The rather huge radiotherapy machine

Well done Ellen!

We have finished the radiotherapy - phew. Ellen is still really well, bouncing with energy and generally enjoying life. We now have a few weeks off before she starts oral retinoic acid. This will be given for 2 weeks followed by a two week break for the next six months. The side effects of this treatment are thank-fully fairly mild with dry skin being the main concern.

Nearly done

Well we only have one session of radiotherapy left. Ellen has been tremendous over the past few weeks. Despite being lugged out of bed to a cold car every morning having been starved all night/morning and then being put to sleep and irradiated for 15 minutes Ellen has actually enjoyed herself!!! This is a great tribute not only to Ellen but also to the wonderful staff who have looked after her so well.

Half way...

Well actually just over half way. Ellen has now had 9 anaesthetics in 11 days! She is doing fine if a bit tired. We have got into a good routine which involves Ellen running all the way through the hospital to the radiotherapy department (dodging the many passersby). When she arrives she scares the Anaesthatist with her lion impression and is promptly put to sleep with the 'white stuff' whilst sat on on my knee. The treatment then takes about 15 mins. Only six sessions left.....

Week one

Ellen has a new Hickman line. She has sailed through this weeks radiotherapy. Four anaesthetics done, eleven to go...

No news

Ellen has been fine all week. Her IV antibiotics were stopped on Wednesday which meant that the lines in her feet could be removed. The rest of the week has been spent chasing her around. She is in very good spirits and certainly the best she has been since she came home from her Bone Marrow Transplant. This week involves a new Hickman line placement on Tuesday and then radiotherapy from Wednesday.....

The photos are from a very enjoyable visit to Woburn Safari Park.