Update from Simon!

Just back from day 9 at the hospital! We all remain positive and strong. Hopefully Chelsea will be home with us in the next couple of days. Angie and I have been taking alternate days and nights in with her and she is still managing to smile, laugh and tickle us, in between the difficult stuff. She is truly inspirational. Originally Chelsea was scheduled for 2 nights in hospital, including surgery to insert the chemo port but as you know we had a bit of a setback - a previous bone marrow extraction site had become infected. All infections are a worry with leukemia. The strongest available antibiotics did their job over time and she had 2 surgeries yesterday - the port in her chest ( puts in a permanent line direct to her heart wall ), and draining what was by then a large, deep abscess on her lower back. It went well and when she woke up she was soon smiling again. Today unfortunately, we discovered she has 2 ear infections , so we don't know when she'll be out but hopefully very soon, even if just for a day. We are all tired and desperate to get home, but we really do remain strong and positive and extremely thankful, firstly because Chelsea is being an all round trooper and superstar and just full of love, ( she REALLY is ), and second, we are thankful for all the messages and support from all over the world. You guys really count! And a big thanks to Connie ( Angie's mum ) who is now staying out here with us and really has gone beyond the call of duty - Sophie is happy as a peach.