Our Pal - Aiden Matthew

Story written 2015

Aiden and his family went on holiday in October 2014 and he banged his leg. He was complaining for the rest of the week about it hurting. When he returned home he was taken to the hospital and was told he had broken a bone in his leg. A blue pot was put on it and by November the hospital took it off saying he was fine.

However, Aiden was still complaining his leg was hurting and was starting to look really pale and feeling very tired. Aiden was picked up from nursery one day and the teacher told his mummy he had been asleep all day. He went to the doctors and was told he had an infection, so they gave anti-biotics and said to go back in a week if no better. One week later he was so weak and pale and as soon as he walked in to the doctor’s office they sent him straight to the hospital.

On the 6th December 2014, Aiden’s parents got the heartbreaking news that he had leukemia (ALL) and his family were devastated.

Aiden was told he would have to stay in hospital for about four weeks whilst the doctors tried their best to get him in to remission. Finally, on the 23rd December, Aiden was allowed to go home to spend Christmas with his two big brothers and big sister.

On January 8th, Aiden had his line fitted in his chest. This meant no more needles were needed and Aiden was very happy about that news.

Aiden is doing very well with his treatment so far. He’s now going through Delayed Intensification which is the worst bit so far, using very strong drugs. He’s been admitted twice, for a week at a time, since his stay last December.

Hopefully Aiden will be able to start big school in September.

Update 21st June 2021

We have decided to move Aiden on. Lockdown has had a brilliant effect on him, he’s doing so much better and I think it’s time we passed his place to a family who needs it. We thank you for everything you have done for our family. You have restored my belief in the love of strangers. We will always support post pals. We love you all.

Update 27th November 2019

So Aiden has been off treatment for nearly 18 months and things for our little man don’t seem to have gotten any better he catches every cough, cold and infection going, he has little to no immune system. He struggles with his muscles in his legs as the chemo has wrecked them and he’s having lots of mental issues coping with day to day life. Amy is growing up so fast. She is still an amazing patient big sister, as a family we just plod on and hope things turn around soon for our little man. We just want to thank all Aiden and Amy’s pals and all the volunteers at Post Pals for helping my awesome children.

Update 1st October 2017

Aiden has had a strange few weeks, not been his happy smiley self. His doctors think his body is just telling us it’s had enough with being pumped with chemo. He’s had  no energy to do anything. We’ve had lots of sofa dvd days now, but he will get there, he’s a strong super hero. Just want to say lots of thank you’s to everyone who sends post, you light up our children’s lives and we get lots of smiles because of you guys, so, again, thank you all so very much.

Update 6th January 2017

Aiden is about to start the last year of treatment, so we have been warned to expect many infections and tiredness, so lots of snuggly days ahead. Thank you to all our pals, we appreciate your love and support.

Update 2nd October 2016

Aiden and our family got to go to Chessington this month, had such an awesome weekend with Post Pals, thank you so much, it was so nice to have that family time together. Aiden is getting really tired really quickly at the moment. His doctors have said he’s going into his 3rd year of treatment, so his body is going to be tired from all the chemo he’s had so far, so we are just spending a lot of time at home where it’s warm and if he needs to nap he can. Thank you all again for your love and support for Aiden and his family.

Update 9th September 2016

Aiden’s doctors have put his steroid dose up and he’s having a really tough time with his emotions, he can’t control them at all and he’s tired all the time. He did have an awesome time at Chessington with Post Pals with his big brother and sister. He was given a bravery bean of courage when he had his chemo, as he was so brave and sat by himself instead of on Mummy’s knee. Thank you so very much again for taking Aiden and his family into your hearts.

Update 18th July 2016

Aiden had a busy month planning his birthday party, he also has his school trip coming up and if he’s well enough his sports day. Medically his doctors are really happy with how his treatment is going, he is on 100% home chemo. This makes him very tired, so as soon as he gets home from school he falls asleep. I would just like to thank all Aiden’s post pals,they light up his life and we love you all for that. Aiden’s post brings so much joy to him and his brother and sister, thank you again

Update 4th June 2016

Aiden had to be taken off chemo again as his bloods dropped dangerously low.His doctors are worried about how much time he keeps having to take off his chemo, in case the cancer comes back in. We did get a chance to go to the Lego discovery in Manchester at the weekend. Aiden had such an awesome time even though he had to use his wheelchair, it was so lovely to just spend some family time together. We were given some tickets by a family friend. Thank you all so very much to all our post pals, if you could maybe leave an email address on your letters so we can stay in touch, thank you all again .

Update 16th May 2016

Aiden is really struggling with his chemo at the minute. He’s so very tired all the time and he’s struggling with school, but he keeps smiling as always. Aiden has been busy planning his 5th birthday, not till JULY but he’s planning it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL HIS PALS, WE LOVE YOU ALL.

Update 10th April 2016

Aiden has done his first full week at school this month, Mummy cried of course, I’m so so proud of him. He’s in for a tough month next month, a lot of hospital stuff coming up! Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts. We love all Aiden’s post, Postpals you’re all awesome.

Update 4th March 2016

Aiden has had a good month, he’s managed to stay out of hospital for 3 weeks and he’s been to school. He is trying to catch up and at the moment he is learning the story of the little 3 pigs! If he’s feeling up to it, he will be a little pig in his class assembly just before Easter.
Just wanted to say thank you AGAIN for all your letters and cards and gifts Aiden, Amy and Jake all really love their post so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Update 18th January 2016

Aiden is having a really horrible time at the minute, he’s been in hospital a lot over Christmas and New Year, with lots of infections. We did manage to get home for Christmas day which was awesome. We’d like to thank you for your continued support and love for our little man

Update 2nd December 2015

Aiden has had a really rubbish eight weeks, he has been in and out of hospital with lots of nasty infections. But he seems to be doing so much better now. All the cards and lovely gifts make his day when he gets them, we as a family can’t thank you guys enough. We are so proud of how our children are getting through this awful time in our lives, you guys make it a little bit easier, just to know there are people out there who care. Aiden’s cancerversary is coming up on the 6th December, it is a year since we got the life changing news that our little man had cancer. So really not looking forward to that day, but our boy is a super strong boy and we will get him through this with all his Post Pals help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! xxxx

Update 13th October 2015

Aiden has had a bad few weeks, he’s got an infection that he’s struggling to fight but he is still smiling. He is loving school, when he can be there, and he’s made lots of new friends. Aiden still has a long way to go before he finishes his cancer treatment, but he’s doing really well. Aiden has had three packages this month with some lovely toys and games in, he gets so excited when he gets some post, we can’t thank you guys enough. It’s Amy’s birthday on 13th October, so hopefully if Aiden is feeling okay, she wants to go bowling. We just want to thank everyone again for taking Aiden and his family into your hearts and prayers it means so much to us. Amy and Aiden have been to get their Halloween costumes today, they’re both going as skelibobles as Aiden calls them.

Update 6th September 2015

Aiden is doing really well at the moment. He’s back on full treatment again, having been taken off treatment when he had a bad infection. Some brilliant news is that his hair is starting to grow back!

Aiden starts school this week and he is excited (though nervous). As you can imagine, mummy is very nervous too!

We would like to thank all Post Pals for their post and gifts. You guys play a very big part in our family, helping us get through this tough journey and we love you all for that.

Update 6th August 2015

Aiden is in hospital as he’s caught an infection. Normally this infection wouldn’t bother a healthy child, but due to the chemo Aiden is on, his blood counts have been really down the past few days. He’s had a blood transfusion and a platelet transfusion so he’s feeling really unwell, but he’s still smiling.

Aiden has received quite a bit of post this month, as have Jake and Amy. It really does help knowing people are thinking about them at this difficult time and I said I would pass on their thanks.

Aiden also received his Dottie the Dalmatian. He has it with him in hospital and loves it, but we haven’t chosen a name yet.

Update 7th July 2015

Aiden is doing well at the moment, the doctors have upped his chemotherapy so he’s been really tired most days and he just snuggles up on the sofa and sleeps. He’s really excited about starting school in September though.

Aiden is enjoying his post and he really loves seeing the envelope with his name on it. We just want to thank everyone who has taken our family into their hearts and thoughts, as it really does make a difference to us.