…sharing experiences of cancer creatively

Queen of the Ball

It’s a busy time for Alice as she prepares for various up and coming events, including a charity ball, in aid of her cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma. Chemo is delayed so Alice can complete her packed social diary and feel in good spirits whilst doing so, however the pain soon becomes too much to bear. The day of the ball arrives, the fancy frocks are on, the champagne is waiting… and after a lot of hard work, all goes to plan and a wonderful night is had by all. With the generosity and effort of everyone, over £5,000 is raised for the research appeal, dedicated to supporting new scientific findings and maintaining and improving necessary treatments. Despite being in a great deal of pain, Alice keeps going, even if she has to contend with annoying pain relief machines!

  • Your beautiful eyes don’t show the pain you are in, you have great courage. You are an inspiration to all. Thinking of you Ali xx

  • Poor baby, at least every time you feel that low you get back up again. Always thinking of you angel

    And why did noone tell me I was flicking my hair like a moron? Gah!

  • HI,
    Just want to say WELL DONE with the Ball your mam did you proud. Wish we had of been there.
    A belated happy 18th birthday looks like you all like to party as soon as you feel better we will love to meet up with you all!!!
    Take care we are all thinking of you from geordie land (Newcastle)
    luv
    Lynn

  • Alice,

    Wow, what an amazing video you made here and you did it all through so much pain. A lot of your video reminded me of parts of my treatment actually. The TENS machine and the having trouble walking with excruiating pains. You seem to cope with your pain so well, you must be so strong. On top of everything you managed to help raise over 5K for rhabdo research – no mean feat for someone who is in agony. You’re doing yourself proud,

    Stay strong

    PS You don’t actually know me, I’m from Northern Ireland but wanted to comment on your inspiring video. 🙂

  • In memory of Alice 27th November 2008 –
    You were such a special human being, put on this earth to light up our lives,teach us how strong we can be and be an inspiration.Although we are so sad you are gone we know you will be at our side when we need you.Until we meet again hun xxx

    If I should go tomorrow
    It would never be goodbye,
    For I have left my heart with you,
    So don’t you ever cry.
    The love that’s deep within me,
    Shall reach you from the stars,
    You’ll feel it from the heavens,
    And it will heal the scars.

  • In memory of Alice
    Sonia, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve lost Alice and can’t imagine how you must be feeling. You’ve all been so strong and I don’t know how you’ve coped so well. The ball looked great and I’m really sorry we couldn’t make it. You did a fantastic job. I know that Alice will be greatly missed by everyone, and I can’t say enough how sorry I am. Keep strong.
    Much love Sue & Frank xxx

  • To dear Sonia, Harry and George.
    I wish there were magical words I could say to take away the pain at the sad loss of your precious daughter and sister, Alice.
    I feel so sad and can’t imagine how terrible everything seems.
    I wish you all the strength you need to help get through the difficult times ahead. Family and friends will always be there for you.
    ……..As will Alice, she will always be with you too.
    With sincere sympathy, Debbie, Cassia and boys. xxx

  • RIP Alice. So sorry you lost your very brave fight. You have been an inspiration to many and will continue to be so. We will never forget you. Good bye sweetie. Vickie, Mark, Grace and Caitlin (from next door)

  • I can’t believe you’re gone ali, but i’m glad that you’te finally free from pain and don’t have to deal with annoying bleepy machines.
    Love you always XXXX

  • Sonia, George & Harry,

    Sorry to hear of your tragic loss, Alice was a credit to you all. No daughter or sister was loved more than Alice. Alice will always be in our thoughts. Love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  • R.I.P Alice. You will never be forgotten. You were amazing. Just so kind and nice. You were an inspiration to so many and I’m so sorry it beat you.
    Love Daisy (down the road) + Lauren (Harry’s good friend.)

  • Dear Sonia, Harry & George
    I was so sorry to hear alice lost her battle to, she was such an amazing girl and a credit to you. My son Adam died 13th Sept 08 from Rhabdo, amos burke at addenbrookes often tried to inspire adam with alice’s courage.
    Our thoughts are with you, love Rachel, David and Lara Gardiner xxxx

  • Dear Sonia & family
    Got the news today, Saturday 29th, it was so saddening. Your Alice has enriched so many lives and will live on in all our hearts. SO many smiles and sunshine in the midst of pain. Our thoughts and love are with you, Julia, Alice and the rest of the family.

  • Dear Alice’s family,

    We are so sorry to hear the very sad news. Alice was unbelievably brave. We are so full of admiration for her strength and tenacity. We’ll never forget her, she’ll always be an inspiration.

    All our love, Toni and Luisa (Docherty) xxx

  • i met you 2 years ago when i was training to be a nurse on the rainbow ward, the first time i met you, you were so poorley,But you went on to prove everybody wrong and pulled through time and time again. i have never forgotten what an amazingly strong and beautiful girl you are, you never complained and used to brighten the ward up. The bond you and your mum have is amazing. So sad that you lost your battle with that awful disease. Always in my thoughts.Thinking of your family
    may angels lead you xxx

    R.I.P

  • I WILL say, “I know how you feel”
    because I do.
    I’ve lost my son to this horrific disease.
    I know how you feel?

    I won’t say, “You’ll get over it” –
    because you won’t.
    Life will have to go on.
    The washing, cooking, cleaning, the common routine.
    These chores will take your mind off your loved one,
    but the hurt and pain will still be there.

    I won’t say, “Your other children will be a comfort to you”
    because they may not be.
    Many mothers I’ve talked to say that after they have lost a child,
    they easily lose their temper with their remaining children.
    Some even feel resentful that they’re alive and healthy
    when the other child is not.

    You may hear all these platitudes from your friends and relatives.
    They think they are helping.
    They don’t know what else to say.
    You will find out who your true friends are at this time.
    Many will avoid you cross the street because they can’t face you.
    Others will talk about the weather,
    the holidays and the school concert
    but never about how you’re coping.

    So what will I say?

    I will say, “I’m here. I care. Anytime. Anywhere.”
    I will talk about your Alice.
    We’ll laugh about the good memories.
    I won’t mind how long you grieve, I still grieve I’m a parent who’s lost a child.
    I won’t tell you to pull yourself together.
    YES, I do know how you feel I’ve been there
    Try me.

  • Dear Sonia, George and Harry,

    We’re so very sorry to hear you’ve lost Alice. We have been amazed and so inspired by her great courage in coping with such a horrible illness. In watching her wonderful videos she has taught us so much. Sonia, you’ve been so strong too, I can’t imagine how it must be and how sad you all are. Our thoughts are with you, George and Harry and all your family. With our love, Jean,Steve, Charlotte and Michael xx

  • Sonia, Sorry to hear the sad news about Alice.
    Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family. After meeting Alice when she was first diagnosed on C2, I knew she would be very strong and full of courage, just so sorry she lost the battle against this terrible illness, but she certainly kept on fighting. She certainly was an inspiration to all that knew her.
    Love Paul, Claire & Joe Neaverson

  • My thoughts are with your mum and your brothers, a devestating loss. An inspirational girl.

    Look after one another.

  • We have never met but I heard Alice’s story for the first time today from a friend. I lost my husband to lung cancer aged 43 in April and we did a blog for him. I looked up Alice tonight and have watched her films. What an inspirational girl she was so brave and determined her story moved me to tears. I can’t say I know how you feel as I didn’t lose my daughter. My husband was at Addenbrookes and Alice’s films bought back all the memories of chemo, radiotherapy, drugs, tens machines, transfusions, scans, x-rays, hope, fears, waiting, disappointment, tears and the final heartbreak. When we used to see kids as young as Alice on the ward my husband would say I’ve had my life it doesn’t matter if I go but it’s not fair when someone is so young and he was half right, he never realised he was young too.

    You must be the proudest family in the world to have had such a wonderful daughter. You will never forget her fortunately the memories of suffering fade. What you have all had to witness will make you strong and get you through the days, weeks, months ahead.

    I just wanted to pass on my sincere condolences, no matter how ill someone is when you love them you are never ready to say goodbye but she will always be with you in your heart.

    My husbands blog is http://www.vicdashwood.blogspot.com if you felt interested but I’m sure you have plenty to keep you busy right now! I hope you didn’t mind my comment.

    Best wishes, Susan

  • I don’t know you Alice, only through your videos on here. I’m so sad to see the news on here, you have been such an inspiration to so many people and will continue to be. Free from pain now, no more hospital stays. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones, I hope they feel some comfort knowing how amazing you have been since diagnosed and how many people you will have helped through these videos.
    Sleep well Angel, you very much deserve it xXxXx

  • Alice, you have no idea how much you have inspired me to keep up fighting my cancer. To her family, Im so sorry for your loss, may Alice look up on you now. From her videos I can tell she was a great person. I am a leukemia patient, I only knew Alice through her videos.

  • Dear Andrew. Thank you so much for your invaluable comments. Alice made her videos to not only aid her journey, but to inspire others like yourself. She was adamant that cancer would never beat her…it didn’t…her strength and determined spirit lives on in others forever. Keep her with you and always try and focus on positive and fun times.x

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