If you have time to read the story, I'll fill you in on exactly how Rhiannon came to be in hospital. Her mother Rachael  took her to our doctor on Thursday 29/8 for a routine blood test because she was feeling unwell and was clearly anaemic. The following day, a doctor rang and said she needed to come straight to the house and speak with us. She told us that Rhiannon was severely anaemic and it was due to suspected leukemia. We took her straight to Barnstaple Hospital where she was given emergency blood and platelet transfusions. Platelets are the cells that stop bleeding, and people who are anaemic bleed a lot and tend to have a lot of unexplained bruises, which Rhiannon had all over her legs. She had a chest x-ray there and then the next morning we were taken to Bristol by ambulance and she was admitted to the teenage ward. More transfusions followed, then on Monday 2/9 she was put under general anaesthetic and given a bone marrow biopsy to determine what type of leukaemia she has; a lumbar puncture, which showed the leukaemia has not spread anywhere else; and a Hickman Catheter put in. This is a central line which goes directly into her heart to deliver fluids and medication directly into her bloodstream. She has had many drugs and fluids administered via this line, and samples of blood taken daily.  On Tuesday 3/9 she started chemotherapy which will go on for five and a half months.  She is now neutropenic, meaning she no longer has any white cells to fight off infection, so we have to be extremely careful not to introduce even a minor bug to her system as this could make her extremely ill.

In the Summer of 2016 I intend to cycle from Paris to Paris over a three day period for the amazing CLIC.  This classic two-wheeled challenge will get me pedalling through the English and French countryside to reach the romantic streets of Paris and the unforgettable last few miles of the Tour de France to see some of the final stage action live from the world famous Champs-Elysees.

Highlights for this event include:

• Pedalling over 300 miles of open road, with a ferry to get you over the Channel.
• Riding through the winding French countryside, where the cyclist is king/queen.
• Finishing under the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of Paris.