OPERATION: Save T from boredom - Successful

Tonight Kim and Tanner went to back to school night and about 10 minutes into it I recieved a call from T to save him from boredom. I assembled the brave and battle weary troops (Eva and Grace), we ordered a pizza to pick up on the way home and got into the car. We named our operation Save T from boredom. First we would quietly pick T up from school without others knowing and then we would get the pizza and return home. Grace was the Captain and Eva the medic. We all agreed it was good nobody got injured, Eva simply chewed on her babies hand.

Grace's teacher has been amazing through this and has prepared her classmates for her arrival. Kim got some pics of her classroom for Grace to familiarize herself with and a pic of her desk which eagerly awaits her arrival.

We were excited Grace wanted to go in the car. She has been very tired lately. Earlier, she fell asleep in the fort she built under the built-in desk in our room.

Sometimes we wonder...

....Who are the parents and who are the children?

Tonight, while brushing her teeth, Gracie was very sad and worried that Tanner might get what she has and she did not want him to feel awful and go to the hospital. She knew that her Leukemia was not contagious, but worried that Tanner could get it like she did. She started to cry and said that she worries all the time that Tanner will get what she has and have to go live at the hospital. After explaining that we did not know how she got Leukemia, we explained that the odds were almost imposible that Tanner would have it as well. Then Tanner told Gracie that he wished he had it instead of her because he is so worried about her and does not want her to feel any more pain. Kim and I watched and learned from two very special kids that have an amazing relationship with eachother.

On a lighter note, Tanner is loving his new school and is loving Soccer. His first game is this Saturday and we will include some pics.

Gracie's appetite is still amazing. Two days ago Grace requested Taco Bell for lunch. She wanted a soft taco. She finished her taco, and then a bean burrito, and then another taco. Later that night I told her what a great idea Taco Bell was for lunch. She laughed and said, that wasn't lunch that was just a snack, can I have some shrimp and steak?

What lies ahead...

We have been sitting here tonight, digesting the happenings of the day. I think we finally realized we're tired...truly tired and couldn't fully catch breath until the moment we heard that Grace's body was Cancer free. But, despite the emotional and physical exhaustion is a feeling so potent and powerful that it has to be declared loudly! We are so profoundly, undeniably grateful to our Heavenly Father. It would not be possible to get through this without His Divine guidance and without the angels we feel holding us up. We are overwhelmed at the generosity, the faith, the optimism and the collective prayers that have been done in our family's behalf. Those are the very things that curb the fatigue. Those are the very things that make it not only possible, but simply do-able to get up each morning and not question whether we will get through this. I knew a girl once who got through a horrific ordeal, and when asked how she felt looking back at it, she didn't respond in a way one might have thought-she said she felt triumphant. We fully anticipate feeling triumphant at the end of this arduous road. We just feel so grateful to each of you-Grace's cheering section-and cannot stress enough how your faith has sustained us. So, what lies ahead is 2 1/2 more years of chemotherapy and probably a lot of bumps and rollercoasters....but somehow we don't feel afraid anymore.

1000 Cranes and THANK YOU!

First of all, though both Kim and I are very emotional and grateful today, for many reasons, I begged her to let me write this post.

First the Medical Update - Grace's numbers are now at 500! and the Bone Marrow test shows that her cancer is in complete remission. We know that many thoughts and prayers for Gracie have been answered and we cannot express how blessed we feel to have such an amazing support system.

Our families have provided so much support and love, helping with our house, our dog, our children, and us. Our friends and coworkers have been amazing as well. And both our friends and family continue to ask "what can we do next" an amazing showing of love that I hope Kim and I, and our children can emulate. Kim and I will never be able to thank you adequately for all your love and support. Our prayers have certainly been answered and we feel honored to be in the company of such amazing people with such amazing hearts.

When I uprooted our young family from our home is SLC, I did so to provide a better life for them. At the same time I knew that our family and long-time friends would be left, and with law school being so busy, I hoped that Kim and our family would find some friends to make our move to Oregon easier.

We have always felt loved here and before Gracies sickness we felt so lucky to have the friends we had in Oregon, both in Lake Oswego and in our new neighborhood. That being said, this morning was one more tremendous example of the amazing people around us. Individuals who are busy with school starting, families, sports and other obligations gave their time and talents to make Grace, and our families feel loved.

I cannot do a better job than to quote the letter and show pictures of what we came home to after hearing the good news about Gracie.

Dearest Ujifusa's,

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one fo the mystical or holy beasts, and is said to live for a thousand years.

When we heard of Grace's illness, there were so many of your Lake Oswego Ward friends' voices pleading to help. Those of us who were in contact with you knew that there was littel we could do immediately except pray and wait for opportunities that would surely arise where you might need a physical favor, and we knew we had an army willing to pitch in! When Raina heard about your situation, she related it to her sister, who told her of this Japanese legend. A light went on for Raina and she immediately thought, "We can do that for Grace." She begaan to spread teh word of this, and many were excited. That's when this amazing ward activity came together , where fifty plus excited ward members: some old, some young; some long time friends and others who are strangers to you but who had heard of your trial and wanted to help. We were amazed as the dozens of people filed in eager to fold paper cranes as a token of their love and support of your family. When we planned the activity we thought it would take days and weeks to complete the 1,000 cranes, but to our surprise, by tthe end of that amazing evening, the papers were gone. Our number was attained. Thus we were entitled to our wish.

So our wish to you, Grace, is for health and happiness, and a quick recovery from this illness. We all love you and your family and hope that these cranes will be a reminder to you of the prayers that are being sent up to heaven on your behalf every day. There is power in collective faith, and we know that Heavenly Father loves you and will watch over you in your journey.

All our love,

The Lake Oswego Ward

THANK YOU!

Tanner's first day of 5th grade!!!

Tanner began fifth grade today! Where has the time gone? He is getting so grown up. He was enormously nervous today, as he changed schools this year. So much change, all at once. But, Tanner always does so well and rises to any challenge. We've said lots of prayers in his behalf today!

Another Bow and Arrow test...

We're headed back to the hopsital today for another Bone Marrow test. Grace isn't too happy about it, not that we blame her, but hopefully this will reveal great news! Wish us luck!

Hopeful...

Yesterday we had a great day! We got to take Gracie home from the hospital and it was the best feeling in the world. She actually slept for more than 45 minutes at a time and was so happy to be home! We also were told that, preliminarily-nothing final yet, the doctor's peek at her bone marrow looked really good and they anticipate that her Cancer will be in remission by the end of this induction phase (Sept. 13)! We are so profoundly thankful and know that all the prayers, thoughts, fasting, and love on our behalf have been instrumental in Grace's success. Thank you all SO much! Also, we got this little mood magnet for our fridge, and when JR told Tanner the news one night, he stood up from dinner, moved his mood magnet from SAD to HOPEFUL, and quietly sat down. What a sweet little man. There's more emotion there than we probably will ever know.

Fort fun...

As promised, pictures of the fort fun while she was in the hospital!

If you hear joyous shrieking across the city...

It will be us screaming out in joy!  Gracie's numbers went up from 84 to 120 today and they feel that they will continue to climb.  We are headed HOME from the hospital!  We couldn't be more thankful!!! 

FRRREEEEEEDDDDOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!

Because Gracie is eating and drinking so well she does not have to be hooked up to her second booty (IV Tower). Walking around her room, sleeping, and visiting the bathroom has never been easier. As for her blood, her count is still low today, but rising. 

On a side note, Gracie has been eating very well. Last night I was waiting in line to pay in the cafeteria. I had two items that could not have been further apart. In my right hand I was holding a bowl of soft-serve Dryer's Rocky Road (for myself since Grace thinks all sweets are "too rich"), in my left hand I was holding a half bowl of cooked bay shrimp from the salad bar. A last minute request from Grace before she went to bed. Of course the looks I received from the cashier and the others in the line were priceless, especially since I think they noticed my painted toe-nails with hearts on them. If you haven't figured it out already, all of you will be happy to hear that Gracie is taking full advantage of the fact that mom, dad, brother and sister are willing to do anything to make her happy.

Speaking of bravery...

Jack Johnson...you've got competition. Tanner went out of town to visit our family in Utah, so you haven't been seeing him in any of our pictures. But, it would be impossible to overlook our little soldier who has been so brave, yet saddened by this whole ordeal. This has been tremendously difficult for Tanner. He loves his sister so deeply and he can't stand to see her hurting. We are really proud of him and how he is bearing this, though we hate that it affects him so acutely. But, Tanner has always been a brave one, and has never backed down to any challenge. Hence, this video! Enjoy a glimpse into his school's talent show this past June!

Updates...

As of today, Grace's blood count actually went down...so it looks like we'll probably be at the hospital for a while. Also, we now won't hear back on the bone marrow test until Tuesday, so it's a waiting game. But, on the flip side-they said that is a good sign-because if there were a lot of red flags in their initial peek at the bone marrow-they'd be taking more measures with chemo. We're praying and hoping that by mid-September, she will be officially Cancer free. Then, we go ahead with trying to keep her in remission for the next 2 1/2 years. Also, on a more positive note-when I called the hospital to say goodnight to Gracie, JR informed me that they were busy building a giant fort in which they would watch a movie. What a good dad!