Christian Lewis Trust Children's Cancer Charity
Your Letters
Michele Hayman-Joyce
Congratulations on your 20 years!
When Katie was 22 months old she was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumour. We felt as though the bottom had dropped out of our world. Katie had surgery to remove the tumour and her kidney. She regularly returned to the Royal Marsden for checkups and advice. A couple of months after Katie had been diagnosed we were watching a television programme about a miracle church in Malta.
We decided we would like to take Katie there and pray for her. So in June 2000 myself, my husband, our four year old son (Joseph) my parents and brother all went to Malta. We had a wonderful holiday, however while we were there Katie became ill and had a fit. When we returned to England and visited the Royal Marsden we realized that we had not had adequate holiday insurance to cover Katie’s illness and they put us in touch with the Christian Lewis Trust. Unfortunately I can not remember the name of the lady I spoke to but all I remember is every time I phone your number who ever answers is so kind to me. The first lady I spoke to asked if we wanted to go to Disneyland, I could not believe it. We decided to go to Euro Disney instead of America as the children were so young. What an amazing time we had. Everyone was amazing and the children were treated like VIP’s. Katie had been through a tough time and it was lovely to see her so happy, but also our little boy Joe had been really traumatized bye the whole experience. Joe is very sensitive and it was wonderful to have family time to laugh and be together. It gave the children an opportunity to ask us questions and we had the time to answer them.
We regularly kept in contact with the staff at the Christian Lewis Trust, buying Christmas cards and phoning for other advice. I found the staff were an amazing support to me and every time I phoned they seemed to really care about us. It was such a release to talk to people who I didn’t need to protect their feelings but I felt they cared and understood what we were going through.
When Katie was five years clear we decided to have another baby and now have a beautiful four year old son, David. David idolizes Katie and says the she is his favorite person in the whole wide world!
Katie’s best friend is called Eve, sadly three years ago Eve’s older brother, Tom, was diagnosed with leukemia. During the time Tom was ill Eve stayed with us a lot of the time. The first night she was with us after Tom was diagnosed Katie and Joe sat at the dinner table with Eve and told her all they knew about Cancer! Their information included:
“It’s great you can go to Euro Disney and don’t have to queue”
“When you get to the hotel they give you a bag full of free toys, not only for the child with cancer but the brothers and sisters as well”
“It is brilliant all the characters come up to you and talk to you and have their photos taken with you”
“When you go to the hospital they give you lolly pops!”
During this conversation Katie never mentioned illness, pain or suffering. Sadly Tom died in September 2007. A child in Katie’s class asked her is she would be next and when she was going to die. Katie talked openly with us all about this and we were able to give her the reassurance she needed, I am sure that this is due to the closeness we shared when Katie was ill and how open we are as a family. We have always been very open with Katie and Joe and answer all their questions honestly.
In September Katie starts secondary school and yesterday I had to complete her medical questionnaire. I explained to the teacher that, although she needs to wear a medi alert bracelet as she only has one kidney, she is not at all phased by the fact she did have cancer. She still attends the Royal Marsden Hospital and she has many positive memories of the whole experience. So from the bottom of my heart I thank the staff at the Christian Lewis Trust, not only did you all support me in my darkest hours but you protected my children from the harsher aspects of cancer and maintained their innocence. We have enjoyed several trips to Euro Disney and they were wonderful opportunities for us to take time out as a family
Please keep up the valuable work you all do. We think you are fantastic
With Best Wishes
Michele Hayman-Joyce
When Katie was 22 months old she was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumour. We felt as though the bottom had dropped out of our world. Katie had surgery to remove the tumour and her kidney. She regularly returned to the Royal Marsden for checkups and advice. A couple of months after Katie had been diagnosed we were watching a television programme about a miracle church in Malta.
We decided we would like to take Katie there and pray for her. So in June 2000 myself, my husband, our four year old son (Joseph) my parents and brother all went to Malta. We had a wonderful holiday, however while we were there Katie became ill and had a fit. When we returned to England and visited the Royal Marsden we realized that we had not had adequate holiday insurance to cover Katie’s illness and they put us in touch with the Christian Lewis Trust. Unfortunately I can not remember the name of the lady I spoke to but all I remember is every time I phone your number who ever answers is so kind to me. The first lady I spoke to asked if we wanted to go to Disneyland, I could not believe it. We decided to go to Euro Disney instead of America as the children were so young. What an amazing time we had. Everyone was amazing and the children were treated like VIP’s. Katie had been through a tough time and it was lovely to see her so happy, but also our little boy Joe had been really traumatized bye the whole experience. Joe is very sensitive and it was wonderful to have family time to laugh and be together. It gave the children an opportunity to ask us questions and we had the time to answer them.
We regularly kept in contact with the staff at the Christian Lewis Trust, buying Christmas cards and phoning for other advice. I found the staff were an amazing support to me and every time I phoned they seemed to really care about us. It was such a release to talk to people who I didn’t need to protect their feelings but I felt they cared and understood what we were going through.
When Katie was five years clear we decided to have another baby and now have a beautiful four year old son, David. David idolizes Katie and says the she is his favorite person in the whole wide world!
Katie’s best friend is called Eve, sadly three years ago Eve’s older brother, Tom, was diagnosed with leukemia. During the time Tom was ill Eve stayed with us a lot of the time. The first night she was with us after Tom was diagnosed Katie and Joe sat at the dinner table with Eve and told her all they knew about Cancer! Their information included:
“It’s great you can go to Euro Disney and don’t have to queue”
“When you get to the hotel they give you a bag full of free toys, not only for the child with cancer but the brothers and sisters as well”
“It is brilliant all the characters come up to you and talk to you and have their photos taken with you”
“When you go to the hospital they give you lolly pops!”
During this conversation Katie never mentioned illness, pain or suffering. Sadly Tom died in September 2007. A child in Katie’s class asked her is she would be next and when she was going to die. Katie talked openly with us all about this and we were able to give her the reassurance she needed, I am sure that this is due to the closeness we shared when Katie was ill and how open we are as a family. We have always been very open with Katie and Joe and answer all their questions honestly.
In September Katie starts secondary school and yesterday I had to complete her medical questionnaire. I explained to the teacher that, although she needs to wear a medi alert bracelet as she only has one kidney, she is not at all phased by the fact she did have cancer. She still attends the Royal Marsden Hospital and she has many positive memories of the whole experience. So from the bottom of my heart I thank the staff at the Christian Lewis Trust, not only did you all support me in my darkest hours but you protected my children from the harsher aspects of cancer and maintained their innocence. We have enjoyed several trips to Euro Disney and they were wonderful opportunities for us to take time out as a family
Please keep up the valuable work you all do. We think you are fantastic
With Best Wishes
Michele Hayman-Joyce
News, Messages & Letters
| Sandcastles |
|
Sandcastles Billy's Story Befriending Emma's Story Disneyland Paris Sophie's Story The American Experience Helen's Story UK Breaks Caitlin's Story Play Therapy Mark's Story |
| Your Letters |
|
Jane Hermon Simon & Fiona Adams, Katie Carys and Callum Mandy, Thomas, Declan and Conor Patricia, Richard, Laura, Liam and Phil More of Your Letters |
| Your Messages |
|
The Patrick Family The Hillis Family Angela, Robert, Louise & Anthony Thornton The Mclean family More of Your Messages |
 |
| Family Services |
| Donations and Fundraising |
| News and Stories |
| About Us |
| Contact Us |
| Donate Online |
| Links |
