Distracted

We have had a … distracted … Fall. 

There’s nothing like a bit of good ‘ole cancer-life STRIFE to remind us of our priorities. It’s fitting that this November, we are wiping our brows and reminding ourselves to breathe.  On the eve of her three year diagnosis anniversary, our girl has dodged another bullet. 

To summarize:

June 19 ANC 4200

July 29 ANC 4000

Aug 27 ANC 3200

Sept 23 ANC 2358

Oct 18 ANC 2008

So a quick downward trend that the doctor’s were concerned about and then to add heartache to worry, she started complaining of bone pain; her main symptom three years ago.

On Oct 18^th Madelyn had another bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture at Seattle Children’s Hospital.  While we waited for the tests and then the results, Peter and I organized what relapse would look like and be like for our family. We were strategising  preparing our speeches to Madelyn and Sophia and building up our crust of emotional strength again.

I am happy to report that my girl… is still CANCER FREE!  My precious, lovin’ life, crazy grown-up girl and her sister will continue to experience their new normal life.  Let me tell ya, there is no exhale of breath more powerful than after the words “her marrow is fine; there is no cancer present.” 

She is on a routine of blood counts every two weeks for the immediate future.  But last week her ANC was way up… 5,873!!!  Totally normal.

Thanksgiving is always a special time of contemplation for our family.  Three years ago Madelyn was diagnosed with leukemia.  That scared shit-less day… the whirling pool of dread… wrapping our heads around the possibility of our four year old baby girl dying… learning about different chemo-therapies she would have... preparing for surgery to place a port-a-cath in her chest… and there we sat eating turkey dinner in the Seattle Children’s cafeteria. 

And now here we are!  Still FREE and CLEAR.   

Madelyn is bursting with new energy and vitality.  She looks so healthy!  Peter and I nearly cried recently during a hike at Cranberry Lake.  She was not only able to hike all the way around – she practically ran the whole way.  

She still has a little trouble with her feet now and again and she continues to sprain her ankles regularly.  We also suspect a little chemo brain developing.  For Madelyn this involves trouble focusing, sitting still, troubles with Rapid Automatized Naming (part of brain processing) which is effecting her reading... but hey, all these things, are minor.  Ain't no thang.  She is alive and well.

She will be declared cured of cancer when she is 5 years post-therapy without re-lapse (12 years old).  Yes, we are thankful this November. Raise your glass this Thanksgiving to one year almost down!  

Halloween with her best buddies.

Soccer girl with Coach Daddy.

And here she is 4 years old and just diagnosed with leukemia.  

Wow what a change.