Updates from Simon and Angie on Chelsea's Risk Category

Simon

"We had a wonderful week with Chelsea! She has been full of life and laughter and cheek. Tough day yesterday, as we found out she was not in the lowest risk category we had been hoping for, but is intermediate instead, which is a blow, although much, much better than high risk. Her chances are still very good, and we are extremely thankful to all the parents over the last 50 years or so who have bravely allowed their sick kids to be part of medical trials and studies - without that we would be looking at a truly awful prognosis today. I am just back from hospital, and Angie is in, as Chelsea has been having her first batch of brain focused chemo. As of a few minutes ago she was laughing down the phone with me and had just been for a walkabout with her mummy - tricky dragging 2 machines and 2 separate lines around but she doesn't care! - and apparently she did a dragon roar at a gruffalo... she is simply awesome. Thank you again to all of you from all of us for your love and support - it is truly helping us stay strong! xo"

Angie (Oct. 10th):
"Chelsea is now back home and has been happily playing with her toys, dressing up in her tutus and ballet slippers!"

 She is a strong girl who continues to amaze everyone with her resilience!
The higher risk category means that Chelsea's treatment will be longer, include higher doses of Chemotherapy and has a higher chance of relapse. We ask that everyone continue to pray for Chelsea and send her healing energy. Please also keep Angie, Simon and Sophie in your thoughts; they need all of our support.

Thank you

Prayers for Chelsea

Hello Everyone,

Here's an update from Angie:

"'Chelsea the Brave' is being admitted into hospital again tomorrow...  another battering of bone marrow and IT collection, followed up with 24 hours of high dosage chemotherapy to attack any cancer cells hiding in her brain... followed by another couple days of rescue and recovery meds."

As Chelsea has been so happy and healthy lately it is heart wrenching to have to put her through these high dose treatments. We ask for your prayers and positive thoughts that Cheslea gets through this week with the most minimal of side effects and the most positive of outcomes.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

9 year old raises $350!!

A special 9 year old, the daughter of good friends of Angie and Simon, raised $350.00 in support of Chelsea! Her 9th birthday was approaching and instead of wanting birthday presents for herself she asked that her friends make a donation to help the Douthwaites! It is confirmation that angels come in all ages! We would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to Lily-Anne for her generous act.

A few updates...

Chelsea had a long day at chemo on Monday but she is still singing and dancing!! She had a port placed in her chest so injections are much less painful and scary. She no longer has to be poked every time she goes to the hospital! Tuesday marks another big day as Chelsea must be checked into the hospital for 4 nights. Hospital stays are stressful and exhausting for the family. Angie and Simon rotate nights staying over with Chelsea while Grandma Nixon helps with Sophie and day to day life.

Thank you for all of the donations so far; every penny has helped tremendously and the Douthwaites are extremely grateful. With donors permission we are posting names on the Current Amount Raised page. If you don't see your name and would like it added please let us know via the email found below. For any questions about donating please check out the Donate Now page or email teamchelsea3@gmail.com

Photos and fundraising events will be posted soon so keep checking back for more updates.

Update from the Douthwaites !!

"Chelsea is loving being back home! She had her last stitches out on Monday! She has beaten those awful infections and is back to her old, wonderful self. How we love these days - maybe it's an upside of the awful days that when we have these days full of laughter and dancing and smiling they are just great beyond anything we would have believed possible before. Sure, it's a rollercoaster and hard times no doubt lie ahead, but we are living in the minute and so is Chelsea! She rocks the party!.And all the love and support from around the world - witness the Sai Kung boys head shaving last week - is just awesome and is helping us remain positive and strong!. Thank you all!"

Chelsea is home!!!!

WE ARE SOOOOOO HAPPY TO ANNOUCE THAT CHELSEA IS HOME!!! LOOK AT THAT BEAUTIFUL JOYFUL FACE!! OUR HEARTS ARE SO HAPPY! XOXOXO

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.