You are visitor number

28 July 2011

I must learn to shut my mouth!

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

57 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have got a lovely week planned, I would love to go to Harrod's pet department although I think my credit card might take a bashing! I have a labrador like you - although mine is a black boy. He would like to know if Mabel has a girlfriend!

    It is my birthday on Saturday and finally my mum will let me have your mug she bought me - I am desperate to have it! I will send you a photo although I'm only in Cornwall not far away!

    Enjoy your caravan

    Love Sarah & Nero Labrador xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad to hear you are feeling new! :D

    A safari? That sounds awesome! And Geckos are great! I used to have two lovely ones, a girl and a boy! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Alice!!! Glad to have news from you.
    I hope you all have a great time next week :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Girl you are in my prayers, you are so amazing and positive. Much love and God bless you.

    In Christ,

    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't know you but I wish you the best. Hugs and good toughts..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad to know you feel better Alice. I know you'll have loads of fun! Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are so busy, have a great time at your safari, and playing with your geckos.

    I am glad to hear you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had to google Gecko to see what one really looked like, I am on your mums side on that one! They are so ugly they are cute! Me and my 2 labs Cleo and Jovi wish you all the best and love in the world- your blog- well, dont put yourself out too much- we understand if you forget something or miss a few days! Its quite a responsibility I am sure to keep updating it. We love to hear about you, even when you arent feeling well. But dont feel obligated if you do not feel well, okay? hugs and love, and I cannot wait to get my mug!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Goodness me, but your life is filled to overflowing. I am old enough to remember when Harrods had a zoo - fortunately now no longer - take a look at this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14240681 Bet it makes your eyes moisten (Watch the clip of the two re-meeting their lion again after some months). Have a wonderful week.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alice i wish you all good.....nice to hear from you ..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Alice, geckos are nice, here in Gran Canaria are a lot of that kind living free, my kids used to get them and put them in boxes in their rooms. If you could manage to go to Tenerife, there is a great park "Loro parque" http://www.loroparque.com/ where you can walk under an aquarium with sharks and there is a killer whale show too.
    All the best
    Carina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought that these blog would not be so informative, but after reading the blog i can say

      it was really informative.

      Resident Evil Jacket

      Delete
  12. Hi Alice

    Good to know you are well. I'm sure you will enjoy your safari in Kent. The Geckos sound fun.

    All my best wishes
    Nigel

    ReplyDelete
  13. So happy to hear you are feeling renewed. The last time I was in Harrod's Pet Department (20 yrs ago) a cockatoo snuggled up to me and nibbled my fingertips lovingly and got closer and closer - then bit HARD refusing to let go. Stupid ME!! So don't get sucked in by their beauty and charm. Hope the caravan hol is brill for all of you My happiest hols were in caravans in the west of Ireland.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Alice, I saw the video because Abigail Breslin retweeted it, I thought it was just great ! I'm glad you're doing such amazings things, like a safari, you must be so happy !
    Take care of your geckos, I wish you a great day :)
    Verena (from France)

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun week you have planned,i enjoy reading your posts,so glad you are feeling better.
    Geckos are great and very interesting lizards!!
    Have fun:)
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm glad you feel almost new again...let's just hope that it doesn't get any worse! Ok, that wasn't very positive, I'll try to be more positive from now on!!! I hope you stay feeling better! Say hi to Mabel for me and tell her I think she's a perfect pooch to you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Alice,

    So nice to read your update. I am so glad you are feeling better. You have so many fun things in store. I know you are excited.

    Love and hugs,
    Aly in SC, USA

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have loved reading your blog and seeing how strong you are. God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yeah, Kenya is really beautiful like a lot of the places down there.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm right that you can, with God help, to be, continued your life for many and many years more yet. Do not give up. Big's God.
    Good weekend
    Sgt OSMIR
    BRAZIL

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Alice,
    I will pray for you never stop believing. I also have several blogs that you may find fun and I would love for you to comment or send me a personal message and I will post it on my blogs. Today is Inspirational Friday at www.chatmemore.com and I am going to post your link because you are an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great to hear (or should that be "read"?) you sounding so chipper! Not surprising with all the great and positive things going on around you and for you. Your positive manner invites us all to join in. I know people have said it already, but I have to echo them: you are inspirational, and your blog is a pleasure - all power to you!! I hope you received our little parcel of goodies from our school in Alicante, in Spain?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey Alice,

    Great to hear from you & I'm glad you're feeling like new! Geckos, eh? Two new additions to the family :-)I hope the weather stays good for your caravan trip. x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Alice!

    Sorry to hear that you didn't get your quiet week, but it sounds like a lot of exciting things are happening. The safari should be a lot of fun, as well as the caravan!

    As always, stay positive and good luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete
  25. good to hear your cheery news. hope getting the fluid off wasn't too bad. x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Alice,

    My name is Dennis Deruelle and I am a Doctor here in Florida, USA. My family and I were about to leave on an 8 day RV trip when my wife found your blog. We were both so moved by your poise and everything you had on your blog. I wrote a song to thank you for the perspective you gave me on how valuable my time with my family was. I told all the children in our family about you and they agreed to sing the song with me. Please keep in mind this was done in one take on our computer while I sang and my children and their cousins did back up, but I hope you enjoy it. I am sending it in a version that you should be able to download. If you cannot, please let me know and I will mail you an actual CD. I am sending a copy of the lyrics as well.

    When I was on these trips I found myself stopping to take another look of the ocean, or a waterfall, so I could make the view last in my mind. I did this because of your beautiful blog and your comments on how precious your time with your family is now. I know there was a time in your life when you looked at many views and didn't think about how long that memory would have to last. When I got home I wrote this song for you, and you can share it with anyone or nobody at all. It is a gift for you for helping me appreciate my life. I hope it also inspires you to keep chasing all the dreams on your list and sharing them with us all. You are a beautiful and special person and as my song says, "please keep spreading your beauty and grace! We are all cheering for you!" And we are -

    Love,

    Dennis Deruelle, MD and family

    * We sent the song to your aol account :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. the Q word and medical things don't go together.
    It's good to hear you are feeling better after what sounds like a intercostal drain of fluid.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice to see you posting Alice. Sounds like you have a lot coming up and glad you are feeling better. I will be sure and send you a photo of me with my 2 mugs!
    Have fun this week. Take care.
    xxxooo Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  29. Enjoy your caravan!
    I´m from Czech republic, but your blog is so positive I have to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sounds like a busy week! We just got a gecko too! His name is Gigo and he's a sweet little baby leopard gecko. Have fun on your safari! Hope that you find a way to put that link on there.
    Sara in Texas.

    ReplyDelete
  31. God Bless you Alice! We are praying for u!

    ReplyDelete
  32. A dear friend of mine is a glass artist who makes beads for the Beads of Courage program. I'm so happy to hear you received some. They really are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Sweetie! I live in the United States (Midwest---IL to be exact). I ordered and received two of your mugs to give as gift. They turned out fantastic, Alice. Do you happen to know how many have been sold to date? Enjoy your upcoming "jim jam" day.
    Gentle Hugs from IL!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Alice! This is my first post here. I just wanted to let you know that I purchased one of your mugs from Emma Bridgewater yesterday :D I can't wait to receive it and display it here in Tampa, Florida. You're a very inspirational young lady and I really enjoy reading your posts. XOXOXOX

    ReplyDelete
  35. Am glad they were able to take away the fluid! Have a ball at the caravan... I used to be scared of caravans, but I had a lovely holiday in France in one with my husband and kids! How lovely of Abigail Bresslin to make that song and video. !

    ReplyDelete
  36. Portugues (brasil)

    algumas palavras sao como a brisa do vento que passa ,, e ainda que nos alegre por algum tempo, elas passam ..
    mais algumas,, sao verdadeiras .. e tem poder para transformar ..
    nao é por acaso que estou escrevendo aqui,, se acreditar voçe vai entender , e se ter fé voçe vai viver .
    Meu nome é ronan, moro no brasil e tenho 22 anos ..
    e pelo nome do filho de Deus, Jesus Crito ,, eu te digo , nao temas, mais crê de todo seu coraçao ,, voçe nao vai morrer de cançer .. voçe vivera para realizar seus sonhos ,, e isso que agora em trevas voçe tem aprendido sera o seu testemunho e voçe o declarará na luz , para que muitos se salvem atravez de voçe ..
    Alice , crê em Jesus .. e ainda que te venha grande dor nao tenha medo, confia .. e voçe vivera ,, voçe so partira assim dessa terra se voçe desistir da vida ..
    a sua vida é um presente de Deus, o maligno quer te fazer acreditar q é o seu fim,, mais Deus esta te dizendo ; Eu sou contigo .. voçe vivera e sera uma bençao, pois Eu mesmo te tenho abençoado .. amem
    Eu acredito em voçe ,,


    ronanferreira13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I just stumbled across your blog and I think your awesome keep positive lovely! :) Your an inspiration to us all! :) x x

    ReplyDelete
  38. An amazing blog. I lost my daughter to cancer in 2006 and that's why I started mine. To show how precious time is and why you shouldn't waste it. Think you are doing an amazing job of showing the same. I wish you the best and hope that you accomplish all that you set out to do...and hopefully have plenty of time to add more as you go. I didn't see it anywhere in your blog. If you don't mind me asking what type of cancer do you have? My daughter had Osteosarcoma.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hey Alice! I'm here in the United States and I wanted to tell you that I think of you often and you seem like such a wonderful person. I am a regular blood donor and about 6 months ago I joined the National Bone Marrow Registry. I pray that I will be a match for someone in need at some point. I try to spread the word and awareness as much as I can. I hope you have a wonderful week. God Bless and I am praying for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Good bless you girl!
    Stay strong!
    Love from Greece

    ReplyDelete
  41. I came across your blog by accident but boy I'm glad you did! Your so positive it really puts my own life and little moans into perspective and I thank you for that xx

    ReplyDelete
  42. alice you are such a special special girl!! hope you have been having a lovely week and feel a bit brighter soon xx

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Alice

    good to hear you're feeling a wee bit better even though there was all that mucking about at the hospital. Well impressed your 'list' is getting lots of ticks on it now - you're going to have to add some more 'things to do' on it soon I think

    big hugs to you and your family

    elaina

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Alice sorry to hear about your not so chill out week but glad to hear you're doing well. Don't think you will remember me but when you met Take That in Manchester I was the security who took you to the Progress Lounge just before you went to the room to meet the boys. You are such a brave and positive person and inspiration to many people. Keep up the good work Alice xxx

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Alice sorry to hear about your not so chill out week but glad to hear you're doing well. Don't think you will remember me but when you met Take That in Manchester I was the security who took you to the Progress Lounge just before you went to the room to meet the boys. You are such a brave and positive person and inspiration to many people. Keep up the good work Alice xxx

    ReplyDelete
  46. Sometimes quiet weeks are busy weeks in disguise, lurking around a corner to surprise you!

    Have fun in the caravan!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Alice,

    Hope you're feeling a bit better now you're home from hospital. You sound like you have a fab week planned! Well done on your mug, thats so cool!

    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hello from the United States. I just wanted to tell you that I think you're amazing, and a beautiful inspiration. Because of you on September 10th I will have my blood drawn, and become a bone marrow donor. Keep on fighting, a lot of people are praying for you. XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi Alice I have been watching you from afar and went on twitter to send you a message but cant because you don't follow me (I'm very new to it) I just wanted to say to you that you are an inspiration to me i lost 2 close friends to leukemia when i was 15 and 16 (17 years ago now). I have now signed up to be a donor and will be getting as many people I know to do so also. As a nurse i hope to be able to get lots of my colleagues and friends to sign up to. Keep fighting your an inspiration to me and my family. Good Luck with everything you choose to do :-) with love Christina Yau (Christina_Yau) xx

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Alice,
    Just letting you know, another of your mugs is on it's way to Sydney !!
    Love, Helen Topalov xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi Alice

    I first read about you in my 12 year old son's First News. I just now signed up to blogspot to send you a message. That may have been an overkill, but I've never blogged or twittered - no excuses. I had cancer twice and was inspired to do what I've always wanted to do - write. I'm writing my second book and would like to include your story in it. If you and your family would like to speak to me about how my book can help raise money for charities please would you send a comment to my email with your email address so that we can communicate with each other. In the meantime, I hope that all your dreams come true. With love and admiration from Texan Girl

    ReplyDelete
  52. I wanted to tell you that I am deeply touched by the story you shared with me today via this blog. You made me reconsider my stance about my own life. I've been struggling with heavy depression for the last couple of years. You made me think that I haven't done enough to fight it. I will be reading your blog to learn from you how to appreciate my life. Thank you, Alice.
    You also inspired me to donate bone marrow. I realised that I come from country where there are only 35 000 donors registered. Thank yo girl, God bless you, Love,
    Nikka_PL
    PS. Geckos are cool! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  53. I hope we haven't heard from you because you are having such a wonderful time. Folks all over the world are sending you lots of love, positive energy, and prayers. But you are giving all of us so much more, thank you sweet girl for letting us share the journey of life that you are traveling.

    Happy End of the Summer!!
    Jan
    Dallas, Texas

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hey there, just wanted to let you know that I have a chance to go to Kenya and will take some pictures for you - of you- sort of like "flat Stanley"..we are doing this for a local friend I know w/cancer and so I thought this might be ok for you.

    will leave tomorrow (provided Hurricane Irene concurs). Will be back in mid-September, so sorry for the delay. Several days will be on a safari and then one week will be doing some service work in a school that needs fixing up. So get ready to vicariously work! But I know you are working hard in dealing w/your illness. Hang in there!!

    I wanted to do this as a surprise for you for the last several months but thought I'd go ahead and give you the heads up. Hang in there Alice. You are loved and cared about by many in this world.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hey Alice,

    Just stumbled on your blog today. Wow! I'm actually inspired by your posts. I often tell my students to have a bucket list even though they don't have any illnesses, yet this blog of yours is not just another bucket list but a life story that is both inspiring and amazing.

    Godbless,
    Peny@embroidery digitising

    ReplyDelete
  56. hey guyz must chek out this blog it has quite interesting stuff to check out...skyfall suit

    ReplyDelete