Day 197: When William Met Prince Harry

We had a small incline Prince Harry would be visiting the Kamran ward today. Of course we didn’t want to get our hopes up and we weren’t sure if we’d still be on the ward when he arrived.

I also know how unpredictable these visits can be so we’ve kept it all very hush hush. And didn’t mention it in our blog yesterday: Day 196: Holiday – Part 2

Chemo and Treatment First

Bilbo was scheduled to have doxorubicin. This is the really toxic chemo that is orangery/red and quite toxic. The chemo takes about an hour to administer so we chose to settle in the playroom.

Bilbo also starts back on steroids today **sigh**

Royal Buzz

Across the ward there was a buzz everyone was getting really excited about the royal visit.

And I count myself in this camp. I’m a huge Harry fan, from my limited experience of seeing him on TV I’ve always thought he seemed like a thoroughly decent bloke.

The idea of being in his presence was pretty exciting.

Prince Harry

Just ahead of him arriving in the playroom someone popped in to say he was already running over time so he’d probably pop in have a group photo and be on his way.

This is not what happend. He stopped and talked to two families, he took his time and then it was our turn.

First he shook Rich’s hand and then he crouched down to talk to the boys who were playing with dinosaurs on the floor. Bilbo looked terrified. There were lots of people and cameras. Harry ushered them out of the way, “let’s get these guys out” he said. And once there was room he sat down and started to talk to the boys.

He asked Harrison if he liked dinosaurs. H very nearly shook his head and then nodded before getting shy.

Harry then proceeded to ask Bilbo about the dinosaurs. Asking if he knew their names…Bilbo told him his favourite dinosaur is a tyrannosaurus rex and then named a triceratops, a stegosaurus and a diplodocus. Harry threw in the random elephant as a trick question. And then admitted he didn’t know much about dinosaurs. I said “now you’ve got a boy you soon will”

We laughed when he asked if Bilbo had seen Jurassic Park, Bilbo replied “a little bit but it is quite scary” Harry was then reminded it is a 12.

Meghan and Archie Harrison

After some dinosaur chat, I couldn’t resist asking him about Meghan.

I congratulated him on becoming a dad and asked him how he and Meghan were getting on. Referring to the sleepless nights he replied “it is a bit like being back in the army” and then said “i’m told 6-8weeks is when it get really bad” and then added “Meghan has taken to motherhood like a duck to water” it was clear to see he was proud as punch.

I then said “I hope you get to enjoy these first few months, they’re so precious and go by so fast” he agreed and said “Archie has already changed so much”

Never Meet Your Heroes

They say you should never meet your heroes, because they’re sure to disappoint you.

Well I can safely say that Harry surpassed any expectation I had of him. And certainly did not disappoint. He was warm, genuine and humble. He is a man with an aura that I can’t fully describe. But it is certainly very very special.

He was so genuine and generous a true gentleman and clearly an incredibly proud father.

What does a visit like that mean to people?

Everything – when someone who is so famous, so well known takes time out of his busy day, his early weeks of being a father the feeling across the ward is palpable.

And when that person is clearly invested in what he is doing, takes time to ask personal questions and makes your feel like you’re the only thing that matters in that moment. Magic is being created. He’s giving our children and us another moment to talk about that isn’t cancer.

He’s making a memory in the midst of dark times that becomes the focus of the cancer journey instead of the treatment, the chemo, the side effects etc.

And ultimately he shines a light and brings attention to the Kamran ward and every consultant, doctor, nurse, play assistant, cleaner, social worker and physio (and many more) who do so much for cancer families. Who help us through every hour, day, week, month and sadly years of our cancer journey.

Today has been epic and will forever be etched in our mind as the day we met a prince and he played dinosaurs with the Godber boys.

We’re Famous

Here’s some of the links we’ve found online apparently a stock photo of Prince Harry with dinosaurs is quite the draw.

• Daily Mail
• Huffington Post
• The Sun
• ET Online
• Express
• Daily Echo
• Metro
• Hello