June 3, 2010
Yesterday was a very long, tiring and emotional day. The day of my stem cell collection. We did get up to a rough slow start but once things were going it was ok. It was anticipated that I may need 2 or possibly 3 days to collect the number of cells need. This is because of of my prior SCT which now makes it more difficult to collect. With the help of Nuepogen and mozobil (injections to stimulate stem cell growth) we were able to collect above the minimum amount of cells needed for later use. What a big relief.
Now I will enjoy this tiny ``break`` till next Friday when i begin the next chemotherapy in this process.
Till the next update,
Love the O`Neil`s
May 26, 2010
First I want to say I have had a really good week. Finally feeling human again combined with this nice weather and a long holiday weekend spent with my family...It was nice to feel "normal" for a while and less like a cancer patient...
Today I had a "planning appointment" to discuss the next steps regarding my treatment. There is a "plan" with some dates/time frames being concrete and others being projected.
I had a CT scan (with injection contrast) yesterday to see how I responded to the 2 doses of ABVD. The scans revealed the some tumors have shrunk and some have remained the same but there has clearly been some response (which is good). Apparently because my masses are in the lung tissue they can be difficult to interpret accurately. Regardless it is obvious that there was a response to the chemo. Unfortunately because I have received ABVD in the past, these last two cycles have brought me to my life time maximum on the "A" drug and because of the toxicity I will not be receiving more if this drug combo. Instead on June 11th and 12th I will receive one dose of a drug combination (which is more intense than the last) called DEHAPP.
Prior to that we will proceed in collecting stem cells to be used later for the transplant. This will take place next week on June 2nd and 3rd and possibly the 4th if we require an additional day to try to collect the number of cells needed. Because I have already had a SCT in the past I have less stem cells than the average Joe and therefore collection may prove difficult (but hopefully not impossible). To aid in this collection I will have to self inject Nuepogen prior to and during the collection as well as go to the hospital for injections of another drug, both that will stimulate the growth of stem cells.
The following week (June 11th and 12) as I said previously I will receive the dehapp.
Approximately 3 weeks later I expect to have another CT scan to reveal the response and hopefully if all goes according to plan i will be headed for the stem cell transplant (which involves super high dose chemo and the return of my cells) approximately 4-6 weeks after the DHAPP. that brings us to late July or early August...
Several weeks after the SCT i will be referred to a radiation specialist to determine if radiation will be a part of this treatment plan or not.
So far, I've accomplished the "easy" stuff. These next steps will certainly prove more difficult (physically and emotionally for me and for the people close to me). My hopes is that it doesn't turn into a planning nightmare as far as making sure my girls are cared for. I have to have faith that everyone who has offered us help will come through when we most need - that being during the transplant when I may be in the hospital for a number of weeks on and off. I'd be naive if I thought we weren't going to need to count on the help of a number of people to help us get through this. I hate asking for help, but I will do it.
I don't worry about me too much - i WILL get through this again, even though it will be tough and it completely sucks...What I do worry about are my girls. I don't want them to have a sick stressed out mother nor do I want them to feel the stress that my illness causes to others or in general. It's a fine balance and I hope (I even pray - imagine that) we can do it.
My Hematologist a few weeks back made a comment to the effect that half the battle going into the SCT is being sure your spirit and emotions are in a good place. I think most days I put on a really good act, but when I am true to myself, i have to say I'm not there...I have to work on that and get my mind into a better place...
I need to say our thank yous again!!! We received several get well and thinking of you cards this week as well as a couple of meals and some delicious baked goods. The food is ALWAYS good and again I can't tell you how much we really appreciate these gestures.
Again - I know for those thankfully NOT standing in my shoes, some of this is beyond comprehension...if you have questions please feel free to ask me by email phone or in person...I will answer best I can.
I'll update again soon and I will get another post up this weekend with some pics of my beautiful children. Love the O'Neil's xox
***********************
Things I am thankful for:
1) That my mother once again has put her life on hold to help me and my husband and children get through this. A mother naturally will do ANYTHING for her children. My mother - again and again and again does this and with no strings attached.
2)That I have a wonderful husband that is able to multi task and hold down the fort inside and out. When I see all the things he does for the girls and I and around the house I remind myself how lucky I am that I was able to find my soul mate and that he isn't one of those beer guzzling, couch potato lazy sh!ts who expects wifey to take care of everything LOL
3)That against all odds God (or whoever) gave me the two most beautiful children in the world. Olivia and Alexia are the most precious gifts I have ever received in my life. I can not imagine for a second my life without them.
4)That Brad and I have such great families. Our families will play a huge part in helping us get through this. We have some pretty great friends too and I'm also thankful for that...
I write this down so on those days I may be at my lowest and possibly think I have nothing to be thankful for I can remind myself that indeed I do.
***********************
It`s been just over a week since my last chemo treatment and finally I am beginning to feel human again - sort of. It`s been a rough week with side effects. This time is quite the opposite problem that i had last time. Lets just say in the last 4 days being more than ten feet from the bathroom is not an option. On the bright side my magic anti nausea pills did wonders to keep the vomiting away. My biggest complaint right now is the extreme fatigue but it is to be expected.
I had a followup appointment in the clinic yesterday. Just some blood work and a discussion about the next steps - collecting stem cells and some scans to see how things have responded so far. I should receive a call next week with specific dates which i expect will be the following week. I admit i look forward to this small break knowing i won`t have chemo for at least another two weeks. Based on the scans we`ll know what the next steps will be.
I look forward to feeling better this weekend and next week (fingers crossed) and spending some quality time (and time where i`m not complaining) with my girls and of course my hubby.
This week i thank i must say thank you for the flowers i received to bright my day, the well wishes and thinking of you cards and the meal we received (ummm homemade mac and cheese)!!! We really appreciate these highlights week to week.
I need to mention special thanks of course to our parents who juggle looking after the girls (and looking after us) when I can`t or we need a break...they have all been here for us 200% and it`s comforting to know that they will continue by our sides through this whole process.
This past weekend Olivia had a special adventure. She spent the weekend with her cousins Abbie and Alison doing girl stuff. She clearly had a blast as she has not stopped talking about it. Thank you girls for making such a special fun-filled weekend for her!
I`ll update more when I know anything new, until then...Love the O`Neil`s xoxox
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Alexia's First Time Eating Cereal!!!
What a new experience for Alexia! She wasn't quite sure what to think the first couple days and didn't really get too much into her belly. It's been a week now and the last few days she is getting the hang of it and liking it!!! YAY Alexia.It's been a big week. Yesterday Alexia cut her first tooth - 1 week before her 6 month birthday!!!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Quick update...
It's been a week and a half since my last (first) chemo treatment and although I am beyond totally exhausted, I am starting to finally feel a bit better - sort of. Just in time to head for round 2 this coming Friday.
I wasn't too sick from the actual chemo, tired Friday, Saturday and Sunday when I got home, but not too sick. The rest of the week went down hill from there. I spent it in bed, in pain. Turns out I was severely constipated (hold the jokes people). I'm on 5 different meds trying to work out the issue and to get things moving, ugh more regularly...
If it hadn't been for that little issue, last week may have been alright.
My hair is starting to fall out now. Not in big clumps yet...but that is soon I'm sure. I plan to cut it down to the nubs before that happens, so probably late this week or early next...
I bought a really cute little wig which I affectionately refer to as my party hair...I'll post pics down the road...
In the past I wasn't much of a wig girl - it felt so "weird"... I bought a few caps and head wraps to. We'll see.
The girls are doing excellent. Olivia is busy as can be and continues to amaze me everyday...she is such a smart little girl. Alexia is trying desperately to crawl now...like desperately...I'm not encouraging her...lol She is getting so cute as well, her personality shines through putting a smile on my face daily.
I need to say thank you again to everyone for the thoughts, prayers, calls, cards, food, treats and childcare :) We appreciate all the help we can get!
I'll update next week. Love the O'Neil's xo
I wasn't too sick from the actual chemo, tired Friday, Saturday and Sunday when I got home, but not too sick. The rest of the week went down hill from there. I spent it in bed, in pain. Turns out I was severely constipated (hold the jokes people). I'm on 5 different meds trying to work out the issue and to get things moving, ugh more regularly...
If it hadn't been for that little issue, last week may have been alright.
My hair is starting to fall out now. Not in big clumps yet...but that is soon I'm sure. I plan to cut it down to the nubs before that happens, so probably late this week or early next...
I bought a really cute little wig which I affectionately refer to as my party hair...I'll post pics down the road...
In the past I wasn't much of a wig girl - it felt so "weird"... I bought a few caps and head wraps to. We'll see.
The girls are doing excellent. Olivia is busy as can be and continues to amaze me everyday...she is such a smart little girl. Alexia is trying desperately to crawl now...like desperately...I'm not encouraging her...lol She is getting so cute as well, her personality shines through putting a smile on my face daily.
I need to say thank you again to everyone for the thoughts, prayers, calls, cards, food, treats and childcare :) We appreciate all the help we can get!
I'll update next week. Love the O'Neil's xo
Monday, April 26, 2010
First chemo...April 23
Saturday April 24/10
Friday was a long day, but I have to admit not overly traumatic. Early morning started out with a quick surgery to insert a portacath. All the nurses and doctors were wonderful in keeping me calm (and heavily medicated) since I was so nervous. I was done this around 10 am and not scheduled for chemo until 2pm, so I came home for a short nap.
At 2pm we returned to the hospital for my first round of chemo. The nurses there are all super nice. The chemo took about 4 hours, not too bad. During that time I was able to speak to nurses, a pharmacist and my liaison nurse. I had alot of questions answered. I`ve been given alot of great medications to help ease the side effects of the chemo, mainly for the nausea. It`s not even 24 hours yet from the chemo, but so far so good. I've been keeping on a strict schedule taking my anti-emetics and some anxiety meds that help me sleep...so I have been doing allot of sleeping - something that i haven`t done in a long time.
Brad has taken the girls out to Carelton Place to Nanny and Grampa till Sunday morning so that i may enjoy a quite house, especially not knowing how things are going to go. I spoke with them this morning and it seems the girls are happy and doing well. Olivia was headed to the Perth Maple Fest with daddy and Alexia was hanging out with Nanny and Grampa.
My understand of `the plan`` as it stands now (it could change) is that we will do another cycle of this ABVD on May7th. A few weeks later we will take scans to see how the tumor has responded to the chemo. hopes are we will see significant shrinking. If that is the case we will go right into stem cell collection, a process which takes about a day and is done outpatient. The catch...Because i have already has a stem cell transplant (and collection), they anticipate that collection this time around will be very difficult doing it the usual way. They have applied to a drug company for a drug that stimulate the generation of the stem cells in the hopes that we can get a successfull collection. Once the application is approved by the drug company then we have to apply to the federal government to ask approval to use for my case here in Canada and it is not yet approved. All of this is handled by the liaison nurse and she says it won;t be a problem to access the drug and that we should be able to collect stem cells this way (fingers crossed).
After this there will be a consult with the radiologist to see if radiation will be an option - it may or may not be. My understanding at this point is that i will undergo another autologues Stem Cell transplant. This will be the most difficult on everyone. it will be very difficult emotionally and physically especially on me, but for sure our families and my children as well.
We continue to need everyone help and support, happy thoughts and prayers as well. We really appreciate everything that everyone has done for us so far...the emails, the messages, the phone calls, the food and treats sent over, the cards, the prayers, help caring for the girls, the help cleaning our house...just everything is a big help! So Thank you.
Will update more as things progress the next week. Love to all, from the O`Neil`s xoxo
Friday was a long day, but I have to admit not overly traumatic. Early morning started out with a quick surgery to insert a portacath. All the nurses and doctors were wonderful in keeping me calm (and heavily medicated) since I was so nervous. I was done this around 10 am and not scheduled for chemo until 2pm, so I came home for a short nap.
At 2pm we returned to the hospital for my first round of chemo. The nurses there are all super nice. The chemo took about 4 hours, not too bad. During that time I was able to speak to nurses, a pharmacist and my liaison nurse. I had alot of questions answered. I`ve been given alot of great medications to help ease the side effects of the chemo, mainly for the nausea. It`s not even 24 hours yet from the chemo, but so far so good. I've been keeping on a strict schedule taking my anti-emetics and some anxiety meds that help me sleep...so I have been doing allot of sleeping - something that i haven`t done in a long time.
Brad has taken the girls out to Carelton Place to Nanny and Grampa till Sunday morning so that i may enjoy a quite house, especially not knowing how things are going to go. I spoke with them this morning and it seems the girls are happy and doing well. Olivia was headed to the Perth Maple Fest with daddy and Alexia was hanging out with Nanny and Grampa.
My understand of `the plan`` as it stands now (it could change) is that we will do another cycle of this ABVD on May7th. A few weeks later we will take scans to see how the tumor has responded to the chemo. hopes are we will see significant shrinking. If that is the case we will go right into stem cell collection, a process which takes about a day and is done outpatient. The catch...Because i have already has a stem cell transplant (and collection), they anticipate that collection this time around will be very difficult doing it the usual way. They have applied to a drug company for a drug that stimulate the generation of the stem cells in the hopes that we can get a successfull collection. Once the application is approved by the drug company then we have to apply to the federal government to ask approval to use for my case here in Canada and it is not yet approved. All of this is handled by the liaison nurse and she says it won;t be a problem to access the drug and that we should be able to collect stem cells this way (fingers crossed).
After this there will be a consult with the radiologist to see if radiation will be an option - it may or may not be. My understanding at this point is that i will undergo another autologues Stem Cell transplant. This will be the most difficult on everyone. it will be very difficult emotionally and physically especially on me, but for sure our families and my children as well.
We continue to need everyone help and support, happy thoughts and prayers as well. We really appreciate everything that everyone has done for us so far...the emails, the messages, the phone calls, the food and treats sent over, the cards, the prayers, help caring for the girls, the help cleaning our house...just everything is a big help! So Thank you.
Will update more as things progress the next week. Love to all, from the O`Neil`s xoxo
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Some April Pics....
Olivia helps Daddy again this year sweep up the gravel from the street...
...while Alexia has a big nap....
...fashionista in the making...
Nanny and Grampa with all there grand kids...plus a couple extras...
...this is a fun activity!
The 3 musketeer's after the Easter egg hunt at aunt Kathy and Uncle Earls...
...taking the hunt very serious!
Alexia chillin' with cousin Alison...
Olivia and Nanny:
Easter Party at the Papineau's...Olivia and sheshe check out the loot Post Easter egg hunt!
The festivities wore Alexia out!
A day at the experimental farm...Mommy and her big girl!
...and her little girl!
The kids enjoying our neighbourhood park with grandma and pops!
Alexia and her friend Lena enjoy a play date...
Alexia and friend Maguire enjoy time outside on their play date...
Gibson and Olivia make cool cupcakes!
...while Alexia has a big nap....
...fashionista in the making...
Nanny and Grampa with all there grand kids...plus a couple extras...
...this is a fun activity!
The 3 musketeer's after the Easter egg hunt at aunt Kathy and Uncle Earls...
...taking the hunt very serious!
Alexia chillin' with cousin Alison...
Olivia and Nanny:
Easter Party at the Papineau's...Olivia and sheshe check out the loot Post Easter egg hunt!
The festivities wore Alexia out!
A day at the experimental farm...Mommy and her big girl!
...and her little girl!
The kids enjoying our neighbourhood park with grandma and pops!
Alexia and her friend Lena enjoy a play date...
Alexia and friend Maguire enjoy time outside on their play date...
Gibson and Olivia make cool cupcakes!
Friday, April 16, 2010
I HATE Cancer
We try to discourage certain words and phrases from our children. Right now in particular for Olivia. Her vocabulary has exploded in the last while and rapidly expands daily. So to that list we add the word hate. Yet it is the only word appropriate in describing how I feel about cancer at the moment.
I have always tried to keep the blog a happy place, but it is our best way to keep family and friends up to date, so I guess from time to time it may not always be that happy place....
I have been battling Cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma) now for over 15 years. How unfair, I`m only 34. My first diagnosis was at 18. By the time of diagnosis I was very very ill (stage IVB, the last stage). The outcome would be uncertain, but I chose even in total weakness to give it my all. I went through 8 months of of a chemotherapy regimen called ABVD. At the end of it routine tests and scans showed that I had responded well the the chemotherapy treatment and that I was for the time being, in remission and no further treatment was going to be necessary.
Three years later at a routine annual check up I reported that I felt ``well`` but i had a dry cough that I just couldn't`t kick. An immediate chest x-ray showed that I had relapsed. I of course felt devastated, but felt i had to fight and would do whatever it took to kick this again, and this time for good. It was decided the best chance of that was going to be an autologous stem cell transplant which would include more chemo, collection of my stem cells to use again later, more chemo (extreme high dose) and then the Stem cell transplant where my cells would be returned to me. This was a long process (6 months) and incredibly intense. Many days in the hospital and in isolation for a period of time. In the end, scans showed again I had responded well to the treatment and again I was in remission. This was in 1999.
Here we are, nearly 11 years later. I had finally let my guard down some years ago and told myself there was no way this cancer would come back after all this time. Since that time I finished college, moved to a new city, started my job, met a wonderful man who I married and had two children (both miracles considering that during previous treatments i was told it would be unlikely i`d conceive in the future). I couldn't`t ask for anything more to make my life complete.
After the birth of Alexia this past November I was due for annual scans and check ups. I called and made an appointment to be seen and now had an appointment for the end of January. I made a list of concerns I had as I was feeling completely run down and over all just not myself. I couldn't`t differentiate if it was just new mom stuff plus the fact I have a toddler or if it were something more. I`d let the scans decide. I was sent for scans and x-rays right away after listing my concerns. I received a call the next day to come into the clinic immediately to discuss the results. This was at the end of January and from that day, life again has changed forever. The scans showed definite change (growth) since the last and suggest another relapse of the Hodgkin's lymphoma (it`s important to note that relapses this late are very uncommon). I was devastated, more so than ever before, since now the stakes seem so much higher. It`s not just me I have to fight for...now the fight is for those around me, in particular my husband (he`s too young to be a widow) and my two children (too young to be without their mother).
So, why have I not talked or blogged about all this till now...Because I was hoping for a miracle. I`ve been through a battery of tests, biopsies and surgeries...purpose, to gather more information if possible. After alot of waiting ( i hate waiting) not one of my biopsies have been very help full and they samples taken were inconclusive. I was hoping this would all be a big mistake, but it isn`t and now it`s time to move forward with a plan.
My concerns now are that this is a second relapse which according to one of my doctors, makes the possibility of a cure unlikely. This comment made me even more devastated. Maybe it was just poor bedside manner or maybe it was him being realistic. The doctor I was seen by more recently (also the head of the hematology department and in my opinion a brilliant man) in a nutshell told me that we would not approach this half assed and that yes, we would still aim for a cure. Ok, those were not his exact words, ie half assed...i`m paraphrasing, but i like his approach better.
It`s taken nearly 3 months to get to this point. We now have a plan - sort of. I will fight again and the hopes are at the very least for another very long remission or with any luck a cure this time.
I will be starting chemo next Friday on the 23rd of April. The drugs they are using I have had in the past. I will go through 3 rounds (approximately) which will be one day every 2 weeks taking about 3 months. This is in hopes that I respond well to the chemo and the tumor shrinks significantly. This will be determined my scans and x-rays. At that time the next part of the plan will be made depending on where things are at and how the tumor has responded. Possibilities will include more chemo (maybe the same drugs, maybe different ones), maybe radiation, maybe another stem cell transplant, maybe all of the above. If all goes well, with no complications along the way and a good response, we`re looking at about a 6 month window to complete treatment.
What I depended on previously to get through all this was my own personal strength and determination as well as the strength and help from those around me...family and friends. I feel so lucky that I had all that. Not much has changed...just that i have more family and friends....
Now more than ever I will depend on my own strength and determination...as well as that of my husband, family and friends. And now i`m lucky enough to have Brad`s family behind me too.
Although I know I need to think of me, my biggest concern are my two girls. I want to get through all of this without it affecting them negatively. Frankly, I worry less about Alexia...she is so little and likely will not remember a single thing. Olivia is a different story, she is so young but so bright. She doesn`t miss a thing and is very sensitive. We haven`t gotten into the nitty gritty yet and already she is so aware of more than she needs to be. We will do our best to keep explanations on her level.
I feel lucky in that we have had so many people offer help already. WE are going to need it so I appreciate the offers and we`ll do our best to actually come out and ask for it (sometimes that is difficult as brad and I both hate imposing on others).So, this is where we`re at for now on this front. I wish the news was better. I will continue to update the blog as much as i can with pictures and stories of the girls and as well we`ll keep everyone up to date on what`s happening through the treatment process etc.
I know I`ve nutshelled info in this blog so please if anyone has specific questions - just ask. :)
I have always tried to keep the blog a happy place, but it is our best way to keep family and friends up to date, so I guess from time to time it may not always be that happy place....
I have been battling Cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma) now for over 15 years. How unfair, I`m only 34. My first diagnosis was at 18. By the time of diagnosis I was very very ill (stage IVB, the last stage). The outcome would be uncertain, but I chose even in total weakness to give it my all. I went through 8 months of of a chemotherapy regimen called ABVD. At the end of it routine tests and scans showed that I had responded well the the chemotherapy treatment and that I was for the time being, in remission and no further treatment was going to be necessary.
Three years later at a routine annual check up I reported that I felt ``well`` but i had a dry cough that I just couldn't`t kick. An immediate chest x-ray showed that I had relapsed. I of course felt devastated, but felt i had to fight and would do whatever it took to kick this again, and this time for good. It was decided the best chance of that was going to be an autologous stem cell transplant which would include more chemo, collection of my stem cells to use again later, more chemo (extreme high dose) and then the Stem cell transplant where my cells would be returned to me. This was a long process (6 months) and incredibly intense. Many days in the hospital and in isolation for a period of time. In the end, scans showed again I had responded well to the treatment and again I was in remission. This was in 1999.
Here we are, nearly 11 years later. I had finally let my guard down some years ago and told myself there was no way this cancer would come back after all this time. Since that time I finished college, moved to a new city, started my job, met a wonderful man who I married and had two children (both miracles considering that during previous treatments i was told it would be unlikely i`d conceive in the future). I couldn't`t ask for anything more to make my life complete.
After the birth of Alexia this past November I was due for annual scans and check ups. I called and made an appointment to be seen and now had an appointment for the end of January. I made a list of concerns I had as I was feeling completely run down and over all just not myself. I couldn't`t differentiate if it was just new mom stuff plus the fact I have a toddler or if it were something more. I`d let the scans decide. I was sent for scans and x-rays right away after listing my concerns. I received a call the next day to come into the clinic immediately to discuss the results. This was at the end of January and from that day, life again has changed forever. The scans showed definite change (growth) since the last and suggest another relapse of the Hodgkin's lymphoma (it`s important to note that relapses this late are very uncommon). I was devastated, more so than ever before, since now the stakes seem so much higher. It`s not just me I have to fight for...now the fight is for those around me, in particular my husband (he`s too young to be a widow) and my two children (too young to be without their mother).
So, why have I not talked or blogged about all this till now...Because I was hoping for a miracle. I`ve been through a battery of tests, biopsies and surgeries...purpose, to gather more information if possible. After alot of waiting ( i hate waiting) not one of my biopsies have been very help full and they samples taken were inconclusive. I was hoping this would all be a big mistake, but it isn`t and now it`s time to move forward with a plan.
My concerns now are that this is a second relapse which according to one of my doctors, makes the possibility of a cure unlikely. This comment made me even more devastated. Maybe it was just poor bedside manner or maybe it was him being realistic. The doctor I was seen by more recently (also the head of the hematology department and in my opinion a brilliant man) in a nutshell told me that we would not approach this half assed and that yes, we would still aim for a cure. Ok, those were not his exact words, ie half assed...i`m paraphrasing, but i like his approach better.
It`s taken nearly 3 months to get to this point. We now have a plan - sort of. I will fight again and the hopes are at the very least for another very long remission or with any luck a cure this time.
I will be starting chemo next Friday on the 23rd of April. The drugs they are using I have had in the past. I will go through 3 rounds (approximately) which will be one day every 2 weeks taking about 3 months. This is in hopes that I respond well to the chemo and the tumor shrinks significantly. This will be determined my scans and x-rays. At that time the next part of the plan will be made depending on where things are at and how the tumor has responded. Possibilities will include more chemo (maybe the same drugs, maybe different ones), maybe radiation, maybe another stem cell transplant, maybe all of the above. If all goes well, with no complications along the way and a good response, we`re looking at about a 6 month window to complete treatment.
What I depended on previously to get through all this was my own personal strength and determination as well as the strength and help from those around me...family and friends. I feel so lucky that I had all that. Not much has changed...just that i have more family and friends....
Now more than ever I will depend on my own strength and determination...as well as that of my husband, family and friends. And now i`m lucky enough to have Brad`s family behind me too.
Although I know I need to think of me, my biggest concern are my two girls. I want to get through all of this without it affecting them negatively. Frankly, I worry less about Alexia...she is so little and likely will not remember a single thing. Olivia is a different story, she is so young but so bright. She doesn`t miss a thing and is very sensitive. We haven`t gotten into the nitty gritty yet and already she is so aware of more than she needs to be. We will do our best to keep explanations on her level.
I feel lucky in that we have had so many people offer help already. WE are going to need it so I appreciate the offers and we`ll do our best to actually come out and ask for it (sometimes that is difficult as brad and I both hate imposing on others).So, this is where we`re at for now on this front. I wish the news was better. I will continue to update the blog as much as i can with pictures and stories of the girls and as well we`ll keep everyone up to date on what`s happening through the treatment process etc.
I know I`ve nutshelled info in this blog so please if anyone has specific questions - just ask. :)
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
More February Favorites!
I love that Alexia is gearing up for St. Patty's day and Olivia is still in the spirit of Christmas wearing her Christmas threads!
Alexia wearing her Olympic threads!
The girls ganging up on daddy!
Baby in the toybox??
Alexia was SO tired she fell asleep playing!
Pretty girl!
Sleepy girl!
Alexia wearing her Olympic threads!
The girls ganging up on daddy!
Baby in the toybox??
Alexia was SO tired she fell asleep playing!
Pretty girl!
Sleepy girl!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February Favorites!
My beautiful daughters...Olivia is such a good helper. She loves her baby.
Mommy and Alexia at the hotel in Watertown:
The girls with daddy at the hotel!
Bright eyes!!!
Olivia chillin out in the hotel after a swim!
Nanny and Alexia
La PRINCESSA!
Nanny getting Olivia all dressed up!
Daddy with his two girls!
SISTERS!
Olivia loves to pose with her sister!
Alexia with boyfriend Maguire:
Chillin'
Stacy, Theresa and Olivia at Winterlude - Alexia is taking the picture LOL
Snow bunny!
Grandpa teaching Olivia to walk:
The girls lazing in bed!
Grandma and Olivia making cupcakes for daddy!
Grandma with Alexia...
Pretty girl!
Mommy and Alexia at the hotel in Watertown:
The girls with daddy at the hotel!
Bright eyes!!!
Olivia chillin out in the hotel after a swim!
Nanny and Alexia
La PRINCESSA!
Nanny getting Olivia all dressed up!
Daddy with his two girls!
SISTERS!
Olivia loves to pose with her sister!
Alexia with boyfriend Maguire:
Chillin'
Stacy, Theresa and Olivia at Winterlude - Alexia is taking the picture LOL
Snow bunny!
Grandpa teaching Olivia to walk:
The girls lazing in bed!
Grandma and Olivia making cupcakes for daddy!
Grandma with Alexia...
Pretty girl!
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