Keeping on keeping on!

In the two months since our last update Phoebe and Reuben have both completed half a term of full-time school and are ready for the week off next week, spending some of it with Uncle Jono and family in Scotland.  For some time Reuben has been going to rugby training on Saturday mornings, and this term Phoebe has started her own Saturday activity, an art class which she enjoys and is suited to her skills and energy levels.

Over the summer she had a variety of medical appointments, and these continue from time to time - but other than that she has been in school all day every day.  She continues to face many challenges as her brain has to work so hard to do everything – for instance learning spellings involves not only remembering the order of the letters, but how to write them, controlling the pencil, concentrating long enough to get through the list … you get the picture.  

This week Rachel invited Jen to join her and Matt in a meeting with Phoebe’s class teacher, the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator and the clinical psychologist specialising in neuro cases at the Children’s Hospital.  It was a very positive and helpful meeting as the psychologist explained the results of all the tests Phoebe had undergone over the summer and each of us was able to ask questions, contribute suggestions etc as to how Phoebe can best be helped to progress at school and in life generally.  As a result, the teacher has already re-arranged the layout of the classroom so that Phoebe can do all her activities at one table instead of having to remember which table to go to for which lesson.  Rachel is making a picture chart to help Phoebe remember which order to do things when getting dressed as she is very easily distracted from the task in hand.  We were also reminded how much fatigue is an issue in being able to concentrate, and thus the time of day, or day of the week, or week of the term will make a difference to Phoebe’s ability to respond well to instructions and complete a task.

We are giving you this level of detail so that you can understand better the ongoing issues faced not only by Phoebe herself but the whole family as we seek to support and help her develop well.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killers of children in the UK, but the Government's spend on brain tumour research represents just 0.52% of its total spend on cancer research.  It’s the kind of statistic you come across only when your own family is affected by this horrible disease.  Rachel and Matt are supporting the Brain Tumour Research charity in various ways.  Rachel bakes cakes and sells them each Friday to a local workplace.  She is also running the Worksop half marathon at Clumber Park on 30^th October, so if you’d like to sponsor her please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthewlollar.

If you send Christmas cards you might like to choose some from the Brain Tumour Research’s website!  Please forgive our shameless asking, but you can imagine this is a cause dear to our hearts! 

Thanks!

Marcus and Jen
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We know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.

Another encouraging milestone

Yesterday we had the result of Phoebe’s latest scan - which was clear!  The next one is due in November; the three months between each one seems to pass very quickly!  So she has been able to go off with Reuben and her parents for a holiday in France where her main intention seems to be to eat lots of croissants!

We have enjoyed seeing the children for a while on most days of the school holidays, helping Phoebe with reading and writing, or taking the dog out while she has one of her many hospital appointments.  Together with Jon, Heather and Rosanne we all (except Matt) shared a holiday in the Forest of Dean and had a great time building dens, hunting for the gruffalo, paddling in cold streams etc!

Last week Jen took Phoebe to a café for hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate cake, accompanied by an elderly lady from another Sheffield church who has prayed faithfully for Phoebe all through her treatment and during this period of ongoing recovery.  Margaret was so delighted to finally meet the little girl she has been praying for!


We continue to be touched and grateful for everyone who is still remembering to pray for Phoebe; the clear scan is of course brilliant news but, as we have intimated in the previous blog, there are lots of ongoing challenges to be faced that will require patience, courage and perseverance. We also trust in the one true God who loves us with an everlasting love!

Thanks!

Marcus and Jen
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Yet we also know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.

More on the new normal

For a few weeks Phoebe has been going to school on Wednesday mornings as well as all day on the other days.  The 6 hydrotherapy sessions went well; Rachel was impressed with the two physiotherapists (one in the pool, one on the side) who worked with Phoebe.  Reuben and Phoebe have now started going to a new swimming class together after school on Tuesdays which they both enjoy.

All this is very positive, but of course alongside it are many ongoing challenges.  Phoebe is supposed to do physio exercises every day, and needs to do extra reading and number work to try to keep up at school, but once home from a day at school she is very tired; this makes it hard for Rachel to know how much to persuade her to do and how much to allow her just to relax and have some fun.  There is also always the need to keep reminding her to drink so that her kidneys function as well as possible.

During the school holidays we are planning to help out most mornings so that the care of two children with very different needs - plus a dog who needs walking – can be shared.   We have booked a holiday in the Forest of Dean with Rachel & the children and Jon, Heather & Rosanne.  The Lollars will also have 10 days away as a family.

Reuben will be starting school in September so it will be all change again!  He will then also have after-school reading to do so we may well each go over once a week to help Rachel with that challenging time of day. Matt gets home from work at tea time so can always be there for bath- and bed-time, but not the 3.30-5.30 slot.

Hopefully this gives you a little insight into life-after-cancer-treatment for a 6 year old child and her family. We very much appreciate your continued interest and prayers for hope and perseverance for us all.

Thanks!

Marcus and Jen
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Yet we also know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.

Another clear scan!

We are delighted to report another clear MRI scan for Phoebe.  The 10 days between a scan and the results are not easy; Rachel and other parents of cancer patients call it a time of “scanxiety”.  Phoebe is part-way through 6 weekly sessions of hydrotherapywhich we hope will help to strengthen her core muscles weakened by aggressive treatments and months of inactivity last year.

Reuben - in his fundraising outfit!

It is becoming clear that Phoebe is finding it hard to keep up with her peers at school as her ability to concentrate and to remember are impaired.  We are hoping she will soon have some more special needs help in place.  She still takes Wednesdays as a rest day.

We have just been away for a week and yet again have been so heartened to meet people who are still praying for Phoebe six months after she came home from hospital.  Some of these have never met us before; what a huge encouragement it is to be part of the Christian family where unknown brothers and sisters are supporting us so faithfully.

Since completing the Sheffield half-marathon in aid of the Children’s Hospital, Matt has run the Leeds half marathon as well!  Rachel plans to run the Worksop one in October.  They are now concentrating their fundraising efforts on The Brain Tumour Research Trust (although Rachel is also busy baking for a tea party in aid of Weston Park Hospital where Phoebe underwent her radiotherapy treatment).  

Here is a fundraising video of Phoebe (you may need to skip the ad) encouraging support for Brain Tumour Research! We praise God for the progress she has made, and trust Him for the future.

Marcus and Jen
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Yet we also know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.

Mission accomplished!

Team Phoebe before the race

 We are delighted to report that Rachel and Matt both completed the Sheffield half marathon last Sunday, and with their friends who made up this year’s “run for Phoebe” team, raised almost £8,000 for the children’s hospital charity.  We are so proud of them!  As last year, we took Phoebe and Reuben to cheer the runners about two miles from the finish line, and were amazed at how relaxed and happy Rachel and Matt looked as they went past – we had expected them to be completely exhausted by that stage!  Of course the tiredness has kicked in since, but what an achievement!  Team Phoebe came back to the Lollars’ home after the race and shared lunch in the sunshine, wearing their well-deserved medals!

Finally the medals and photo!

Two weeks before Easter Rachel and Matt took the children to Florida to visit Matt’s parents, sisters and their families.  A great time was had by all!  We were so pleased to see photos of them all looking so relaxed in the warm weather and having normal family fun together.  The children coped well with all the travelling and seemed almost unaffected by jet lag on their return.

Phoebe is back to school, still taking Wednesdays as rest days.  She has some physio exercises to do to strengthen her muscles and improve her balance, and is soon to have some hydrotherapy sessions too.  The taste and smell of some food still makes her gag, but generally her appetite is good and she responds well to the continual reminders to keep drinking from her water bottle.


We are so glad to live near enough to be involved in Phoebe and Reuben’s lives.  They sometimes stay with us overnight, and we each have our time with Phoebe during the week – Jen on Mondays while Rachel takes Reuben to his swimming lesson, and Marcus on Wednesdays while Rachel walks the dog.  We are looking forward to the bank holiday weekend when Jon, Heather and Rosanne will be coming to stay and we will have all three grandchildren together.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Marcus and Jen
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Yet we also know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.

Remission!

Phoebe recently had another scan to check for any reappearance of cancer and heard on Monday that the scan was clear.  She is now officially in remission!  This is such good news!  We know that it’s still possible that there may be a relapse in future, but how wonderful that she and the family can go off on their American holiday having this reassurance. We praise God!

Phoebe is still slowly building up her hours at school; Wednesdays are still rest days, but she is now attending for two whole days and two part days most weeks.  The three pancakes she had for breakfast when she stayed overnight with us last weekend are testament to her improved appetite!

Rachel and Matt continue to train for the Sheffield half marathon, though both have suffered set-backs; Rachel suffers pain in her knee and lower leg, and Matt has damaged a hamstring.  They would be so encouraged in their efforts if anyone else wants to sponsor them to raise funds for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, by going to

• https://www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Lollar/
• https://www.justgiving.com/mattlollar

Phoebe’s hair growth is still extremely patchy; a friend recently made this lovely hat for her.  It might be a bit too warm for Florida but is very appropriate in Yorkshire!

Recently we were very interested to read in the local newspaper, The Sheffield Star, "Children's Hospital brain tumour care 'best in the world'"! More details at TheStar.co.uk. It is wonderful that this hospital is so close to us here in Sheffield. Just one example of God's wonderful providences.

Our "new normal"

Now that the school term is well underway we are all used to our “new normal” – until the next change comes along!  Matt returned to full-time work for the first time since Phoebe’s diagnosis last February.  His employers, BirchenallHowden Ltd, have been wonderfully supportive and generous.

Pyjama day!

Phoebe now attends school for four mornings a week, with Wednesday as her pyjama day.  She has a sleep every afternoon and is gradually gaining strength, greatly helped by the return of a healthy appetite.  It’s such a joy to see her tucking into food instead of being persuaded to eat a tiny morsel.  She tries to drink plenty of water as her kidneys were damaged by the chemotherapy.  There is still no sign of a physiotherapy appointment.

Reuben continues with nursery every morning and swimming lessons on Monday afternoons.  Jen looks after Phoebe while he swims, and Marcus does the honours with her on Wednesday mornings while Rachel walks the dog and then goes for a run.

SCH runners in the 2015 Sheffield half marathon + Phoebe!

Last April quite a few of Matt and Rachel’s friends ran the Sheffield half marathon, to raise funds for the cancer ward of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital (SCH) where Phoebe spent so much of the year.  This time Rachel and Matt are training for it themselves and plan to run in Phoebe’s honour.  If you would like to sponsor them, please go to JustGiving.


Rachel and Matt have booked to take the children to visit Matt’s family in Florida in March.  They were shocked by the price of insurance for Phoebe – most companies would not even consider insuring her.  This is another aspect to the “new normal”.  But it will be a great boost for them to have this holiday together, and wonderful for Matt’s parents and sisters and their families to spend time with them.


We do thank you for your ongoing interest and support for us and our family.  One Christian friend has sent Jen a text every day since Phoebe was diagnosed last February, and continues to do so.  We have learned how dependent we are on others to encourage and comfort us – in other words to spur us on with courage and strength – and we are not embarrassed to say so. But our greatest source of hope and strength continues to be our Father God.

Marcus and Jen
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Yet we also know that our journey with Phoebe is being repeated again and again in other families around the world, and that other people and situations may become your new focus and concern. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, simply click on the 'unsubscribe now' link at the foot of this email. Thank you.