Jessica M's Parents/Guardians

Stana

Jessica M's Siblings

Jessica M's Interests

Painting and drawing (loves to paint roses in vases, portraits and horses) art stuff (amazing film and wire creations, papier mache, glass painting) riding her purple bike, swimming (3 times a week) yoga, ball exercises, Stagecoach drama school, horse riding (although is not allowed now due to her scoliosis) going to the park, dancing and singing.

Jessica M's Favourite Colour

Purple

Is Jessica M able to read?

Yes

Is Jessica M able to use hands?

Yes

Is Jessica M visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Jessica M suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Favourite type of post?

Stories in letters

Story written 2006

Jessica was diagnosed with Ganglio-Neuroblastoma on the 13th of December 2005 after a routine chest X ray to see how her heart murmur was doing, as it hadn’t been checked since she was 3 months old. Her heart murmur appeared to be innocent and doing no harm, but Jessica’s paediatrician discovered a large shadow behind her heart. He invited us back to go the hospital for more X rays and an MRI scan.

Jessica had a large 15cm tumour in her chest and along her spine. She started with 2 courses of chemotherapy which made her very sick and had a 9 hour long operation in March where 80% of the tumour was removed. Jessie recovered very quickly and we left the hospital 8 days later. When we received the results of the biopsy of the tumour removed, we learned that Jessie needs to have 4 more courses of chemotherapy and 2 more operations. One is already behind us and Jessie is doing very well.  

Update 31st March 2008

Jessie has not been well with tonsillitis and a cold for two weeks now but she is getting better day by day. We went to Holland for Easter and we had a really nice and mainly relaxing time as the weather was pretty bad there.

After getting together with Bobby's fund, we started a fundraising campaign in order to raise money for Jessica to receive further treatment in America, as her tumor still remains very large.

Update 29th February 2008

Jessie had her half-term holiday last week so we decided to visit my sister and her three children in Germany. We all had a fantastic time there and Jessie loved playing with her cousins, going swimming, visiting a castle and a horse centre. Jessie was sad to leave her great and cheeky cousins.

Jessie is back at school having a pyjama party today in aim of RSPCA and I am busy with getting all the information needed for second opinions in regards to Jessica's tumor that remains wrapped around her spine. I hope we get some clear opinions soon.

After spending three great days in Devon where we were invited by Bobby's family (Bobby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma stage 4 cancer 2 1/2 years ago and is a picture of health now) and getting advice about complete natural holistic healthy lifestyle which Bobby follows, we decided to follow Bobby's routine and we were kindly supported by Bobby's fund to make it all possible. We purify our own water, juice fresh juices, clean our air at home and most of all, Jessica eats fully organic, freshly prepared meals, plenty of fruit and vegetables. We always ate very healthily in our house but this time we are taking it even more seriously. Jessie knows that she is not allowed sweets, chocolates, junk food and she knows why it's not good for her.

We are also seeing a private complimentary medicine doctor once a month and he checks Jessie's blood, urine and prescribes her vitamins and food supplements regime to improve her immune system and possibly to improve her chances of fighting against cancer.

Jessica's next MRI scan is on Wednesday the 2nd of April. Two months earlier than normal because of the little scare we had in January.

Jessie continues to be happy, full of energy, loving and sweet as ever and I love her for being so positive, kind and caring despite everything that happened to her in the past.

Special thank you’s this months go to:

The Post Pals Team, Jenn 2 for the cute Valentine's card and very sunny sunflower card, Erin F's nanny and grandad for a lovely sparkly card, Julie and Monty the doggy for a great hand made card, Nicky for the great jokes, Karolina from Finland with the same Birthday as Jessie but 12 year old ;-), secret Valentine's sender Helen F for the wonderful hand made cards for Jessie to use or keep, Becky for the sweet hand made card with a beautiful picture of a white horse which Jessie loves so much, Kate Dee for a letter outlining her London trip to GOSH which we are so familiar with and of course to Colette for letter, card and that gorgeous bracelet, glamour make-up bag, cards and notes. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Update 29th January 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas time in the Czech Republic and a week of skiing in Slovakia. We both loved the sun and snow in the mountains and Jessie learned to ski and use the lift in 2 hours with help from a ski instructor. We miss the snow!

SCOLIOSIS: Jessie has got a new bigger brace and she is adjusting very well to it.

TONSILLITIS: Jessie had another episode of tonsillitis (6 or 7 in total in 1 year) so I decided to go ahead with the tonsillectomy on April 7th. She will need to be off school for 2 weeks but they have spring holidays at school anyway so she will not miss out on school.

CANCER: We went to see Jessie's consultant at GOSH last Thursday and she told me that according to the radiologist's report, Jessie's tumor is growing and pressing on her spinal cord despite her completely satisfactory neurological examination that day and urine catecholamine’s (tumor markers) lower than the last time. I was shocked, scared and worried but I hoped that she’d made a mistake because Jessie is looking like a picture of health at the moment. I asked her to review it again with the MRI radiologist in the afternoon and to call me back. She called me back 4 hours later after they had reviewed all 100 MRI scan pictures and they think they raised the alarm unnecessarily and Jessie is fine and she will not require all she told me 4 hours earlier (CT scan, MIBG scan, bone marrow aspirates, sonograph, steroid injections, radiotherapy)!! Now, what do you think? On one hand, I was so happy to hear that, but on the other, I am furious and I am now in the process of getting copies of all of Jessie's medical files and MRI scans. I am going to send them all around the world for second opinions with the help of Kevin (dad to Bobby diagnosed with neuroblastoma stage 4) and his fund www.bobbysfund.org. I can't let the doctors make another mistake like this. What if they were correct the first time? What if??

BIG THANKS this month to Kate Dee, Ellyn Yeager, Despina, Julie & Alan & Sue & Peter Barret, Post Pals team, Louis Woodcork and everyone else for the lovely post and presents for Jessica.

Update 17th December 2007

Jessie had a chest infection and high fever last week. She finished her 5 day course of antibiotics today and hasn't got a fever anymore. We are flying to the Czech Republic tomorrow and she will be seen by her lovely paediatrician there on Wednesday for a check up. I think she might need more antibiotics as her cough hasn't cleared yet.

Jessie is very excited about going to Czech for Christmas and she has been talking about skiing for ages. She just can't wait. I hope she will be able to do it when she gets better after the chest infection but she knows that she has to take it easy. I had tickets to Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and a time slot to see Father Christmas at Harrods last weekend but I just couldn't take her! I really looked forward to treating her to those two special treats but she really needed to sleep and just rest properly for 5 days. She didn't feel like doing anything but watching her DVDs. I gave the tickets to pantomime and Harrods to two of Jessie's friends.

Our appointment with the orthopaedics went well and Jessie's scoliosis is stable. We are very happy that the brace seems to be doing the job.

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008. May the New Year bring only joy and happiness into your lives. Also big thanks to those that sent Jessie post in November. Every time she gets her post, she says how all those people are so kind and how lucky she is to get such lovely post.

Update 23rd November 2007

CANCER: Jessica had her MRI scan in October and her tumor is stable. Her catecholamines urine tests that determine the tumor's activity came back good. HVA is better and VMA is slightly raised but I don't think that's something to worry about.

TONSILLITIS: Yesterday we had an appointment at the ear-nose-throat clinic at the Great Ormond Street Hospital and because Jessie had 6 nasty periods of tonsillitis this year already, they want to take them out next year whilst she is on her Easter holidays. I told them that I would wait and see how she does during the winter period and that I will let them know if I want her to go ahead with the operation. She would go under general anaesthetic and she would have to stay at the hospital overnight and two weeks at home. I am going to think twice about this operation because Jessie has been through enough already and I know that she will be in pain after this operation for a while.

SCOLIOSIS: Jessie is getting used to her brace and I am so proud of her. On some occasions we take if off (parties, swimming etc.) but most of the time it's on. We have an appointment to see the orthotics and the orthopaedics in December and I think they will be taking new measurements for a new brace as Jessie has grown a lot.

Again, I would like to say a big thank you to all that sent some lovely post to Jessie, especially Nicole D, Julie Barrett, Kate Dee and the Post Pals team for the Halloween sparkles. Jessie loved it! Thank you guys so much.

Update 6th September 2007

Jessie had a fantastic summer. We visited four countries - Slovakia, Czech Republic, Greece (Rhodes) and Mallorca. Before we left for Slovakia, Jessie had a nasty episode of viral tonsillitis and an even worst episode of tonsillitis and candida in her mouth along with 6 days of fever on our holiday in Mallorca. Despite the illness, she enjoyed pony riding, T-shirt painting, salt bottles making and a mini club on our holiday in Mallorca, but most of the time she spent sleeping in a hotel room. We were sent on this great holiday by the Starlight foundation and I would like to say big thank you for giving us the opportunity to visit this beautiful island. Our holiday in Rhodes was fantastic and Jessie loved swimming in the pool and the sea too. She learnt to swim there. Jessie saw her grandparents on our stop in the Czech Republic. She loved horse riding there and we bought her a new bike, so every morning she took her grandad for a long ride. We all had fun there. The weather was great and we enjoyed the summer to the full.

This month we have some appointments lined up. Next week, Jessie should have another MRI scan to see how her tumor wrapper around her spine is doing, but she is still recovering after her nasty tonsillitis and candida, so I am not sure if she will be fit enough for general anaesthetics. The week after, we are seeing the spinal clinic at GOSH and after taking new x-rays of Jessie's spine, we will see if her scoliosis has progressed or not. We also have an appointment at the orthotics department to review Jessie's brace.

Now the exciting news – Jessie will be 6 on the 18^th September and she will have a joint birthday party with her fried Sade on Saturday 22^nd September. They can’t wait!

I would also like to say big thank you to all those still sending letters, presents and postcards to Jessie. She loves getting them.

Update 3rd July 2007

Last month we saw Jessica's orthopaedic doctor at GOSH and were told that Jessica's scoliosis progressed from 20 degrees to 40 degrees. She now has a congenital juvenile progressing scoliosis which is very difficult to treat. She started wearing Boston brace Jacket and she must wear it 23 hours a day in a month’s time. She needs to get used to it gradually but it's not easy. The jacket is too tight and sometimes she finds herself short of breath. We are facing a tough summer with the brace and we can only hope it helps and Jessica avoids a spinal fusion surgery in the future. I am seeking a second opinion as to whether the Brace jacket is the best option at the moment.

On a positive note, I have just received an e-mail from the Islington children's physiotherapy service and after a long 9 month wait, Jessica has reached the top of their list and we can now call in to arrange a physiotherapy appointment for her weak stomach muscles, lordosis and scoliosis.

Thank you to Chloe G (PostPals), Susanna and family, Laura H (PostPals), H and Bethan, Julie Barrett and Kate Dee. Big thanks also to PostPals for the Finding Nemo adventure game and to Jaime Matthews for the 2 artist's canvases, brushes and pastel dye sticks.

Update 4th June 2007

Jessica's MRI scan results came back and are good. No change in the size of the tumour and the urine catecholamines improved. We are very happy with this news. Jessica continues to be relatively healthy with few colds and she loves going to school.

Thanks to the Christian Lewis charity we were able to visit Disneyland at discounted room rates and we also received free VIP passes so we didn't have to wait for any rides. Jessie really enjoyed Disneyland and she loved meeting Mickey and Minnie mouse. We also stayed 4 days in Paris and did a lot of sightseeing. It was a great and magical holiday.

On 3rd of June I did the Race for life for Cancer research and at the moment we are collecting our sponsorship money.

Jessie is awaiting her 6 monthly appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon at Great Ormond street on 8th June to check up her scoliosis.

Thanks to Post Pals for your continued support.

Update 29th April 2007

This month I took Jessie for a long holiday in the Czech Republic. We stayed there for 24 days and I took her to a children's rehabilitation centre for her to learn some exercises for her weak stomach muscles. Jessie did lots of exercising and swimming, but she also received a massage, had a jacuzzi, did a hipotherapy and ergotherapy every day. She really enjoyed it but towards the end she fell ill with tonsillitis resulting in really high fevers for 4 days.

Jessie is due her next MRI scan on Tuesday the 1st of May. We hope for good results.

Thank you to everybody that sent Jessie lovely Easter cards.

Update 1st March 2007

In February we received Jessica's MRI scan results. Her tumor is still the same size so that's good news for us. Jessica will continue with 3 monthly MRI scans to keep an eye on her tumor. Jessie had her pre-school boosters but no MMR this month and unfortunately the place where she had the shot got infected and we had to go to the hospital one night. Jessie received antibiotics and her arm is better now.

Jessie still loves going to school and also her saturday school of performing arts. During the half-term holidays, I introduced Jessie to ice skating which she has fallen in love with and we also managed to go to the cinema, horse riding, swimming and lots more.

Thank you to Alan and Julie Barratt, Kate Dee, Nicky, Aiyssa from the USA and others for sending some lovely cards and presents.

Update 25th January 2007

It has been quite a while since I have updated and I apologise for this. I took Jessie to the Czech Republic for Christmas to see her grandparents and we stayed there for 25 days. She had lots of fun including skiing in the Czech mountains. She spent 2 days in the ski school and absolutely loved it.

Update 22nd November 2006

It's official! Jessica's scoliosis has definitely improved. We saw Jessica's orthopaedic doctor in October and I asked him if he could measure up the spine pictures taken in April and in September to compare. We were told in April that Jessie's scoliosis is 23 degrees and that she doesn't need bracing. Well according to the doctor in October (and I saw him measuring it up) it wasn't 23 but 32 degrees. Somebody made a serious mistake in April but luckily for Jessie her scoliosis has significantly improved from 32 degrees to 20 degrees measured in September. That's great news! I am so happy! It's now clear that Jessie's scoliosis was caused by the surgery in March and sorted itself out on its own. Let's pray for Jessie's scoliosis to continue to improve so she doesn't require any bracing or rods operated in the future! I have sent an official complaint to find out who made such a serious mistake and hopefully we can get some positive results soon.

Jessie had her MRI scan in October and we learned that it hasn't changed in size so it's still about 10x5x4cm big wrapped around 8 of Jessica's vertebrae’s. The next follow up appointment is planned for January.

Jessica started school in November and she really likes it. She only goes in every afternoon until she receives all her pre-school boosters in January-February but that's enough for her I think.

We have been having lots of fun lately and if you would like to find out more, please go to Jessica's website.

Thank you post pals for the continuous support. Jessie loves it! You guys rock!!! We love you!!!

Update 29th September 2006

Jessica spent a lovely four weeks in the Czech Republic with her grandparents and family. In the first week of our visit Jessica fell ill with Broncho-pneumonia and had to take antibiotics for 10 days. She had a really high temperature and obviously a very bad cough. She pulled through in no time and enjoyed the rest of her holidays. Jessica went horse riding a lot, played with her friends and enjoyed lots of visits and activities. She was sad to leave her grandparents but we had to return back to London for our follow up appointment with Jessie's oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Whilst in Czech, I saw many doctors including neurologist, rehabilitation doctor, oncologist and pediatrician and learned more about Jessie's tumor and scoliosis. I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and care of all the doctors that have taken interest in Jessica's condition whilst abroad.

We are currently experiencing some problems with appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital but I hope this will be solved in the near future.

Jessica, my lovely darling, is full of energy, laughter and optimism despite the terrible illness she is fighting against. On Monday October 2nd Jessica has another MRI scan to see the current situation of the tumor wrapped around 8 of her vertebras.

We all hope for the tumor to be of the same size (possibly smaller) as it was 3 months ago with no evidence of growth or more eroding of Jessica's vertebras.

Thank you to everyone at Post Pals for sending Jessie special birthday wishes!

Update 4th August 2006

This month we were told that Jessie will have to live with her tumor inside her body forever. The tumor is wrapped around 8 of her vertebrae’s and is eroding 3 of them. Jessie has also developed scoliosis but doesn't need any treatment for it at the moment. Jessie is enjoying summer fun and apart one visit at the hospital with a fever she is doing fine and we both are very excited about a visit to the Czech Republic to see Jessie's grandparents in August-September.

Thank you Post Pals for sending Jessie lovely post and thank you for having her on your website. Thank you also to Emily, Allan Barrett, Cherie+Itsy, Julie Barrett and Kate.

Update 2nd August 2006

Jessie spent a night in hospital due to a temperature; we think she has the flu.

Update June 2006

I wanted to say big thank you to Angel Jenny for the lovely magazine she sent to Jessie and also everybody who sends mail and presents to Jessie. Thank you also to Julie Barrett, Emily, Kate Dee, Alan, Caroline, Becky Butler, etc. Thank you! It really puts a smile on her face!

Today was a busy day starting with an appointment with Jessica's oncologist who is getting a second opinion from an independent Orthopaedic from Birmingham about whether or not Jessie needs a back brace. She also said that she will discuss Jessie's possible removal of the tumour as she feels it would be wise to remove the tumour as it could get bigger again and even spread. If safe, Jessie will need two more operations possibly in the autumn. We were also told that Jessie's tumour is the most complicated and biggest of all the Ganglioneuroblastoma tumours they dealt with but if they remove it she has a good chance of survival.

Update 9th June 2006

Jessie just had her last dose of chemotherapy!

Update 27th May 2006

We have returned from the hospital this afternoon. We took Jessie there on wednesday night as her temperature reached 38.9 degrees Celsius. Immediately they accessed her port which wasn't very pleasant this time as Jessie had a really high temperature and was very tired. Unfortunately it took three people to hold her in order to access the port. They gave her IV antibiotics as normal and it feels like we are becoming regular visitors in our local hospital. All Jessie's blood counts dropped rapidly too so she needed a three hour blood transfusion on friday. Soon after the transfusion she got her colour and energy back. How amazing! She left hospital happy and energetic and that's how I love to see her! She needs to be take oral antibiotics for the next 5 days and she is due a blood test on tuesday morning to see if she is fit enough for the Cado chemotherapy. Doctors suggest the chemo should be postponed as they don't think the blood count will get back to normal until tuesday. I think so too as it would be too much for her again. We left the port accessed so she doesn't have to have it accessed again or finger prick done. It needs to be deaccessed on tuesday though as it can only stay in for 7 days.

Update 18th May 2006

A lot has changed recently, not all good news but Jessica is still doing very well. She has developed a scoliosis as a result of the surgery and will have to wear brace and have rods put in at some point in her life. The doctors have also decided not to operate on the rest of the tumour as her spine would collapse completely, so she will have to live with the tumour inside her. I hope this is not the doctor's last and final decision as that would be very worrying for us. I wanted to thank you for having Jessica on Post Pals as she has been getting some post already and she really loves it. It definitely puts a smile on her face.