Happily Ever Annabel

02/11/2026

Came across this local-to-us charity today, that raises money to feed cancer-affected families during treatment. It's so needed.

I don't think people realise that parents looking after their children at hospital don't get fed. The kids do. But parents have to feed themselves. Sometimes when they're literally living in hospital for months at a time.

And there's no affordable canteen on site. It's Costa or the public restaurant. When they're open. There's a family kitchen but no way to make hot food, since the microwave got taken away for H&S reasons.

Today we're back for chemo week. Luckily we're outpatients but it's still almost a full day, every day, so we still bought lunch here. £25 for the three of us. Luckily, some of our very kind supporters have gifted us Costa cards, which really helps.

If anyone is looking for a great cause that can make a difference, I think this is a good one. More details in the comments below.

We're very sorry for Matthew's family's loss. We didn't know them, but we feel for them, and all the others walking this road.

Raising funds to cover food and travel for young cancer patients and their families at the RVI in Newcastle in memory of Tynemouth teenager Matthew Adams.

28/10/2026

Just a quick update today to say Annabel is doing really well at the minute. To look at her, you'd not know there's anything going on. Her leg is feeling much better right now. She's full of beans. And she's still got all her hair.

Chemo starts again next week and we're expecting her to get tired and feel unwell again for a little while. But hopefully she'll bounce right back again.

And right now she's champion ❤️

23/10/2026

People who've been to Disneyland Paris... what's the best hotel to stay in close to/in the park? Thanks.

Iʼm raising money to take Annabel to Disney when she's better. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

21/10/2026

Weekly check up day today.

She was really sleepy this morning but perked up when we got to the hospital. Weirdly, it does feel nice to visit. We see people we know and everyone makes a fuss of her. Just wish we didn't have to!

Life's been like that recently. Very drowsy and happy to snuggle at home. But a burst of energy if we leave the house. Works for me. Nothing better than a duvet day and cuddles!

Anyway, Annabel asked me to post the photo of her with her certificate and medal. She got this for learning to take tablets instead of syrups for her medication.

This is better for her - no yucky flavours - and for us - no more battles to get essential medicines into her. Win-win :-)

17/10/2026

First round of chemo done 💪 Annabel spent the first few days on the ward at the cancer unit (which was spookily quiet over the weekend) just to check she had no adverse side effects.

Once the team determined she was OK, we got to do the rest as outpatients. That means spending the day at the ward on chemo, but getting to go home at the end of it. Woo hoo!

Now she's on a two week break before the next round of chemo, with weekly visits to the hospital just to check she's OK. Rinse and repeat!

Much as it isn't what we wanted or where we want to be, things are going smoothy. She's sickly, tired, and everything tastes horrible. But meds keep her mostly comfortable. And she really perks up if she sees her pals.

Sharing her fundraising link again in case anyone would like to contribute. Thanks for all your support x

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/annabel-disney-trip

10/10/2026

And we're off... After frustrating delays getting the chemo drugs due to it being a clinical trial, I've stamped my feet and we're starting today with Plan B. Tablets instead of infusion. But we're starting and that's what matters.

Hopefully just a few days in hospital this time, but up to a week. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and no side effects for little miss 🤞🤞🤞

08/10/2026

Someone's on the move! Armed with her new zimmer frame, a dress big enough not to press on her medical lines, and a hefty dose of morphine, Annabel felt up to leaving the house today! Only for a quick hop into Subway for her favourite salad. But it was so lovely to see her out of bed.

It's been a frustrating week since Annabel's op. The hospital ordered her chemo drugs almost as soon as the relapse was confirmed. But it's taking AGES to arrive. So we've been at home, managing her pain, and waiting for the call to say it's arrived.

It looks like it MAY arrive this afternoon, meaning tomorrow we should finally be able to get started - start the treatment, start shrinking the tumour, and start relieving the pain she's in.

Despite it all, she's mostly had a smile on her face. Sometimes the pain or the 'why me' of it gets too much. But not much keeps this girl down!

We're up to £900 on her Disney fundraiser, which is AMAZING. Thank you everyone who has donated :-)

justgiving.com/crowdfunding/annabel-disney-trip

04/10/2026

I'm going to try to update you all weekly on Annabel's progress. So here goes.

Very busy week this week following discovery of her relapse.

She's been at hospital a lot and really feeling sore and sad.

- Bone marrow aspiration under general anaesthetic (a needle in each hip bone through the small of her back to check for cancer cell concentration in her bone marrow)

- Cannula in the hand to administer dye and radioactive trace for her scans

- CT scan (quick and easy)

- MIGB scan (long and arduous, she had to lie still for 90 minutes as a metal plate rotated around her, often just an inch from her face. I know I'd have been super stressed by that but she handled it really well, only getting distressed in the last 20 minutes)

- General anaesthetic to refit her hated Hickman line, a long line in her chest to administer drugs, plus leg bone biopsy

The latter has really knocked her and she spent yesterday in bed, crying about the unfairness and the pain, demanding the hospital remove the line, and saying she hates her life 😭😭😭😭😭 She's a little perkier today, thank god.

Aside from the weeks after her first diagnosis, this has been the hardest week of my life as a mum. Imagining the very worst. You can't imagine despair so deep, especially waiting for the results of her scans on Friday. Or the agony of your child being so sad about what they're going through.

Fortunately, we got the results and, of all the s**t outcomes, we got the least s**t.

The cancer hasn't spread beyond her leg, and she can start treatment next week to try to clear it.

There's no fixed approach or timeline but it looks like chemo, maybe radio, and then potentially looking into clinics trials nationally and internationally. Probably up to a year but the doctors will monitor and adjust as we go.

This has been a nightmare and were so grateful for everyone's support and best wishes.

We've started a small fundraiser toward Disney so that Annabel has something to look forward to and work towards. The money raised previously is managed by Solving Kids' Cancer and only accessible for medical needs. So if you'd like to contribute, the link is below.

I'll keep you informed.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/annabel-disney-trip

Iʼm raising money to take Annabel to Disney when she's better. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

26/09/2026

This is Oliver (Ollie). He has the same as Annabel. All kids experience this dreadful disease differently and Ollie has been hitting a lot of challenges. His mum Sinead Robertson is an incredible woman, fighting to get the best for her son, and trying to raise funds for anything that could help. Please give their page a like and follow.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMYXoFPwk/

Oliver 6 yrs old
Diagonsed with highrisk nuroblastoma stage 4 19/09/25

Now classed as refactory progressive 16/09/26

follow our journey & fundraising efforts for seeking treatment that will give olly a chance at beating this 💪

25/09/2026

Thank you everyone for your kind words and wishes this week. Annabel went into hospital yesterday for bone marrow aspiration. That means two needles in her hip bones - under general anaesthetic - to see what's going on in there.

Next week she will have a CT scan and MIGB scan (that's a scan that can identify the exact cells associated with her type of cancer) to determine whether and how far it has spread. Obviously, the hope is that it hasn't.

Last night we were back in hospital at A&E due to Annabel having chest pains. Fortunately, she was checked and didn't need admitting.

Some special thanks already (because you're all so wonderful):

Traci and Annabel's little school bestie for recording a bedtime story for her, that cheered her up in hospital last night

Nanita and Simon for dropping off some 3-D printed dragons (Annabel's favourite toy) at the hospital, which helped distract her after her painful procedure yesterday

Jo for offering Annabel some tutoring while she's off school (she's very excited about this)

Fellow cancer mums like Nicola for the support and understanding of what we're experiencing.

And others who aren't followers of the page and I can't tag.

Annabel is desperate to be a YouTuber and I'm having to practically restrain her from posting a video to you all...but you can expect that soon, I think!