blonde poker forum

I'm not normally one for posting personal stuff on blonde, but tonight i feel compelled to do so. This is my daughter Holly, she is 12 years old. In February 2009 she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. She underwent 8 rounds of chemotherapy, several operations, then some high dose chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant then finally radiotherapy, all in the space of 7 months. The results were good and the tumours had shrunk to almost nothing, but the consultants weren't concerned as they were almost invisible.

All was fine until Christmas when Holly started to get leg pain, the same symptom that led to her being diagnosed initially. After 3 weeks of tests it was confirmed on the 18th January that she had relapsed. At the moment, there is no cure for relapsed neuroblastoma. This was the worst news any parent could ever be told about their child. The doctors said that all they could do was try and maximise her quality of life for the time she has left. Last Friday the doctors advised us that the treatment wasn't helping Holly in any way. She had in fact been in hospital for 4 weeks and wasn't feeling any better.

So, Holly's mum and the consultant broke the news to Holly that unfortunately she was not going to be getting better. Initially she was understandably very upset but remarkably, quickly calmed down and came to terms with the fact that she was going to die. Her bravery & courage really has been an amazing source of strength to me and the rest of the family. The way she has handled the whole situation without moaning or complaining at having to go through all the treatment really has made her my hero. She could teach a few people i know a thing or two about not moaning when things don't quite go the way you want them to.

Holly doesn't have long left, probably a couple of days or so and have been spending as much time with her as possible over the past couple of months. She hasn't lived with me since she was 4 but i have always seen her 4 times a week, every week since.

Please remember her in your thoughts this weekend.

Vince

I've known for a while and how you and especially Holly have dealt with this is amazing.

My thoughts are with you and you have my number if you need anything at all. She's a special girl.

xxx

Enjoy the time you have left :( :'(

Mate I'm actually in tears. No parent should ever have to go through this. I am astounded by her bravery. My thoughts are with you and your family.

 mate i think thats the 1st post that has ever brought a tear to my eye, i hope you have a great few days/weeks left togeher and you both have a lot a great memorys  

My thoughts are with you both tonight

Horrible news so sorry to hear this but a vary brave girl. My thoughts will be with you and your family over the weekend!

Godbless x

i really am lost for words Vinny, my heart aches for you all.

xxx

My thoughts are with your brave daughter :)

Words are simply inadequate, my thoughts go out to all of you xxx

so sad to hear this mate.

So Sorry to hear this Vinny. As you say, she sounds incredibly brave. Thinking of you all over the next few days mate.

 :'( Devastating news, so sad to hear this m8.

My thoughts are with you, and enjoy the time you have left :(

xxx

Absolutely devastating news :(

Enjoy every second you have left, my thoughts are with you all

xxx

All my love xx

thoughts are with you and your daughter.  very sad news

I'm so very sorry.  Will be thinking of you all.  {{{HUGS}}}

Can't find the words Vinni, thinking of you mate

horrific, so so sorry, thoughts with you

This is the most horrible thing i've ever read on Blonde.

I've met you on several occasions Vinny and you're really funny and this is just so awful.

Will be thinking of you both this weekend.

I don't know what to say Vinny - whatever I type sounds trite. Thinking of you. xx

Mate as said my thoughts are with all of you, its not fair that its turned out like this.

If you need anything at all just let me know.

Give her a hug from me ;'(

So sorry to hear this Vinny.

My thoughts are with you and your incredibly brave daughter Holly.

Vinny, my heart goes out to you and your family. I'm not a very religous man but I will pray for you all.

Andrew

xxx

Don't know what to say, but my thoughts are with you.

You can be really proud of your daughter Vinny, she's a very brave girl, so so sad.

I've never met you Vinny, but my heart goes out to you and your family.

Its a tradegy of life that bad things happen to good people and Holly seems especially that.

Do her proud in the future like shes done you over the last year.

Very sorry for you and your family.

Ian

Hi Vince. I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.

We lost our only son to a brain tumour when he was 7 years old. Our story and yours has many similarities. The Chemo, the radiotherapy, the bravery, the hope of remission, the relapse....

If you ever feel the need to talk, be it in person, by, phone or by text, feel free to contact me at any time.

My thoughts are with you.

Tom.

..............and people complain about getting outdrawn.

Truly heartbreaking, what a brave little girl!! I cannot imagine the pain you are all going through, my thoughts are with Holly and your family.

I've been reading the "Hollys journey" blog but I've had to stop so that I can try to compose myself a little.

She really is a child to be proud of.

an awful situation, my thoughts are with you all this weekend. iv been reading some of the blog and her bravery is truly inspirational.

Holly and your family....i feel for you all from the bottom of my heart. Strength thoughts and love go to you all. 

I can't imagine how difficult it is for you all

Thoughts are with you and your family, a truly inspirational daughter you have sir

my thoughts are with your family... xxx

Difficult to know what to say, i can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. My thoughts are with you.

I don't know you Vinny but this is awful. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Mark

Thinking of you and Holly...

My thoughts go out to you Vinny and your family.

I am so sorry for you and your brave daughter.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

xxxx

Vinny, no words can't express my feelings this morning.

You can be extremely proud of Holly.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

This puts everything in perspective.

A very brave girl, whom you're rightly very proud of.

Thinking of you all.

Had a text from Vinny ..

Holly passed away peacefully earlier this morning.

RIP Holly, shine like the star that you are.

xxx

Ugh.  Rest in peace sweet angel.  xx

Just this very moment seen the text from Vinny too.

Still not sure how to reply. I'm absolutely gutted for him.

Today is a sad day but I know Vinny will have treasured every single moment he was able to share with his amazingly strong and beautiful girl.

Thoughts are with you.

R.I.P Holly.

xxx

Life can be so cruel. Remember her strength of spirit when life leaves you feeling weak, it will mean she'll always be with you.

life just isnt fair sometimes, which sounds ridiculously cliche and ineadequate but i simply cannot find the words


i am so sorry for you loss

RIP Holly.

So sorry for your loss

RIP Holly

This is just awful, so sorry for your loss Vinny.

RIP Holly.

As many of you know, Holly, Vince's (Celtic) young daughter, has been ill for some time now. She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma some time ago, & underwent treatment in Addenbrokes at Cambridge for a considerable period.

The battle looked like it had been won, but it had not, & on 18th January this year, the doctors confirmed that the condition had returned, and it was now too aggressive to treat.

Further treatment followed, to try & give Holly a better quality of life in the time she had left.

Vince gave up work so as to spend as much time as possible with Holly.

Last Friday, it became apparent that the treatment was not having the desired effect, & nothing more could be done, so Holly returned home, which was best for all.

She died peacefully this morning.

I don't know how Vince has coped with this. He has never moaned or groaned once, just got on with life, quietly carrying a terrible load, & my respect for him is immense. It's quite beyond my imagination how parents cope with the death of their young child.

My condolences, & respect, to Mum and Dad.

RIP, Holly.

The full story of Holly is below.....

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=47222.0

RIP, thoughts are with family and friends.

sorry for your loss

R I P Holly

thinking of you...

This is terribly sad. My thoughts are with you and your family today.

RIP Holly

Like father like daughter.

Holly is an inspiration and it's only fitting that such a wonderful daughter had such great parents and vice versa.

I'll be posting details of the funeral once they are confirmed. Obviously anyone is welcome to attend and show their support for Vinny.

Wow so sorry to hear this vinny, so sorry xx

Gutted. Sorry for your loss.

RIP

Same here. RIP Holly xxx

Not sure what to say as it'll sound stupidly trite, but all the best to you Vinny and your family.

vinny

you are one of the nicest guys ive ever met at poker. my heart goes out to you. whenever you spoke to me about holly i could tell how proud you were. my thoughts are with you and your family.

rip holly

phil

Terrible to hear, my thoughts are with you all.

Sorry for your loss.

I can't even begin to imagine what Vince and his ex are going through right now.

RIP.

So sorry for your loss

RIP Holly

Vinny is one of the straightest, best people I know and the way he's carried on through this all has been nothing short of amazing. It's all just so wrong.

RIP Holly.

I'm so sorry to hear about this :(

My deepest condolences

Cannot even begin to imagine what this must be like, thoughts with everyone concerned, RIP.

So sorry to hear this.

RIP Holly.

I never got the chance to meet Holly but her bravery in the face of adversity was immense and shone through in the beautiful smile I saw on her photos.

RIP Holly.
xxx

Am merging these into one condolence thread on this very very sad day.


RIP Holly.

What an amazing girl.  I wish there was something anyone could say to lessen the pain.  Rest in peace, Holly.

Thinking of you today Vinny.RIP Holly

Words cannot express how sad this is.
I cried when I read Holly's Mum's blog recently, and I am now sitting at my desk @ my stupid job crying again.

So sorry to Vinny and Kerry.
I can't imagine how u r feeling.

RIP sweet Holly.
Rule the World

Darren
x

Absolute tragedy, thinking of you Vin.

RIP Holly.

my thoughts are with you vinny mate

RIP Holly

RIP Holly xxx

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Absolutely gutted for you Vinny.

RIP Holly

Geo

Terrible news. Can't even begin to imagine how this feels Vinny, but like you said, you should be incredibly proud of your daughter.

RIP Holly x

it's just so wrong. Vinny, Kerry, Kirsty and the rest of Holly's family, my thoughts are with you all and I hope you can take some comfort from each other from the bond you shared with your very special little angel.

RIP Holly.

xxxx

As one of Vinny's closer m8's he had confided in me pretty much from the start regarding Hollys's condition...

Iv'e met Holly many times and my eldest is virtually the same age and they had played together on occassion.

Holly was a fantastic little girl, bright and cheeky, so full of life and shared her fathers  dry humour.

I saw her in January and she was still smiling still full of life, pulling her wig off and proudly showing me the first fresh shoots of hair on her head.

I'm not ashamed to say iv'e shed many a tear for Holly throughout her fight and writing this i'm pretty much there again.

My enduring memory in this tragic story is the courage and dignity of little Holly and her family. How Vince has held himself together i'll never know..personally if it was me i'd have been destroyed by it long ago.

When he told me how she took the news that there was nothing more the doctors could do and the way she come to terms with it so quickly blew me away..

Such courage in one so young deserved more than this...

Vince.... there are no words of comfort i can give that could even come close to easing your pain.... but i and all your many many friends are here if you need us..


RIP Holly... Today the world is a little darker without you...

Lovely post Dean.

Thinking of you and your family Vinny.

RIP beautiful courageous Holly
xxx

I don't know you Vince or the courageous Holly but it's so incredibly sad. Thinking of you all over this darkest of periods.

Terrible news

RIP Holly

Thoughts are with you mate, abs gutted for you

:(

xxxx

sad sad day..

My thoughts go out to Vinny.

RIP Holly..

Thinking of you all.

Completely shaken up by this news, I'm so so sorry Vin.

very sad day today, thinking of you mate

RIP Holly

What a courageous child - this is one of the saddest posts I have read on Blonde. My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.

RIP Holly xx

So Tragic & sad.

RIP Holly.

Sincere Condolences to Vinny, family & friends.

Vinny and Family........

Terrible heartbreaking news of the loss of your beautiful & courageous daughter Holly ....................

I have known you many years and have been brought to Tears reading all the posts here.................

My thoughts are with you and all your family during this very Sad Time

Holly - Rest In Peace -

 Ian - Xpressman

So sorry to hear this terrible news.
RIP Holly.

Just unimaginable, I remember asking Vinny a while back about his 'Holly is my Hero' signature and learned about her and the family then.

How brave she was & how sad this all is.

Look after yourself and the family Vinny

Glenn

Vinny Our thoughts are with you all today,

Holly was a very special and brave girl who bore her illness with much courage, You must be very proud of her.  I only wish I could take away some of the pain you must be feeling.


RIP Holly xxx

My thoughts are with you and your family Vinny.

Heaven has gained an angel!

RIP Holly x

Lost for words reading this.

RIP Holly.  Condolences to Vinny and his family.

I don't know you Vinny but my thought s go out to you and your family at this sad time. Holly was clearly a very brave girl. God bless her.

One never knows what to say.

My thoughts are with you and you family Vince

RIP Holly

No idea what to say but I'm devastated for you and your family.

RIP xx

thinkin of u vinny mate this must be the hardest thing ever...sorry for ur loss ....rip holly sounds like she was a really brave girl...

Been trying to think of something to say, but something like this is just unimaginable to me.

To handle this with the quiet strength and dignity that Vinny had really does show what kind of guy he is. The love and pride he had in his daughter really showed through his posts.

Thinking of you both.

I don't know you Vinny but it is very clear you had a very special daughter and memories last forever. It will mean nothing reading this thread but I am very sorry for your and her mothers loss.

R.I.P Holly

Very upsetting news, my thoughts go out to you this weekend.

Really tragic. We've never met, but your daughter is an inspiration, my thoughts are with you.

My heart goes out to you Vinny, life's just not fair too often.

To you & to Holly, YNWA.

Wow, what a great thread, Thank you everyone. Holly would be slightly embarrased by the fuss but would be very happy that so many people took the time to post.

Rest in Peace sweetheart xxxxx

Can't find the words but my thoughts are with you.

First time ive ever cried reading a thread on blonde.

So so sorry for your loss m8.

xxx

cant imagine how you and your family are feeling....sorry for your loss x

Just caught up on this thread.

Truly a parents worst nightmare.

RIP Holly.

So sorry for your loss mate. Rest in peace Holly.

Words cannot describe what you must be feeling. Condolences to you and your family.
RIP Holly

The flame may be extinguished, but the light is eternal. The physical is at rest, but the memories are infinite.

May she rest in loving peace.

I'm completely lost for words, but my thoughts are with you.

RIP Holly

R.I.P Holly

aint been on the forum in last couple days and only just caught up with this.

also like many first time a thread on blonde has had me in tears.

cant really think of what to say :/

RIP holly


Kev

Our thoughts are with you

RIP Holly


Dave

rip holly brave young girl x

our thoughts are with u vinnie

paul and charlotte xx

man i feel sick, so sorry for ur loss vince and family seems u hav carried this burden for a long time now and done urself and holly proud.

cruel world RIP

real crushing news mate, especially as when we spoke about it last you said things were looking up.
Thoughts with you and family mate. (doubt i can) but if i can do anything give me a shout.

Really impressed with how the poker world has acted to this.

rip holly

no words can describe how sorry I am to hear this.....so sorry for your loss

RIP

So sorry to hear the news, you have had such great composure during what has been such a terrible, terrible time. My thoughts go out to you and I hope that your family eventually find some peace after this dreadful tragedy.

Heaven may have found an Angel but the world has lost a shining star, God Bless Holly. xx 

I've been a long time follower of the blonde forum, lurking in the shadows, watching from the outskirts,  but this is the first time i have really felt the desire to post.

A truly heart breaking story and my sincerest condolences to you and yours.

RIP Holly

R.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved daughter. She sounded truly remarkable.

Words are totally inadequate.

My prayers are with you.

R.I.P. Holly

Reading the first post on here actually had me in tears, so I can't begin to imagine how this little angel's family are feeling. My sincere condolences to you all, genuinely heartbreaking news

Vince I'm lost for words,
My thoughts are with you and your family,
Rest in peace Holly
x

I read this thread for first time on Friday and couldn't help shedding a tear hearing you talk about your daughter's bravery with such obvious pride.  I have never met you Vince, but found the story so moving I just wanted to pass on my condolences to you, and the rest of Holly's family, thoughts are with you all.

RIP Holly

Despite not knowing those involved, this thread brought more than a few tears to my eyes.

It goes to show, if you have your health and not much more in this life, you are still very fortunate.

My condolences to Holly's family

RIP

Additional info RE: Thursday from Holly's Mum's blog/diary...(if you want to read it the web address is at the end of Holly's You Tube video which you can find in Vince's "Holly is my Hero" signature link - grab a box of tissues before opening);

"
Today has been a hard day, but we have finalised all the funeral details.

The funeral will be at 12.30pm on Thursday 25March at:

St Pauls RC Church
17, Churchfield Path,
Cheshunt,
Hertfordshire,
EN8 9EG

Everyone is welcome to help us celebrate Holly's life. Please don't wear all black, Holly loved bright colours, lets honour her by wearing some.

We ask only for immediate family flowers. Donations in Holly's memory will be accepted on the day for Families Against Neuroblastoma and The Sick Childrens Trust.
"

Such sad news. and what a very brave and beautiful little girl. My thoughts are with you and your family Vince...Nina.xxx

So sorry to hear of your terrible loss..  R.I.P Holly xxx

my thoughts are with you vinnie on this sad day, rip holly x

Thinking of you all today Viiny, XXxx

Hope you don't mind a little poem I saw.

God saw Holly getting tired, a cure was not to be.
He wrapped her in his loving arms and whispered ‘Come with me.’
She suffered much in silence, her spirit did not bend.
She faced her pain with courage, until the very end.
She tried so hard to stay with you but her fight was not in vain,
God took her to His loving home and freed her from the pain.

Not sure if you will get anything out of this poem ( I tend to read them a lot) as I know from experience we always think God? what God, surely if there was one this child would not be made to suffer, but then find ourselves praying again maybe to find comfort or to hold on to something, I don't know, I don't have the answers. xx

My thoughts are with you all today.

+1.

Thinking of you right now Holly. My tears are for you.

so so sad, its hard for words.

RIP Holly x

A poem very similar to this was read out in the church at the service today.

 Not exactly the same and it was a litle longer, but definite overlaps.

The little Angel has been sent to heaven. x

Vinny was amazingly courageous (on the outside anyway).
Stay strong mate.
Darren.

Young Holly's service went without a hitch inside the little St Pauls church, and was packed to the rafters. It was nice to see so many of her school friends in attendance ( I was sitting just behind most of them ). They looked a little bewildered, but they were composed and their many tears were silent, a testament to their young years.

Many Blondes in attendance which I knew Vinny appreciated, and there pretty much wasn't a dry eye in the house from the ladies to the big tough looking guys dotted around.

Rest well little one, we will remember you always.....

We are so sorry to have only just learned of this terribly sad news, Celtic, and it is so hard to express one's feelings in words - we are just so very sorry you are all going through this and just hope that happy memories of your beautiful and brave Holly will somehow help eventually to alleviate the pain and bring you all peace and strength.

You are all very much in our thoughts and prayers.

Rest in Peace, Holly, Shining Star and Angel that you are.

Such a tragic story :( really am sorry to hear this awful news. My thoughts go out to Celtic and his family. Rest in peace Holly.

xxx

I have just read the whole of this thread, and am sat here now with very mixed emotions. As a parent  I know that you and your familly have just been through my worst nightmare. I can only begin to imagine what you and Holly have been through. I have shed tears for you. I also am in total awe of your courage. My thoughts are with you.

RIP Holly

Rudders

I dont know you, nor your daughter, but Im moved to tears by your story. Your daughter sounds like she was an amazing little girl. You have every right to be proud of her, everyonne on earth would be.

Thanks again to everyone who posted and to those on blonde who attended the funeral. The funeral itself went well i thought (as well as any funeral could go) and i'm sure Holly would have been very proud of her send off. Was also great to see so many of her friends turn up to pay their last respects.

Thanks also to the many blondes that contributed towards a collection we had instead of flowers. Over £2000 has been collected so far which will be split equally between the Sick Childrens Trust & Families against Neuroblastoma. It's comforting to know that even after her death Holly will be helping other children / families affected by Neuroblastoma.

Vince

Stay Strong Vince.
 
For anyone who hasn't seen this via Holly's Mum's journey blog, here's a link to the front page of the family's local paper which paid tribute to Holly and her amazing bravery.
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Cheshunt-and-Waltham/Farewell-to-courageous-Holly-12.htm

 You are totally right to be proud Vinny. Holly was a little angel.
 
    Take care fella,
        Darren. 

What Darren said, Stay strong Vinny, thoughts are continually with you all. xx

You are a remarkable man Vinny.


See you soon I hope.