter. Don't underestimate me ... I'm a mother.

Vicky Pyne, 1024 hrs GMT

This should be a happy post ... but

2011-06-14T18:39:00.000+01:00

This should be a happy post because I had the best day of my life on Sunday, but it isn't because we're all upset that so many people are pretending to be either me or mum on facebook. We only have the Alice Pyne Bone Marrow pages (which you can see were started a year ago) and then just ONE general facebook page relating to me and that is ALICE PYNE - please 'LIKE' this page and report ANY others. It is making my mum really upset and I wish these idiots would stop it as we were going to go to the beach for a walk and now we can't because mum is trying to stop the groups getting bigger. I hope that they are proud of themselves for spoiling my day.

On Sunday morning my sister Milly did her Race for Life in Barrow and raised over £30,000 for Cancer Research UK which is amazing. Thank you to everyone who donated through my link, it was so exciting for us to keep watching the amount change.

I can't make myself sound happy now because I'm not but Sunday WAS the happiest day of my life EVER and I had a really good evening in Manchester. I felt dead important because we got to drive right up to the front and everyone knew who I was and they just let us walk right threw. We had a drink in a little private bar and then we went into see all the boys in their chill out lounge which was cool. I'm not going to discuss what we talked about, but they are the best and I know my mum will love them forever for what they did for me. After I'd met them we went up to a box which was huge and had a dining area and a lounge area and a huge balcony. I have never ever felt as important in my whole life and the whole of our balcony cried when they dedicated a song to me and Milly. If they read this, thank you for making one of my dreams come true. I have a lovely photo to post, but because my photos are getting stolen, I don't want to, I'm too worried.

Will everyone else please help me to close down the groups made that are pretending to be me or mum?

The night before ...

2011-06-11T23:03:00.001+01:00

Usually we say it's the night before when I've got a scan coming up. But tonight is a nice night before because tomorrow is a big, big day. My sister is running the race for life with Mum in the morning and Mabel is even doing it with them. Well Milly might run but I think Mum only does one pace. Milly has nearly got £30,000 in sponsorship which is amazing and I'm going to stay up and twitter when it gets there, so please help me. I'm slowly getting the hang of twitter :)

We were out on a little drive today and someone sent a text to my dad to say that UKHD
I went into town today because Pet's at Home in Barrow wanted to give me a lovely new lead and collar for Mabel. Thank you, Mabel loves it x

I'm going to be having my hair cut in the morning by Helen, one of my mums friends and that will be exciting because I haven't had a haircut for almost 4 years. I had lots of other offers but I'm very happy to have Helen and it would be a long way for someone else to come just for my hair. I'll post a piccy as soon as I can. Then, when Mum and Milly get back, is the mega exciting bit and I get to go to Manchester for the Take That concert. Normally I only go down the motorway for hospital so I'm going to make sure I enjoy every single minute of it. Mum's got our Take That CD on in the car to practise but she's really bad and keeps getting the words wrong. I didn't find an outfit which isn't surprising cos I'm difficult to dress, so I'm going to pinch something from Milly's wardrobe. I'll get mum to post a photo when we get back in.

I can't tell everything yet, but I'm going to be holding my very own charity dog show next Saturday, near to where I live in Ulverston. I hope that lots of dogs come along to make friends with Mabel.

That was a big update wasn't it. Keep clicking on my links and don't forget to write to a Post Pal.

OH WOW

2011-06-10T01:37:00.002+01:00

OH WOW OH WOW OH WOW it's the middle of the night and we just hit £10,000 for CANCER RESEARCH by you sponsoring my little sister for her run this weekend. We can't go to bed because we're hooked on reading all the messages. I feel so good that with your help we are getting more people on the bone marrow donor list AND now we're putting money into supporting cancer research. Happy happy happy :)
Click here for Milly's Page and although I still can't tweet I now have a twitter account. You can tweet me at Alice_Pyne and tell me how to do it.

It's manic

2011-06-09T13:46:00.000+01:00

I know I said this yesterday, but I can't believe that so many people have taken an interest in my blog. They even mentioned me on This Morning and one thing that was said was what about other sick kids? I agree, there are lots of other kids like me and I thought that the best thing I could do is link to my favourite site for making poorly kids smile. Just click the Post Pal link and it will take you there and you can write and send happy post to lots of other kids with cancer and other serious illnesses.

I said that I didn't want any donations because I have most of the things I need, but if anyone wants to donate to something close to my heart, they can support my sister who is running the Race for Life for me this Sunday. I've put a link to her page but this isn't a begging thing, it's just there for those who want to. I've also put links to the Bone Marrow registers and to another great charity called FAN.

Now for my mega exciting news :))

I'm off to see Take That this weekend, can you believe it? I am so excited and really can't wait, I just hope that I don't get ill or something daft. I've lived in PJs for about a year so mum is going to town to buy some things to bring back for me to try. She'll bring loads but I'll no doubt end up wearing leggings and a shirt :)

We've had lots of people helping us to sort through all of the email and everyone who has emailed will hopefully get a reply from us. I had lots of lovely people offer to help me get an iPad but close family friends have ordered one for me now, so I'll soon be blogging from that. I'll get my mum to post a picture of me on it :) It also looks like the other things I wished to do are being organised so thank you to everyone for that. I feel a very lucky girl.

I'm off into the Lakes with Mum and Mabel now, for a little wander.

Alice x

PS Anyone got hints for tweeting because we don't know what we're doing LOL

Oh dear!

2011-06-08T14:25:00.000+01:00

Oh dear and I thought that I was just doing a little blog for a few friends! Thank you so much for all your lovely messages to me. I don't sleep very well and I sat up all night reading them as they came in from all over the planet, every single one, and they have made me smile so much so that is a good thing.

There isn't a Paypal or Donate button on here, because I didn't mean for this to be such a big thing. It was just so that I could write on here and do the things I wanted to do and my friends could read about it them, which I'm still going to do. It's nice you're all here too but I really don't want any money giving and we've actually been offered so many wonderful experiences that I've definitely got a lot of exciting days ahead. My mum was trying to reply to everyone and it all got a bit mad and now we have a little team of friends helping us out so that we can get back to everyone.

I'm excited about the things I am going to be doing, but the biggest thing has to be all the people who are joining bone marrow donation schemes because of me. I read on someones post that it is really painful. Well, mostly bone marrow is taken as cells via a needle and I have had it done. I was 13 when I had my first transplant and because they used my own cells, I had to have them taken out (they call it harvested) and then stored and put back in some months later after more chemo. I'm not just saying this, but it really didn't hurt at all. I had a tiny bruise from the needles and that was about it. I was a bit tired too but I'm always tired so that may not have been the cells.

So, I was never begging and I don't need any money but I do love to get your messages and I hope you'll follow my blog and keep leaving me a message. I will take a camera with me wherever I go and I'll post photos of everything I do. In return, you can keep asking everyone you bump into to join the bone marrow donation schemes in your country.

Hello :)

2011-06-06T10:46:00.000+01:00

Hello :)

It's a bit funny me doing a blog because mum has always done these sort of things and I've never really being interested before.

Most of you know that my scan at Alder Hey wasn't very good and that the cancer is now spreading through my body. It's a pain because there's so much stuff that I still want to do. I guess that my particular cancer is made of strong stuff (which is hard because I know I gave it my all and I'm strong and determined too).

Anyway, mum always tells me that life is what we make of it and so I'm going to make the best of what I have and because there were so many things I still wanted to do, mum suggested that I turn my ideas into a bucket list. I've not quite finished it yet, as I keep remembering other bits, so I might add things to is as I go along.

I'm not expecting to do everything on it. Some of the things are just not going to happen because I can't even leave the country now (I'm too much of a risk), but they're on there, because they were on my 'to do' list at some point. So, I thought it would be fun to have my list online and to tick things off and do a little update on everything I do :) If anyone has suggestions, please let mum or dad know because they don't know how to do all of it yet. They're working on it!

There was a break there because I can't figure out how to add a list. I think I'm going to have to ask mum to do it because she can do anything. I'll press the post button and then I'll try and post the list through the day.