⚠️ Disclaimer & Warning for Readers ⚠️

Before you dive in, please note:

This post contains an excessive amount of:
✅ Jumping from one topic to another
✅ Random “oh—and another thing!” moments
✅ Several “I forgot to say…” interludes
✅ More thank-yous than an Oscar acceptance speech

Side effects of reading may include:
🤣 Laughing out loud
🤯 Mild confusion trying to keep up
🥹 Sudden emotional outbursts

Consider this your official heads-up. But hey—this is what happens when you try to capture the madness, love, rugby, and everything in between that is life with Slammin’ Sam B.

Enjoy the ride—and thanks for sticking with us ❤️

OK so this is a bit of a long update as there’s been a lot going on. I’ve decided that the updates I do on SlamminSam B WhatsApp (feel free to message on Facebook if you want to be included) will automatically go onto SlamminSamB.com, as there’s such a backlog to catch up on. I’ve also discovered that SlamminSamB.com is actually my best outlet for my own mindset, so expect lots more posts coming soon!

I won’t apologise for the delay as it’s been a manic few weeks and months, and as always, we’re still trying to find our way through this mental phase in our family’s lives. Plus, you don’t want me to keep apologising every two minutes.

Right—let’s start where we left off!

Sammy was in a crap place after Consolidation 2. Weight loss was the most obvious, and he was being sick some 6+ times a day. Some people say this can be the worst phase, and based on what we witnessed and what Sammy went through, I kind of agree — it can’t get any worse, can it? …can it?!

Sadly, yes – it can. Others have said that “Delayed Intensification,” which is the phase he’s in now, does get worse, but for different reasons.

Aha! OK, so what are we dealing with this time?

Remember the steroid Dexamethasone (big old DEX)? Yes, the fucker is back – but this time in full force…12 times the strength from last time. This just clarifies that this next round of chemo is intense -otherwise, why would he need a stronger steroid? Not daft, us parents, you know.

Then there’s that horrible Vincristine that has a huge effect on muscles. If you remember, last time Sammy was in a wheelchair on occasion. Then there’s a new one: Doxorubicin – this is a very strong chemo that helps fight cancer by stopping bad cells from growing and spreading. But because it’s so powerful, it can also make good cells tired, which is why it sometimes causes side effects like feeling sick or weak. Think of it like a superhero medicine that’s really good at fighting the baddies, but sometimes accidentally bumps into the goodies along the way.

Then we have Mercaptopurine, still, then a PEG, oh – and an Intrathecal Methotrexate (sleep time). The majority he has already been through last Week. Is it me, or do all the names sound like Transformers? Has anyone watched Transformers One yet? Brilliant! If you watched it as a kid! Sammy loves it, “Badassatron“, he keeps saying this in an Optimus Prime voice! Give it a go!

Each cycle is three weeks, and he has four cycles – so that’s 12 weeks in Delayed Intensification. Each time, the toll on his body increases, and this is where more delays come in if his blood isn’t right or he gets an infection. This is where I think (just a hunch) parents get complacent… “Yeah, go back to school, have a big party!” etc. …doh, we did that.

Anyway, after these 12 weeks, we are back to Consolidation 3, which is a mirror of Consolidation 2. So, a pretty rough ride ahead, and we need to seize each calm day and opportunity and fill them with memories, fun, laughter, and purpose for our Sammy (Rugby anyone!).

Once Consolidation 3 is over, it’s into Maintenance! Massive milestone – this is where his wigglies come out, and it’s chemo just once a month for a day only!!! Oh, but he is in this phase for a Year!!! And yeppers – he can start playing rugby again! Full training package and Daddy bootcamp are being designed. I might need Alex Sanderson and Daryl Powell’s help! Congleton Rugby Club might need some help phasing him back in. Kam – any tips to gradually build his strength up? Send them through, buddy.

Oh – talking of milestones – we only just discovered that the last bone marrow he had was actually his last…missed the chance to shout about that! But chuffing, get in!

So, what have we witnessed with Sammy this past week in the lead-up to his birthday bash?

DEX mood swings. Crying. Just angry! When asked, he didn’t know why – he was just angry. Angry that other children can play rugby and he cannot. Angry Hazza could play out with Jaxx, and he could not. Angry because Charlotte looked at him funny. Angry at my dad jokes! Which, by the wa,y are always super funny IMO.

I sat him down and put it into perspective and told him to look at the opportunities he has right now. He gets to spend all day with his family and not go to school (changing soon!). He gets so much love, gifts, and memories from so many, which other children never get! He soon understood that “when life gives you melons, you ask for lemons and squeeze them in your eyes” ( a saying coined by Sammy himself!) and he soon snapped out of it.

We are over halfway (before maintenance phase)- can you believe he’s been dealing with this since January? Crazy, right?

OK – so to help keep him in rugby and help take our minds off things, we as a family created a game called FiTaG whereby parents play rugby with their children. I’ve always wanted to do this with Sammy and Hazza since they were born, and I thought – no time like the present. So Sammy is officially the first referee of the FiTaG games every Saturday morning. We’ve held two events, and both have been great – albeit Sammy stayed in the pop-up tent for the last session. Back on it this weekend before Daddy goes to play in a vets tournament – LFG Congleton Rugby Club!

I hope you all watched the British and Irish Lions and the England games over the weekend…and we’ll leave that right there. Hopefully the Lions do better tomorrow at 11:00hrs – I’ll be travelling and watching it later, so no giving the score away.

Oh – and our amazing Wakefield Trinity only went and beat Wigan (sorry Dave K). Up the Trin! Wakefield are back on tonight at 20:00hrs against Hull KR. All of these games give us something to focus on – it’s great. So looking forward to seeing Sale Sharks back in action. For now, we get behind Luke, Tom, and the boys who have been selected for England – sorry, this is turning into a rugby update! But there’s a reason for that – rugby is what keeps this family going. From the videos to the visits to just watching a game on TV, it gives us focus. I get to sit with a zero beer in hand next to my boys watching God’s game.

I got to express how good the rugby community has been for Sammy and the Balmforths on BBC Stoke — really enjoyed the interview. BBC have decided to put it all on their main website (Rugby world’s support for boy with cancer), so that’s pretty cool. So keep the videos coming – Hammy, Dad, and Uncle Barney — your mission should be to get Dan Cole or Genge next.

I reckon the next huge mission should be Sammy interviewing Sam Burgess in an exclusive Rugby vs Cancer podcast…what we saying? Doable?

I also think we should set up a FiTaG tournament to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer and other children’s hospitals. Hazza and I vs Big Al (Alex Sanderson) and his son – this could be epic! Elise, Sam J over to you 😉 Denise, do you think Belle Vue could host? Rugby League and Rugby Union uniting for an amazing cause!

Calm down, Balmforth … OK – back to Sammy!

Supermum Nix met with the main consultant from BCH yesterday in Royal Stoke, and she was happy with Sammy’s progress, and all of what Sammy is going through is normal (not sure you can call it that, but we get it). Bloods all OK – platelets down slightly, but all in all good. Sammy’s actually lying next to me as I type this, laughing out loud to people shouting on YouTube – God, I’m old, I just don’t get it.

Oh – in other news, I’ve had a meeting regarding the Slammin’ Shield and mass production- early doors yet, but seems very promising. Yes – Sammy wears it daily, and it’s still going strong.

I had a visit from my boss just to check in, and lots of messages from my friends at work. They have all been amazing, and I cannot thank them all enough for what they’ve done for our family. This is where I get to say – we are very lucky and extremely grateful for everyone helping us through this.

I mean this – each and every one of you are amazing, and everything you’ve done for all of us is just unbelievable.

OK – last topic, and by no means least – Sammy had his birthday bash! What a build-up – so much work went into getting the garden ready and preparing the party. Both Nix and I couldn’t have done it without my Mum and Dad. They were both epic, and for those of you that know my Mum, she only took over 110% of the time …she’ll be happy to tell you this if you get a 1-2-1 with her! Haha. Seriously, Mum, joking aside, very grateful.

Sadly, on the Friday before, we were back in Wakefield for my dad’s Uncle Ken’s funeral – a staunch Wakefield Trinity fan. I vaguely remember him as a kid and at various family events. Always happy and always cracking jokes. The ceremony was lovely, and what an amazing and loving family! RIP Uncle Ken – Up the Trin!

Sadly, funerals remind us how fragile life is and that we should embrace our time on this planet with our loved ones and friends as much as possible. Perspective gained. As much as it was sad, it did give me an opportunity to spend quality time with my Dad – love ya, buddy.

We raced back to see that Nix and Mum had everything ready for Sammy’s birthday – May the force be with you! What a birthday – even I was envious – a full-on Star Wars bash with so many loved ones playing the part. I have to say – the best costume went to Jaja Binks (Joey), which Lilly (my eldest) created. Honestly amazing and so much effort put in – lightsabers everywhere, kids laughing, and more importantly – Sammy with a huge smile.

So it was sunny all week, and then on his birthday, it rained for the BBQ part! Uncle Barney and Dad making food in the rain – epic. We had Jedi battles and lots of fun games. A Death Star that was not so easy to destroy – clearly learned from the film – “just one more layer, Linda!”

Uncle Andy saved the day by bringing an additional gazebo. But despite the weather, everyone got stuck in, and we all had an amazing time. I got to present an epic lightsaber to Sammy (Luke 1) – for us nerds, it’s pretty special.

I want to say a huge thank you to all those that attended – especially those friends and family who travelled from Birmingham/Walsall, London, and Wakefield. Honestly, you are all absolute stars. I also want to put a special call-out to Zack and Dillon, Jaxx and Charlie, who put on an epic show in the Jedi battles tournament.

Oh – and one quick shout-out to Kam and Laura for sending what can only be described as the best cake we’ve ever tasted. We gave some to the nurses at Royal Stoke and Doctor Matt, who dyed his hands red due to the colouring, which was funny as he was scaring children as he went to visit each one. So funny.

I’ll leave it there, as it’s been packed full of info, and just another thing and oh! and …another! I could be here all week. I’ll try to get on another one sooner rather than later.

Huge thank you to everyone – you are all amazing, and we love you very much!

Right!! – Sammy, Helldivers 2 let’s go! Sweet cup of liber-tea!

It’s not the absence of storms that makes life easier, but the presence of those who walk beside you through them.