Christmas wishes from Cork Ireland

[Caoimh37]

Wishing all a very happy Christmas and hopefully meet year will bring us better health.

Thanks for all your support and prayers when I was given a year to live in June 2020. I was diagnosed with CLL in November 19 and I have un-mutated 11q status. IGHV in tact but un-mutated. The CLL is in my central nervous system (CNS), hence the ‘year to live’ bit.

I was doing well in Ibrutinbi up to Mid-November 2020 but then began feeling sick again (no appetite and extremely tired) I had a bad day on 20th passing out and vomiting. I’m currently in the Cork University Hospital, where they are treating me for a very sever throat infection but also because my MRI wasn’t clear on Wednesday 23rd. It’s to do with brain biopsy wound rather than CLL.

The hospital is fantastic and my consultant very capable and hopefully I’ll get another few months to enjoy family life and the little darling grandchildren ( I have 6 of them from age 3 months to seven years)... adorable and so sweet they give me such a lift when I see them.

Wishing you all the best again for the holidays and hopefully we make the most of this time of life.

Take care

[Jm954 Administrator]

Good morning and Happy Christmas to you from a fellow unmutated 11q CLLer 😊We last chatted when you were diagnosed with CLL in your brain many months ago and we recommended you ask about Ibrutinib, I'm so happy that you have been well on it since. These latest challenges are hopefully just blips and you'll have not months but many years to enjoy your grandchildren.

I hope you have a good Christmas, with best wishes

Jackie

[Caoimh37 in reply to Jm954]

JackieMany thanks.... I hope I’ll be able to go back on the Ibrutinbi now after last weeks challenge.... the MRI results are a bit concerning too as I’d not be able to go for another Brain operation!!

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers... all I want is a small bit more time with the grandchildren, where I can enjoy some aspects of life.... currently I just sit down all day as I have no physical energy and no appetite....

I’m happy to sign out if this life if that is what’s meant..., I’d hate the lingering part!!

[Hidden]

Happy Christmas! Glad you're getting great hospital care. Have a smiling, happy day and I will keep you in my prayers. If it's safe, give the grandkids a hug from all your friends here. God Bless You!

[Caoimh37]

Thank you so much for your lovely words.I’ve been waving out the hospital window to my local little grandones....

But no hugging unfortunately this year .

They send WhatsApp videos of the main events .... which helps a bit....

Hope you are doing well yourself and thanks for taking the time to respond to me on Christmas Day......

[Hidden in reply to Caoimh37]

Well, that’s good. Excuse my earlier reply. Of course I knew you were in the hospital, my brain wasn’t fully awake yet. Nice to hear that you and the grandkids were making the most of Christmas Day. 🙂

Sorry for the late response. I just now got a notification of your reply. So, I’m blaming technology. But it really sounded like you all had fun together and that’s what counts.

I’m doing well, thanks for asking.

[sweatbee]

Caoimh37,

Merry Christmas. I pray things greatly improve for you from here on out and these current challenges will be just some unwelcome memories in a long life ahead.

Several years ago our son and his family were in Belgium with the NATO band. He was a drummer at the time and was part of an ensemble that participated in the Cork Jazz Festival. He had a great experience in Cork. I hope you are back on your feet soon enjoying Cork.

God Bless,

Hal

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Caoimh, thank you or the update. It is heartening to have your report of having fantastic help in the hospital and being able to at least wave to your grandchildren.

Merry Christmas to you. As you have shown, it is our inner spirits that can show the light of Christmas and the deeper meaning that is the celebration of life.

You remain in my thoughts and I am hoping for your recovery with the ability to be back in your home.

[GalwayGirl123]

Happy Christmas from Galway 🎄🎄

[Ghounds]

May God bless you and keep you. I pray you will have increased quality of life and much more time to spend with your family. Sometimes words are hard to find. I know your doctors are willing you on together with all your friends here and rest assured you are in our thoughts and prayers. Xx

[Caoimh37]

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful support and encouraging words today.I wish you all the best for the remainder of Christmas

[Kit1 in reply to Caoimh37]

Happy Christmas Caoimh. My husband also has CLL and his consultant is in CUH. They give fantastic care to patients and as it is a centre of excellence I know you are in the best of hands. We will pray for you and as Christmas is a time for special surprises I hope you get all you wish for. Hugs from another Cork CLL’er xx

[Caoimh37 in reply to Kit1]

Good morning Love to get replies from everyone but a reply from Cork is great. I don’t feel it only me

We’ll keep in touch Kit1 and my name is Helen- the name for this site is Caoimh37

That’s my daughter who is 37....

I was quite ill when I joined and I put that name on the site

Stay happy- stay safe

Thanks again Hele

[Kit1 in reply to Caoimh37]

Helen. I’m Kathleen and please do stay in touch. We are back in CUH on Jan 14th as things haven’t been too good since April but chin up as usual 🤗

[Floxxy]

Sending you love and hugs and hope you feel better very soon. What a lovely part of the world you live in. 💖💖💖

[Caoimh37]

Many thanks Floxxy...I hope you enjoy the Christmas holiday too

[LeoPa]

May all your wishes be granted. Praying for them to be heard up there.

[ABP45UK]

Hope things go well for you in Cork hospital. I lived in the county near Bantry so not the fine city of Cork but despite leaving at 18 I still have friends there and was back in summer 2019 and nearly ended up needing to go to Cork hospital thanks to CLL having given me a new allergy to beloved shellfish! But I got good help from Bantry hospital so was fine and spared the trip to Cork. Wishing you well, from London, and hope you get out with some decent energy and appetite back soon.

[Phil4-13]

God bless you with comfort and His guidance for your doctors. Much love to you and your family, Sandra

[Caoimh37 in reply to Phil4-13]

Many thanks Sandra. I wish the very best to you and yours...Stay safe

Helen

[Big_Dee]

Hello Caoimh37

Happy New Year!

[Caoimh37 in reply to Big_Dee]

Many happy returns and thanks for text..Best wishes

Helen

[Caoimh37 in reply to Big_Dee]

Many happy returns xx

[kitchengardener2]

Praying hard for you Helen, may it please God to allow you many years of reasonable health to enjoy your grandchildren. Look after yourself and stay safe. Alice (kitchen gardener 2). xxx

[Caoimh37 in reply to kitchengardener2]

AliceA few more years would be lovely but the prognosis is not great for by complex condition and I find the treatment challenging

I pray for a peaceful exit when my time comes....

Hope you are having a good Christmas

Take care

Helen

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Caoimh37]

My prayers are with you, you are so brave. I don't have words but just know that I send hugs and prayers xxxx

[Hidden]

Helen,

Good to hear from you. I am the grandson of another strong and caring woman from county Cork. Like you, she cherished her children and grandchildren, she also had your self-awareness in the face of adversity, and your underlying optimism. Coping with a serious illness is not easy, but you seem to have the resiliency, along with the medical care, it will take to get through this.

God bless,

Owen

[Caoimh37 in reply to Hidden]

OwenThanks for your kind thoughts.... they are very much appreciated.

It’s such an amazing platform here where I get responses from all over the world and then your one from Cork. It’s special

Thanks for taking the time

Helen

[Kit1]

Hi Helen. I hope you are feeling a bit better and send best wishes to you on this, the eve of 2021. Kathleen