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Real Life Is...

Pomgolian

Kiwi Brummie
....Close my eyes, feel ...
Wrap around, take a hold
Of my heart
What a feeling
Bein's believin'...'

And that's how I felt today.
A hug
A kiss
"I love you"
Said to me today by a
9 year old 'Soldier' losing the battle of the 'C'
That's real life....
The world I live in, but rarely speak about.

Pom/Chris :angel:
 
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Thanx John...
It's really hard to believe how many young children have Cancer.
They are all very brave, in many ways they show us adults up.
They take the treatment, pain and many days of hospitalisation in their stride, with very few complaints.

Pom/Chris :angel:
 
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Chris: That's so very heartfelt isn't it. You are right those children are so brave. We have a Ronald McDonald house here in Vancouver for children and families in this situation. It's an old Mansion that has been completely renovated as a "home away from home" for these families.
 
Chris Thank you so much for posting this.. my son has had cancer twice he is an adult and I know it must be so much harder when it is a child..I am finding it so difficult to put into words how I felt when I read your post..but I want to say Thank You for doing the job that you do.
Maggie
 
I agree with Rupert - It rips ones heart apart - the dying love of a 9 year old
 
Pom can't find words tonight but will sleep on it and in the morning will answer that. I cry myself to sleep about my beautiful autistic grandson who is 13 and still cannot talk. He has many other health problems and my son and his wife can only take it day by day, He goes into respite at Lyndon house and the motor bike club are doing an xmas run for the children. I am so proud that i am the only person who can wash and cut his hair. It is still beautiful and blonde. Pom I do feel for you and that brave little boy. Jean.
 
No words just lots of Hugz wending their way to you via the internet.
 
Chris,

I think that we can all feel your pain and I'm sorry but I can't find any words greater than yours to make it easier for you or those kids.

I was watching a Dutch docu on TV this week about a young girl that only reached that age of 9. She was so strong and bubbly giving all her older brothers, sisters and parents so much in the way of happiness and courage. It was really inspiring and moving to see just how strong these little "soldiers", that you write about, really are.

A big hug for Chris.

Graham.
 
This is our latest fundraiser here in NZ for these Brave children...
'Shave Your Lid for A Brave Kid'
View attachment 23217 View attachment 23216
Take a look here:
https://www.funrazor.org.nz/
Also read about Petra Hancock, just one child like all the other children I've had the pleasure to meet over the last 12 years since I have worked as a part time 'Play Specialist' at our local hospital. For all the sadness we also celebrate successes too.....
https://www.childcancer.org.nz/child-cancer/news_article_71.asp
The Beads Petra is wearing in the article represent a treatment that Petra has under gone. Treatments from injections, ex-rays, blood tests, op's chemotherapy, radiotherapy and much more. Some children have them in the hundreds and others in the thousands, however no matter how many the have they count for each time these young children have taken their sometime very scary treatment in their stride.

Chris / Pom :angel:
 
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Pom when i used to teach at Wyndley i have memories of many children who are no longer with us. One of many was a little girl who wanted so much to take her test for what used to be the scholars free pass. Her mom agread to her wishes. She had a massive inoperable tumour that had began to distort her little face. She had a practice with me beforehand jumping in the deep end and treading water and when she felt ready i took her for her test. She did the jump in the deep end and without touching the side trod water for 30 seconds then once again without touching or holding on swam the length of Wyndley [33 and a third metres]. The part she found most difficult was climbing out at the end of the test. They were not allowed to use the steps]. She through her determination made it and gained her pass. Unfortunately she did not live long enough to use it as she died two weeks after. I will never forget the look of joy and acheivement on her little face. There are so many others but this will stay with me forever. Pom you do a wonderful job. Jean.
 
Hi folk.
It's becaus of the kind of reactions to me, like the ones you folk have shown that I don't often mention this part of my job. thank you all for your kind words:)

This time I just had to tell, because I was really touched by that one child and his reaction to me that day. I have had many hugs, kisses and "I like you your nice" from the children over the years, however not all three at one time from one child.

My job being a 'Supply/Reliever' in 'The Playroom' does not have the same involvement as the jobs of the rest of the team of 8 Play Specialists.
These Girls & Ladies (yes a couple are very young ladies), not only work with the children and their parents in 'The Playroom' as I do, but also go with the children and their parents to help reassure them, and in some cases distract the children while they are having their procedures done.

I have had to go into treatment rooms with children in the past when training for the job, and when years ago there were only two other Play Specialist employed at the hospital.
This was when we were just seen as 'Glorified babysitters' by the medical staff. Thank goodness those days have gone and almost all medical staff now realised the importance of having a calm settled child (and parents) to treat and how this in turn can speed the recovery of the child .

No treatment of any kind takes place in 'The Playroom' this is the children's sanctuary from it all.

Not all the children we deal with have Cancer, some have other life threatening disorders, others are in for routine types of operations and for Broken limbs and burns/scolds. We also cater for children of 'Child Abuse' who are often in for complete body examinations.

Chris / Pom
 
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The wonderful work that you do Chris must give you a lot of satisfaction even though you see so many dramas every day?

Another angel like you Pom; I wonder how many people know that the Spanish cyclist that won this years Tour de France also has a big heart when it comes to helping these little soldiers. Even though he is Spanish he has great admiration for the work being done for child cancer patients here in Ghent, Belgium. He has recently been here twice to visit these children and donated €10 000 out of his own pocket! https://www.cyclingnews.com/features...._fanclub_aug08

Graham.
 
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