clic sargent abseil

earlier this month Clic Sargent had a sponsored abseil off the roof of QMC Nottingham, and Team White was formed

they all did really well and raised loads of money.....not a bad effort from one of the team who to my knowledge won't stand on a step to change a lightbulb!!! He did take a while to get over the top edge but was fine after that!! It was a great day and everyone had loads of fun. And they all want to do it again next year.....must be crazy.

Oh my goodness that was an experience!!!!!!





olympic opening ceremony

So there we were, all sat around the tv watching the opening ceremony. It was undeniably spectacular and then they lit the cauldron and after a few moments silence Sam said

Do you know, that made me feel quite emotional, just think I carried that flame that made it all happen....how amazing is that! I am just so lucky.....

And we are so lucky to have you Sam 

olympic torch relay day ...some pictures

a selection of pictures that hopefully capture the spirit of the torch relay day here, we are still buzzing from an amazing and magical experience. And two weeks on people are still asking to see and have their picture taken with the torch - the amount of interest is still amazing !!!



just a few of the many photos of one very very special day!

Torch relay - the film!!

Here's the BBC film of the torch relay as it happened , some of the background noises are our party people as we watched it at home later that night....at least Mike had the sense to film it!!

What a great day and fantastic event....

Olympic torch relay 28th June 2012

What an amazing day!! I am so sorry I can't describe the wonderful electric atmosphere, our town was buzzing. So many people, such enthusiasm for a wonderful moment it was raining but it didn't matter!!! The cavalcade of vehicles was fantastic, the outriders, police cars, cyclists and huge vehicles  -  the outriders were so good we loved their humour :0) 

Sam was supposed to walk ....but of course he didn't! He loved every minute of the whole day ...there was cheering and banners, whistles and singing, so so many people waving and calling his name. So much happening that even though I was only 3 feet away he never saw me...ah well I would probably have cried if we seen each other!!

The smile was big and wide and never faded from his getting up to going to bed, I don't know where all the energy came from but it seemed boundless. And how many people wanted a photo ??? I hope he managed to please them all.

So, thank you to everyone who turned out to support Sam and cheer him on, those who know him and those who maybe only know his story and those who don't but waved and cheered. To those who cried and those who gave a huge whoop whoop!

We had lots and lots of lovely people call at home afterwards and the day went on and on for Sam - we couldn't have asked for better...and then the sun shone hurray!

And this morning Sam said, you know mum that was the best day and best party of my life - I am just so lucky...

(thank you Linda, you set this ball rolling! and thank you Diane for the photos)

mimm

jimmyteens.tv - all they need is a scan

Thought it might be a good idea to let you all know that this film has been uploaded onto jimmyteens.tv the webpage. This film is very informative and sadly factual - when you get onto jimmyteens.tv put "all they need is a scan" into the search and watch this film. It was a year in the making and had contributions from many. The message is important and if you feel you would like to help to make a difference after watching this then "Go Lobby" we did!!

Take it wherever because each person who listens/watches and takes notice is one more step nearer to making that all important difference....it's that easy.
Posting this here is just a step to going global!! How marvellous!

Go on have a look see how great the amazing Peter Wilkinson is and listen to what he has to say, he's been to many places to lobby and it's really not that daunting once you're on your way and not half as frightening as a brain tumour...believe me.

Do it....we need you to

mimm

olympic torch relay

Ok so just how do you contain a 15 year old who is brimming with excitement at carrying the Olympic torch on Thursday??????

The signs have gone up about the road closure, the neighbours have bought the torch for him, school are having a special celebration.....well they did nominate him!....just one thing missing. Here we are on final countdown and no tracksuit....will he be the only one carrying the torch in his boxer shorts....interesting!

His enthusiasm is catching and we are now all watching those on the relay day by day. Just the slightest hint of the word torch and he breaks into a wide grin!! Let's hope the rain keeps off  -  and the kit arrives!

Good luck to all those carrying the torch on thursday 28th .....

You can see the route and stories on the Olympic Relay web page

2nd june 2012

This is just a very short and simple post to say if you were either one of the team of bag packers at Waitrose on 2nd june or if you were one of the many customers ....thank you.

The buckets for the collection towards the costs of Sam's treatment were jingling with cash...people were very kind and also asked loads of questions about the treatment, hope we answered them all!!

Those packing the bags were great and didn't break or drop anything woo hoo!!

And last but not least the staff at Waitrose were very helpful and tolerant of us all being there on a very busy saturday.

mimm

Wear a hat for Brain Tumour Day 2012

March 31st was wear a hat day and the Grove School turned up trumps yet again and raised even more money than last year. The money is split between Brain Tumour Research and teenage Cancer Trust. It was a wonderful day and made even better by the fact that although Sam had only just come home from hospital after his latest massive operation he was able to spend the afternoon at school with his friends...and he had a great time!

The whole school took part staff and students ...and not forgetting all the parents who provided outfits and/or collection monies!! The atmosphere was amazing and good humour was very much in evidence, even those who find the discipline of school challenging seemed to be part of things. I was lucky to be a part of the day too and felt very proud that Sam is part of such a caring and big hearted community.

There must have been a lot of organisation because it all went off really well....congratulations to those with the ideas some of the hats and outfits were brilliant....have a look

Aren't they all wonderful!!!!

This time it's different....

So, there I am saying life is settled no dramas and bang!! Sam's scan showed the tumour had returned so a couple of weeks later he's back in QMC Nottingham for yet another long surgical procedure. How lucky are we to have the skills and expertise of the neuro ward on our doorstep?! Following removal the tumour was sent to Belgium, as Sam has been accepted onto the  Immune Therapy programme for Dendritic Cell Vaccination at the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven Belgium. He is being treated by Professor Stefaan Van Gool.

We know how fortunate we are that Sam has been accepted onto this programme and recognise the hard work, and daunting amount of form filling!!!, that has been done by Prof Walker to enable Sam to receive this vaccination therapy.

We now travel to Belgium on a regular basis for the treatment which is not available in the UK. However there was no decision to make once we knew Sam was eligible we were booking Eurostar and packing the bags. Sam has been fantastic, setting off with a smile on a seven hour train journey only a couple of weeks after leaving hospital following an operation of similar length of time.
And, I think I may be becoming a bit of an "anorak" I already almost know, off by heart,  the train timetables for the 3 different parts of the journey!!!! Oh nooooo!

The people of Leuven and at the hospital are all really kind, they all try to use english to speak with us, although we have at least learnt that thank you in dutch is dank u! The hospital is massive, Leuven itself has some marvellous architecture and beer!! And it seems to have rained as much as in England......

I am unable to explain the whole of the process here but urge you to look at     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENrdTkvlpgw
this will give some idea of his work.


mimm

Vice Chancellor with Sam and "torch"

Found the photo from the launch day....here is Professor David Greenaway and Sam with the replica torch

happy new year!!!

At last back on the blog, no dramas or catastrophes just busy and then of course christmas!! So, where are we and what has happened......

Back in October last year Sam was invited to the launch of the Nottingham University Impact Campaign, this campaign aims to raise millions of pounds to fund various projects one of which is The Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre.

When we accepted the invitation we hadn't realised quite what an honour it was to be invited or how large the campaign was....should have done the homework!

Everyone we met was so kind and also very interested in Sam and his journey, school had asked Sam to take the replica olympic torch they had made with him, he was even able to persuade the Vice Chancellor Professor David Greenaway to have a photo taken with them both.

The university has set up a link to view some of the footage so here it have a look    

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/impactcampaign/launch-programme/launchdayvideo.aspx

A big thank you to all who made the day so memorable,as for the British Table Tennis players who got Sam interested in their game...well I'm not so sure- I used to have a nice dining table now I have to ask to use it!!!! Maybe some of that lands at Emma's door too I seem to recollect a large amount of encouragement from her for him to have a try!

The university have a programme of fantastic projects it's really worth having a look to see what they are working on and support them if you can. We know that the work that has been carried out over the last 10 years has helped us be where we are today....can I say more?

mimm