Tuesday results

Blood results 14:00 South African time
Haemaglbin 10.2 (12.1-16.3)
Platelet count 429 (150-450)
White cell count 13.0 (3.0.1 (2.0-7.5)
Potassium 4.2 (3.5-5.1)
Neutrophils 10.1 (2.0-7.5)
CRP 1 (<5)

Simone had to report back to hospital this morning at 11:45 for some more chemotherapy a well as a bone marrow test and lumber puncture.

Have a look at the Orange page to see what Cole (Simone's brother) and his soccer team got up to ...

Home visitors

We are all getting ready for Simone to come home from hospital, which will hopefully be today. Jason and Heather have requested that you contact them before making the trip to Simone for a visit. We will notify you in due course when you can start visiting. Please allow them a couple of days to settle before popping in.

Also have a look at the home visitors page on the side panel and respect their wishes for safe visiting.

The results are in ...

Charlene's facebook page

Blood results 9:00 South Africa time
Haemaglobin 9.0 (9.2)  needs 12.1-16.3
Platelets 184 (155) need 150-450
White cell 4.37 (7.77) need 3.92-9.88
Neutrophils 2.79 (5.48) need 2.0-7.5
Infection count 6.7 needs to be 5

Charlene has created this beautiful page on her Facebook account to challenge all her friends and family to follow Simone's blood drive challenge.

I am adding a page called Home visitors, please have a look at Heather and Jason's requests on this page before you visit Simone at home. I know we are all very excited to go visit her, but we don't want to make her ill. Remember, she is still very much at risk for infection and she will end up in hospital if you accidentally pass her a germ or two.

Wednesday's news

The big clean

The big clean is on at home. Everyone is praying that Simone will be able to go home on Thursday. She is only a lumber puncture and some blood tests away from the big escape.

Blood results. Wednesday 9:00 South Africa time
Haemaglobin 9.2 (8.8)
Platelets 155 (123)
White cell 7.77 (7.05)
Neurophils 5.48 (4.85)

Simone is so certain she will be going home Thursday she has started packing her bags. Attitude will get you far my girl.

Positively packing

Ready to go

Tuesdays news is good

Dr Augustyn & Simone

Dr. Augustyn is Simone's favourite and had exciting news for her yesterday afternoon. If her blood results reach the required levels she can go home, which will hopefully be by the weekend.

Now for today's results
9:00 South Africa time

Haemaglobin 8.8 (8.0) needs 12.1-16.3
Platelet 123 (97) needs 150-450
White cell 7.05 (1.29) needs 3.92-9.88
Potassium 3.7 (3.8) needs 3.5-5.1

From the vampires

Neutrophils 4.85 (0.42) needs 2.0-7.5

Vampires are striking all over the country. Please have a look on the Simone's Challenge page for updates and photos.

Monday report

Highlighting Bible verses

Blood results 9:00 South Africa Time
Haemoglobin 8.0 (8.5) should be 12.1-16.3
Platelets 97 (71) should be 150-450
White cell count 1.29 (0.38) should be 3.52-9.88
Potassium 3.8 (4.2) should be 3.5-5.1

Simone is highlighting all the Bible verses that was sent to her in her Bible. She has had a rough few days with her mouth and tummy being really tender from the chemotherapy. It has been a quiet weekend in terms of visitors, which was a blessing as her white cell count is very low so risk of infection is very high. The doctors have given the no touch instruction which is hard to do, how do you comfort from a distance.

If all goes well Simone will be heading home on Wednesday. We are all praying that her results are good enough so she can go and rest at home.

Simone & Lene (dietician)

Lene, Simone's dietician popped in this morning to bring her information on the good, the bad and the off limits in terms of food she is allowed at home.

Remember, Heather has asked everyone for good wholesome recipes she can try out. No nuts, raisins or yoghurt though. Afrikaans recipes also welcome (translator on standby). Heather is considering combining it all into a coffee table book for Simone with a little of this journey she is on. On that note, send a photograph of yourself along with the recipe.

Simone's challenge

"When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out"

SANBS Challenge

Simone's challenge to you:

How much blood can you, your family, colleagues or friends donate during the remainder of June?

Blood saves lives ...

Please send the name of the person that donated the blood in order to update the blog. There will be a special page dedicated to this challenge. Many have already accepted, please let us know when and where you donated then it will be indicated next to your name. 

The toll free number for SANBS is 0800 761 9000.
Their website is sanbs.org.za.
They have all the information you need only a click away, from who can donate to where you can donate. 

First out of the starting blocks ... Ronelle. Well done. She donated in Still Bay this morning. The rest of us are still scrambling to find place to donate :)

Blood results 9:00 South Africa time

Haemaglobin 8.6 (8.6)

Platelets 84 (111)

White cell count 0.49 (0.65)

Potassium 4

Simply thursday ...

Blood results 9:00 South Africa Time
Haemoglobin 8.6 (8.6)
Platelets 111 (151)
White cell count 0.65 (1.08)
Potassium 3.9

Simone is receiving injections at night to stabilize the white cell count.

Simone is constantly receiving beautiful messages from all the supporters on this journey with her. A new page called Special messages will be added to the blog where you can read these paragraphs.

The pages attached to this blog are the following:
Simone's rosary ... contains some of the prayers that have been sent to her
Visitors ... has photographs of her with all her visitors as well as when they were at hospital
Love blanket ... photographs of blanket blocks along with travelling arrangements for blocks
Safe treats ... foods and treats Simone are allowed to eat
and the new one, Special messages.

Simone's team

Simone's support team

Morning all, by now I am sure you are all aware that Simone loves her sport. Her favourite sport being SOCCER. Simone is a strong believer in team work: It means sharing in a common goal and striving towards the goal. It means laughter, sadness, pain and pleasure. When all these happen, true team work appears.

Simone has made up her Soccer Team which is hanging up in her room and is made up of the 11 instrumental players. Each position represents a very important player supporting her Team and Journey:

1. Mom
2. Simone - captain
3. Dad
4. Doctors (Brittain & Augustyn)
5. Nurses
6. Family
7. Caity
8. Cole
9. Friends
10. Assumption Convent School
11. Goaly is made up of: a. Whatsapp group, b. Blog and c. Reach for a dream


Today's bloods ... 10:00 South Africa Time
Haemoglobin 8.6 (8.9)
Platelets 151 (121)
White cell count 1.08
Potassium 4.1

Tuesday update

Simone & Carlien
Reach for a dream

Simone started chemotherapy again today. She will undergo a lumber puncture later this week, one next week, and one the week after. If everything goes according to plan she should be able to go home Wednesday/Thursday next week.
She will have to go back to hospital once a week as a day patient for chemotherapy for another three to four weeks.

Blood results 10:00 South Africa time
                           Today     Yesterday        Range
Haemaglobin      8.2          8.9                   12.1 - 16.3
Platelets              109         121                  150 - 450
White cell count 2.71        1.16                 3.92 - 9.88
Potassium           4.0          3.7                   3.5 - 5.1

Carlien from Reach for a Dream visited Simone today, asked her a million and one question and gave her two teddy bears, one for herself and one for Cole.

Cole & Jason

And just to rub it in, remember Simone's team won the rugby Saturday night. Way to go Sharks.

Entertainment for Simone on Monday ... Jason and Cole. Looks like Cole is making good headway into building nice strong muscles in his arms.

An angel to watch over Simone

Simone's room has also received yet another upgrade over the weekend. The little angel flew all the way from East London with Auntie Tracey.

The big game

Ready for the game

Simone is ready for the big game between the Sharks and Stormers later today. As you can see she is a staunch Sharks supporter. The battle is on ...

A lot has happened since yesterday mornings update. Simone's stats are all a bit down but that is normal according to her doctors. The chemotherapy is fighting a battle inside her body. Yesterday was the last chemo until Tuesday next week when the next round starts.

Friday stats ... 10:00 South Africa time

Haemoglobin 8.3
Platelets 66
White blood cells 1.56

Doctor will do a lumber puncture next week to determine if the cancer cells are all gone.


Today's stats ... 10:00 South Africa time

Haemoglobin 8.4
Platelets 94
White blood cells 1.25
Blood pressure 123/78
Temp 36,6
Pulse 70
Oxygen 95%

Tri-ball lung exercises

Simone has been walking Scotty, making new friends in the ward and exercising her lungs. She has a healthy appetite and enjoys the food served to her which helps to keep her body strong. Simone had a good laugh about fooling all of us with the arrival of Scotty (we will have to make a plan and get her a real pup, if Jason and Heather will agree to it)

She has to blow into a tri-ball daily. This is a precautionary exercise with her spending so much time in bed.

Simone's dog

Scotty

Simone has been begging and begging for a dog ... and guess what, she has finally received one. His name is Scotty!!!

He follows her around wherever she goes and is a true 24/7 companion. He is supercharged with five legs instead of four and eats volts.

He is obedient but can be quite a pain at night - he barks a lot!!

Hairy business

Magda and Michelle

Mark

Magda and Michelle have turned blue, especially for Simone.

And Mark is not shaving until Simone is released from the hospital.

Thank you for all your support for Simone, you love is giving her the strength to carry on with this journey.

Out with the old, in with the new

Four port 

On the left, he old line that was placed in Simone's neck last week that already made it simpler for the vampires to get blood and get intravenous medicine in. It wasn't a needle but rather a ten centimetre long pipe placed inside the vein. In Simone's words: "Very creepy". After removing it they cut off the end and sent it to the lab to test for infections.

J-line

The J-line inserted yesterday afternoon late runs under her skin and is working well so far.

Looking at what came out when they removed the old line, it is understandable that she needed to be in theatre for it to be inserted.

Although Simone is sore today she is still in good spirits and fighting this battle like a true warrior.

Thembile & Simone

The staff at the hospital is truly fantastic (and the doctors amazing according to Heather and Simone). Of all of the nurses Thembile is Simone's favourite. She takes the time to explain everything carefully and that makes a huge difference to a girl that was still terrified of needles two months ago.

Stats ... 15:15 South Africa Time

Platelets 78
Haemoglobin 7.9 ... a little down
White blood cells 1.79 ... lot down, to be expected with chemo

As soon as today's chemo session is completed she will be receiving more blood. Chemo was schedule to start at 9:30 and takes approximately four hours to complete.

Wednesday update

Simone's stats ... 10:00 South Africa time

Journalling

Haemaglobin 9.4

Platelet 50 (best ever)

White cell count 3.47

Simone received a diary in her gift bag from Magda & Michelle yesterday and is thoroughly enjoying writing in it. She started her first real chemo yesterday and they pumping her full of liquid, bright orange like her socks. It is a sixteen day schedule after which she will hopefully be able to go home. 

Old, four port in Simone's neck

On the cards for today the J-line. Until she has been to theater for this she is on a NIL per mouth. Hope they hurry, you get very hungry and thirsty when you aren't allowed anything. 

Currently Simone has a four port line in her neck and this is rather uncomfortable for her. The advantage of the four port is that they do not need to poke any additional holes in her if they need blood and all intravenous medicine can be given easily. As soon as the J-line is in the will be able to straighten her head which she is really looking forward to. 

A new hairstyle

Thank you Lauren for driving all the way from JHB to personally treat Simone to a trendy new hairstyle. What a looker Simone, Dad will have to invest in a gun (or a soccer team) to keep the boys away.

Simone got so many compliments on this new look ... thank you.

There are many girls out there that have to pay hundreds of rands for beautiful highlights like that.

Room upgrade

Simone and Dad Jason

A girl's dad is her hero and Jason must definitely be Simone's after organising her this luxury upgrade to the hospital chair. Bet it is comfortable enough to have a snooze on.

Auntie Stacey decorated Simone's room with butterflies during her visit yesterday afternoon. May they inspire you to take flight darling Simone.

Monday update

Simone is making such good progress thanks to the fantastic care she is receiving and the Lord hearing every single prayer that goes out for her healing. All the love so liberally poured onto her also keeps her positive.

14:00 South Africa time

Dr Augustyn is very happy with Simone's progress and the positive manner in which she reacted to the medication. He suggests that they start with the aggressive chemo tomorrow and insert the J-line in theatre on wednesday. They will call a meeting and consult first.

11:00 South Africa time

Blood results today ... yesterday
Haemaglobin 9.0        8.0
Platelet count 37         16
White cell 3.56           2.26

Some photographs of Simone's space.

Simone's spacce

On Simone's side of the room it very much resembles a hospital. All the fittings and equipment that goes with it close at hand, available to allow for the best care possible. The blanket she is using is a gift from the Nel's from the Vaal, much more exciting than the hospital issue ones and way more cuddly.

Bathroom

Simone's bathroom is fancy but considering that she needs assistance with the washing of hair it makes sense to make it as comfortable for her and mum to manage this task.

Rest of the room with Mom/Dad bed

The other side of the room is equipped with plenty of table space, a TV and a fridge. Mum/Dad bed is also squished in there so they are close at hand all the time. Theirs aren't made for comfort by the looks of it, but rather functional in that it supplies a spot for forty winks.

Nurses space

Before you enter Simone's domain you pass the nurses station. The nurse has a desk where she can complete charts (which happens every two hours at night) and it then gets put on the wall to the right. Record keeping is critical and taken very seriously.

A smile for Jason's birthday

Four the first time since Simone lost all movement in her face four weeks ago she has dazzled everyone with a beautiful smile, just in time for the her Dad's birthday. Way to go Simone :)

Visitor information

So you want to go visit darling Simone? There are a few things you need to know.

Visiting hours are from 14:00 to 20:00 daily. Yes, it seems like a loooooong time but remember she might be whisked away during that time if the doctors need her.

She is only allowed 4 visitors at a time. Doing your maths you will work out that with Mom and Dad hovering 24/7 only 3 - three - drie - tres - people can go. If you have a big family like ours you will have to draw straws to decide who the lucky ones will be. Rotation is NOT allowed.

Now, we all love taking a little something along. Please do not see this as a request to bring something but if you want to there is a long list of what Simone may and may not have. Please look in the side panel for the page called Safe Treats.

And now, if you have always dreamed of looking like a doctor, this is your opportunity. You will have to don gloves, hairnet, face-mask and gown before entering Simone's castle. Sterilise, sterilise, sterilise. And no, Simone is NOT contagious but you might be and she has enough germs of her own so she wouldn't like to have any of yours.

With all of that out of the way, speak to Heather about when you would like to visit.

When you visit, please have a photo taken with Simone and we will try and add it to the visitor's log page.

Love blanket

Everyone interested can knit (or crochet I suspect) a square with their name or initials on it. Her favourite colour is blue so any blue will do :) the final size of the square must be 20cm. As we receive the blocks it will be sewn together for her Love Blanket.

As you can see Chantelle has her first few rows done ... come on knitters. Knit away.

A good day

Dr. Britten was the bearer of good news this morning ... Simone's white blood count is down to 10 - from 127 when she was admitted on Tuesday. Well done Moni-poni. The swelling in her face has also come down and she even managed a small smile yesterday afternoon.

A little birdie told me Simone is quite funny when she is drugged up on Dormicum (for the lumber puncture yesterday afternoon). She made imaginary trips to the equator and sang all kinds of silly songs.

Latest gossip 17:15 ... an invasive line with 4 ports have been inserted into Simone's neck. A J-line would have been too risky to insert since her platelet count is too low. To make sure this line was fitted correctly she had an X-Ray and they drew blood to check its functioning. This line will make it easier and faster to draw blood, and very important get medicine into her system faster.  

Update

Simone taking a nap before the next set of procedures start. Another lumber puncture shortly.

This afternoon late she is heading off to theater for a J-line. It is put in her chest so that they do not have to continually poke her full of holes to try and find veins. The moment this line is in they can start her on chemotherapy to prevent an infection in her brain.

The cocktail she had this morning looks quite intimidating ... imagine they are jelly beans Moni-poni ... magic ones that will make you better :)

Hallo there :)

Simone's journey with Cancer officially started Monday, 1 June 2015, the day after her fifteenth birthday... yes, you guessed it, she spent her birthday in hospital. On Tuesday her diagnoses came in: T Cell Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia and by the end of the week she will be starting chemotherapy.

We visited her in hospital on Monday and Caitlyn and Simone got up to all kinds of mischief. They are double trouble and like to refer to each other as 'Sister from another mister'.

Simone is a brave strong girl and ready for each battle. She is going to fight her hardest and before we know it, the war will be won.

Tuesday morning Simone was admitted to Netcare Pretoria East. They are super strict and visitors aren't allowed to give her any of their germs so they have to get dressed for the occasion when you want to visit. They also don't allow many visitors so please don't show up there unannounced you will be turned away. Family and friends speak to her mum before you make the trip.

This blog will be her voice sharing her journey to recovery. Please feel free to leave her a note (comment). And pray for her and her family.