Faces of Hope Foundation

17 February 2009

Dear family and friends

The last two weeks were very good ones in our world. Luke was a lot happier at home. His stomach ache still persists but he was a lot less reserved and back to his old self by Thursday, helped along by the fact that we got some amazing blood results back at the end of last week. The doctors are very pleased by the response Luke is having to the chemotherapy but still wanted him to be admitted to hospital this week for intensive treatment.

He was admitted on Monday and not too thrilled to be back in his 2 by 4 and on the drip. He is having some side effects to the chemo, stomach aches (again) and some retching and his hair is falling out rapidly. He will remain in hospital until Saturday and then we will have some more info on what comes next. We hope his fighting spirit persists and will keep you posted.

22nd January 2009

Hi friends and family

I have been asked to give you an update on Luke and his leukemia. He left hospital last Friday with a long list of things to do and people to see. A lovely weekend was spent with his family relaxing and being as normal as possible. For the next two weeks Luke will go to hospital on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Chemotherapy. On the last Friday 30th blood tests and a lumber puncture will be done to see how effective the chemo has been. In all probability Luke will return to hospital for a week or two as the last blood tests did not show the progress required. He has been given cortisone and as a result of which is eating like a horse. He has become very withdrawn and is sad and confused, trying to get him to talk about his illness and how he is feeling is near impossible. Madz and Brent will continue to persevere and have decided to bring in some professional help. The other side effects he is experiencing thus far are a very sore stomach and some mouth ulcers. Good hours and bad hours are the order of the day. I will send another email next week of any progress and will continue to do so until we have created Luke’s own blog.