Lets get you up to speed

Brett relapsed on the 26th June 2012.Whilst he was busy making plans to start work and go to college, the evil bastard cancer cells were quietly regrouping and regrowing all ready for their next attack.

He was just due to take his car test (10th July) and we were in the midst of the great debate that alot of parents endure, its the "the car we want you to have" verses the "the car you want you to have".
(unless your rich and then I guess your not bothered by the cost of car insurance and spare car parts,servicing etc.)..mmm...must be nice....

Brett was going out and about and to dinner alot and he and Poppy had started rowing about it because she was jealous. I was constantly reassuring her that it would be her turn soon enough.
You know, the normal household stuff.
Brett prefers going out to dinner than partying.
He doesn't drink - its his choice - his liver was effected by the previous cancer but even when it was better he decided not to bother with alcohol. (We'll see what happens when he's 18).

It must sound strange talking about an underage drinker making a choice not to drink, I bet your thinking "well he cant drink anyway?"
I know our area and unfortunately to get to 17 and not have had a drink is pretty unusual.
Of course the majority of local parents are responsible and punish their children who drink but sadly drinking is rife.

The local doctors were going to treat Brett in the adult oncology department but this did make me very unhappy.
He is only 17 and has been fighting Cancer since he was 13.
My husband and I have made sure that throughout that time Brett has never been alone.
Child wards prefer a parent to stay. We take to pee, poo and vomit bowls to the sloose room.
We are the ones watching every night.

The thought of Brett going to adult services disgusted me on so many levels.
What a way to gain your Independence away from your loved ones that have supported you from day one.
Also the adult service only give local anisetic for the lumber punctures and bone marrow procedures - ouch !!!

Luckily our old consultant had a rethink and allowed back to the best hospital in the world BCH.

I have great faith in our consultant and in the hospital, which helps beyond measure.

So Brett is on course for very intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.... scary.
Also, I can't help but keep feeling very sad that all his suffering and struggle for the last 3 1/2 years have been for nothing.

Hey ho.