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Welcome to Roxy's page!

This is where we try to keep friends and family abreast of the developments in Roxy's treatment. From time to time we post new images of Roxy. We also explain Roxy's history, what's been happening and what lies in store for her. She's our little darling and we love her to bits.

A HUGE thank you to one and all for the many kind wishes and messages of support. Knowing that there are so many people out there thinking of Roxy has helped us through this period more than you will ever know.

Well the big day has finally come and we are now firmly ensconced in the Fox Ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Roxy has had her first drugs and is bearing up well. She has had a couple of raised temperatures and her blood pressure and pulse rate have been high on occasion, but she's still just as adorable as ever. Everyone has been fantastic and the staff here are making our lives as easy as they they can by helping with feeds, nappy changes and bathing (which is something of a challenge with the Hickman line in - see Roxy's blog for more information).

Roxanne Emma Jabbitt (a.k.a. Roxy)

Roxy

Who is Roxy?

Updated 23/11/06

Roxy was born at 03:20 on Friday the 3rd March, 2006 at Kingston Hospital, Kingston-on-thames, England

Unfortunately Roxy was born with a very rare Primary Immunodificiency disorder, known as L.A.D.

We attended Great Ormond Street Hospital on Wednesday 10th May for the first time to have Roxy assessed by the immunologists and bone marrow transplant specialists. We met several nice people. Drs Welch and Davies were very kind and understanding and listened to our questions and answered with honesty and deliberately. The Immunology nurses were very kind and gentle too.

We now know a little more about the nature of the journey that we have been given. The first step is to ensure Roxy's healthy status is maintained and we understand now the steps we have to take to preserve Roxy's health. We were given much good news. In particular we were informed by Dr Davies that Roxy stood a very good chance of complete recovery following a Bone Marrow Transplant.

They took blood from Roxy for determining her tissue type and beginning the search for a suitable donor. Sue and I gave blood to determine our suitability as donors. If neither Sue nor I are suitable donors and if a suitable donor can not be found in the general Bone Marrow Donor population then there is still a very real possibility that they will be able to use either Sue or I as a 'half' donor and that although this usually involves a more complicated technique for harvesting bone marrow, in the case of LAD, specifically, this results in very good success rates. He also advised that after the transplant Roxy would have an 80-90% chance of complete recovery! However, it could take up to 3 months to search the donor list worldwide so we have to be patient for the moment.

We were also advised that it would be okay to get out and about, within reason, to avoid confined, populated places and to limit the amount of direct physical contact Roxy has with people. We should make sure she doesn't come into contact with people suffering from colds and flu and any other infectious complaints.

Our minds have also been put at ease by being given priority access to the staff at GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). If we suspect that Roxy has an infection or have any questions whatsoever then we can call GOSH and they will advise us immediately on the appropriate course of action. Just knowing that we have this kind of access open to us is very reassuring.

23.11.2006

We have finally gotten through the difficult waiting period and are now in Great Ormond Street Hospital and Roxy is undergoing chemotherapy in preparation for her transplant in a week's time (01.12.2006). For more information and an up to the day progress report from Roxy's point of view have a look at Roxy's Progress Weblog

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