20th March to 30th March

Mum Says: I have had a very busy time taking Alice all over the place visiting everyone we could. All the support we have had from the people in Gibraltar has been overwhelming and I'm sure there are people we should have visited and haven't been able to see!

I was over the moon to be told that we would be able to get home for a while but wasn't sure if it will work to make me more or less home sick (Jury's still out on that one). Getting ready to come to Gibraltar filled me with trepidation when I packed my hand luggage full of Alice's medicines and the thought of taking her so far away from the hospital made me very nervous. Also just seeing people and being around family and friends. having kept myself pretty sane (I think) I wasn't sure if I'd loose it completely and break down (I didn't).

The flight was a nightmare, it is difficult travelling with a child on your own but add steroids to the mix and it could have been a pretty interesting journey without taking into consideration that we may be diverted to Malaga, which we were. I must say Alice voiced her protests at being at the wrong airport loudly and with as much gusto as she could muster!

I can only say that coming home has been a real break and has given me the chance to see people and just have a bit of 'normal'. I have enjoyed seeing people immensely and being with Joe, Gareth and Toni has been a real tonic.

I was able to meet up with a lady that has been in the situation we are currently in with her son and she has gone trough it and come out with a healthy son, 10 years on it gave me a real boost to see her and hope that Gibraltar will be able to look after us during our maintenance period, so I won't have to say in England for 2 years! I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get home.

I have managed to go out with Gareth for a meal which was very much needed, we had some time to ourselves and could sit down and chat about rubbish and eat good food, just for a couple of hours, we had tried whilst in the UK but Alice ended up in hospital.

I did go out for a quiet drink with a friend which turned into a bit of a session and I can only say 
1. I'm glad that we had Friday free and 
2. I am not as young as I used to be.

I haven't managed to do half of what I wanted but I  was happy to find out that the housework was fairly up to date when I arrived thanks mostly to my daughter Toni. 

I think that the best part of my visit has been seeing Alice and Gareth with permanent grins on their faces. I have loved seeing Joe and Toni and can't wait to get back to them for a longer period of time. I would like to say I'm more rested than before, but I don't think I am having packed so much into our week at home. I am however absolutely determined to bring Alice back healthy and happy.

23rd to 30th March - INTERIM MAINTENANCE - Week 10

23rd March to 30th March

Oh my goodness me what an exciting week I have had. On Saturday I woke up in my bed in my house with all my toys! I went to shops and helped clear up the house a bit and played and played and played.

Sunday we went to my Nana's house and I saw all my family there. I played with my cousins and brother and ate my lunch. It was so exciting to see everyone and they were all happy to see me too. I got lots of kisses and cuddles.

Monday we went to my Mummy's work to see all her friends and say hello. Joe had a day off school and came with us. I wanted to go to the park because it was a nice sunny day but I was tired and I also wanted to go to my dancing class in the afternoon. 

I'm glad I went dancing I had lots of fun at my lesson and started to learn a special dance for a show. I was a bit sad because I wont be able to do the show but I thought it was funny because I made Mummy do the dance with me. My dance teacher was very happy to see me and I can't wait until September when I will be able to go again.

Tuesday was the day I went to see all the people who work with my Daddy. Joe went to school so when we went for a drink it was just Mummy Daddy and me. Mummy tried to do some paperwork as well but I don't think she was able to. I went to see all my friends at nursery and I took them a card that I had made and I had so much fun that I asked to go back. I also wanted to have a snack at nursery like I used to. They invited me back on Thursday for an Easter Egg Hunt!

On Wednesday I went to the airport to collect my Big Sister because she had been in England for a little while something to do with university. I also got to visit Nana and Alfred in the afternoon, Mummy had a meeting with a lady who's little boy had been ill like me and he is all better now! When I as at Nana's house I went to the park and played with my friend. I wanted to go and make a sandcastle at the beach and eat my tea there but I got very tired in the car and had to go home or I wouldn't go to sleep at bedtime.

I went back to nursery on Thursday for the Easter Egg Hunt. I made Mummy get up and make me a special lunch to take with me. It was so much fun, I didn't want to stay on my own so Mummy had to stay with me but I had a snack and story and they called my name on the register.I made cupcakes for my Brother, Sister and Daddy I wanted to stay for lunch but I was too tired. Mummy had to go to the supermarket and I had a long sleep. We all went to my Auntie and Uncles house and I got to play with my cousin again. They gave me some toys to take to England that my cousin doesn't play with anymore.

Friday we had a quite day at home and some of Mummy and Daddy's friends came to visit us.

We were suppose to go to the campsite in Spain on Saturday but it rained all night and Nana and Alfred's camp site was flooded  so we went for lunch in Casemates and I got to play in the sunshine. I made Nana run around after me all over town! My cousin came to play at our house when we got home from lunch. I wanted her to come and make a big mess in my house, which we did. We also had an Easter egg hunt.

My week has been super exciting and I have smiled and smiled and smiled. I think Mummy and Daddy have too. I think I will be sad to go back to England but I will also be happy to get better so that I can be at home all the time!

20th to 22nd March - INTERIM MAINTENANCE - Week 9

20th March to 22nd March

When I went to the Doctors on Wednesday for my medicine it was very busy and took a long time, but it was a very good day because my blood was very well and we were told that I could go home for a holiday! They had to give me a nasty medicine to take and I don't like it but I decided to be very brave and take it in my mouth.

Nana came with us to the hospital and we got the train home. It was very exciting because I'd never been on a train before.

On Thursday the nurse had to come and put in an NG tube because as soon as I took my medicine it made me sick, it made me very sad and I bit the nurse when she put it in. Mummy wasn't very happy with me for that. My little cousin and Aunty came for lunch and we went to Sure Start to play. That was fun and I forgot all about my tube.

Mummy was very busy making telephone calls and sorting out our flights.

Friday was the the best day because when I woke up there was lots of snow everywhere. I've seen snow but this was the first time there was enough to make a snowman. Mummy and I got out of bed at 7 o'clock in the morning and went out in our pyjamas and snow clothes to make our little snowman.

The problem was that my uncle was snowed in and we had to call a taxi to take us to the train station and he took a long time to get to Nana's house. I got to go on a train and an aeroplane all in one day!

When we got on the aeroplane I found out that one of my sister's friends was on the plane too. That was fun I got to see him and play a lot. 

The journey made me very tired and I fell asleep on the plane. When I woke up I wasn't in Gibraltar I was in Malaga. That made me mad. I wanted to see my Daddy! We had to wait a long time for our bags and then we had to get on a bus. It was better because my sisters friend came with us.

When I got to Gibraltar, at last, Daddy and Joe where there to collect me and Mummy. Daddy bought me noodles from the Chinese and seeing all my toys again was like having Christmas all over again!