We are Rivronstrong! Stay focused and keep on running…

We are the RIVRON family, and Rivronstrong is our family moto! We use this to remind ourselves that it is ok to not be ok as well as knowing that it is ok to have fun, be happy and be positive – even if you are having a bad day! Whilst we deal with difficult moments every day, we also use this mindset to continue to support our friends with their own struggles. We have to live with cancer every day, but it will not be our daily focus, and will not define us!

OUR STORY

Since 2015 we have been dealing with Jo’s cancer, including many hospital stays, operations, radiotherapy, and constant chemotherapy which is ongoing as we continue to try and control the spread and side effects of the tumours. There are lots of drugs out there - we are getting through the list – but nothing seems to be getting the cancer under control and so we continue to try and be positive and make the most out of each day.

In addition to Jo’s cancer, in June 2020 – mid Pandemic! – Matilda (Jo and Christian’s eldest daughter) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia just 4 days before her 11th birthday and started her gruelling and intense course of chemotherapy – a horrific ordeal for anyone to go through, let alone a family who was already dealing with a cancer diagnosis in the family.

Both Jo & Matilda are having ongoing treatment at different hospitals in Southampton, which can be a logistical nightmare, but we make it work!

Amelie (8), the younger daughter, gets sent from pillar to post during hospital stays between Jo and Matilda, and often does not know when she will be able to return to her own bed and comforts. However, despite facing the worry about mum and sister, continues to work hard and do well at school and takes her stress out in the Dojo with her karate!

Christian, somehow, manages to keep everyone going, stay organised and coordinate his job, housework and cooking healthy meals for us all. This is all while trying to ensure his mental health and stay positive by making time to do the gardening, running and bike rides.

We are incredibly lucky to have a large family and friend support network – which has been difficult to utilise fully during the pandemic – but living on the farm we have been able to create a family support bubble which has proved invaluable.

UPCOMING CHALLENGES

OZZIE’S LOCKDOWN TRINIDAD CHALLENGE

At the start of lockdown, on 23rd March 2020, Noel (aka Dad, Nono, Ozzie) started to increase his 50 mile weekly mileage on his bike – mainly as an excuse to get out of the house for a few hours every day – like Christian, this helps him to de-stress and gather his thoughts. He now achieves the target of a minimum of 120 miles (200km) per week. The mileage is spread out across the week and Ozzie goes out every day, come rain or shine, and has yet to miss this target!!

The challenge is by 21st June 2021 – the planned end of the UK lockdown restrictions, and coincidently close to Matilda and Amelie’s birthdays – his goal is to cycle the equivalent distance to Trinidad (origin of Ozzie’s parents and home to his cousins) and back, a huge total of 8600 miles!!!!

CHRISTIAN’S LONDON MARATHON

Piam Brown Ward (thanks to Caring Cancer Trust) have been awarded 3 places in the Virtual London Marathon in October 2021, and Christian has been allocated 1 of them. Training has now started, with a virtual half marathon over Easter weekend and making use of our local surroundings running along the sea wall and out in the forest.

JO’S 5KM WALK

Jo, with a few others, will be walking 5km on the weekend of her 40th birthday – a challenge inspired by those days when just getting from the sofa to the bathroom proves difficult!

What else are Team Rivronstrong up to?

• Most Sunday mornings, you will be able to find Christian, Nicky (Jo’s sister) and Tim (Jo’s cousin) –going for a dip in the sea to help reset, refocus and refresh their mindset for the week ahead!

• Christian continues to go for his long bike rides – when he can – but sometimes this has to be sacrificed to look after Jo, Matilda and Amelie.

• We have also welcomed our new family member, ‘Larry’ the Pony. With Lynn’s (Mum, Nana) time and support, Larry is now the girl’s new love and a great focus for everyone’s joy and happiness.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CHALLENGES AND DONATE TOWARDS OUR CANCER CHARITIES

We are aiming to raise funds for a number of charities that have really been beneficial to us as a family in so many ways!

As we like to aim high, our fundraising target is £8600.00. Just £1 for every mile Ozzie will have cycled in the Trinidad Challenge.

OUR CHARITIES

Firstly, thank you to all our fantastic family and friends, who are always finding ways to make us smile and have supported us over the last 6 years and, in particular, the last 12 months. It’s now time to pay it forward. We have two main charities in mind, and several others who we would also like to support if we can.

1. Piam Brown Childrens Cancer Ward at Southampton General Hospital

All the staff continue to provide such amazing support to Matilda and the family. In ‘normal’ circumstances there would have been trips, days out, events and lots of socialising with other families in similar situations. Despite not being able to ‘mingle’ whilst on the ward, the staff have done everything they can to make sure everyone is able to relax and be looked after and keep the children smiling – as much as they can do.

2. Oakhaven Hospice Lymington, Hampshire

The Coates Centre, part of Oakhaven Hospice has been invaluable, providing us with ongoing support and counselling, the team are the unsung heroes to keeping the family sane! We also have many friends and family who been supported and cared for in and by this local hospice.

3. Other charities close to our hearts that we continue to support….

• The Little Princess Trust – providing children with real hair wigs when they lose their hair. Such a wonderful team and made the wig selection so easy – even though it was over Zoom – and the wig was perfect for Matilda and boosted her confidence!

• Supershoes empower children and young people fighting cancer in the UK, enhancing physical and emotional well-being while raising awareness along the way. Matilda has received a beautiful pair of personalised converse trainers which brought a big smile to her face.

• CLIC Sargent is the UK's leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families. The support this team provides is amazing. The team in Southampton are always available to a chat and support Matilda and us all along the way, pointing us in the right direction for emotional and financial support.

• Fight Like a Kid are a registered charity that supports children and their families through their cancer diagnosis. The gift that keeps on giving – Matilda and Amelie have received comfy beanbags with matching footstools, perfect for watching tv or relaxing with a good book.

• Maggies Center Southampton - Maggie’s offers the best possible support free to anyone with cancer and their families who walk through their doors. The new centre in Southampton is a lovely hub to sit and relax or to pick up information and talk to others.

• Wessex Cancer Trust offers a range of free cancer support services to help throughout the cancer journey. During the pandemic when the centres are not available to visit, they have moved their support to online and telephone, which has been equally as useful to help deal with the daunting information and situations we have to process.

Thank you for reading our story.

Jo, Christian, Matilda & Amelie Rivron

#rivronstrong