I don't usually post much personal stuff but today is an exception. Long-time followers of this and my previous Blog may remember that seven years ago my grandson, Sonny, was rushed into Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; a very aggressive cancer. He was in the hospital for four months and has made a full recovery after comprehensive life-saving treatment. Many of the readers of this Blog were wonderfully supportive at the time which proved to be a great help.
Sonny has been in full remission for several years now and his annual appointment is to seek out any damage done by the chemo-therapy and none has been found.
Well, this weekend is his Bar Mitzvah (akin to a Confirmation) when, according to Jewish law, he becomes a man and responsible for his actions. He is a popular, kind, loving and very funny soccer-mad boy. Naturally it will be a very emotional day and there will be a big family celebration on Sunday. The picture above was taken a couple months ago at another function. His one will be very informal. Below he is pictured with his younger sister Lois aged ten going on 30!
I'm listening to The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi's Nabucco. Very fitting and very moving. Listen here.
16 comments:
Hi Bazza - oh gosh ... I'm so glad he pulled through and obviously is thriving with life, as too Lois. Just enjoy and feel so proud of your grandson and family ... congratulations to all concerned.
When my Ma was round the corner in the Neurological part for 3 months ... I often walked through and past the entrance to Great Ormond Street - an inspirational hospital. We had one of their staff come and give us a talk on the background to the hospital and that was so interesting ...
Brilliant place ... but more importantly a life-saving place for Sonny and the family - enjoy and all the best to the family! Cheers Hilary
Hello Bazza, Mazel Tov to you and to Sonny! What a great ending to the earlier scare.
--Jim
Hilary: Thank you so much for your generous and kind words. I know the Neurological Hospital - also an excellent one!
Jim: Thank you. It has been a tremendous outcome for us. My daughter Laura put his picture on her Facebook account and got 500 responses!
We have a lot to be thankful about when we see the positive effects of modern medicine.
You are so right Andrew. The lengths that the hospital and staff went to was phenomenal and we, as a family, are very thankful!
Warmest mazeltov. I bet your own barmitvah was exciting, your son's even better and your grandson's best of all!
They are handsome children.
You have beautiful grandchildren, Bazza. It is wonderful that Sonny is doing so well now and congratulations to him on his Bar Miitvah.
Hi bazza,
So glad to hear that Sonny is now well and enjoying life. My mum was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma around four years ago and has also recovered and is now as well as any young-at-heart 83 year-old can be! It is indeed amazing what modern medicine can do.
With all good wishes,
David.
P.S. The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves is a great piece of music and as you say, movingly fitting.
Hels: Thank you! Except that I have two daughters, no sons. I am sure this weekend will be wonderful. People are beginning to arrive from the States and excitement is growing.
Arleen: Thank you for your sweet and kind words. They are much appreciated.
David: It's much tougher for an adult to survive that particular cancer, so it's good to hear about your Mum. Long may she continue in good health! Thank you for your kind words.
I'm so happy to hear that Sonny is in remission. What an ordeal to go through! He's a very handsome young man. Congratulations on his Bar Mitzvah. Have a great weekend!
Thank you Sherry. We have already started celebrating! There's plenty of eating, drinking and being merry going on.....
MAZEL TOV! (I hope I spelled that correctly.) With all that your handsome grandson's been through, for him to be reaching this important milestone must be an extremely emotional thing for all of you. May your celebrations overflow with joy and gratitude. (And wine...)
Susan: Thank you so much for those lovely words. The wine has started to flow. Sonny is not interested in thinking about the past; he only looks ahead and doesn't see himself as a victim. We can all learn from him!
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