Our Pal - Mollie A

Story written 2006

Mollie was diagnosed with Foetal Warfarin Syndrome and Kyphoscoliosis on my 20 week scan, we were unsure of what to expect.

When Mollie was born she had numerous tests, we were told that she also had Dextrocardia and that one of her lungs wasn’t formed properly, she was also profoundly deaf in her left ear.

It wasn’t working as well as they thought it would with Mollie wearing her spinal brace, so at a month old Mollie had to have her first operation as she was unable to sit. It was really hard because she was so young and it wasn’t long before Christmas. Mollie came out of hospital 1 week before Christmas but was rushed back in on Christmas day with pneumonia, it was her first Christmas.

When Mollie had an MRI scan we found out that she has Chiari Malformation as well. Mollie had another operation in February of this year, so we are hoping things are going to be a lot better as she gets tired very quickly at the moment.

Update October 2014

Mollie is now moving on from Post Pals. Thank you to everyone who has supported her and her siblings over the years that she has been featured. The post has been much appreciated.

Update 30th April 2014

Mollie had a hearing test last week and although her hearing hasn’t got any worse in her good ear, she wasn’t very happy because they wouldn’t give her a hearing aid in the one that’s she’s deaf in. It frustrates her because people keep talking to her in her deaf ear.

Update 23rd April 2014

Mollie is being referred back to the hospital as she has been getting a lot more back pain lately. She is also going for a hearing test this morning.

Thank you for our post.

Update 30th October 2013

Mollie had some bad news at the hospital, her new consultant has decided that it’s too dangerous to do her spinal surgery, even though her old consultant said he would. He also told her that the reason she’s been having trouble with her breathing is because her ribs aren’t expanding enough, but there’s nothing he can do. He also said the reason she’s been getting pains in her ribs is because her hips are lopsided, but again there’s nothing he can do for her so he discharged her. Overall, not a good day. She goes to see the neurosurgeon next month so hopefully we’ll get some good news then.

Update 21st September 2013

Mollie has been having breathing difficulties but is going to hospital on Wednesday for a check up.

Thank you for Mollie’s post.

Update 3rd June 2013

Mollie has been having problems with her legs and bladder and we’re waiting for an appointment for the doctors.

Thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie post.

Update 31st March 2013

Mollie is currently getting a lot of back pain and having problems with her hips so we are waiting for an appointment to see her consultant.

Thank you to everyone who has sent post this month and for her birthday cards too.

Update 16th January 2013

Mollie is full of cold at the minute and has a bad cough. She goes to SCH next week to see her neurosurgeon to check everything is ok.

Thank you for her lovely post.

Update 24th November 2012

Mollie went for a check up on her spine last week and we were told that the hump on her back is getting worse so they’re going to keep an eye on it.

Thank you for all of Mollie’s post, it is much appreciated.

Update 24th September 2012

Mollie is enjoying being back at school and seeing all her friends. She was getting pins and needles in her hands whilst we were on holiday but has only complained a couple of times since we got home, so we are hoping it’s nothing serious. She sees her consultant next month so we will find out either way.

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie post this month.

Update 14th March 2012

Mollie went for a check up last month and they said if her headaches don’t stop in a couple of weeks then she will have to have a lumber puncture. She will also have to go for an mri in a couple of months and if it has come back again then she will have to have a drain put in her spine, so we are hoping it doesn’t.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie a card, email or gift this month as it’s very much appreciated.

Update 9th February 2012

Just to let you know that Mollie is now home and doing well (apart from falling down the stairs and having a lovely carpet burn on her leg). I would like to say thank you to everyone who has sent her post and good wishes.

Update 2nd February 2012

As Mollie’s brain surgery failed last time, she had to have it done again yesterday, but there were complications and she is in ICU.

Update 22nd January 2012

We have just found out that Mollie goes for her surgery on the 1st February so hopefully she will be feeling ok for her birthday as she is wanting a party.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie a card, letter or gift, as it is very much appreciated, especially with everyone struggling money-wise after Christmas.

I think what Post Pals do is amazing; they manage to put a smile on a sick child’s face and don’t forget about their siblings who also need cheering up. Keep up the good work. I know how much it means to my children, so I can imagine how much it means to the other many ill children too.

Update 22nd November 2011

Mollie received her results for her MRI scan on Friday and unfortunately her operation in July wasn’t a success and it has grown back twice the size. They wanted to operate as soon as possible but Mollie has asked if she could have it done after Christmas, as she doesn’t want to be ill then. They have agreed to do it in the New Year.

Thank you for sending post to Mollie, it is much appreciated.

Update 16th October 2011

Mollie goes for an MRI next week to check to see if the operation was successful and then gets the results in November.

I would like to say a huge think you to everyone who has sent Mollie cards, letters or a gift this month.

Update 25th August 2011

Mollie has recently had her brain surgery and we went to see the consultant the other day and all was well. However, she is still having pain in her neck and some of the symptoms and although he reckons they should go soon, he wants her to have another MRI just to make sure it was a success.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie a card while she was in hospital and who has taken the time to write to Mollie this month. She loved all her post and it is very much appreciated. I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie a gift, especially the Bratz type doll which she loved – she even went and bought another one with the money she got. We also made the badges the other day which she was sent and her brother made the keyrings with a little help from Mollie. Thank you.

I think what Post Pals does is amazing and it has really helped my daughter. She loved all the letters of support and little gifts whilst in hospital and they really cheered her up.

Update 13th May 2011

Mollie has been doing her SATS this week. She is also due to have an MRI next week ready for when she goes to see the consultant next month. This is to see if they think they need operate on her brain this year or not.

Thank you for all of Mollie’s post this month.

Update 3rd April 2011

Mollie had a great birthday. She had a friend to sleepover and went to see Justin Bieber – which was good, even if I do say so myself.

We had a bit of a shock when we went to see Mollie’s consultant, as her other consultant had retired and so she had a new one. We asked about the surgery she was going to have and the consultant shocked us by saying he was reluctant at the moment to do surgery. Apparently Mollie’s scoliosis isn’t as straight forward as in other cases and she has got many fusions in her spine and in her neck (which we weren’t aware of until then) and there would be more chance of her either being paralysed or having weakness in her legs. This could all leave her in a wheelchair, which her other consultant had never mentioned before, so it was a huge shock. Now we are just waiting to see if her spine gets any worse (which he is expecting) as usually in other cases once they’ve had surgery to correct the spine it stays like that, but in Mollie’s case it’s continuously getting worse (which we also weren’t aware of) so now we’re waiting to see what it’s like after her growth spurt and then decide what we are going to do.

Update 16th March 2011

Mollie went to see the neurosurgeon last month and they are waiting to see what the scoliosis doctor wants to do about her back, as he thinks brain surgery would help, so hopefully we will find out next month.

Mollie’s also looking forward to her birthday on Friday as she’s having a sleepover and also going to see Justin Bieber next Wednesday. She’s really excited!

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to sit and write Mollie a letter or card this month or send a gift. I think what Post Pals do is amazing; a simple thing like sending post puts a smile of many an ill child’s face.

Update 10th January 2011

Mollie has just had her operation on the cyst on her neck. It was bigger than they expected so surgery took longer but it was a success and she is recovering well at home now.

Mollie’s in love with Justin Bieber at the minute and is hopefully going to see him in concert in March for her birthday.

Thank you for Mollie’s Post Pals post, it’s very appreciated.

Update 21st December 2010

Mollie’s having surgery on her neck for a cyst. She will be in for a few days but has got to have 2 or 3 weeks off school as they have got to cut part of her tongue away at the back and bone in her neck.

I hope everyone at Post Pals has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Update 9th December 2010

Mollie is due to have surgery on the 6th January on her throat.

Many thanks to everyone who continues to send post to Mollie.

Update 14th August 2010

Mollie is being referred back to the hospital with her neck as the lump is getting bigger and spreading.

Thank you to everyone that has sent Mollie post, she really does appreciate it.

Update 5th June 2010

Mollie goes for the results of her MRI next month to find out if she needs the operation or not. She also has a lump on her throat which is getting bigger so she has to have that checked out as well.

Post Pals always manage to put a smile on ill children’s faces and also their siblings who sometimes feel left out.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie a present this month, it’s very much appreciated.

Update 1st May 2010

We are currently waiting for the results of an MRI scan that Mollie had last week to see if she needs an operation for her Chiari Malformation as her symptoms are getting worse.

I think what Post Pals does is amazing and they manage to put a smile on my daughters face. She even waits for the post lady to come and gets a biscuit off him for the dog! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie post this month.

Update 10th April 2010

Mollie is still waiting for an appointment for an MRI scan as her chiari symptoms are getting worse and they are thinking of operating.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie a card this month as she really looks forward to the postman coming to see if she has any post.

Update 19th March 2010

Mollie has been to see the Neurosurgeon today and they are thinking of operating on her chiari malformation as her symptoms are getting worse. They are going to do an MRI scan and take it from there.

Update 6th February 2010

Mollie goes to see the neurosurgeon next month to find out if and when they are going to operate and also for a check up on her spine.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send Mollie a card, letter, or gift this month, it is very much appreciated.

I think what Post Pals do is amazing. They always manage to put a smile on sick or seriously ill children’s faces and also remember their siblings so they don’t feel excluded. Well Done Post Pals.

A big thank you to the McQueen Family for the Lego Bionicles that they sent Morgan yesterday. He really loved it and it gave us a couple of hours peace as he made a fort for it with a shoe box and was playing with it for hours. It’s the little things that count.

Update 2nd December 2009

Mollie has been waking up a lot lately with bad cramps in her legs and has been getting a lot of headaches. She is really looking forward to Christmas though and thank you for her post.

Update 2nd November 2009

Mollie has now finished dancing as she was being bullied. Her legs had also started to ache a lot more with it.

Thanks for the mail that Mollie has received this month.

Update 4th September 2009

Mollie has had a really good month and thank you for the cards and gifts she received in August.

Update 20th August 2009

Mollie has had a good month and thank you for the Post Pal mail that has been sent to her.

Update 18th July 2009

Mollie as had a really good month this month, but was upset that she wasn’t picked at dancing to go to Disneyland Paris with most of her friends in a parade.

Thank you for the post Mollie has received this month.

Update 16th June 2009

Mollie had her sports day last week but was upset because she came last in all her races. She has currently got a bad cough again too and is up most of the night with it.

Thank you for the post she has received, we think what Post Pals do is brilliant and it cheers the children up.

Update 4th May 2009

Mollie has just been for a lung function test and they are looking into her maybe having some special shoes as one hip has gone higher than the other.

Mollie has also got her dancing show this weekend.

Thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie a card, letter, or gift this month. It is very much appreciated.

Update 7th March 2009

Mollie is currently having trouble with her throat and is awaiting an appointment at the hospital to check the cyst isn’t getting any bigger.

Thank you for all the cards, letters and gifts Mollie has received this month.

Update 11th February 2009

Mollie has had her operation postponed.

I think what Post Pals do is great and my daughter really looks forward to the postman coming. Thank you for all her post.

Update 28th November 2008

Mollie had a routine check up at the hospital a week ago and they have decided that they want to operate on her brain sooner rather than later which was a big shock.

Thank you for all Mollie’s post this month, it makes her day when she receives post.

Update 6th November 2008

Mollie goes to Sheffield next week for a check up so hopefully everything will be ok.

Thank you for Mollie’s cards this month. Post Pals cheers up the children who are feeling ill and it’s lovely to see the smiles on their faces when they open their mail.

Update 22nd October 2008

Unrelated to Mollie’s condition, her brother Daniel has been admitted to hospital due to a large mass in his knee bone. He now has his own page which can be found here.

Update 12th October 2008

Mollie has had a chest infection this month and has been poorly with it.

Thanks for the post sent to Mollie this month.

Update 30th July 2008

Mollie has been having more bad headaches this month and we are waiting to see the consultant.

Thank you for the cards, letters and gifts this month.

Update 7th July 2008

Mollie has had a chest infection on and off for the last 6 weeks, so she has to go to the hospital to have a lung test.

Thank you for all the smiles that you put on the children’s faces when they receive post and thank you to everyone that has sent Mollie post this month.

Update 29th May 2008

Mollie has just finished her show but has had bad pains in her legs and lower back. She loved being on stage and dancing though.

Thank you for the post Mollie and her siblings have received this month. Post Pals brightens up my children’s days.

Update 14th May 2008

Thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie a card this month.

Mollie is practicing for her show, so she has had a lot of leg cramps these last few weeks. She has also got to go for another x-ray on her spine because she has been getting a lot of backache lately.

Update 16th April 2008

Mollie has been having a few sleepless nights this month due to pains in her legs as she has been practicing for her show in May, but she will not give up as she is really looking forward to it.

Thank you for the letters and cards that Mollie and her siblings have received, they are very much appreciated.

Update 11th February 2008

Mollie is due at Sheffield on 14/02/08 to check that her spinal fusion operation was successful.

Post Pals is brilliant and I look forward to all the post that I receive. Thank you!

Update 17th December 2007

I went for a hearing test this month and nothing has changed. I am still deaf in my left ear, but my right hasn’t got any worse.

Thank you for all my post this month.

Update 30th October 2007

I am still enjoying my swimming lessons even though I was upset last week because everyone in my group had moved up to the next level, including Morgan my brother, but my mum says that everyone is different and that I will do it in my own time and not to worry. I go to the hospital next month to the scoliosis clinic and also to see the neurosurgeon so hopefully everything will be ok.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent me something this month.

Update 1st October 2007

Mollie’s doing fine; we have just had her hospital appointment to see the Neurosurgeon postponed to next month and also a new appointment to the Scoliosis clinic come through, so hopefully everything will be ok.

Thank you to everyone who has sent Mollie a card, letter, email or gift this month, she has enjoyed every one of them and even took them to school for show and tell.

Mollie still loves Barbie, Bratz, reading, colouring, playing with her dolls (she’s even given her order for a new Baby Alive for Christmas already) and basically anything girlie.

Update 7th September 2007

We’ve just come back from our holidays. Molly had a great time but is very tired with bad headaches. She is still not sleeping very well and has started with nightmares quite a bit, but hopefully they will pass.

Thank you to everyone for all the post this month.

Update 14th August 2007

I have been having a few bad headaches over the holidays so I have got to go and see the consultant (not looking forward to that). Mum is worried because they have been ‘knocking me off my feet’ as mum says and I have been in bed for days at a time.

Thank you to everybody who has taken the time to send me a card, write me a letter or send me a gift. I have loved every one of them.

Update 18th July 2007

I am getting on really well and I had my first sports day last week and I really enjoyed it.

I would like to say thank you to every one at Post Pals, it is lovely what you do and if only you could see the smile on my face and all the other children’s faces every time we get post. All cards, letters and gifts are very much appreciated and loved.

Update 10th June 2007

Thank you to everyone who has sent me cards, letters and wonderful gifts this month.

Update 21st May 2007

Nothing has really happened this month apart from I’ve had a cold and now I have passed it on to my mum and dad (I like to share!)

I would like to thank everyone that has sent me a letter, card or gift as it is very much appreciated.

Update 3rd April 2007

We have finally heard about the lump on my throat. Luckily, it was just a cyst and I won’t need an operation on it unless it gets bigger. Apart from that everything is ok.

Post Pals really cheers me up every time I get a letter or card or even a present and I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent me post, including birthday cards and gifts.

Update 3rd March 2007

I have got to go and have a biopsy on a lump on my throat (I am not looking forward to this).

I would like to say how much I look forward to the letters and cards I receive and how much they cheer me up. Thank you for all the stickers and bobbles that I have received, I have had great pleasure in using these. I would like to thank everyone for my all my post, it was very much appreciated.

Update 9th January 2007

A lump has been found on Mollie’s neck so she has been referred to the hospital for tests to find out what it is, hopefully it won’t be anything serious but we will let you know. She has also been put on a different type of milk as she has lost some more weight.

We’d just like to say thank you to everyone at Post Pals for their wonderful presents and cards which made Mollie’s Christmas so special. It was lovely to read all the messages that you sent and Mollie wrote thank you notes so you should receive them shortly. Also a big thank you to everyone who sent presents to Mollie’s brothers, especially Georgies Fund who sent them wonderful presents. Thank you very much!

Update 1st December 2006

As Mollie as only been on Post Pals for about a week we are new to this. We were surprised how quickly she got a Christmas card though and would like to say a big thank you to Kate Dickinson as she was really pleased that she got the first card in the house, and I mean really pleased!

Mollie is really looking forward to her school Christmas parties as she has missed the last 2 due to hospital appointment and being ill.

Mollie just loves playing with her dolls (and has already given Santa her new list of dolls she wants this year, there’s only 6!) She loves colouring and at the moment we are making snowflakes to put around the house. She also loves writing and reading and was really pleased yesterday because she had gone up to level 9 in her reading books. She loves ballet and everything girly basically!