C/O 13 Partridge Lane
Bromham
Bedford
Beds
MK43 8PG
United Kingdom

NB: this is a forwarding address for the Pal, we do NOT disclose home addresses

Email Pal

Jack Peter B's Parents/Guardians

Erika and Rob

Jack Peter B's Siblings

Marcus 2/9/1998 Loves Manchester United, cycling and computer games

Jack Peter B's Interests

Racing cars (Disney 'cars' and Roary the Racing Car) Thomas the Tank Engine and any kind of Digger.

Jack Peter B's Favourite Colour

Red

Is Jack Peter B able to read?

Yes

Is Jack Peter B able to use hands?

Yes

Is Jack Peter B visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Jack Peter B suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Story written 2008

Jack was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on 6th July 2007. The diagnosis was a complete shock. Jack had been off colour for a few days and had a few bruises on his legs which we thought were caused by him play fighting with his big brother Marcus who is 9. Luckily our GP sent Jack for a blood test and within 10 hours and a very exciting trip in an ambulance with sirens blasting we were admitted to Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge where Jack began chemotherapy.

Jack was initially in hospital for 3 weeks and reached remission during this time, but he now had to face 3 years of treatment. Unfortunately in November 2007 Jack became very ill when an infection in his hickman line spread to his heart and he had to go into intensive care. The hickman line was removed and after 6 weeks of IV antibiotics we received the fantastic news (just before Christmas) that the infection in his heart had gone. 

Jack is a fantastic, beautiful, happy little boy who fills our life with joy and who we could not love any more if we tried.

Update 6th June 2008

Jack has had another busy month - lots of his friends at school have been having birthdays and he has been to quite a few parties. Unfortunately he is not very well today and has had to miss his school trip to Whipsnade Zoo as he had an attack of croup.

Jack is very excited that he now has a dog as a Post Pal! Derek the dog wrote him a fabulous letter (thank you Deborah - we will write back very soon) and invited Jack to join his 'making a mess club' - which Jack is very keen to go to - it's just a shame Derek lives in Wales.

Hospital visit wise things have been quite quiet - only one visit to Addenbrookes in May and weekly bloods at our local hospital. On 31st May, myself and 14 other friends/family members took part in the Race for Life wearing our 'Team Jack' t-shirts - we all managed to get round the course – just!

Jack received a quilt from Claire at Quilts4Leukaemia  - it is stunning and has blocks on it made from people all over the world. Claire contacted us through Post Pals - there is a photo of Jack with his quilt on their website http://quilts4leukaemia.blogspot.com/

Thank you for the Chemo Duck and massive thanks to every one who has taken the time to write to Jack - please include your address so we can write back.

Update 14th May 2008

Jack got the all clear from the Cardiac Consultant at Addenbrookes last month which was a huge relief.

Jack managed about 5 days at school in April - he had to have one lot of nasty chemo and steroids which made him feel very tired and grumpy.

We were invited up to London on 8th May by Leukaemia Research to help launch Sir Ian Botham's walk for Leukaemia - we met Ian Botham and had a wonderful day - Jack was on Sky news and in the Daily Express and Daily Mirror - he is becoming quite a little celebrity!

Thanks to all our postpals - especially Jules who writes every week.

Update 1st April 2008

Jack has had a really busy month. We only had one visit to Addenbrookes this month for Jack's Vincristine. Due to Jack not having a Hickman line, he has to have a canula put in for this chemo which can be a nightmare, as his veins have a habit of collapsing and it can sometimes take 3 or 4 attempts to find a good vein. Luckily, Jack's consultant managed to find a good vein first time. Jack is always very brave - he knows that as long as he sits still he can scream as loudly as he likes which he makes sure he does!

Jack's hair has grown back well - I think I may have to take him for a haircut soon! It's amazing as in January he did not have a hair on his head.

We managed to get away for a few days over the Easter weekend to Norfolk and we woke up on Easter Monday to about 4 inches of snow which the boys loved.

Please keep your fingers crossed for Jack on 9th April as we have to see the Paediatric Cardiologist at Addenbrookes for a check up on Jack's heart following his infection back in November and if everything is ok he will sign us off, which will be one less thing to worry about.

Thank you for all the lovely Easter cards. Thank you also to Ellie Boyde for the fab towel and flannels, Linda B for the globe, Kyle & Erin for the Easter Chick and everyone else who sent gifts this month.

Update 28th February 2008

Jack has been well enough to go to school for four half days this month. He has been on steroids and has been a bit grumpy and very hungry!

We held a birthday party for Jack last week as he was too poorly to have a party with his friends back in December. He had a fantastic time!

Thank you to all our new Post Pals!