Romy has received so many well wishes, cards and gifts since her diagnosis. Some of the teachers at school who have never even taught her have sent gifts/cards, her classmates have sent Yoto cards, pyjamas and video messages, and places that we used to frequent and that are very close to Romy’s heart have sent gifts and activities (namely Candie Museum, St Peters Church and Romy’s lovely old preschool Stepping Stones). Here are just some of the cards and pictures we have received. Some mystery gifts such as the Ponyo book have also been sent anonymously.
We walk a fine line between spoiling Romy and bringing her joy while we can. So many parents of cancer survivors say they struggle with behaviour as they have understandably indulged their little warriors throughout treatment. We try to remind ourselves that while we want to bring Romy joy whenever possible, that keeping the usual rules and boundaries brings her a feeling of security too. But it is hard to say no when she asks for something, she has to endure so much that we just want to spoil her in any way we can. In the run up to Christmas we tried to find this little owl toy (Romy calls it a penguin) which she had seen in Waitrose back in June. She really wanted it at the time but I denied her the pleasure and told her we would take a photo of it so we could put it on her Christmas list come the winter. I found the photo on my phone in the run up Christmas and asked a friend in Guernsey to look in Waitrose for it. Unfortunately it was no longer for sale in Waitrose and we didn’t know what the brand was to search for it online. We couldn’t believe our eyes when Romy was allowed out on her first day trip to the flat and we saw the exact same “penguin” in the hospital gift shop in the foyer. Romy immediately recognised it (despite not seeing or mentioning it since June), her memory is incredible and she remembers the smallest details. We checked the photo from June and it was indeed identical to the one she had longed for, so we simply had to buy it! We also let her choose a beautiful glass Disney snow globe for Christmas, she always knows exactly what she wants and the pleasure she got from watching the snow globe in action was worth every penny. It also looks beautiful on her bedside table with her nightlight behind it.
We had told everyone that money was so much more useful than gifts as hospitals stays are expensive, future new treatment is expensive and living costs continue, plus storage space is limited, however we made a gift list for friends and family to choose gifts for Zephyr and Romy for Christmas. Several people have recently messaged us to ask if this gift list is available, so we have decided to update it and make it public. It includes things that Romy has enjoyed in hospital, craft supplies that have run low and practical things such as a place to store her toys and crafts and things that are helping with her physical rehabilitation. We also made a list of things that we are short of for the flat, such as storage boxes. We have also made a wish list for Zephyr.
-Helen
