C/O 67 Alphington Avenue,
Frimley,
Surrey,
GU16 8LY
United Kingdom

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

Email Pal

Robyn H's Parents/Guardians

Lisa

Robyn H's Siblings

Tommy age 11, likes club penguin, Harry Potter, WWE wrestling, X factor, rugby, history (the titanic in particular).

Robyn H's Interests

Harry Potter, High School Musical, yellow mini coopers, cuddly toys, Lady Gaga.

Robyn H's Favourite Colour

Yellow

Is Robyn H able to read?

Yes

Is Robyn H able to use hands?

Yes

Is Robyn H visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Robyn H suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Story written 2010

Robyn is a wonderful, cheeky, toothless 7 year old girl, who in May 2009 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. As with many children with this cancer, it had spread by the time she was diagnosed, so her diagnosis is known as stage 4 - high risk. Robyn has responded really well to her treatment and her primary tumour in her pelvis was removed successfully in September 2009.

Unfortunately she suffered some nerve damage in her right leg and foot (as the tumour was attached to the nerves that serve her right leg) and as a result she is still having difficulty walking the shortest distances even with the help of crutches. To explain the full horror of the treatment that Robyn has had to endure for the last 8 months would take a long time. Her mother was once told by a consultant that no other cancer has this type of treatment - it is extremely aggressive - fight fire with fire…

Robyn is very beautiful, inside and out, and extremely active. She used to enjoy gymnastic classes with her cousins, dancing, and would ride her bike for miles. She loves Harry Potter, High School Musical and Lady Gaga. She has a strange liking for mini coopers - in particular, yellow ones. She loves Spongebob, animals, and the colour yellow. She also loves dressing up and much to her mother’s disgust - applying make up!

Robyn would dearly love and appreciate receiving a letter from anyone who could spare the time to brighten up her day. I speak for every parent of a child with cancer when I say they are the bravest, most beautiful beings to walk this earth.

Update 20th July 2010

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I have updated you on Robyn and for that I truly apologise, but I think, looking back, I found certain things really difficult being so far from home. 

Anyway, Robyn underwent 5 months of antibody (immuno) therapy at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and this was fairly harsh treatment. This was compounded by the fact that she had to attempt to learn to walk again in between treatment with intensive daily physical therapy. She did so very well and I am immensely proud of her. It is very scary being so far away from home with a seriously ill child but I would do it all again in a flash.

We came home from The States on the 1st of June and Robyn attempted to try to return to school for 2 hours a day. She was still extremely underweight but we were continuing to build her up nightly via her NG tube. She can now walk really well albeit with a minor limp – now we just to teach her how to run.

On the 7th July Robyn and I flew back out to The Children's hospital of Philadelphia where she had received her treatment for her final scans and bone marrow aspirates. These eventually came back as 'clear of cancer' and we are all, of course, delighted. Although it has to be noted that Robyn's scans have all been 'no evidence of disease' since November 09 and that although this is fantastic news, any Neuroblastoma family will tell you that this disease, in particular, is notorious for returning.

So! While we were in America we lived at the Ronald McDonald house in Philadelphia, a wonderful house with even more wonderful staff and volunteers ensuring that families like ourselves with seriously ill children far away from the familiarity of their own homes were as safe, warm, fed and cared for as we could possibly be. Every morning when we came out of the lift into a beautiful hall there were pigeon holes with each family’s door number on. We were number 19 and number 19 was ALWAYS stuffed full of Post Pals post. You have no idea how special Robyn used to feel opening her post with all her little friends she had met. Also, on the days that she just couldn't get up because she was feeling so weak, I would either coax her downstairs or bring it all up to her. Over the months that we were in Philly we must have had scores and scores of letters and parcels - and then Greg and Tommy would bring loads more with them from England when they visited!

I couldn't possibly thank or even respond to everyone personally but please rest assured that if you sent Robyn post (or any other child for that matter!) you have done something very special and for that a huge heartfelt 'THANKS' goes to you.

Update 19th April 2010

Robyn is very poorly at the moment. She is in hospital with shingles and has been for 2 weeks now. Sorry I haven’t updated her page, it is just that things have been so stressful.