Drew Thomas Lawther: March 2010

A HOSPITAL FREE ZONE WEEK - Dare I say these are becoming more frequent. I look back on this time last year when we were practically living at the hospital - it is SOOOO much nicer. Drew had a great week, he made his cricket debut of any kind on Friday in the school cricket team - taking 4 wickets, 5 runs not out and a win for the whole team - he was very happy. On Saturday he backed up for Football, playing half a game in goals and half a game on the field - that was a bit of a stretch for him, but to his credit he lasted the whole game. He is looking fantastic, but hating his curls, which of course everyone else thinks are beautiful. Dr Frank has given the tentative all clear for Drew to travel to Norway for Dr Kristin's wedding, we just need to be able to get travel insurance, so fingers crossed. Drew played cricket again last Friday, with another win and him bagging a wicket, although he didn't get to bat this week. He was a bit disappointed about not making the school soccer team, but that can be a goal for next year! He is slowly weaning off his cyclosporin. Drew was very excited to talk to Kristin and Damien and Kristin's Dad on Sunday night, with Kristin pointing the camera outside so he could see the snow.

Drew has had a good two weeks. We have been back to the Hospital twice for bloods and to see Dr Frank. All is good, Drew's MRD (Minimal Residual Disease), which is what they test when they take out his bone marrow is negative, for Leukaemic cells, so that was great news. We tried his 'dicky' right arm when we went for blood last time, it slowly gave blood but there was a big clot in it which meant we couldn't use that blood, so we've given up on that up for good. Drew got a bit upset, but within 15 seconds he put his other arm out and it was all over in another 20 seconds - he has come so far in the last 3 months. If I had a video of Sydney trying to get blood from him and now, you wouldn't think it is the same child, he has a huge amount of mental toughness. School has been good, and Drew is coping well. He has come early twice, once I'm sure he wasn't feeling 100%, but the next time a couple of days later I'm not so sure. He made the school cricket team which he was thrilled about. Last weekend was supposed to be his first game of football (soccer) since he was diagnosed, unfortunately on Friday afternoon the skies opened up and the game was cancelled, Drew was devastated. He didn't talk to anyone for 3 hours and refused to eat breakfast. This week however, the weather was great and the game was on. It was quite emotional to see him out there and think about the last 16 months. His team mates and their parents were all happy to have him back.