This family needs your prayers.

[tbs fanatic]

Oh my gosh, what a rollercoaster for that family. Sounds as though things are looking up though.

[Molly]

Prayers for strength to your friend and her family, Brooke.

Keep us posted.

[rcknalwys]

Let me add my prayers for your friends also. It's surprising the strength you can find when faced with so much. I will continue to keep them all in my prayers.

[Brooke]

Thanks for all your prayers. It is much appreciated.

The family is home now and making trips 3 days a week for chemo. The little tyke has a long road ahead of him, but they are keeping their chins up. It is making him sick and he told them that maybe he just shouldn't eat, but of course, he has to and maybe his system will learn to tolerate. Baby girl is thriving.

Our community is having a benefit for them in a couple weeks to try to help out with their expenses.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Oh Brooke - I'm just now seeing this thread. My thoughts are also with your friend and her family as they face this long challenge. I'm also happy to hear that the infant baby girl seems to be thriving. Talk about mixed blessings - whew.

[Glennsallnighter]

Well hope fully the treatment will work and he'll be back to normal soon. I hope the benefit goes well and raises plenty of $$. Is there any way we can contribute towards it Brooke?

[Brooke]

That's so very sweet of you Ga. I will check with the sponsors and get back to you.

[glenneaglesfan]

Add me to that list too, Brooke. Over here, we take it for granted that the NHS will cover costs, but for cancer treatment sometimes the health authorities refuse the use of the latest drugs because of cost.

I'm very glad to hear that your friend's little daughter is doing well.

[Glennsallnighter]

Over here the situation is similar to the UK. The HSE funds the treatment if you don't have private health care (and if they consider it appropriate)due to cost. I've heard of people taking out mortgages to fund hospital treatment. Again, as Kate said some new and possibly very good drugs are refused. However nobody funds the costs associated with travelling that kind of distance, possibly needing to overnight, babysitting other members of the family, meals grabbed on the go, and other sundries which can make a hospital stay or trip more comfortable for the person who is ill. Those things usually have to be met by the person or their families. Hence the fund.

[sodascouts]

What an ordeal! I'm glad to hear that there is hope now, even if the poor little boy has to endure something as harsh as chemo. I'll be praying for the family, too.