Hello Friends,
Lauren has had a great month. She's been feeling good and is back on her nightly oral chemo pills almost at 100% dose. In April she has her second to last Lumbar Puncture and her one of only 4 more doses of IV chemo. The end is in sight and while it seems like that would be a big celebration for me the closer it gets the more anxious I feel about being off treatment. As much as I have wanted the last few years to go by faster now I find myself fearing the thought of being off treatment. At least now we are fighting the cancer with chemo. It’s all I have known for the last 2 years. Going off of the chemo means nothing is fighting the cancer to make sure it is truly gone and she will STAY in remission. I just have to have faith that her treatment plan has worked and she is cured. But don't get me wrong - I am SO looking forward to moving forward to a more "normal" life after cancer.
I forgot to write in my update last month that Lauren Turned 5 in February!! We laid very low since her immune system was pretty low. But of course every birthday that she has is extra special to me now. We also just hit the 2 year mark since diagnosis. That was the worst day ever for me and I don’t like to think back to that time or really acknowledge it. I am thankful in how far we have come since then.
On a fun note, Lauren walked in the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Fashion Funds the Cure show at the UTC mall along with her sweet friend McKinley and some other friends from the hospital. This was their second year putting on this fundraiser and this year they walked as alumni. They all did a great job and it is always emotional to see these brave kids get to have some fun together for a good cause. I was so proud of all of them.
Thank you so much for all of your continued support.
Xoxo,
Shawna
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McKinley is doing really great. She's loving school, LOVING dance & enjoying being off chemo meds. It really is amazing how much she's grown, how much she's developed & how much more personality she has since she's stopped chemo. All things are looking great which is wonderful news. We've been very busy with advocating & promoting childhood cancer awareness month & attending a lot of events. We did have one scare at this months appointment but all was confirmed negative with an ultrasound. Myself, a few other "cancer moms" & McKinleys oncologist were all concerned about a vein by where her port was placed especially since she had a clot in the past. But all was confirmed ok with a quick ultrasound (Thank God). I'm not sure I'll ever be able to take a deep breath but I do try too. We are praying for a Halloween at home this year (last year we spent 8 days in the hospital fighting a nasty virus over Halloween). And although the nurses & staff came by her hospital room to trick or treat, I'm actually looking forward to sweating & fighting bugs on Halloween night this year. It's the little things 😉 Thank You as always for keeping McKinley in your thoughts & prayers.
xoxox,
Karen
LAUREN'S CORNER