11th to 23rd September - MAINTENANCE - Weeks 34 & 35

11th to 23rd September

Being back at home is very very fun. I can play with my toys when ever I want and I have found toys that I had forgotten about.

I phoned my Nana and Alfred to come and play with me, everyone else is in school. They have taken me out in Alfred's car and to the park and Daddy comes home from work every day and we eat our dinner together and Joe is here and plays with me. I'm so excited all the time.

Friday I got to go to a birthday party as my Cousin turns 7 and I got to wear my Lala Loopsey dressing up! I loved it, the party, dressing up and playing with the children.

Saturday we went to a BBQ as Daddy's friend is leaving, I had so much fun with the children and played and ran around a lot! I especially liked the BBQ because they have 2 puppies, Millie and Jemma and I loved them. I think I might be a puppy. They like chicken, so do I, They like rolling around on the floor, so do I. They get very excited seeing lots of new people, so do I and they get worn out and need to sleep a lot, so do I.

Monday was a very special day for me as I started my nursery at school. I met my teacher and visited the class on Friday but on Monday I got to wear my new school uniform. I was so much fun and I really enjoyed playing with children and I got a sticker on my second day for being good. I told Mummy that at school we do lining up but we do other stuff too. I am especially lucky as my cousin goes to my school and when Mummy left me in the playground my cousin came a looked after me for a little while until she had to go to her class.

I had my first trip to Rainbow Ward on Wednesday so I missed school and had a blood test. I didn't mind especially as the Doctor told Mummy that my blood wasn't very good and that I could stop taking my yucky brown medicine and green Saturday medicine.

By the end of my week of firsts I also get my first temperature and went back to Rainbow Ward ... lucky I like it there!

Mum says: It was great to see Alice star nursery and enjoy it so much! We have been very busy and She had been coping very well. If not a bit more tired than usual. Gareth and I managed  a meal out before Alice's temperature went up too much by Saturday morning we had to go to the hospital to be checked. It didn't seem initially like it was much of anything and she wasn't neuropenic so we came home with antibiotics. But by Sunday We became aware that things just weren't improving so went back to the ward!  

National Day

Tuesday 10th September

National Day is a very important day in Gibraltar and it is like a great big party in the street. 

I wasn't going to go into town but we were all so excited that I was back home we decided to go into town all together.

I met so many people in town it was a bit scary. And a lot exciting. It was very noisy in town with too many people and I didn't like it too much but I got to have some food in a shop and Daddy went to the political rally.

One of the best bits of being in town was seeing the babies that I read all about on the Internet whilst I was in England. There were 3 of them. When they were tiny they had tubes in like me! But they don't anymore. Like me! 

Later after lunch and a bit of a rest at home we all went to my Aunties house, she had everyone there to celebrate National Day and it was really fun to play with my cousins. My Auntie and Uncle had a big giant paddling pool out and I got to go splashing around. My cousin also has a trampoline and a new kitten. 

My Auntie and Uncle have been busy decorating their house whilst I was away and it all looked very different but I liked it all a lot. especially their garden.

I got all my cousins toys out and played lots!

It was so exciting just being with everyone and to be home and to have so much fun. It was like Gibraltar had a big party just for me!

Mum Says: National Day is always a special day in Gibraltar and this year was no exception. If nothing else Gibraltar knows how to throw a party and seeing everyone on the streets in their red and white showing their sense of community and patriotism is something to behold.
Alice and I saw lots of people we haven't seen for a long time. Alice seemed a little unsure of herself and who exactly these people are, 8 months is a long time for a young child to be away from home and people. But everyone remembered her and spending the afternoon with the family was so much fun, seeing the children playing together, picking up as if Alice had never been away!
Being with Gareth and Joe like a normal family means the world to me. I'm now waiting for reality to kick in!

Got to Fly

Monday 9th September 

Today I got to fly home with Mummy and Daddy. When I woke up I was very excited as suddenly I remembered about going home and seeing my friends, hiccup the cat and Joe!

I know Nana and Grandad are going to be sad when I go and are going to miss me but I was just a bit to excited to be sad.

We got on the train to the airport, we had lots of bags and it seemed a bit like an adventure.

At the airport we had to queue for a long time to check in our bags and then again to go through to the air plane.

I had fun at the airport. We had lunch there and I got to play on the rides and I even tried to win a toy from the machine but I didn't.

The flight took a long time and when I got on they didn't take off quickly enough, I was in a hurry to get home. I fell asleep for a long time but when I woke up I was still on the plane and that didn't make me happy. Daddy let me walk up and down the isle and I said hello to everyone. I even went to see the air hostess behind the curtain, when we got off the plane she even remembered my name!

It was hot when we got off the plane much hotter than in England. We didn't have to wait too long for our bags and I was very happy to see my pushchair.

At the airport all my family was waiting for me to arrive. I was so excited to see them all and so pleased to be home!

It took me a long time to get to sleep that night all I could think about was my toys and playing and playing and playing! 

Mum Says: It all seems so unreal right now. Travelling with Gareth made travelling with Alice that bit less stressful. She behaved beautifully for the most part. Although I'm sure everyone on the plane knew she was unhappy about how long we had to wait before take off.I found I was very emotional saying good bye to Mum and Dad I don't think they will ever know how wonderful they have been and I honestly couldn't have managed without them, their love, support and acceptance has been invaluable.
Getting back to Gibraltar still feels like a holiday! Again I couldn't believe how emotional I felt when everyone was waiting at the airport and how much my nieces have grown and changed since I last saw them. What joy they bought to Alice when she saw them and her brother and again when she got home to the cat and her toys!
I don't think we will ever forget everything that has happened this year but I hope we can hold onto the good and happy memories, like today and let go of the bad. 

2nd to 8th September - MAINTENANCE - Week 33

2nd to 8th September



This week has been a lot happy but a bit sad too. On Tuesday I went to play at my little cousins house and had tea there which was lots of fun, although we did argue a little bit about toys and things, it was a bit sad because it is the last time I'm going to be able to go and play at her house for a while. Because I can go home!

When we went to the hospital on Wednesday the Doctor was very happy with my blood results and said that she is now happy for me to go back to Gibraltar! My sister also came to stay at Nana's house before going to University.

The minister from Nana's church came to visit us at Nana's house to find out what was happening and to ask if we could speak in Church about what has been happening and going home later we went out for a special lunch on Thursday with my big cousin who is also going to university and came with us. Toni went shopping and bought herself a new dress.

On Friday Mummy, Toni and I went to town to go shopping and when we were there we found Daddy! He had come to take Toni to University and to rescue me!

Mummy spent most of her time packing and trying to fit all our stuff in the cases. I was a bit sad on Saturday because Daddy and Toni had gone and I was still at Nana's house with Mummy.

Sunday was exciting we went to church on the bus and they had a party at Sunday school for me to say goodbye. I'm going to miss all my new friends! Best of all was getting home from church and finding Daddy at Nana's house!

Mum Says: Now that it is time to go I am getting more nervous about everything. Alice is getting excited and confused. She has asked if she is going back to Daddy's house. It has been great seeing Toni and I am very happy to see her going off to University, she has worked hard to get there. She isn't my little girl anymore and has shown us this year that she really is a fully grown woman able to cope with anything life throws at her! Let's hope she and her cousin have a fantastic time at University and that other people appreciate the 2 wonderful young women I love so much!
It Still feels unreal to be going back. Packing up I've realised how much we have accumulated over the last few months. It is very emotional saying good bye to people. We have built ourselves a life of sorts in UK and now we have to go back to reality! I may be apprehensive but I am also looking forward to being a family again and getting back some sort of normal. 
Now is the time I burst the bubble I've created around Alice and hope for the best! 

What a Day

4th September

ANOTHER exciting day, Phew.
 

Today I went to the hospital in Leeds to have my injection in my wiggglies and to get my grumpy minty medicine.

 

 

When I saw my Doctor she was still happy with me, my bloods were so good I'm not even a bit anaemic any more and she is still happy for me to go home. So happy that they didn't book me an appointment again at Leeds until 16th October!
 

Mummy spent a long time today talking to my nurse about going home, starting nursery and how I feel when I take my medicines, anything that might be a worry to her, I played with the kitchen and with my friends I even played dominos.
 

AND to make it even more exciting we went to and came back from hospital on the train AND my big sister came to stay at Nana's house.
 

Mummy and I waited for her to arrive in town. I played in the fountain outside the station but got a bit carried away and got wet. Very wet! Mummy had to take me to buy  some new clothes because I'd already used my spare clothes when I had a little accident earlier.

I don't think Mummy could be upset with me because she seemed to happy about going home and about having Toni come to visit.
 

It is a bit sad though because on Saturday Toni will be going to University and we wont see her until Christmas which is a long time away, but not too long I hope.

Mum Says: It is all really happening now. I feel like I've been holding my breath waiting for today and the Doctors final confirmation that Alice is really well enough to go home and start living a (more) normal life again. We flew over from Gibraltar on Monday 14th January 2013 and will finally be getting home on Monday 9th September. Let's see how we get on back to reality and away from our little bubble we've created here at Mum and Dad's house  .... oh AND we have to adjust to life without Toni as she goes to University on Saturday!!

Party Party Party!

1st September

Oh my Goodness me what an exciting day I have had and what a late night.

Today was the day of my party. It was a special thank you party not a birthday party. But it was MY party.

My cousins came for tea and my Aunties and Uncles and we had party hats and everything.

I made table decorations with Mummy and she cooked cakes and trifle (like in 'My Naughty Little Sister' book) and other nice food.

I especially liked chicken and jelly to eat!

I saw my Big cousin who will be starting University soon and I gave her a special present that I made for her and a card. My Aunty gave me a Peppa Pig sticker book. Nana's friend also came to the party because she is my friend too and she gave me a bracelet with a fairy just like hers.

Grandad had put a tent up in the garden and me and my cousins went out and played there for a little while. 
I got to wear a party dress and my little cousin and I had wands that glowed in the dark! We played and played.

I am usually extra grumpy and tired on Sundays and I often sleep lots but this week I was too excited, I had to wait for my little cousin to wake up to play with ME for a change!

I got to cuddle my Aunty and I even sat with my Uncle whilst he watched football.

If I have another party I think it would be nice to invite Joe, Toni and Daddy too.

Next week is my last week in England and it makes me a bit sad to be going but also very happy. I love my family lots and lots but want to go home and see my other cousins and get back to my bed and toys and Daddy!

19th to 31st August - MAINTENANCE -Weeks 31 & 32

19th to 31st August

We have had a bit of a strange week because Nana and Grandad went on a little holiday to see my big Cousin play Cricket. It was a bit funny being in their house without them. I liked having Mummy to myself and we went to see my Uncle and Aunty and little cousin and have tea at their house. Mummy made sure we had jobs to do outside the house everyday.

 

When I went to the hospital it was very strange because it was very quiet, there were hardly any children and my Uncle stayed with us and watched rugby and did work mostly. It was a very good visit though because the Doctor was so happy with me and my blood test results that she said that I can go home soon. One more hospital visit, one more injection in my wiggly and we are ready to go ...

We were very excited that we could go home and Mummy got busy arranging our flights but I'm not sure if we are both waiting for something to happen and it all to change again.

I have been practicing being a good girl and when Nana and Grandad came home Mummy and I decided to arrange a family party to say thank you to the whole family for everything they have done for us whilst we were here.

I was such a good girl that I even stayed with Nana and Grandad so that Mummy could go and have her eyes tested. I went to the big park with them and took my new bike. Mummy came to meet us at the park. I was very happy to see her and glad that she came to see me at the park like she said!

Mummy has been sorting out our stuff and I think we will need to buy another bag to take it all home! There is so much. Luckily Daddy will be coming to collect me and Mummy. He will finally come and rescue me!

Mum Says: It has been a long time coming but finally we have been given the go ahead to get back to our lives in Gibraltar. It is going to be hard for us both to adjust to normal life. We have been well looked after by the family and supported every step of the way.  Alice is better but the truth is that she is still tired a lot of the time, although she never complains and is struggling to adjust to life after the intensive treatment. I am hoping that being home will help her get into new routines revolving around Nursery and friends not me and food! I've noticed the change in our easy going, happy little girl but I'm sure that things will improve with time.