Sam Bradley and dad, Colm, at the ‘Kick For Sam’ event
It was a case of football, bikes and fun for little Sam Bradley as he enjoyed a well earned few days back home in Belnaleck.
Over the weekend Sam went along to two separate fundraisers that were held on Saturday. ‘Cycle for Sam’ saw over 100 cyclists gather for a 50 mile tour of Fermanagh with Sam cutting the ribbon to get the race going;
“There was a lot of friends of mine and Michelle who cycled in the race and then of course you had strangers just coming along and looking to help. It was unbelievable to see 100 plus cyclists all lined up to raise money for your son,” explained Sam’s dad Colm.
And the generosity in aid of the two year old toddler was not over yet with ‘Kick for Sam’, a football match between medical staff and support staff of the South West Acute Hospital, later that day proving a terrific success;
“I couldn’t believe the crowd that were down to just watch the match. Sam loved getting out on the pitch at half time to run around and kick the ball. The only problem was trying to get him off the pitch for the second half. He was not best pleased with me,” Colm revealed.
Treatment wise Sam had a quiet week with just the usual blood tests and one scan.
“It was strange because although three or four blood tests and a scan might seem like a lot it is actually very little as opposed to what we are used to.”
The scan was in preparation of the radiotherapy treatment that Sam will have in two weeks time.
He is set for three weeks of radiotherapy in total with his dad explaining that learning about the short term and long term side effects of all their sons treatments can be difficult on him and his wife Michelle;
“All these side effects just keep building up. We have definitely seen a difference in him since the high intensive chemo. He is much more tired and his appetite is not what it used to be. The radiotherapy will add to that tiredness and there are other long term effects which are hard to deal with. But the way we look at it is that if Sam has long term side effects then we will deal with them but at least he will still be alive and that is all that is important to us. I know that might sound cold but that is the reality.”
But the Bradley’s are really looking forward to spending more time at home over the next two weeks and both baby Jacob and Sam are enjoying the Fermanagh air.
“They are happier at home. Sam knows he is not going to go to the hospital when he is back in Fermanagh and I think Jake must be a real country boy altogether as he seems to love the fresh air around Belnaleck.”
This week will see ‘Pizza Hut’ lend their support to the ‘Together for Sam’ campaign.
With money from each pizza going to the ‘Sam Bradley Care Fund’ and even a ‘Sam Special’ pizza on the menu.
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