May 2012 Disney Cruise- Here We Come!!!!

I have had good intentions to write on the blog for a while now- but things have been so crazy since opening our store in March that I literally have not had time to sit and do any personal things on the computer!  We have kids involved in so many activities that we are either running them or running to the store.  It has been a different busy than I am used to- but like our nurse said- it has definitely helped keep my mind occupied with something other than the next scans! 
Brynn has been doing amazing!  She has got right back into a normal 12 year old life!  She is doing great in school- missing a year and a half of being in the classroom has not seemed to hurt her a bit!  She worried about her grades all the time but usually surprised us with all her great marks!  She decided to go into baton lessons with her friends and has been enjoying twirling at home all the time!  We usually have to tell her to put it away as she is spinning it by our heads constantly and she likes our high ceilings in the living room where she can throw it in the air!  She decided to join the club basketball team just this spring and to go in a tournament that was in Lethbridge last weekend.  The last time Brynn played basketball in grade 5 she was so timid and shy on the court she looked like the last thing she wanted was to have the ball passed to her.  This time she shocked us all with her speed and aggression.  I guess everything she has been through has put some spunk in her!  She stole the ball away quite a few times and even though she was pretty tired at the end- she had a big smile and was so glad to be on the team with her friends. 
This past Tuesday she began swim club again!  She was on the swim team when she was diagnosed and they have been so supportive throughout treatment.  They told us they would save a spot for her whenever she could come back.  She was so excited because swimming is probably her favorite sport and she only went a couple times over the past 18 months.  Her coach said how awesome it was to have her back and how smooth her stroke is still.  She is excited to go in some swim meets over the next few months!
We are so excited that in 4 sleeps we are leaving on our trip with the Children's Wish Foundation!  Brynn finally decided on a Disney Cruise!  She had a few trips that she was deciding between but when we received the DVD on the Disney Cruise she was so excited and knew that was what she wanted to do!  It is going to be so nice to get away as a family and we are really looking forward to making some amazing memories!  They are so extremely generous- they sent us a big box full of things and even a new camera for us for the trip!  It will be amazing!!!

The end of the month after our trip is time for scans again.  We are trying not to think about it constantly and just keep praying and having faith.  We hear of trials others are having and we know we are not the only ones going through things.  We feel very fortunate and never forget to count the blessings we have received.  We continue to pray for our friends that are struggling or are needing comfort- we love you guys!  So we will go and relax and enjoy this trip of a lifetime- and then go to our scans with optimism and holding our breath.

March 4, 2012

I'm officially the worst blogger ever!  I can't believe how busy I feel and how little time I seem to have to sit down at the computer!  I would never use the Internet period if it wasn't for my iphone!  We are in the process of opening a franchise in Lethbridge and Brynn's nurses said it would be great for me to keep my mind on something else but getting it started is definitely busy.  We had such an amazing Christmas with Brynn being healthy and home!  We had the privilege of being asked to do the live nativity that is held outdoors each year!  It was a very special experience for our family and really set the tone for Christmas and remembering the birth of the Savior and focusing what the true meaning is.  Brynn was so excited that there would be real animals at it and said she didn't care what part she played as long as she could be with an animal!  They chose her to be the stable boy and she was thrilled to be the one to hold the donkey for Mary and Joseph and lead it away when they reached the stable.  A few times I was worried that her little 75 pound body couldn't handle the donkey but Brynn had treats she brought in her pocket and did a great job! 
In January we lost one of most dear friends that we met from the hospital and Ronald McDonald House.  We had known for a few months that it was a possibility but we just kept praying for a miracle for this special little family.  Brynn met Charlotte the first week we started treatment and there was an instant connection between them.  I can honestly say that the last few months since finishing treatment and returning to home and what is supposed to be "normal" life again- has been the most emotional time since she got diagnosed.  We have lost 5 friends from the oncology unit since September and that really takes a toll on you emotionally.  Not only on me but on poor Brynn who is such a smart, thoughtful girl who has lots of valid questions for a mom that has very few answers.  Our hearts felt literally broken for these families and we feel so helpless but continue to pray for comfort and healing and that they can know they will see these sweet children again.
In February we were once again invited to participate in the Radiothon for the Children's Hospital and it was such a treat for our family.  We hadn't been there for over 2 months and were excited to see some of our friends and nurses that have become our extended family.  I had given a poem that Sadie had written for school to one of the nurses before Christmas and it had been passed on to the Hospital Foundation.  They asked Sadie to read it on the radio (much to her dismay) but she did it and had us all in tears.  I'm so glad her teacher told me about it and gave me a copy since my daughter hadn't said anything about it.  They were asked to write a quick poem in 5 minutes about something that means something to them.  What an amazing girl- I have to say!  It goes like this....

And I'll never forget the bright colored walls
it all looked so joyful and fun
is this really a hospital? I thought to myself
but the story had only begun

And I'll never forget how my heart sank
as we strode down the oncology hall
the way you can here young patients crying
and my sister would experience this all?

And I'll never forget Brynn's hospital room,
her frail body sprawled on her bed
I always felt a little sad being there
when would her hard year end?

And I'll never forget how my point of view changed
this place was here to save lives
people there became like your family
and you help other children who cry

And I'll never forget my young sister's face
when her trial with cancer was through
this place is now our second home
Children's Hospital I owe it to you.

I have to say I was in shock when I first read it- that she wrote it in such a short time and that she would write about this subject at all at school.  We aren't sure where she got this talent from?

The end of February- actually on my birthday the 27th we had our scans again.  I couldn't believe how quickly 3 months went by!  I felt very anxious but fasted the day before and knew alot of prayers were being said on Brynn's behalf.  I felt so good when we had our appt in clinic at first and the doctor said they considered her cured!  I felt very optimistic since she looks so good and she seems to be feeling pretty much normal.  After that we went to her MRI and I assumed they were doing her foot and abdomen since that's what we did last time.  She reacted to the CT contrast so they decided they would only do MRI's from then on.  When they only scanned her foot it had me a little worried and then in her hour long bone scan afterward, they said they were done and then took more pictures of her foot at the request of the radiologist.  I reassured Brynn that it was no big deal but Kevin saw the look on my face- I hide my emotions so well!  On the way out of the hospital we ran into some friends we haven't seen for quite a while that were done treatment.  I gave the mom a hug and asked how they were doing when I saw the tears in her eyes and she answered-Not good!  I felt sick the whole way home and could hardly sleep that night!  I called the next day and they said they could arrange another MRI if I was going to be losing sleep over it until the next scans in May.  They are so good to understand the anxiety of a mother and are so willing to go above and beyond.  We did recieve the good news last week that her scans are all clear!  We believed they would be but it is still wonderful to hear the words!

I have to say how grateful I am to be home as a family again and to be able to see all my children together- even though I didn't remember how busy I was before until I came home from the hospital!  We continue to have so  much support and love for our family and Brynn was so thrilled to return to school in January and to be with her class again!  They had a surprise party for her and sang a song to welcome her back!  She has beautiful downy soft hair and her glow and contagious smile are as bright as ever- she never did lose that!  So good to see her feeling like a normal kid again and not taking a single thing for granted!  I'm trying to be like her and not slip into the trap of not appreciating every single blessing we have:)

November 2011 Clear Scans and Port Removal!!!!

Well- once again I have gone a month without writing on the blog.  I was told by a few people lately how long it's been and I don't know why I can't seem to find the time.  We have had an awesome past few weeks and I'm amazed how much busier it is being home with 4 kids than being in the hospital with one!  We have had a few colds and sicknesses go through our family but Brynn hasn't been one of them and she hasn't had one fever since we left the hospital in September!  We are so grateful for that and continue to feel the prayers of so many.
I'll fill you in on our lives this last month- She was able to go to her first sock hop at the school for Halloween and trick or treating too.  She continues to train our puppy and that has been a great thing to keep her from missing Zoe too much- still doesn't fill the void though!  We have a tutor coming to our house everyday and doing school work with Brynn.  She is doing amazing and taking the same tests as her classmates.  Her teacher is so surprised that she is getting in the 90% range on her tests and says she is at the top of her class!  We are so glad that she is able to keep up with her schoolwork and she looks forward to joining her class after Christmas!  Two weeks ago Brynn came to us and said she wanted to do 4H and get a calf!  She talked us into it- had some very good arguments- and we went to buy her one.  The friend we were buying the calf from said they really shouldn't be alone or they might quit eating so we decided to buy two and let Sadie do it with her.  Our neighbors were kind enough to offer their barn across the street and their 12 year old daughter joined 4H as well.  Brynn is loving the responsibility and going over to feed the calves twice a day.  She loves all animals so much and knows what we do at the end of 4H when we sell the steer and what it is used for.  I'm sure there are going to still be alot of tears when the show and sale come!
We had all her scans 2 weeks ago including a PET scan which is very microscopic and scans your whole body.  I was so nervous as this was our first scans since we finished treatment and her body is done with the chemo treatments.  They said her MRI, Bone scan and CT were all good but we had to wait a few days to find out her PET scan results.  We were waiting for the phone call and didn't hear anything so I started thinking that they didn't want to call because the news wasn't good.  Finally the next day I couldn't stand it anymore and called and they said our nurse was sick and that was why she hadn't called but they would check and see if the results were back.  That was the longest few minutes of silence on the phone as I waited and they read the results to me.  They were all clear and there was no signs of anything on the PET scan!!!!!! I started crying and so did the nurse!  Then Brynn saw me and said "Oh no!"  I quickly told her they were happy tears and everything was good!  It was honestly the best gift we could have recieved and we felt so humbled that our prayers had been answered.  Now we just have to go through that every 3 months for the next two years!  At least we can relax and enjoy Christmas this year and just live in the now!  Right now I have a healthy happy daughter and we are going to have the best Christmas and be home for the whole month of December! That is something that our nurse JoJo taught me- that each day you just live in the moment and don't look to far ahead.  It can be a hard thing to do but you sure enjoy life more when you aren't living in tomorrow!
 Last night we went as a family to the Christmas Carol play with the kids cancer foundation at the Max Bell Theatre here in Calgary.  It was such an amazing performance and the kids had so much fun.  It was good for Sadie and Brynn to see some of their friends from Kids Cancer Camp that they met in July.   What a fun night and a great tradition to do every year!  At home we have a church nativity pageant that we always attend and my mom received a call asking if her family ( which includes my brother and sister's family as well as mine) would be the actors for the pageant this year!  The kids are very excited and Brynn says she just wants to be where the animals are -so we think she is going to be the stable boy who takes care of the donkey.  We will make sure to get pictures and put them on here!
We have a very exciting milestone in the morning!  Brynn gets her IVAD taken out that she has had in her chest for the last 16 months!  This is one surgery she is excited for and Dr. Steve said he would even save it for her to take home if she wanted! So exciting:)
 Well, I will see if I can get on here before Christmas again-I apologize to those who follow this blog for how little I post on it and how random and jumbled my thoughts are when I finally get around to typing late at night when I am so tired!  We continue to pray for our friends who are struggling and haven't received as good of news as we have- we want them to know how much we love them and they are always in our thoughts!

October 2011

Once again time flies and I haven't gotten around to the blog for a while.  It's amazing how much busier I am at home with four kids rather than in Calgary with one!!!  We have all been home for a month now and it's so nice to feel like we can be together like a normal family again!  I don't know that we will ever be NORMAL- but you know what I mean!  After my last posting we had tragedy strike again.  As you all know- Brynn is a huge animal lover and her golden retriever Zoe that was given to her by our amazing friends- was her absolute best friend and kindred spirit!  We had posters all over her hospital door and every nurse and oncologist knew about Brynn's dog and that she couldn't wait to get home to be with her.  Well, on September 14th when Brynn was still recovering from her transplant in the hospital- Kevin called me very upset on the phone.  I had just got out of rounds with the doctors about 15 minutes before and they asked if there was anything they could do to help Brynn feel better.  I jokingly told them- let her dog come stay here with her!  So when Kevin said the words- something is wrong with Zoe- I just took her to the vet- I was in shock.  She had gotten into antifreeze somewhere at one of our neighbors and had lost mobility so Kevin took her in.  Everyone knows Kevin can be tight with money- but he was crying and told the vet- this is my sick daughters dog and I don't care what it costs- you have to save her!  They put her on IV and I didn't tell Brynn why I was upset because I didn't think she could handle worrying about her.  I had everyone as well as myself praying for Brynn's dog to make it and be okay.  I thought there is no way Heavenly Father won't heal this dog.  A couple of days later we heard that she was not responding and her organs were shutting down.  I broke down in the hall and didn't know how I was ever going to tell Brynn.  The doctors debated if it would be good or bad for Brynn to know right now.  I knew she always regret not seeing her.  They decided to give her a pass to go home for a few hours to say goodbye.  I was so scared and said a prayer before I told her.  Brynn was soooo sad but once again amazed me at how strong she is and how she was able to handle losing her dog when she felt horrible herself.  She had a feeding tube and they took her off IV's but we had to put fluids and meds through her feeding tube every hour for her to be away from the hospital.  That was a very hard night and I will never forget how Zoe perked up and layed there wagging her tail while Brynn cried on her.  She was an amazing dog and she knew Brynn was sick and she was there for her whenever she needed her.  I was almost more mad that this could happen with all Brynn was going through than sad.  My shortsightedness changed when the next day we learned that our dear friend Grant had passed away at the hospital.  His mom had become one of my closest friends in such a short time and my heart physically hurt for her and it made me realize that Heavenly Father was blessing me and I need to remember that Brynn was still here and I need to cherish that and not be mad that Zoe was taken from us.  We went back to the hospital the next morning and got through the next week before Brynn was released.  She came home weighing less than ever before.  She had lost a total of 25lbs since diagnosis and they really did not want her to lose anymore.  She came home with a feeding tube for her meds and it was very difficult to eat or drink for a while.  Her appetite was gone and her throat still hurt from all the mucousitis she had.    When they took the feeding tube out a couple weeks later she started eating better and better and now it's close to normal.  Her weight is slowly increasing and she is getting more energy all the time.  She started school with a tutor at our home last week and is amazing us with how well she is doing.  We had many offers to get her a new dog.  People are sooo generous and I didn't know when Brynn would be ready or if she would want another golden retriever.  Ronald McDonald house had gotten a labradoodle puppy in the summer and we spent alot of time with it when we were there.  Brynn mentioned that she might like that so it didn't look just like Zoe- and immediately the phone calls started happening as people were trying to find one for her.  We ended up getting one from another very generous person who breeds them and we have a 5 month old carmel colored labradoodle we named Suri.  Brynn and I still shed alot of tears over Zoe and Brynn being the softhearted girl she is worried that Zoe would think we had replaced her already.  I assured her Zoe would be thrilled she had someone to take care of her and make her smile.  Our friends that gave Zoe to us said that they think Zoe was here to get Brynn through treatment and as soon as she was done said you can take me instead of her!  As you can imagine I'm crying right now even typing that.  We will forever be grateful to them for letting us have her in our life and Brynn's even though it was brief.  We are home now getting bloodwork in Taber every Monday and don't go to Calgary until November 14th for scans.  I told the doctors I'm almost more scared now that we are done treatment and getting checked every 3 months.  They assure me it is normal but I don't know when it gets better.  We just have to live in the moment and have faith.  We have done all we can do physically and Brynn's little body has been through so much.  We have had clear scans since last January and just keep praying constantly that they stay that way!  It's funny how it's so good to be home and enjoy every moment with my family- yet think about and miss our family up at the hospital too.  There are so many people we pray for everyday and worry about besides our own daughter.  We feel so blessed to have gotten to know so many amazing kids, families, nurses and doctors up there.  If there is anything I would say to everyone with healthy kids, it's enjoy all the little things everyday.  Stopping your busy life to jump on the trampoline or play with them.  It's easy to get distracted by so much going on all the time- but it's so special to spend your time on what's really important!!!!:)

September 2011-High Dose Chemo and Stem Cell Rescue

Here I am sitting by my sleepy girl and can't believe I haven't written on the blog yet.  Today we are on day +13 of transplant which means it is 13 days after she got her stem cells.  We were admitted on August 24th and started high dose chemo on the 25th.  She first had 3 days of Thiotepa which is excreted out of your pores of your skin so you have to bath really well every 6 hours around the clock for 4 days straight.  She was such a trooper (as always) and never complained once as we woke her at midnight and 6am to put her in the bathtub and scrub her from head to toe.  After that she had 2 days of another drug- Melfalan and then she had a rest day before day zero- Stem cell day!!!  Both chemos were high dose- they said 10-12 times stronger than anything she has received so far.  Day zero Brynn once again amazed everyone as she got 2 bags of stem cells and you can feel nauseated or tightness in your throat but she sailed through it no problem.  They told us her counts might not come up for 10-14 days after.  She started getting mucousitis and was hooked up to a morphine pump to control the pain in her throat and mouth.  On day +5 we were so excited when her WBC were 0.1!  We told Dr. Lewis and he said I'm not jumping for joy yet- they could still go back down to 0.  The next day they were 0.3 and the day after that 1.0!!!! I told him " I NOW want to see the happy dance!!!!"  The very sad news what our friend Joey who had been battling for about 5 years went to ICU and passed away on Sunday night.  That really shook us up and Brynn was very quiet and sad for days.  She was getting cramps, nausea, and diarrhea after her counts started coming up.  She was down which is not like her at all and started saying and asking hard questions that I didn't have answers for.  Yesterday was Joey's funeral and Kevin had gone home to the other kids so I wasn't able to go- but we love their family and feel privileged to have known Joey.  We are just taking things day by day now and the cramps and diarrhea are gone (including bloody stools which scared Brynn and us) She still is nauseated and it's a battle for her to try to eat and drink things and keep them down.  She has done amazing they say and this is all normal- it takes a while for the appetite to return.  We just take each day and try to eat a little more than the day before.  Hopefully we will get to Ronald McDonald House later this week and then home in another week or so.  We feel every ones prayers on Brynn's behalf and know that our Heavenly Father is very aware of her and her needs.  We see little miracles happening every day!

August 2011

I can't believe how time has flown by this summer!  I thought when we were home more I would be able to keep up better with this blog and allot of other things!  We have had more time between treatments then we ever have this past year and Brynn has done remarkably well.  She hasn't had a fever since Easter Sunday so that has also been a nice break for us.  The last few months of chemo have just been overnight or a few minute infusion in Lethbridge.  Brynn has been able to go to Waterton, ride her bike and scooter around, swim in our pool in the backyard and just be a normal kid.  We were able to go out to Cranbrook and stay with Kevin's sister and visit little Charlotte and her family.  We pray for them daily- many times- and sooo enjoyed our visit and seeing them and well she is doing!  Brynn went to Kid's Cancer Camp with her sister Sadie at the beginning of August.  We postponed her chemo a week so they could go together.  Unfortunately Brynn didn't have as good of a time as we all thought she would.  Sadie had a blast- but Brynn wasn't with her age group and was quite homesick.  We didn't realize as we tearfully said goodbye that we wouldn't be able to talk to her later in the week when we called to check on her.  We were told she was fine and happy but we were not allowed to talk to her.  They don't know our Brynn though- and how she never complains and will pretend like everything is all right even if it's not!  We might try the family camp next year with our whole family!  When Brynn returned from camp we went right to the hospital to do the overnight chemo they rescheduled for us.  To our surprise her counts had dropped too low to go ahead with it.  She had been off GCSF for too long and her bone marrow was getting worn out from a whole year of treatment.  Brynn was quite devastated when they said we might not be able to finish her 51 treatment schedule.  They asked us to come back in a few days and have a meeting with the oncologists.  We came home and had a family fast that the doctors would know what to do and make the right decision for Brynn.  When we went and met with them they said their recommendation was to scrap the last few weeks of treatment and go right to high dose- which is an extra that is 10-12 times stronger than anything she has had- and that would more than make up for any missed treatments.  Plus she had some easier chemos left to do.  We felt very reassured and good about their decision.  We really felt that they had decided what was best and felt good to go ahead with their recommendation.  So hear we are- we had tests and scans all last week to prepare for high dose which we begin in a few days.  The blessings seem to keep pouring in as we received good news on all her tests and scans so far- everything looks clear and she is in remission.  One of her tests that checks her kidney function came back with a count of 28 when her last one a few months ago was 110.  We became concerned that her kidneys were only working at 1/4 of what they were and one doctor was saying we might have to lower her high dose accordingly.  As we were stewing about this but not telling her- the doctor came back and said he went and checked because he thought something wasn't right and it was a typo - it was actually 128 which is normal and better than last time.  Tears of relief came as we received this good news!  Today our town and both wards of our church are fasting and praying for Brynn as she starts high dose this week.  They have told us what to expect for side effects and it's going to be a tough month up in Calgary- but we know she can get through it and we will receive the help we need to get through it.  She looks so great right now- hair is growing back- color in her face(actually a bit of a tan!) and she feels so good- it's hard to think we are going to knock her down and make her quite sick again.  But the end is near and we are hopeful that the high dose will be worth it.  Thank you all again- you have no idea how much support and strength we feel as we carry on.  We are truly blessed through our trials!

June 3, 2011

Well, Brynn got great news on all of her tests and scans!  We are very relieved and know that we are going to sit on pins and needles for every test from now on.  It took me a while to want to write about it- since our good friends did not get such good news it's a real struggle of emotion.  We were devastated to hear about her- then extremely nervous when our scans were two days later - relieved and thrilled when ours are good- but still so sad and almost guilty feeling that ours were good and theirs were not.  You have such strong relationships with other families that are going through what you are.  Their hurt is your hurt- and their triumphs are your triumphs!  For now we will just keep praying for Charlotte every day- many times a day.  Brynn wanted to send a package to her which we did yesterday.  She loves that little girl so much and we are so grateful that we had the privilege of meeting them last year when I was still in shock from Brynn's diagnosis.  They, and many others have helped our family so much to cope with what we are going through.  When you stay at Ronald McDonald House together for months, eating together, playing bingo together, you really feel like family.  Anyway, we want to let everyone know about Brynn's good news, and as happy as we are about it- our hearts are still breaking for our dear friends.