The second cycle of chemo was really horrible for the first week, but Phoebe is improving again now. In the first few days her lovely face was so swollen that she could barely open her eyes; I thought my heart would break when I visited her last Sunday (isolation started on Monday) and Rachel and I took her to the park in her wheelchair. The brass band music was too loud for her, her thighs were aching, she was too tired to complete her favourite activity in the museum (making a monster on the computer!) and we went back to her room so that she could have some painkillers. She and Rachel lay on the bed and Phoebe was soon asleep.
If I as her grandma feel so sad about all this, just try to imagine the heartache for Rachel and Matt. Although they are clinging on to the Lord, every day is very hard for them and I do ask those of you who pray, to keep on asking for the daily courage and trust they need to live through these days. As Jesus’s story about the wise and foolish men reminds us, it is those who are hearing and living out his words who find their lives survive the storm.
This is Rachel’s update on Facebook today:
So the start of cycle 2 has been really rough, but at last I feel that Phoebe is herself again...enjoying colouring, stories, crafts, films etc. Yesterday she even managed a few minutes dancing! Tomorrow is another day of chemo drugs so please pray this doesn't knock her back too much, and then it's the slow road to recovery as we wait for her to gradually regain immunity. In this time please pray that she can begin to tolerate more food and that she wouldn't get any infections along the way. Thanks.
Reuben’s nursery has closed now for the summer holidays, so my days with him will start a little earlier from now on. Grandpa is returning from Madagascar on Wednesday, and will be joining me in all our fun activities! We are taking Reuben to a family party in Surrey soon, and then going on to spend a few days with buckets and spades at Weymouth, which is where all four Lollars were planning to be for their summer holiday, before we had any inkling what this year held in store.
