Clinic day yesterday, sorry I didn’t update but we were all a little traumatized! Not with clinic though, that went pretty well, counts all seemed okay, platelets a little lower than I was hoping for, but with a high anc Scott was able to have his weekly methotrexate. Whilst we were at the clinic Scott was also given a very high dose of antibiotics via his port as he had a dental appointment, this is done as obviously a dental procedure poses an infection risk. To the general ‘non-cancerous’ Joe public this would be no major deal, but could be very nasty to a child with a non existent immunity.
So anyway, off we trotted to the dentist, worried sick about how much damage the chemo may have caused, however we were thrilled to found out all he needed was a filling and a baby tooth pulled. No big deal right?! I won’t go all graphic on you but let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. David has finally stopped shaking but is probably traumatized for life and Scott has spent much of the day learning how to craft a voodoo doll (that looks like a dentist).
Anyway on to better things…. Scott received an invitation completely out of the blue, he has been asked to be on a panel of judges to decide and vote in the annual “Kids are Heroes’ competition at St Joes Hospital on the 13th November. It should be cool as one of his favourite hockey players is also on the panel.
Also, a HUGE thank you to Fore the Children, a local charity aimed at helping young people through their cancer journey. They have awarded a grant of $750 to Scott to pay for private skating lessons. As you know Scott can’t participate in team sports at the moment, a fall or a knock to his port could prove very dangerous, so any ice time must be one on one with no other kids liable to crash into him. Private lessons are not something we could afford at the moment so thanks to Fore the Children for their generosity and for giving Scott the opportunity to get back out there and do the thing he loves. He is still rather frail right now but we hope to have him back on the ice in the next few weeks.
I also wish to thank Scott’s chemo-angels for their ongoing support. Every few days Scott receives a letter or card or gift from Angel Laura or Angel Dave. The encouragement, generosity and kindness are much appreciated and make such a huge difference to Scotts emotional well being. Thank you also to Lisa Keeler for surprising Scott with a big box and a cool gift. He loves his planetarium and thinks you are an ‘Awesome Aunty’!
Update on JJ.
Her story has been picked up in the last few days by a couple of news stations and charities and I feel sure it wont be long until money is in place to pay for her to go to Sloan Kettering for her first round of 3F8. 3F8 will increase her chances of survival from 0% to 35%. I know that everyone who hears or reads about JJ knows that at the very least she needs a fighting chance and I can’t wait until I can post here that she is on her way. JJ has been through an incredible ordeal already but every time she bounces back and I think if there is any child who would do well with the antibody treatment, it would be JJ. For anyone local reading this please know there is a fundraising day for her tomorrow, details as follows:

Saturday 27th October, 11am – 4pm
Land O’ Lakes Community Centre
5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd (US 41 North)
FL 34639
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joyfuljaylin
Please visit the above caringbridge site to leave words of encouragment or comfort, I know the support means a lot to Maria and all your messages are passed on to JJ. Also, if anyone would like to make a contribution to JJ's fund please let me know and I will let you know where to send your donation. No amount is too small. Thank you.

Well that’s it for now, its late.
“Time for bed”, said Zebedee.