Hello Friends,
Wow, it's been a busy month! Lauren is doing great. She is officially off treatment for Leukemia. She rang the bell in clinic on August 6th signifying the end of 2 1/2 years of treatment. It was a moment that we waited so long for and Lauren was so happy to ring that bell!! The following week she started her first day of Kindergarten! Then on the 2nd day of school she had her chemo port surgically removed. Everything went well and she was able to be back in school within a few days. It's been an adjustment but she seems to really like school and is making new friends. It is the first time she has gone to school and as you can imagine I was a mess!! She however was fine the first day. She saw her teacher and gave her a hug and didn't even look back at me.
Going forward she will go in for bloodwork once a month for the next year. Her immune system is still more weakened that that of her class mates but eventually it will be back within the normal range. Its been amazing seeing the change in her personality and energy level since stopping her nightly oral chemo. It makes me realize how bad those pills made her feel and how she just got used to feeling yucky all the time. She has so much more energy now and doesn't get tired as easily. We are just all so thankful for how far she has come.
Thank you for all your 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