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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