Tiger ward was our Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU). Based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich it was the place where we learnt not only of Henrys initial diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia but sadly of his subsequent relapses. Tiger ward became a first point of contact if Henry was at home and he got a temperature or became unwell we rushed him there for review and admission. He had numerous blood and platelet transfusions, investigations and tests there so that we didn’t have to travel to the Royal Marsden. If Henry was at the Royal Marsden and was well enough he was transferred to Tiger ward to continue his treatment, that sense of being just that bit closer to home making such a difference to Henry and to us as a family. We have spoken with the team at Tiger ward at least 2-3 times a week, sometimes daily at times during Henrys multiple treatment, knowing that they were at the end of a phone if we were worried about anything made all the difference.

Whilst we have had some very long and difficult days at Tiger ward, the team who work there have been incredible, they treated Henry and us as a family with such kindness, empathy, always going that extra mile to ensure that we could have as much precious family time at home as possible. Whilst there were difficult and painful times, we have laughed a lot and had some great fun. There have been multiple games of the card game Cheat (Henry normally won!), no one will forget Henry holding court whilst telling everyone how to play the x box game Overcooked, the questioning of all things medical and quizzing the entire team about what was their greatest achievement and of course the surprise party and cake that the staff put on for Henrys birthday last year. These times now form special memories that we will hold close as we navigate life without Henry.

The Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust supports the work of Tiger ward. It was through them that Henry and our family attended Halloween and Christmas parties and had cinema visits specifically for children under the care of Tiger ward. These important meet ups gave Henry the chance to have fun and do something normal in a ‘safe’ environment.

It was also through them that we found out about AV1 no isolation robots. When we realised that Henry wasn’t going to be able to attend school for many months we applied to The Chartwell Children’s Cancer Trust for use of one of the robots that they had purchased. Once decorated and newly named ‘Tom’ (after Henrys favourite character in the Beast Quest books he was reading at the time), the robot went to Henrys school and sat in the classroom. ‘Tom’ became Henrys eyes and ears so that he could take part in real time in his lessons, whilst he was at home or in hospital. Through having access to ‘Tom’ Henry not only completed his school work but could chat with his friends, and on many an occasion serenaded them with songs or playing 'would you rather' during the break time.

Over the past almost three years Tiger ward really has become our second home with the special people who work there becoming part of our family and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

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