Tough times don’t last but tough people do!

Sweet 16

Race for Hope 2018

I just read this quote and thought how appropriate for Isabella and all that she continues to face, nearly 10 years on.

The past couple of months have been particularly intense with Isabella's IGCSE exams and then in the middle of them (they went on for about 6 weeks and for which she has studied consistently) we received the news that her tumor has grown slightly and it was time to consider restarting treatment. This came as a bit of a blow to us.

After further eye exams a few weeks later they agreed to wait till after the summer. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief as Isabella truly deserves to enjoy her summer foot loose and fancy free.

Last Friday, a day after turning 16, she flew to London to begin her Grand Tour. She is currently enjoying some British entertainment, seeing friends and family and then heading by train to Brussels and Paris before flying to Rome to see the grandparents. After a week’s sailing she will then head to the alps where we plan to meet her in about a month’s time. She has lots of treats and highlights planned along the way and has put the exams out her mind (results will be out late in August) and we will all forget about treatment until September. In September there will be another MRI and then we will assess what treatment is needed then.

Ready to drive!

Meanwhile Mati is enjoying a week in California with a friend, apparently she is learning to surf - no photographic evidence yet. Gregorio is also away on mission for a couple of weeks so I am holding down the fort (overseeing painting and minor maintenance works on the house) saying goodbye to dear friends leaving DC and enjoying uninterrupted watching of Wimbledon.

In September Isabella will start learning to drive. She passed the test to get the learner driver permit just before boarding her plane to London. She will also start her IB course, start thinking about the next stage of study....and we will update you on where she stands with treatment. 

Hope you are all enjoying summer, wherever you are.

Off on her European adventure

Lots of love,

Emma x