Thursday, November 3, 2011

Cancer

Not a word I ever though I would use here but here we go....

Our gorgeous, spirited oldest child, Maybelle, has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is treatable. It is curable. It is bloody scary. And I can not believe this is happening to her and too us.





What started as her feeling flat, progressed to changes in skin colour and bruising, and now hospital, blood transfusions, bone marrow testing and Chemo. All in a matter of weeks.

It is just plan bad luck. Nothing we did or didn't do caused it. It isn't fair and I'm really pissed that our family has been dealt this. Like we haven't already been though enough!!

But we will march on. We will do what needs to be done. It is a very very very long road ahead of us. Anything from 2-3years of treatment. She will loose her hair. She will be very sick at times but she will always be our Maybelle. Even when the steroid rage kicks in ;)

I'm ok. Kinda, sorta. I know I don't any idea about what's to come. Part of that's ok, part of that is bloody scary. I know I have THE most amazing people around Maybs and I to support and love us through this. We are so bless that under all the crazy that is my family, they are all there. 100% no questions asked. As with my beautiful friends. I already owe a few of you a night on the town and it's only round 1 lol!

In the coming days we'll de setting up a closed facebook group to inform people on mass so the family and I can concentrate on Maybs and her recovery. Once set up, I'll add a link and please feel free to ask to join.

And the little miss herself? She's ok. So much to take in. She knows she has a cancer called leukemia and we have to have Chemo to kill it. The childrens hospital is amazing and I'm sure that has helped her tremendously.

I'll leave you with a picture of her and her new toy......




An iPad!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

41 comments:

Corrie said...

I have not been able to stop thinking about you, your gorgeous girl and your whole family. It's just so unfair, she is sooo gorgeous, so happy and you will all get through this

sending all my love, thoughts, hugs, prayers and I won't stop till she's 100% better!

all my love
Corrie:)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cheryl Arkison said...

Wow. A nightmare for any parent, indeed.
Keep talking about it, get support for yourself and the rest of the family, and put one foot in front of the other. Cliche advice, but it really does work.
Take care.

Copper Patch said...

You know I love you and yours. You are all in my thoughts. I've been lucky to call you blog buddy but I'm even luckier to call you (real life) friend.
Lunch escapes whenever you need, just call/text/yodel.
Ab xx
Ps. I expect you to get some stitchin done now you've got all this sitting around time ;P

teddybearswednesday said...

Bianca what a beautiful and amazing and honest post.
I can only begin to imagine what you must be going through and my heart and thoughts goes out to your family.
and yes it is plan crappy bad luck, but your strength amzes me , your gorgeous daughter's strength and beauty amazes me ( I can see it that pic of her)
and please know if you need anything, Im in melbs so please call on me, if you just want have a break and go for a cuppa , a shoulder to cry on or anything.
xo

ZippyZippy said...

Hi Maybelle - love that iPad and your giant hand :)

Danielle said...

OH B. I saw this picture on twitter the other day and I had no idea.

It is such a huge shock when you first find out. I totally agree.
I wrote about the day Luigi told me he had cancer and I still remember it as clear as day. The pure shock of it all was uncontrollable. But you do get back up and you push through and you survive.

http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/12/life-can-change-in-instant.html

If there's one thing I can tell you. Be positive when you can and give yourself time to process it all and deal with it. You are an amazing mother and you have family around you and Maybelle is going to live a happy health life, she just has to fight a little harder then most to get it.

If you ever need an ear, you know where I am xx

jodesmac said...

bless you and your family Bianca.To the pit of my stomach and bottom of my heart I feel for you. Mother to Mother, this is shitty and hard and long but you will fight and you will win.
love to you and yours
Jodie

Kate said...

I had no idea treatment could go on so long. So shitty this has happened to your family, but so glad treatment is happening. Thinking of you all xxx

Cat said...

Oh Bianca I'm so so sorry. It's not fair that your gorgeous girl has leukemia, that she has to deal with this so young. My thoughts are with her and with all of you and that she will beat this and come out strong. Take care and stay strong. xxxooo

Kylie said...

Hugs, Loce and Prayers to all. What a long journey. x Kylie

Tracy said...

Many prayers for strength and wellness X

Vic said...

Ah Bianca. You already know that if there is anything I can do from here all you have to do is ask.

Maybelle is such a beautiful girl with a beautiful spirit that shines through; that is going to stand her in good stead through this tough time, as are you, with your immense love & positive attitude; you guys are going to kick cancer's ass. xxxxxxxx

Rhianna said...

Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you and your beautiful family xx

Mary said...

So, so sorry. Many good thoughts are with you, Maybelle and your family.

trash said...

Bloody hell B! A shocking situation no doubt but you guys will bust this thing to the ground. Love love from the other side of the world.

leslie said...

oh wow, bianca, i am so, so sorry. big hugs for all of you.

Jodie said...

Go maybelle, I knew those subtle hints would get you an ipad. Even though I am your school librarian , I have decided its Ok just for once to swear at you and tell you that you can kick the shit out of this - and we'll all be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Unknown said...

Oh Bianca, so unfair. Wishing you, Maybelle and your family all the strength you need to get through this.

Heather A said...

Oh, man! I feel your pain, your rage, your fear, your sorrow ... and I feel your strength.

My heart is with you, your family and especially your beautiful daughter, Maybelle.

Prayers are coming your way fast and furious!

Beck said...

Oh wow, Bianca, I am lost for words. So glad to hear that her cancer is treatable, that's the best, best part. But sad that she has to go through this, it's just not fair. She is lucky to have such a strong and loving mum, and to be surrounded by a beautiful & supportive family. Thinking of you and your precious girl, much love xo

Anonymous said...

thinking of you all xoxox

MissPosy said...

You're in my thoughts and prayers - sending you so much love xx

willywagtail said...

I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say. I hope she can keep her chhery smile for much of the long trip. Cherrie

Lisa - Sweet Little Pretties said...

Thinking of all you xx

Suzanne said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Having had leukaemia myself 20 years ago and having come through it all, my best advise is to take each and every day as it comes and let all the days before the current one go. A positive attitude, love and support from your family and friends gets you 50% of the way to a full recovery, modern medicine makes up the difference. You will find an amazing amount of strength and courage each and everyday when you least expect it and it will get you and your family through. Don't forget to laugh everyday - it really helps believe me!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Keeping M and your family in my prayers. Sending you all sorts of positive vibes x

Cathie said...

oh B, what a post! there is nothing I can say but send you all love and strength.
it sucks..
BIG squishy hugs ♥

Vickie said...

Big hugs to you all, and tyhank goodness she is at an age where she can comprhend most od what they say..treatment has advanced so much these days it is excellent...will be thinking of you all,cheers Vickie

Andi said...

Much love xxxx
If you ever need anything when you're in Melbourne, my mobile number is 0458330843
Andi x

Unknown said...

Oh no! I am so so sorry to hear this news. I wish you all the strength and love you will need to get through this.
One of my dearest friends has a little boy who has ALL and he is now almost 18 months into his treatment and doing really well. Watching her struggle has opened my eyes to so much.
Lots of love and hugs to you and your beautiful girl.
xoxo

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Bianca honey, does Maybelle have an email address my eldest (year 7) can chat to her on?? You know, leave us mummies out of it. She's the first born of 4 as well, oh the humanity!! Let me know, my darling first born's middle name is Mabel, was born in Darwin & i know they will have tonnes to talk about. Love you guys, good luck, love Posie

Leonie said...

I have not been able to stop thinking of you either. I have a daughter the same age and just can't imagine how much your world has been turned upside down.
Sending all our best wishes for you, your daughter and all your family.

Dee said...

No wonder your blog has been quiet lately.

Life deals some of us some terrible blows and we all cope with them in our own way.
I guess one bonus of moving south was that it brought you closer to family ( by the sound of you previous posts)

My thoughts are with you and your family. Children shouldn't have to go though things like this.

sweet emmelie said...

I am so shocked! What a hideous thing to go through! I really don't know what to say...Just that I am thinking of you and all your family and especially your sweet girl! xxxxxxxx

Special 'K' said...

Teary writing you this little note. Sending my love and best, best wishes that you all breeze through this bump in your beautiful world. Sending you strength, courage and love. If you ever need an ear please drop by and leave a message. I will follow on my way out also. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
http://adaywithspecialk.blogspot.com/2011/10/special-story.html

Manda said...

sending love from a complete stranger/blog reader..x x so sad for you and your family...x x x

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!!! XOXO

flowerpress said...

Just a note to add my voice to the thoughts and support coming your way. I will be wishing Maybelle and all the family a smooth and speedy trip through the hard bits :-)

Duyvken said...

I haven't stopped by for a while and I am so sad to read this news. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. You are such a strong and loving mother, I know you'll be amazing through this! Xxxxx

Renee said...

I've been trying to catch up on my blog reading Bianca and I was so sad to read this news about Maybelle. I hope she is doing well and fighting hard! Sending her lots of healing thoughts. I hope you are doing ok too - I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to watch your baby go through this. Take care of yourself x

natasha brown said...

Hi Bianca.
I just found your blog. Right this very morning. And I wanted to say HI. And something else too, I hope you do not think this is weird...for someone who just found your blog. My partner has bowel and lung cancer, and I can say on authority that this is shitty and scary and HARD. But you will meet AMAZING people. And you will be so proud of how strong your gang is. I look forward to seeing your gorgeous girl make a speedy recovery. :)
Tash

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