There is no doubt about it, this year has been an interesting one and one where nothing at all has gone to plan.
Nothing at all.
This time last year we had no idea that my only sibling, my brother Jimmy, would be diagnosed with leukamia. We had no idea at all either that just a couple of months later our dad would be diagnosed with cancer too. We had no idea that he would die just ten weeks later, far less than the three years we had hoped for.
In the meantime, Jimmy spent every day in a hospital room. A donor was found and a stem cell transplant carried out. All was looking good.
Jimmy went into remission, came out of hospital and started making up for lost time. He and Emily planned their wedding for January 2017. He started working on his new website, Eventeach. Things were looking up.
At the beginning of September we found out that his cancer had returned. He was admitted back into hospital.
Jimmy was rushed to CCU at the Royal Marsden in Chelsea. We began a campaign to raise funds for Bloodwise, so that nobody else would have to live this nightmare. The campaign is called Smile for Jimmy.
Jimmy deteriorated.
I left home to be near. I didn’t realise then that I would be away for three weeks.
Mike kept everything running at home.
Libby lost her first tooth.
Cait started her new job.
Joseph had his 6th birthday.
Jimmy was expected to die.
He and Emily married in a wedding that was arranged in just four hours accompanied only by two of his best friends that he’s had since he was eight and their partners. And me. Oh, and a load of CCU nurses and staff…
And I got to gatecrash the honeymoon night for the newlyweds.
Clearly, his body failed to take note of any medical journals written.
He didn’t die.
His body began getting stronger.
Strong enough that he could leave CCU and be transferred back to the Royal Marsden in Sutton.
Where he arranged for these guys to come and surprise his new bride…
In the meantime, we had another broken down vehicle beyond fixing.
Our third this year.
And a lot of eBay timewasters.
Gits.
We replaced our minibus.
Jimmy became stable enough to go home where he and Emily fulfilled their dream of buying a Volkswagen Camper Van called Penny.
He then organised a big family camp for us all.
On our way there, our new minibus broke down on an A-road just three miles away from home.
Crank shaft, apparently.
The AA proved pretty useless for the amount they cost, sending this little vehicle to recover our 17 seater minibus.
It took more than two hours for us to be helped. Yes, it was considered a ‘priority service’ too.
AA.
Absolutely Awful.
I wouldn’t recommend them. Couldn’t give less bang for your buck (and you pay a lot of bucks!), if they tried.
Anyway, we finally arrived at camp late in the evening. The twins woke up early to celebrate their 5th birthday on their long awaited trip…
It wasn’t long before Jimmy had them gathering wood…
And then had them climbing walls…
And running an assault course…
Oh, and Anna lost her first tooth too…
We set up the tents for that evening…
Before more friends and family joined us around the camp fire…
And settling down for the night…
Creating memories, because that’s what you need to do every chance you get…
We finished up the camp and the kids came down with colds this week, meaning nobody can go and see Jimmy until everyone is better because he is neutropenic and can’t fight infection.
Which means we missed out on a load of his old uni mates running a 10k whilst dressed up as 80s wrestlers. All to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital who have been taking great care of Jim.
We were so gutted to have missed that!
And the youngest children have all progressed into their bunk beds which means Mike and I have our own bedroom for the first time in 17 years!
And now I’m working on next year’s Three Peaks Challenge that I’ve promised Jimmy I’ll complete.
So, how have your last few weeks been?
Hello Tania. Sadly I only know you through our lovely family, i.e Emily and Jimmy Kacamer. I’m Emilys mum. I’ve read this roundup with so much emotion Tania. Brings back those awful dark days, and then the absolute rollercoaster ride of Jimmy’s amazing recoveries. I don’t know how you and Emily coped through all these utterly staggering chains of events. I admire you both so much for your strength of mind. Many is the time I’ve thanked goodness that you and she were there together, sharing the load. And Jimmy. Well, what can I say about your amazing brother. He goes beyond being just a hero, he seems to maintain indomitable goodwill and kind thoughs for all those around him. No wonder so many people do so much to support him. All of my family phone me every day to find out how Jimmy’s doing. Although they don’t know him everso well, he made an impressively positive impression on them all. Charming, cheerful, wonderful chap, and that sense of humour….. well… truely amazing. Also, how nice it was to see some of your own lovely kids featured. My word, a rather beautiful looking bunch of children indeed. Anyway. I just wanted to thank you for this posting. Wishing all the very best to you and yours Tania. Kindest regards. Gloria Owen. X
Hello Gloria, It’s lovely to ‘meet’ you at last. Thank you for your kind words about the children. You are right, Jimmy is nothing short of incredible. His wife is also pretty fantastic too – I don’t think I have ever seen such love and devotion between two people. I’m proud that he is my brother and in awe myself of his strength and determination. I love him very much indeed.
So glad to hear that Jimmy is getting better. On wards and upwards! x
Thank you.