CJ – Latest News!

Charlotte CJ Adams is KUMB’s very own official mascot. 13 year-old CJ was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. The treatment is tough but, as you will read, CJ is battling bravely. CJ’s Dad Paul sent us this update earlier this week:

Just back from the hospital having spent all day there, but I'll cover that later.

CJ managed to get to school for an hour on Monday, she was very nervous but everyone was really nice and she had lots of wishes and some cards. It made her very tired and her tummy still hurt, and she didn't sleep again that night we thought she wouldn't go again on Tuesday.

But she did! - although within half an hour she wasn't well enough to stay and came home to rest. The nurse came in to do bloods for testing before chemo and the results were okay. Tuesday night was the first 'decent’ night she had in a long time. After being in a lot of pain for most of the evening, she had some morphine at 12.30 and it knocked her out for 5 hours, when she woke up briefly then went back to sleep until 7.00.

And so to hospital today, left home at 10.00 for chemo at 11.00, and the chemo didn't arrive until 12.45. In the meantime the results from a urine test on Sunday when we were there came back and showed an infection! More tests being done now, and she has to go back for an ultrasound tomorrow to check the liver etc. We suspect the infection is causing a lot of her pain. Anyway they put her on IV antibiotics immediately after her chemo, then we had to wait for some drugs to bring home, so a couple of hours chemo turned into getting home at 18.30 some 8.5 hours later!

One further bit of bad news though was a phone call from the consultant at Southampton yesterday telling us that none of us match Charlotte’s tissue type for a bone marrow transplant. A bit of a kick in the teeth really - so now they go searching the UK and International donor lists. For everyone who has offered to be tested, they do not at this stage test family and friends, this would be done only if a donor couldn't be found. However we would encourage anyone to contact the Anthony Nolan Trust and get tested and on the list as there are many in exactly the same position as Charlotte right now who could need your help.


KUMB did some research into the world of bone-marrow transplants. The very word “transplant” conjures up images of major surgery but, in fact, if a donor is found to be a suitable match the bone marrow is removed by needle and transplanted into the recipient intravenously. It’s a simple process but donors are always required so why not, as Paul says, contact the Anthony Nolan Trust at www.anthonynolan.org.uk/ to see if you can help.

We also heard this week from a chap called Mike Merritt-Holmes. Mike is one of those crazy people who once a year leaves his travelcard at home to go on a 26 mile 385 yard run around London. This year Mike will be braving the elements, pantomime cows and the prospect of running downwind of Paula Radcliffe in order to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Anyone wanting to sponsor Mike can contact him at: www.justgiving.com/mmh2005

Don’t forget you can also send your good luck messages to:

Charlotte Adams
c/o Eggars School
London Road
Holybourne
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 4EQ

Good luck CJ!

* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.


More Opinion