Poppy's Diary

Poppy Fields Special Mommies & Daddies

poppyfieldsappeal — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:10:36 +0000

We have made many wonderful friends through Poppy’s hospital. The Hill Family are one of the special families we have become very close to. Sarah Hill & myself were friends in our teens, but we had lost contact. Our friendship was rekindled under when Sarah’s daughter, Abi, was sadly diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2007, then aged 6. We were able to help the family as Abi began chemotherapy & recovered from surgery. We could also see our fundraising work in action, as the Neurosurgical scanner that we presented £28,000 for in 2005 was used during Abi’s surgery. She was also able to stay on Ward 10, rather than ICU, in her post-surgery recovery, due to the High Dependency Units that we presented £33,000 for in February 2004.

However, this supportive friendship works both ways. Sarah & Abi were able to support us through Poppy’s radiotherapy this year, as Abi had already completed her own radiotherapy treatment. It has been wonderful having a close friend who understands exactly what it feels like when your child is fighting such a serious illness.

With this in mind, Sarah & I decided to set up a group for ourselves and other parents like us (Poppy Fields Special Mommies & Daddies). We will meet on the first Monday of each month at The Coton Centre, Comberford Road, Tamworth, between 11am and 1pm. Children are welcome too. Our aim is for this to be a safe and confidential place, where parents can share their stories, talk and listen to each other, and support one another.

If you would like to join us, please come along to our first meeting on Monday 1st December or email me at lisa.guilder@homecall.co.uk

POPPY 6 WEEKS POST RADIOTHERAPY

poppyfieldsappeal — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:45:02 +0000

Hi All,

Well, firstly, apologies for the big gap since I last updated. The time has flown!!! I hope this email finds everyone well. Here is our news….

Poppy – post-radiotherapy

Poppy is now just over 6 weeks post-radiotherapy. She is extremely tired, but otherwise well in herself. She seems to have reached a peak in terms of tiredness this week, but we know that this could carry on for a while longer yet. Her skin is no longer red, but she has started to swell across her eyes & the bridge of her nose this week. I have been worried, as she looks poorly, but the hospital have reassured us that it is just another side-effect from the treatment. Poppy is at BCH on Tuesday, to have her port flushed, so we will get her checked out again then.

Poppy starts back to school next week, as a grown up Year 1, how time flies! Hopefully, she will be feeling okay by then, as she is more tired now, than when she was actually having the treatment.

Poppy’s 1st post-radio scan is on 29th September without a General Anaesthetic. (another one is booked for 1st Oct with a GA, just in case Poppy can’t lie still enough!). We are not expecting clear results at this stage, it will probably just be a bit blurry with swelling we think, as the radiotherapy will carry on working now for up to 2 years. Its so different to the other treatments that Poppy has had. So, for once we are not pinning all if our hopes on the scan results. We are just going day-by-day, using how Poppy is in herself as our guide, and praying that the treatment is doing its job efficiently!!

Fundraising

Dr Peet has had a paper of his research accepted for publication in the ‘European Journal of Cancer’ (about Policytic Astrocytomas – Poppy’s tumour type). Dr Peet sent us a letter of thanks, as Poppy Fields has been acknowledged specifically in this publication, due to our £19,000 donation for his research.

We have met yet another family from Tamworth, whose son was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May. Again, the scanner that we purchased & one of our High Dependency Monitors, were used to help in his treatment & recovery. All of this makes us realise how important the fundraising is to other families at BCH.

Tamworth Fire Service held a charity car wash on Saturday 9th August at ASDA Tamworth. Despite awful weather, they still raised £170!! The photos are on our website. They will be presenting the cheque on Tuesday 9th September. THANK YOU!!!!!

Sponsored Slim – we are still going at it, although I’ve had a blip lately!!! We have lost over 15 stone now between us. I’m back at work next week & hoping to get back on track!!!! Well done, ladies, keep going!!!!

Adidas 5k Women’s Challenge – myself, my sister, Michelle, and friend, Lucy, are taking part in this on Sunday 7th September!!! Dressed as High School Musical Cheer leaders!!!! My slimming/run sponsor form is up to £478 now (THANK YOU!!!) – I’d love to make it up to £500!!! If you would like to sponsor me the website is www.justgiving.com/lisaguilder

Poppy starts swimming lessons in September. Sandra from ‘STROKES’ in Tamworth has very kindly wavered fees for Poppy’s lessons. Therefore we have donated the £38 fee for a block of 10 lessons to POPPY FIELDS. Thank you, Sandra!!!

We are getting closer to the Poppy Fields 2009 Ball now – so watch this space for details of tickets, dates, times, etc!!!

CLIC Sargent

We were extremely fortunate in August to go on holiday to Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick, Scotland for a week. The house is run by the CLIC Sargent Charity, for families with children with cancer. It was a wonderful experience. We were so well looked after, felt so ‘at home’ there & met some great families too. It was a beautiful place, and we can’t wait to go back. The house is funded purely by donations. When we were there, they had just had 2 lovely wooden play houses donated for the gardens. Poppy loved playing in them, but they had no furniture. We therefore donated £500 from POPPY FIELDS specifically to furnish the 2 wooden play houses. We now want to retire to the Isle of Arran!!!!

We would like to thank CLIC Sargent for a lovely holiday & a very much needed break. If you would like to know more about their work, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

Our Website

The ‘NEWS’ section on our website is now up & running (thanks, Lee!!), so I’ll try to keep it up-to-date with news on our latest fundraising events.

THANKS!

Thank you all for your continuing thoughts & prayers. They mean so much to us.

Please could you also pray for Abi, George, Ollie, Haydn & Hope – who are also currently battling brain tumours.

Love to all,

Lisa, Brian & Poppy Guilder

www.justgiving.com/poppyfields

Poppy Lay Still For Her Scan!

poppyfieldsappeal — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:40:54 +0000

Hi All,

Just a quick update to let you know that Poppy lay still for the full 45 minutes in the MRI scanner. This was her first ever scan awake, since her diagnosis in March 2004. She is still only 5, so it was quite scary for her & hard for such a wriggle-bum to keep still….but she did it!!! We should get some results (hopefully) next week.

WELL DONE, SWEETHEART, MOMMY & DADDY ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU!!
Love Lisa, Brian & Poppy Guilder

Tamworth Fire Service

poppyfieldsappeal — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:24:07 +0000

Thank you to Tamworth Fire Service who kindly donated £127. This was raised by washing cars at Asda Tamworth on a very rainy day!! Thank you so much, it is really appreciated.

Poppy 6 Weeks Post Radiotherapy

poppyfieldsappeal — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:29:53 +0000

Hi All,

Well, firstly, apologies for the big gap since I last updated. The time has flown!!! I hope this email finds everyone well. Here is our news….

Poppy – post-radiotherapy

Poppy starts back to school next week, as a grown up Year 1, how time flies! Hopefully, she will be feeling okay by then, as she is more tired now, than when she was actually having the treatment.

Poppy’s 1st post-radio scan is on 29th September without a General Anaesthetic. (another one is booked for 1st Oct with a GA, just in case Poppy can’t lie still enough!). We are not expecting clear results at this stage, it will probably just be aÂ bit blurry with swelling we think, as the radiotherapy will carry on working now for up to 2 years. Its so different to the other treatments that Poppy has had. So, for once we are not pinning all if our hopes on the scan results. We are just going day-by-day, using how Poppy is in herself as our guide, and praying that the treatment is doing its job efficiently!!

Fundraising

Dr PeetÂ has had a paper of his research accepted for publication in the ‘European Journal of Cancer’ (about Policytic Astrocytomas – Poppy’s tumour type). Dr Peet sent us a letter of thanks, as Poppy Fields has been acknowledged specifically in this publication, due to our Â£19,000 donation for his research.

Tamworth Fire Service held a charity car wash on Saturday 9th August at ASDA Tamworth. Despite awful weather, they still raised Â£170!! The photos are on our website. They will be presenting the cheque on Tuesday 9th September. THANK YOU!!!!!

Adidas 5k Women’s Challenge – myself, my sister, Michelle, and friend, Lucy, are taking part in this on Sunday 7th September!!! Dressed as High School Musical Cheer leaders!!!! My slimming/run sponsor form is up to Â£478 now (THANK YOU!!!) – I’d love to make it up to Â£500!!! If you would like to sponsor me the website is www.justgiving.com/lisaguilder

Poppy starts swimming lessons in September. Sandra from ‘STROKES’Â in TamworthÂ has very kindlyÂ wavered feesÂ for Poppy’s lessons. Therefore we have donated the Â£38 fee for aÂ block of 10 lessonsÂ to POPPY FIELDS. Thank you, Sandra!!!

We are getting closer to the Poppy Fields 2009 Ball now – so watch this space for details of tickets, dates, times, etc!!!

CLIC Sargent

We were extremely fortunate in August to go on holiday to Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick, Scotland for a week. The house is run by the CLIC Sargent Charity, for families with children with cancer. It was a wonderful experience. We were so well looked after, felt so ‘at home’ there & met some great families too. It was a beautiful place, and we can’t wait to go back. The house is funded purely by donations. When we were there, they had just had 2 lovely wooden play houses donated for the gardens. Poppy loved playing in them, but they had no furniture. We therefore donated Â£500 from POPPY FIELDS specifically to furnish the 2 wooden play houses. I’ve attached 2 photos from our holiday. We now want to retire to the Isle of Aran!!!!

We would like to thank CLIC Sargent for a lovely holiday & a very much needed break. If you would like to know more about their work, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

Our Website

The ‘NEWS’ section on our website is now up & running (thanks, Lee!!), so I’ll try to keep it up-to-date with news on our latest fundraising events.

THANKS!

Thank you all for your continuing thoughts & prayers. They mean so much to us.

Please could you also pray for Abi, George, Ollie, Haydn & Hope – who are also currently battling brain tumours.

Love to all,

Lisa Brian & Poppy Guilder

www.poppyfieldsappeal.co.uk

www.justgiving.com/poppyfields

Adidas 5km Women’s Challenge

poppyfieldsappeal — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:11:30 +0000

Myself, my sister (Michelle Darlaston) & my friend (Lucy Parker) will be taking part in the Adidas 5km Women’s Challenge in Birmingham on Sunday 7th September, to help raise more funds towards our Poppy Fields Appeal. This is part of the Poppy Fields Sponsored Slim & our efforts to get fit!!! If you would like to sponsor me please visit:

www.justgiving.com/lisaguilder

YOU CAN NOW DONATE ONLINE

poppyfieldsappeal — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:57:33 +0000

You can now donate to ‘Poppy Fields’ online at
http://www.justgiving.com/poppyfields

£500 Donated to CLIC Sargent

poppyfieldsappeal — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:55:53 +0000

CLIC Sargent is a fantastic charity who provide support & care for families who have a child with cancer. We have just returned from a week’s holiday at Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick, Scotland. The house offers a restful week for families in situations like ours, and is completely funded by donations & the fundraising of CLIC Sargent staff. The house had recently had 2 beautiful wooden play houses donated, which Poppy loved playing in!! We were delighted to be able to donate £500 from ‘Poppy Fields’ which will be used to buy furniture for the play houses to make them even more fun! Thank you CLIC Sargent for an amazing holiday!! We can’t wait to come back!

National Blood Awards 22nd July 2008

poppyfieldsappeal — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:06:43 +0000

It was a real honour to be asked to present the National Blood Awards to people from the Midlands on 22nd July. The recipients had either given 75 or 100 units of blood, some of those we chatted to had been giving blood regularly for over 50 years. We gave a speech, thanking the amazing people present for their gift. Poppy has had 16 units of blood to date, and 6 units of platelets. Without the generosity of blood donors, Poppy would not have survived her surgeries or have been able to complete her chemotherapy. If you do not already give blood & would like to find out where, when & how, please visit:

www.blood.co.uk

Poppy’s Finished Her Radiotherapy! :-)

poppyfieldsappeal — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:26:46 +0000

Hi All,

Well, Poppy did it!!! She has sailed through her radiotherapy, managing full-time school, dancing, playing & of course, smiling!!! We are extremely proud of her.

The course was for 28-days in total. Poppy only had one off day – last Friday, when she felt sick & dizzy. She needed a break half way through her treatment that day, to take her mask off & sit up. However, despite her mask being very tight due to swelling, Poppy was back to her usual self on Monday, just getting on with it all!! The nurses commented that Poppy coped better than a lot of the adults that they treat!!! She is such a strong little girl.

We were apprehensive about going to a different hospital for Poppy’s radiotherapy, but the staff at the QE were fantastic. We will actually really miss the Treatment Room 11 nurses!!! The care that Poppy has had at both Birmingham Children’s Hospital & the QE has been exceptional. We donated £500 from ‘Poppy Fields’ to the QE for their ongoing ‘Radiotherapy Treatment Room Upgrades’ as a thanks for the care that they gave to Poppy.

Poppy was very excited to be allowed to bring her mask home from the hospital yesterday. As she had requested, we filled it up with sweets for her to share with her class at school!!! It now takes pride of place in her bedroom!! A strange sight really!!!

The immediate effects of the radiotherapy will now continue for 2-3 weeks. Poppy currently has redness behind her ears, across her forehead, eyes & nose, but Dr. Dan said Poppy looks ‘better than most’ at this stage!!! So, that’s a relief. Poppy has lost her hair in a complete band of about 1″ around her hairline, the rest of her hair hides this & hopefully some of it will grow back soon. She will need to wear a hat outdoors for the rest of this Summer, then wear sunblock in the treated area for the rest of her life. This is all such a small price to pay though if the radiotherapy works.

Poppy will have a scan in a few weeks time, we guess September or October. However, the radiotherapy will continue working for around 2 years, so we may have a longer wait to see the benefits of its effects on that wretched tumour!!! We are hoping & praying now, that that is the end of Poppy’s treatment & that she will be ‘stable’ forever!!! We also hope that the damage from the radiotherapy will be minimal too.

We have been invited to the National Blood Awards in Aldridge next Tuesday, to give a speech about how important it is to give blood & to present awards to people who have donated either 50 or 75 units of blood. This is the 3rd time we have done this & we feel it is a real honour. Poppy wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donors. Thank you to those of you who also give blood.

Well, the sponsored slimmers are doing fab!!! Our total weightloss is now just over 14 stone!!! WOW!!! I’ve personally lost about 19lbs, & have dropped a dress size!!! Yippee!! However, we have decided to keep going until the Poppy Fields Ball in January to help us reach our targets. I’ve gone from a size 16/18 to a 14, but I’d love to be a size 12!!! We’ll see!!!! I’m really proud of my fellow slimmers! They are doing great & have really kept me going!!! Thank you ladies & well done!!! To sponsor me the link is…

www.justgiving.com/lisaguilder

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts, prayers & messages. I may get round to replying to my emails & phone calls one day – sorry!!!! I’d also like to thank Birds Bush Primary School & Asda Leamington Spa for being so understanding in allowing Me & Brian to have the full 6 weeks off work to be with Poppy & give ourselves time to deal with this stage in Poppy’s treatment. THANK YOU!

Take care all,

Love Lisa, Brian & Poppy