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Vent all you like, some times talking to strangers is easier than friends and family.

I'm not great with words myself, but I hope Haydn finds the strength to fight it.

Thank you. He will, he's a tough little guy and is so far dealing with it much better than mummy and daddy.

That's put today in perspective for me.

All I'll say is that I'm here, only as a result of Bristol children's hospital; as you know, you're in the right place and please continue to ramble/vent/update whenever you need.

Thoughts with you all today.

You're allowed to vent and you're allowed to want a little sympathy/human kindness even from strangers. It isn't and won't be an easy time but like you said, Hadyn is in the right place and will get the right treatment. Stay strong and positive but don't be afraid to share when you're not feeling strong or positive.

This is one of those times where I really don't know what to say. Good luck and I hope things work out for the best. There will be someone a lot more eloquent along in a while that will say it better than I ever could. I'll put a metaphorical +1 to all of those comments.

Here too, really don't know what to say, I cannot imagine what you are going through at the moment, makes all the small things everyone gets wound up about look insignificant, good luck and feel free to vent/update here.

Good luck.

Good luck. Kids are amazing and I'm sure he will amaze you with his stregnth and will to beat all that comes at him. Go Haydn!

sat here with my 3 yr Old boy Leo reading that... Best wishes all round, but extra healing vibes and good thoughts for Haydn.

As a parent of young kids, I can barely imagine what you are going through.

Take heart that he is in the right place, will get the best care and that many kids beat this nowadays. Get all tbe support and advice from the hospital and charities you can, not just for him but for you and his mum. I've watched friends let their families implode when they've tried to hide cancer and deal with it alone.

And there are dozens of strangers on this forum who are all rooting for you. Adversity does bring out the best in us.

Best wishes to you bgd x

good luck & more healing vibes.

Best wishes to you and Haydn

Thoughts with you and best of luck. Kids are tough little things and he'll take it better than you might expect.

I have a tough work day I was worried about, we worry about the most inconsequential things.
Thoughts with your family.

BEst of luck and wishes for the coming time mate. It's something I can't even comprehend happening. As much as my little 5 year old is the pain of my life... well, you know..

Hugs.

Not much to say really apart from good luck to you all.
I'm sure Haydn is in the best hands at the hospital.

Good luck to you all and the little fella.

I know a kid who had it at a similar age and he is now at secondary school, plays lots of football and is a regular kid. They had a tough time when he was ill but I think it can be very treatable in children.

All the best.

best of luck, you can beat it!

A lad a went to school with had it and beat it, it's a tough ride for sure, support each other and I'm sure you can do it.

There was a guy I met at the weekend as it happens who's son had just done it too, he was about 4/5 still bald from the treatment but was running around full of life with the other kids playing.

I'm sure it's hard, I can't imagine how I'd react myself but stay strong and best of luck.

It's very hard to find an adequate response save to say my thoughts are with you and Haydn.

Obviously words will only be scant comfort, but all the best. It's the type of thing every parent dreads and I cannot imagine what is likely to be racing through your head. Stay strong. Stay positive. Don't bottle it up, and the very best of luck to you.

I can only echo what everyone else has said. Good thoughts and good wishes to you, Haydn,and his mum.

Sure puts all the petty bickering about bullshit that we do on here all day into perspective.

Best of luck mate and your lad. Just shows that we never know what's around the corner.

It is simply the worst thing in the whole world when your children are ill. Be strong for him and I'm certain he will surprise you with his strength. Children are much more resilient than we ever can imagine.

My thoughts are with you both and you family mate. You want to vent, to pour out words, then you do it and there are always people here who will be here, always willing and wanting to listen and help.

Good luck to you BGD and Haydn

Thank you all for your kind words. Will update as it happens

I don't normally post on these threads as like yourself don't really know what to say.

Haydn really is in the best place for him right now. I'm guessing ward 34. My wife works there, although she's on maternity leave at the moment. They will do absolutely everything they can to not only treat him but make his time there as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, under the circumstances. As I'm sure the staff will tell you the treatmeant success rates these days are much better than they used to be years ago, so take heart from those success stories.

Good luck, and go Haydn.

All the best - my thoughts are with you. Having a toddler helps me understand how hard news like this must be to take.

Remember it is ok to be angry, it is ok to be upset and it is ok to be scared. Look after your little boy and whilst it may be hard answer any questions he has honestly but appropriately for his age - I am sure the staff at the hospital will help you with this.

Make sure you and your wife look after each other too and get all the support from family & friends you can.

My cousin had Leukaemia when he was about 4 or 5 and was very ill for a number of years, I think until he was 12 or 13 but he is now in full remission and a very happy 20 something year old.

I saw this post and didn't want to read and run. I know how you feel as 6 years ago we were given the devasting news that our daughter had cancer. The first may bank holiday she was full of life and by the next she was having chemo. We were in bits as when you have kids you never expect to hear the words that your kid has cancer. The emotions I felt were of numbness, disbelief, feeling scared and also grieving for the change in our lifestyle.
Kids are amazing and I met many who were so ill one day and the next running up and down the corridor with their parents following behind wheeling the chemo drip. Emma would regularly ride a trike up and down and would aim for the ward cleaner on a regular basis.
We had long stays in hospital so me and my husband would take it in turns staying with her for a few days at a time while one of us would rest and come to visit later. Also CLIC Sargent were a great help with paperwork, money matters and also good listeners.
We had a good network of friends who would regularly visit with much needed food and also would look after Emma so we could go and have a quick bite to eat, time out.
My email is in my profile if you need to talk. Your son is in good hands and while times are tough there will be good times along the way. Look after each other and feel free to vent

So sorry to hear about that bgd. No first hand experience from me, but a big bunch of healing vibes to Haydn.

Come back here - you and your wife - and vent and cry and laugh and talk crap. No-one will judge you.

Good luck!

All the best for your boy.

Best of luck to all of you.

It's exactly reasons like this that I've got my details registered for being a bone marrow donor.

keep your head up mate, he's in the best place. all the best to you and the family

Thank you again for all your comments.
Mark90 - we are indeed on ward 34 and please tell your wife how wonderful everyone is.
Saw the consultant earlier who confirmed it is the most common type of leukemia and is very treatable. It's just going to be a rough ride, but then if we didn't like bumps we'd be roadies 😉

Stay strong bgd for Haydn.

It's just going to be a rough ride, but then if we didn't like bumps we'd be roadies

Aye! Good luck - hope things work out.

Best of luck to you all &, horrible horrible situation.

I work in an SEN school. One of my students has just asked me why I am sad (teary), and I told her a simplified version of your events. She asked me if you loved Haydn, and I said you seemed to very much love him. She smiled and said [i]"that's all that matters"[/i], and has just breezed off to P16 Science.

I don't think I could've summed it up any better. Bsst of luck to you, your family, and especially your boy.

Best of luck, can't think of what to say but I've been thinking about you and yours all day.

It's just going to be a rough ride, but then if we didn't like bumps we'd be roadies

Actually made me lol

please tell your wife how wonderful everyone is

Pleased to hear it 😉 Sure they'll take good care of you all.

Missed this earlier. Healing vibes and best of luck.

Just discovered this and my heart goes out to you and yours, bgd.

Stay strong for Haydn and, as others have said, don't be afraid or apologetic to feel whatever you feel. Come on here and vent, and lean on everybody and anybody you can.

You can thank everyone later, when Haydn is well again, and bouncing around more than ever.

All the very best to you all...

What they all said. Healing vibes and hugs from.all the vaders

+1 to what others have said. Good luck to you all and especially to Haydn.

I know its a nightmare of worry when your boy is ill. We were in and out of hospital alot 0-2yrs and compared to you OP ours was trivial. Hadyn has a good dad. 🙂

Just a quick update, Haydn has been diagnosed with the most common form of leukemia and we've caught it nice and early. He's having a permanent line fitted this afternoon so we can get cracking with treatment.

The support we've had from absolutely everywhere has really been quite overwhelming and although very tired we are all doing OK.

As soon as this is over Haydn has decided he would like daddy to hire a camper van and take a train ride up Snowdon to look for dinosaurs 😀

Dinosaurs? Ah STW'ers on bikes 🙂

Haven't updated this thread for a few weeks as to be honest life has just been too busy. After the first few weeks of treatment going exactly to plan, just recently things haven't been so great.
After numerous trips backwards and forwards to hospital both in Bristol and here in Plymouth, Haydn was admitted again on Tuesday with a sky high temperature. Looks like he's picked up an infection on one of his lumbar puncture sites and has everyone stumped. Five days of constant antibiotics have had little effect and so it looks like we're heading back to Bristol Children's Hospital tomorrow.
He's doing amazingly, he obviously has a lot of down moments and plenty of pain but it is incredible how one little smile or chuckle can restore your hope and lift your spirits.
Apologies for another rambling post but just feeling a bit lost tonight, not knowing which way this is going to go.

All the best to you and your family mate. The docs will sort him out.

Missed this post the first time round.
Fingers crossed for you all. Keep your chin up Dude.

it is incredible how one little smile or chuckle can restore your hope and lift your spirits.

You are there for him. That matters. Stay strong, and keep fighting WITH him, he can't do it alone. Fight alongside him, with him.

Good luck!

I have 3 children under 5 and my wife works as a haemaeoncolgy nurse. I only get a sense of how you must feel. My wife is not here but may be more practical help, although I understand that leukemia at that age is more treatable.
I do wish you all the best. Keep your chin up.

Not much to say apart from good luck and best wishes to you all! Look forward to you posting when your little lad is in recovery.

Just read this thread, words can't really convey how tough it must be.

Really scares me to think about something happening to my son. My lad keeps dinosaurs in our camper van. Tell your boy if he needs numbers on the dinosaur hunt to get in touch, better safe than sorry, tricky things, dinosaurs.

James.

Ramble all you like mate. You're in - what most of us would presume is - a tough place. I don't know how long the battle may last but you need to be strong for the little fella. I'm sure he'll pick up on your vibes so be there for him. Everyone here is behind you.

Man hug.

My heart goes out to you and your family. The hope I can give you is the experience I have of the remarkable ability of the childs body to heal. They fight and fight long after an adult body would have given up!
However I have a 3 year old and from my point of view as a father I understand that you just want to take the pain and suffering from your child. The best thing you can do is to hold him tight and tell him you love him every chance you get. Good luck and please keep us updated.

just caught this post..

cant say anything new really, just that our thoughts are with you and hold on tight for the 'ride'. Stay together and brave for haydn, he needs you.

rant here please...goodluck.

Thank you for your post and sharing. I share with the STW family in wishing Hadyn, you and your mrs all the very best. My thought to you all. Please please keep us updated.

bgd, plenty of folk here in Brizzle (I know the inside of BCH all too well). If you need to grab a beer and a chat any evening, just let us know. There's a pub just across the road or around the corner and up St Michael's Hill - sometimes it helps to get out for a change of scenery for an hour or so.

EDIT: or if there's anything else we can do. We'd offer you a bed but we don't have a spare room these days. Are you able to use the McDonalds House while you're there?

Thanks again for all your messages of support. Today has been a better day, the trip to Bristol is on hold and everyone is feeling more optimistic.

Deadlydarcy - thanks for the offer, would be good to meet up with some STW ers, whether for a beer or preferably a ride when all this is over. We've been lucky enough to have a room at the CLIC house whenever we've been in Bristol before.

Ah, hopefully the trip is off for the right reasons. 🙂

If you're up this way, then drop a line to email in profile if you fancy a chat and a scoop. All the best to Haydn. Hope he's doing well.

Hopefully turned a corner today. Temperature has stabilised and he has eaten (albeit a small amount) and made lots of laughter.
This is no doubt the first of many setbacks and can honestly say it has scared the hell out of me but Haydn is an incredibly strong little guy and a real inspiration to me. All being well we can soon get back on track with beating this disease.

i have nothing to add but to wish your son a speedy recovery.

Everything crossed and get well soon

Keep strong for them all, in any way you can bgd. We're always here, for a start.

I used to be a haematology nurse, and if its any consolation, this all sounds quite 'standard' to me- although, I had the luxury of never being the patient, or a relative.

Hang on in there, this kind of thing is totally treatable for the wee ones.

That's terrible news. I hope you all get through through this safe and well.

Just found this thread, and wanted to add my thoughts of love and support.

And I'm kind of in the area too, so if you want numbers for that beer/ride/whatever then I'm in...

Thank you for your post and sharing. I share with the STW family in wishing Hadyn, you and your mrs all the very best. My thought to you all. Please please keep us updated

the above says it all, keep strrong and best wishes

good luck to him and the rest of you, sounds like you are doing the best anyone can at this time, manhugs from me