C/O 1 Odo Rise
Gillingham
Kent
ME7 2WG
United Kingdom

NB: this is a forwarding address for the Pal, we do NOT disclose home addresses

Email Pal

Emma T 's Parents/Guardians

Robert and Marie

Emma T 's Siblings

Justin (adult) Jessica 07/12/98 Likes books, sports, music and skateboarding. Amber 09/01/2007 Likes arts and crafts, games, going to the park, books, Barbie.

Emma T 's Interests

Likes arts and crafts, music, games, Barbie.

Emma T 's Favourite Colour

Pink and blue

Is Emma T able to read?

Yes

Is Emma T able to use hands?

Yes

Is Emma T visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Emma T suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Story written 2011

Emma was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumour on 24th June 2011 after a lump appeared on her tummy. Her chemotherapy started on 27th June.

The thing Emma misses most is playing with her friends at nursery. She doesn’t have the energy to play physical games and prefers to do art activities and play board games.

Until Emma has surgery, scheduled for 23rd of August, we don’t know how much chemotherapy she will need but we have been told that it will be about 9 months worth. She is being very brave about having it.

Emma’s prognosis is good. She wants the ‘nasty lump’ gone. Emma has always been a determined little girl.

Update 9th April 2012

After a poorly start to the month where Emma had to have a break from her chemo due to low levels, she has started to pick up now chemo has started again. 

She is now being home schooled as she found going to school too tiring, but she is keeping at the same levels as her friends, just missing playing with them. Luckily, Amber keeps her up to date with what is happening at school so she isn't missing out too much.

We would like to say a big thank you to all the people that have sent cards and gifts as it always brings a smile to their faces.

Update 1st March 2012

February has been a hard month for us. Emma has had a few infections and we have spent some time in the hospital. She spent Valentines day in hospital and was so excited to get an anonymous Valentines card. It cheered her up so much. Coming home to another made her smile even more. 

She had an ECHO test this month and we were very pleased to hear that the chemotherapy hasn’t affected her heart and she was chuffed because the sonographer gave her an image of her heart to take home.

As a result of the infections Emma hasn’t been in school and she misses going in. Thankfully she has been able to keep up as Amber brings some bits home. Due to the infections Emma’s levels have been very low and her chemo treatment has had to be postposed a few times. So having her most recent lot of chemo has really knocked her for six because it has been a while since she last had it.

Emma lost her first tooth this month. When it came out we were in hospital and when she woke up it was gone. She panicked as she couldn’t find it and finally discovered she was sitting on it. That night she put it under her pillow and was very excited about the Tooth Fairy coming, especially when the nurse told her that the Tooth Fairy had never come to the hospital before. The next morning she was very pleased to discover the Tooth Fairy had been and had left her some money.

Thank you for all the post and gifts that we’ve received, everyone is fantastic.

Update 9th February 2012

Emma had a fantastic birthday. Both she and Amber loved opening all the gifts and cards they received from everyone.

Emma has been quite well recently and seems to be coping well with everything. We now have an end in sight as she doesn’t have much more chemo left to go now.

She is still going to school in the mornings and is now learning to read, which she loves. She did have to take a week off earlier in the month as she had developed a cough but thankfully nothing came of it. It was slightly worrying as Amber had tonsillitis, which we thought Emma might catch, but she didn’t. We were worried for a little while as Emma's blood levels dropped and there was some question over her needing a blood transfusion but thankfully her body dealt with it and her levels are all good again.

Emma has also been attending parties, both at school and with family. She loved being able to see everyone and have fun with people she hasn’t seen for a while.

Update 19th January 2012

December has been a very busy month for Emma and all the family. Luckily we didn’t have any hospital stays but we did have to have a dose of antibiotics for yet another chest infection. Chemotherapy is still going and she had the last dose of the long chemo in December so now she only has little ones.

This month Emma chose to take part in a Santa Fun Run in aid of the local hospice so all the family joined her. The children’s ward at the local hospital had their annual Christmas party and Emma and Amber had great fun seeing the magician and Santa and having their faces painted there. They were also lucky enough to see two pantomimes, one that the hospital organised and one in school. Emma loved being able to see them. Because Emma has been able to attend school most mornings she was also able to participate in the school nativity and was given the option of what character to be. She chose to play a shepherd.

Christmas morning in our house was great; the children were so excited opening every single present and card. So by bedtime they were thoroughly exhausted but so content.

Just after Christmas, Emma had her last big chemo and we were so pleased to discover that over the course of the holiday period Emma had put on almost 1kg which is fantastic.

She is also now taking part in The Beads Of Courage programme and we are also looking at getting Emma into school for 2 full days a week as well as mornings.

Thank you for all the Elf parcels as it made Christmas even more magical. We want to thank you for doing a wonderful thing for all the children.

Update 7th November 2011

Emma has now finished her radiotherapy course, but whilst having it she got a few infections so had to spend a few weeks in hospital. Hopefully her body is now starting to recover from the side effects and she is getting better. She is now on antibiotics for a chest infection.

Emma has managed to get back into school for a few mornings and has thoroughly enjoyed being back with all her friends.

Thank you to all of the people who have taken the times to send post, she still loves getting post, as do all three girls.

Update 3rd October 2011

Emma's operation went well. It lasted 5 and a half hours and afterwards she was taken down to PICU, where she had to stay for a few days after developing a temperature. The tumour was larger than they thought as it was hidden up behind her stomach. The surgeons think that it is possible the tumour may have leaked and have decided to give her Radiotherapy as well as Chemotherapy. After 3 days she was moved back to a normal ward and was home after 7 days, feeling well and trying to get back to normal. The surgery left her tired for a few weeks but the scar is healing very well and she is now getting back to her bouncy self.

Since her operation, Emma has recovered well. She is just about to start radiotherapy but thankfully only has to have 8 sessions. She does have to have 6 months of Chemo as well.

She is looking forward to getting back to school and being with her friends and we are hoping that she can get back in for half days next week then start again full time once she is more settled into her Chemo routine.

I’d like to say a big thank you for all the post received.

Update 4th September 2011

Emma will be going into St George’s hospital in London on the 12th September ready for her surgery on the 13th. She should only be in for about a week, all being well. Emma is keeping very brave and can’t wait for the ‘operation to get rid of nasty lump’ as this is what she is calling it.

I just want to say thank you to everyone at Post Pals for all the smiles they bring to Emma and her sister's faces.

Update 18th August 2011

Emma’s surgery that was scheduled for the 23rd of August has now been cancelled. We have been told that the chemo is working well and has shrunk the tumour but they want to shrink it some more to make surgery easier for Emma. Also, the lesions on the lungs are barely visible on the CT scan, so they restarted her on chemo on 17th August and did a chest x-ray as they want to see if the lesions on the lungs are visible. If they are, then Emma will need radiotherapy.

At the moment we do not know the outcome of the x-ray, but Emma has another 3 weeks of chemo and on the third one they will be doing another CT scan. Fingers crossed everything has worked as they hope so that they can rearrange surgery for the middle to the end of September. We are now back and forward to The Royal Marsden and our local hospital for the rest of the chemo.

I would like to thank everyone at Post Pals for all the letters, cards, and gifts that Emma and her two sisters have received. It always brings a smile to their faces.