On Thursday Pete and I were walking into Anna’s nativity when we get a call to ask if Eloise can come into the Marsden in a couple of hours’ time for a minor op for the insertion of a port later that day. We agree to it (of course we would!), continue to go and watch Anna in her nativity (she was Mary – proud parent moment) and exceptionally grateful that we got to see Anna in the nativity in person this year. We dash straight home for Pete to join work, and for me to take Eloise to the Marsden for another general anaesethic and operation. It was pretty rough on Eloise – she had to have bloods taken with no numbing cream, whilst being nil by mouth, and then had to have the MRSA wash… and she was already very exhausted, especially having had intrathecal chemo on Monday. Eloise tolerated it, and the fabulous Marsden nurses spoilt her with some bravery presents.
Eloise continues to be exhausted, unsteady on her feet and eating very little (therefore relying on her NG feed, which is also meaning she’s often waking in the night and we are all getting a lot less sleep). She really is, comparatively to a few weeks ago, quite weak. She always puts in a big effort but her energy drops significantly during the day.
But we’ve continued to try and have fun. We’ve had a Christmas celebration with my (Mel’s) family and have this evening had a doorstep visit from Santa (organised by the charity Momentum). Both girls were surprised – and Anna particularly chuffed.
How do we feel?
Christmas is an odd time – we feel utterly, utterly grateful to have a Christmas with Eloise that we statistically shouldn’t have had with her. That in itself is very emotional.
But it is also a sad time as she’s weak at the moment. It’s hard to look back to photos of her last Christmas and see how much the cancer and its treatment has affected her and ‘stolen from her’ this year. But also at least now her seizures are much more under control too. The treatment has been the best in the world and has been life-saving and means we are having this Christmas with her, but it has, and continues to come at a cost. We continue to think that the maintenance chemo is worth doing – if it increases her chances of survival, even by just a little bit, then it’s worth it – because nothing can really be done if Eloise relapses. We desperately want many, many more happy Christmases’ with Eloise – and our hope and prayer is for her to outlive us! So it’s a real mixture of emotions.
For those that pray:
- Please pray that Eloise turns a corner and gets miraculously stronger over the next few days in the run up to Christmas. She has no planned GA’s or procedures so please pray she can recover from a very challenging few weeks and can now get stronger.
- Pray against any further infections that could lead to another emergency hospital admission.
- Pray for Eloise to have an abundance of joy this Christmas!
- Please desperately continue to pray that Eloise remains NED. When Eloise is weak and poorly, it’s hard not to worry that something bigger might be going on. Pray she forever remains NED from cancer.
Eloise Zoe 
My prayers, love and admiration for you all. You are beautiful and brave people.
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We have never met but I signed up to your updates to be praying for you all . Utterly heartbreaking to hear about how weak Eloise is. Really praying desperately hard tonight for Eloise and you all as family.
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We continue to pray for you all Praying you will have an abundance of joy bless you. X
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Dear Heavenly Father, You’re steadfast love and care is never ending, Your grace shines through even at the darkest hour, Your peace passes all understanding, You became flesh and dwelt among us, You’re ways are higher than our ways! We ask You in the name of Jesus to grant each request! Thank You! ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
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Dearest Mel and Pete.
I read this passage this morning after reading you update:
I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:20-23 (NLT)
Thinking of you and praying for you – praying for new mercies every morning! ❤️
Love from Debby and Brendan
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Praying for a peaceful and healthy Christmas for you all. You are so often in my thoughts and prayers. Lots of love Charlotte
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Absolutely continuing to pray. Thanks for all the updates
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Your update is greatly valued. Thank you.
Prayer continues in the knowledge that we are all in the loving hands of God â who loves
everyone greatly.
Daphne & Tom
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Amen to all that’s in your hearts. In Jesus name we call Eloise healed based on 1 Peter 2:24. Amen.
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Prayers and love to you all. Thank you again for your honest posts. May you continue to know, experience and seek His Peace, Presence, Patience, Love and Holding. With much love and prayers. Maryann & Bruce Richard
Maryann Richard maryannrichard@blueyonder.co.uk
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Love from us at Harbour Churches and prayers that Eloise’s strength may increase and she may enjoy Christmas and have fun in abundance with Anna and her family.
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Praying as you ask , praying especially for Christmas to be exactly as you would want it to be , that Eloise gets stronger and can really enjoy the fun . God bless you all and give you the miracle that you and Eloise’s team are longing for . Px
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Praying as requested may the Joh of the Lord strengthen each of you especially Eloise ,so pleased you saw Anna in nativity, special moment .Praying fof fun, and laughter,family memories ,and many more to come .Passing on to healing rooms Bristol .God less you all ,praying fof good sleep,anc peace and nl hospital trips .For Eloise to return stamina ,appetite and her spark and stability.much love Judh ,Peter ,Bethany Edwards.
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We continue to think that the maintenance chemo is worth doing – if it increases her chances of survival, even by just a little bit, then it’s worth it – because nothing can really be done if Eloise relapses. So it’s a real mixture of emotions.
It’s getting harder and harder to read your posts, Mel. You don’t know me at all as I’ve only come to only know of Eloise from your Mum when I was helping out at a couple of the Bereavement journeys.
I’ve lifted a part of your post ’cause I’ve been so burdened by Eloise’s plight. When you posted that all cancer had been declared gone, we all, who’ve been praying faithfully, were ecstatic!!!May I ask how much longer for this maintenance chemo? With all the nil by mouth, GAs, bloods, etc..she’s been getting- even an adult will be hard put to tolerate; no wonder that she’s weaker & smaller than before.
We believed for GOD’s healing and He has given it! Can we now keep believing & trusting that He’ll continue to be faithful in keeping her healthy?!
Please, please forgive me; I do not mean to offend you in any way. Your love Eloise is undeniable & one sooo feels your grief, your pain & your fight for your baby. I simply ask, are we still trusting in God’s healing? will her body survive this onslaught of chemo?
“We desperately want many, many more happy Christmases’ with Eloise – and our hope and prayer is for her to outlive us!” So do we all for you both, Anna & your families!!!!!
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Continue to pray for you amazing courageous Eloise and all of you. Thinking of you all very much. Xxx
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