I like a high note to start the week and although he’s not out of the woods completely our friend Seth is making huge strides now in his recovery.  Almost 6 months after a bone marrow transplant, this little chap is back having fun with his sister Nancy.  This I know is a day that his parents never dared hope for but their strength and love has been a huge factor in Seth’s recovery.  Oh, that and a cocktail of steroids, antivirals, anti-biotics, anti-rejection drugs, nutritious feeds and a multitude of other medical inventions that all make up the fight of cancer.

When we were in the UK we spent a weekend with Seth and his family and it was a pure delight to see him laugh, smile and play.  It isn’t all fun and laughter though, there’s a great deal of pain and upset but Seth’s resilience is amazing.  Although I fear I may have caused a set back in his mental health.

It was an unintended consequence of a skype hook up.  It was one of those on the spur, let’s do it moments by email, and before I knew it my smiling face, complete with not even out of bed (literally) look was being beamed into this family’s living room on Seth’s Dad’s mega telly.  Poor Seth and Nancy, no wonder they hid behind the sofa like there was an invasion of some weird and strange person.   Admittedly, when they were reminded that this was the same person who frightened them at the breakfast table in my best PJ ensemble they were content to come out from behind their cushions and talk to me.

In fact, it was more than a quick chat, I had separate songs to enjoy.  I admit I was still wondering how I could get up, showered and fully dressed without them noticing by the end of the song.  In the end it was best to admit that yes I was still in bed but the miracles of technology were allowing us 12,000 miles apart to enjoy a moment of madness.

When singing Seth looks a little like this.  Although when I last saw him standing up would have been too much of a challenge.  It’s great to know that he is getting his strength back.  He’ll be beating his sister in running races before too long.

Although his little sister is going through here terrible twos stage, you can’t help love her.  She is totally adorable.She gets her beauty from her mum and her high jinx from her Dad.  It’s a winning combination to melt your heart.

In years to come Seth, Nancy and their mum and dad will look back and hopefully remember these happy times.  Not the pain, the slog and the tiredness.

Six months on this is a time to celebrate.  One thing is for sure that when you see what it takes to battle cancer it makes you want to try and do more to help those people looking for cures and treatments.  For Seth it was having a bone marrow donor that has given him a new chance of a healthy and happy life.  So please, please register yourself as a bone marrow donor if you can as for some people it’s their only hope and only chance.

Seth has got that chance and he’s improving all the time.  I know how big a gift of life has given to Seth and his family through a bone marrow donor.  So please register to be a donor and you might give someone else the same chance Seth has had.