C/O 36 Longleat Drive
Louth
Lincolnshire
LN11 OYW
United Kingdom

NB: this is a forwarding address for the Pal, we do NOT disclose home addresses

Email Pal

Rhianna J's Parents/Guardians

Kerry and David

Rhianna J's Siblings

John 05/05/1994 likes football, tennis, Xbox, PSP and hanging out with friends.

Rhianna J's Interests

Making cards, writing stories, designing clothes, watching tv, going to the movies, having cuddles and cups of tea with Mum.

Rhianna J's Favourite Colour

Pink and Purple

Is Rhianna J able to read?

Yes

Is Rhianna J able to use hands?

Yes

Is Rhianna J visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Rhianna J suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Since joining Post Pals in 2008, Rhianna has had her diagnosis chaged from Diamond Blackfan Anemia to Aplastic Anemia and Polyarteritis Nodosa. She has recently had a bone marrow transplant.

Story written 2008

Rhianna was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia in December 2007. Rhianna had been unwell for several months previously, but no one knew why and put it down to a viral infection.

Rhianna was taken seriously ill in December 2007 and after a blood test which was taken on the afternoon of the 6^th of December 2007 we received a phone call from the GP asking us to take her straight to the local children's ward as her HB was only 4.3 (normal is above 13).

We stayed in the hospital for 4 nights before being transferred to a specialist children's hospital where Rhianna had numerous tests done for bloods before having a bone marrow biopsy and a blood transfusion.

Rhianna started steroid treatment in January 2008 and had fortnightly visits to the hospital. As they were reducing the doses her HB kept falling so it was decided that Rhianna would have regular blood transfusions and see how things go. She is currently going every 3 weeks.

Update 13th January 2010

Just to let you know that all is going to plan with Rhianna.

Thanks for the cards and for the chocolates and updating this wonderful site.

Update 28th December 2009

I would just like to say a big thanks to everyone that sent Rhianna and John cards and presents, its very kind of you all.

Rhianna keeps going to hospital as her platelets are dropping quickly. She goes in on the 5th January for pre conditioning prior to BMT on 15th January at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Thanks again for all your support.

Update 3rd November 2009

Rhianna is going to have a Bone Marrow Transplant at Sheffield Children's Hospital in January. Things are pretty hectic here as we are backwards and forwards to the hospital as her HB and Platelets keep dropping. She has also got a fractured right ankle (which local hospital missed and told her to walk on as nothing was wrong) and is in pink pot at the moment and struggling to do anything as she has problems with her left ankle too! So, good old Sheffield are sorting that out for her too. Unfortunately it is a 4 hour round trip just for a quick appointment though! She has good and bad days but never complains about all that is happening to her, she is a true inspiration to us all.

Rhianna really enjoys receiving post and is just in the process of getting together some gifts to send to other Pals.

Update 26th August 2009

Rhianna's diagnosis has changed from Diamond Blackfan Anemia to Aplastic Anemia and Polyarteritis Nodosa, as this is what she has now been confirmed as having.

Rhianna has continued to have monthly blood transfusions and recently platelets as well, due to low hb and platelets dropping to silly numbers like 14 and 8! Sheffield asked Newcastle to have a look at Rhianna and see if they could offer any answers, as Rhianna did not respond to the Chemo and is still requiring transfusions, and also because of platelets that were ok at the beginning of July but suddenly dropped towards the end of July.

We are currently anxiously awaiting the results from Newcastle which we should receive by the end of this week and with them will hopefully be a plan of action. They have said that she MAY need a Bone Marrow Transplant to help her, so at present we are in limbo land and just trying to function as best we can as a family.

The summer holidays have been very hard for Rhianna as she has not been able to do a lot with her friends (that should be the one friend that has bothered). It is heartbreaking to see her so down as she cannot walk far and refuses to go in a wheelchair in case her school friends see her. She cannot go swimming because of the risk of infections and everything else costs a fortune.

On a positive note, she says a BIG THANKYOU to you for the lovely cushion that you sent her, and to everyone who has taken the time to send her cards and letters, especially the children in America. Rhianna is going to write to everyone who has included their address but it may take some time. Also, she has been given a beautiful yorkie puppy that is now 17 days old and has his eyes open. He is called Sonny and is her motivation at the moment.

Thanks for all the hard work that you do as you really do make a difference to Rhianna.

Update 28th February 2009

Thank you for all the cards and letters Rhianna has received this month. Thanks to Post Pals for the gifts we have all received from you too.

Rhianna is currently undergoing monthly blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Although she is still smiling and laughing it really seems to be taking it out of her energy levels and she is not bouncing back as quick after her transfusions.

If anyone else knows of anyone Rhianna's age with Polyarteritis Nodosa could they please contact us.

Update 13th January 2009

Rhianna now has a second health problem. She has Polyarteritis Nodosa alongside the Diamond Blackfan Anemia and started Chemotherapy yesterday.

She would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who sends her post and will reply to everyone who has put their address on.

Story written 2008

Rhianna was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia in December 2007. Rhianna had been unwell for several months previously, but no one knew why and put it down to a viral infection.

Rhianna was taken seriously ill in December 2007 and after a blood test which was taken on the afternoon of the 6^th of December 2007 we received a phone call from the GP asking us to take her straight to the local children's ward as her HB was only 4.3 (normal is above 13).

We stayed in the hospital for 4 nights before being transferred to a specialist children's hospital where Rhianna had numerous tests done for bloods before having a bone marrow biopsy and a blood transfusion.

Rhianna started steroid treatment in January 2008 and had fortnightly visits to the hospital. As they were reducing the doses her HB kept falling so it was decided that Rhianna would have regular blood transfusions and see how things go. She is currently going every 3 weeks.

Update 13th January 2010

Just to let you know that all is going to plan with Rhianna.

Thanks for the cards and for the chocolates and updating this wonderful site.

Update 28th December 2009

I would just like to say a big thanks to everyone that sent Rhianna and John cards and presents, its very kind of you all.

Rhianna keeps going to hospital as her platelets are dropping quickly. She goes in on the 5th January for pre conditioning prior to BMT on 15th January at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Thanks again for all your support.

Update 3rd November 2009

Rhianna is going to have a Bone Marrow Transplant at Sheffield Children's Hospital in January. Things are pretty hectic here as we are backwards and forwards to the hospital as her HB and Platelets keep dropping. She has also got a fractured right ankle (which local hospital missed and told her to walk on as nothing was wrong) and is in pink pot at the moment and struggling to do anything as she has problems with her left ankle too! So, good old Sheffield are sorting that out for her too. Unfortunately it is a 4 hour round trip just for a quick appointment though! She has good and bad days but never complains about all that is happening to her, she is a true inspiration to us all.

Rhianna really enjoys receiving post and is just in the process of getting together some gifts to send to other Pals.

Update 26th August 2009

Rhianna's diagnosis has changed from Diamond Blackfan Anemia to Aplastic Anemia and Polyarteritis Nodosa, as this is what she has now been confirmed as having.

Rhianna has continued to have monthly blood transfusions and recently platelets as well, due to low hb and platelets dropping to silly numbers like 14 and 8! Sheffield asked Newcastle to have a look at Rhianna and see if they could offer any answers, as Rhianna did not respond to the Chemo and is still requiring transfusions, and also because of platelets that were ok at the beginning of July but suddenly dropped towards the end of July.

We are currently anxiously awaiting the results from Newcastle which we should receive by the end of this week and with them will hopefully be a plan of action. They have said that she MAY need a Bone Marrow Transplant to help her, so at present we are in limbo land and just trying to function as best we can as a family.

The summer holidays have been very hard for Rhianna as she has not been able to do a lot with her friends (that should be the one friend that has bothered). It is heartbreaking to see her so down as she cannot walk far and refuses to go in a wheelchair in case her school friends see her. She cannot go swimming because of the risk of infections and everything else costs a fortune.

On a positive note, she says a BIG THANKYOU to you for the lovely cushion that you sent her, and to everyone who has taken the time to send her cards and letters, especially the children in America. Rhianna is going to write to everyone who has included their address but it may take some time. Also, she has been given a beautiful yorkie puppy that is now 17 days old and has his eyes open. He is called Sonny and is her motivation at the moment.

Thanks for all the hard work that you do as you really do make a difference to Rhianna.

Update 28th February 2009

Thank you for all the cards and letters Rhianna has received this month. Thanks to Post Pals for the gifts we have all received from you too.

Rhianna is currently undergoing monthly blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Although she is still smiling and laughing it really seems to be taking it out of her energy levels and she is not bouncing back as quick after her transfusions.

If anyone else knows of anyone Rhianna's age with Polyarteritis Nodosa could they please contact us.

Update 13th January 2009

Rhianna now has a second health problem. She has Polyarteritis Nodosa alongside the Diamond Blackfan Anemia and started Chemotherapy yesterday.

She would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who sends her post and will reply to everyone who has put their address on.