Avarie Giles

One of the most amazing thing we noticed as we wandered the halls of the hospital when Grace stayed there for 1 month was that she was not one of few, but of many. It's a little disheartening to realize how many sweet little children are plagued with such an invasive illness. When your child is diagnosed with Cancer, you have this feeling that you are totally on your own and that no one understands the pain you feel. But, nothing is farther from the truth. We have met many families out there who know our plight first hand. One such family is the Giles family. Precious little Avarie is Grace's age, and has Grace's diagnosis of ALL or Acute Lyphocytic Leukemia, but unlike Grace's Standard Risk, Avarie is High Risk. I can't begin to explain the heartache this family has known, the way they have watched their child suffer, and the absolute turmoil that they have been through. By the same token, I can't begin to emphasize enough how absolutely stalwart, strong, brave, and longsuffering they have been! They are individuals to admire, to be sure. This is why our hearts go out to them. They are individuals who deserve the absolute best in life, and truly have been through the gauntlet. If you read a bit of their blog http://www.giles-avarie.blogspot.com/ you will understand what I mean. In addition to being in and out of the hospital for months on end, going through major complications, and trying to still keep up with the demands of life, Mr. Giles has now lost his job because of the faltering economy!

Mother Teresa stated, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." My little family has witnessed miracles by the hand of love. Your love! Each of you, dear readers, have shown us that good and love abound everywhere-in the tiniest act of love, and in the grandest expressions of kindness.

We would really love to do a fundraiser for Avarie and her sweet family. No amount is too small. If you can, and would like to you, please donate on her behalf. You can make a check out to Jenell Giles, or send cash. I will collect the money for the family, so you're welcome to email me for my address. My email is kimujifusa@yahoo.com Thanks everyone!

Chemo...

Grace's Chemo went well today. They, again, upped her dose of Methotrexate. She feels alright this evening, though tends to vomit with this chemo. Tanner was able to go with her. They really support each other! Grace will have her next round in 10 days along with a spinal tap.

Eva also had her check up today with immunizations. She's healthy and happy!

Radio voices

Grace has some fun news! News of the Doernbecher donations got around the hospital and the radio station 99.5 is interviewing her on Thursday, March 12 between 10 and 11am. They have a segment called "Hunt for a Cure" in which they share stories of children with Cancer. She's pretty excited, so listen for her cute little voice on a radio near you!
To listen online - http://www.thewolfonline.com/

By the way, Grace saw a slogan at the hospital at her last chemo treatment and she LOVED it! I think we'll embrace it around here. "CANCER FEARS ME!!!!!"

Chemo today...

Grace had her second round in Interim Maintenance 2 today. They have upped the dose of Methotrexate and will continue to do so each time she goes in (6 more weeks of Interim M). So far she has tolerated it really well. They also gave her Vincristine, which she usually doesn't tolerate well, but tonight things were ok. Vincristine is tough, though. Some side effects that we've noticed in her are jaw pain, drooping eyelids on occasion (very startling when it happens), extremity pain, muscle weakness. I really don't care for Vincristine. I just fake a smile in front of her when the push it through her port, because though I know it saves her life, its effects are so rough. The Methotrexate causes mouth sores, loss of appetite, and decreases her red and white blood cells and platelets (explains why she bruises so much).

Having said all this nonsense, she really is feeling pretty well and her numbers were good today-at four thousand two hundred. So, we're relieved to be chiseling away at the days left of her treatment-only 772 left to go.

On a better note, Grace is doing great with her piano lessons, loving art work, and amazing us with her great reading skills!

Tanner is seriously loving Star Wars and has a Destination Imagination (school team) competition this weekend. He's pretty excited! He has been doing awesome at basketball and was asked to attend the national young leaders conference in D.C. this summer. We are very proud of his hard work.

Eva is nearly over her yucky cold, poor dear and still manages to be sweet and wonderful. She loves going outside in our yard and jumping on the trampoline. When asked what she wants to dance to, she replies "lady ga-ga."

See-life isn't so bad...I just need to remind myself of that ALL the day long!

A day at Doernbecher...

On Saturday, our family had an amazing experience! We went to Doernbecher to give the hospital the nearly 7,000 dollars that Grace has raised for the children there!!! It was a profoundly moving experience-and we were able to share it with Nick and Max-JR's brothers. The nurses came out and cheered for Grace and her siblings that had worked hard to give back to the community of people that cared for Grace in the hospital. Grace decided that she wanted over 2,000 dollars for toys for the children there, more than 2,000 for shelter (such as the Ronald Mcdonald house) and over 2,000 for research- so children won't have to get Cancer anymore! It is empowering for Grace, Tanner, and Eva to realize that they never have to fall victim to circumstance, rather they can be proactive in their lives. And, it was humbling to have so many people donate to this worthy cause. Special and great thanks go out to Shele, Glen, Nick, Max, and Sam for getting the Team Grace bracelets that got this whole ball rolling. We really feel like this was all made possible because of your thoughtfulness. And, to ALL the people who supported us in buying them! And, many thanks to Lenz Financial who raised a great deal on Grace's behalf (thank you SO much Linda Smith!). We were AMAZED Crop A Cop officers who astounded us with their donations. And, thank you also to Oak Creek Elementary for raising money through Locks of Love (Jana and Stephanie Clark!) Everyone who had a hand in donating money to Doernbecher can feel peace in knowing that countless children and families will feel the love of your actions. We can personally attest how it eases an enormous weight when you lose the footing of normalcy and spiral into the world of the unknown-a life lived with Cancer. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!