The second Joe update was called Jeremy

This is a generic update on how things are going, as many many people want to know and we just can't write individually. Do feel free to share it with anyone who wants to know. More will follow, and can be directed to anyone you think we have missed out. Just let us know. Sorry if anything in the note does not seem appropriate to you.

We are signed off work by our GP until half term.

Not completely off though! Poor Joe can't choose his parents: we've been into his school to see the head and ask for MTP so he can keep up. So we're keeping a hand in. There are teachers at the hospital actually.

Joe is still well. He was allowed off his fluids drip yesterday for 3 hours to come out and have lunch with us and Sammy and Sue's parents at the Sick Children's Trust house (Acorn House). We had his scooter with us and he careered around all over the place in the sun. It was lovely. He still seems very well, and we are quietly wondering what on earth he would have been like if he didn't have it (is it wrong to be a bit relieved he has it!).

One of Joe's favourite things is standing on the base of his drip stand and being wheeled around the ward and out into the concourse. It provides a lot of laughs for bystanders. He likes to scoot and see how far he can glide on it too. He also likes singing rude songs at the top of his voice at the same time. Like I said, in a way it's lucky he's ill!

He is also plundering us as he starts to realise what he can extort (sweets, balloons, sticky drinks, toys, Burger King), so brain function not in the least impaired (except when we want him to read to us).

His grandparents stayed over last night and we both came back with Sammy. We've organised a rota of visits for us and for him, and for who will be sleeping over on the ward. Sue and I are trying out spending several days at a time down there, with Sammy too. Acorn House is superb, with cooking facilities, toys and games, sofas, baths and showers, and 3 beds in the room, so we should be able to manage. Have been worried about Sammy getting anxious about separation, and this should help. Otherwise he stays with my sister round the corner in Norwich, merging with her family (4, 6 and 8 year-olds who he spends huge amounts of time with normally) pretty seamlessly, which is also good.

So far so good.

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