Ally is continuing to do very well. We have been spending a lot more time at the hospital lately as she undergoes testing regarding her constant weight gain. We met with a doctor in the Lipid Clinic and he has asked for some very thorough tests to be done. (which I think we finally have them all complete). They are looking at a lot of different things...her resting metabolic rate, insulin levels, hormone-type levels, etc. With the cranial radiation that she had it can affect her pituitary gland (growth/metabolism, etc) and the large level of steroids that she had can also contribute to this problem. We go back to the hospital on Tuesday to learn the results and come up with a plan. I do have to say she has been working super hard to keep her weight in check with 3x a week Zumba classes and a constant monitoring of her diet. For the most part, we think she is getting a little bit better with her belly pain (I say this but she was up a few times with it last night)...and she is also sleeping better. Praising God that he has delivered us to this place we are in now. We just want to be a regular old family! Of course we know that we will always be different.....check out this biography that Ally wrote for the end of year book for her class.....it was all good until I read the last paragraph....it still amazes me.....and it still will always define who Ally Barnett is.
Ally Barnett
My name is Ally. I was born October 10, 2001. I am ten years old. I was born in Ohio. My favorite food is pizza and my favorite dessert is cheesecake.
My family has five members: my mom, my dad, my sister, Carly and my brother, Evan. My sister Carly is four and my brother Evan is seven. I have two pets: my fish Trooper and my frog Swimmy.
I like to play Skylanders on the Wii with my brother and play outside with Carly. I like to do Zumba with my friend Madison Booher and our moms. It is so fun!!!! I also like to read, write, cook and swim. I am on Idle Hour swim team.
When I grow up I want to be a nurse because I have spent so much time at the hospital. When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with cancer and did two and a half years of chemotherapy treatment.
I also wanted to post the information for the 3rd Annual Rally for Ally that I mentioned in my last post. It will be held on June 16 this year. Here is the information on it! We are so grateful for the support for Curesearch and for this fun event. Thanks Lori Fultz for always continuing to make a difference.
Rally for Ally Link
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thanks to WSU Soccer and Greeks!
I wanted to post a much delayed but huge THANK YOU to our friends at Wright State for hosting another Ally's Army event. The soccer team again played a game at "Ally's Army Night" and the Greek organizations on campus raised funds in her honor. This year they raised a little over $1600!! Wow. The most heartwarming part was when they brought the check to us. Last year, they wrote the check over to us and we could decide which organization to send it to. (we chose A Kid Again). This year they brought the check over shortly after Caulin was diagnosed. They knew how heartbroken we were about that so they wrote the check with "In honor of Caulin Booher" in the memo line. And we talked that we would let Caulin's Crew decide which organization(s) were worthy of this money. Such a nice tribute to raise the money on behalf of one child and then again pass along the tribute to the other. We are really all in this together....my whole "cancer family"...and we continue to just try to do what is best for all of the kids.
Just this weekend we went to the Basebald event at WSU. This time it was WSU baseball. They played a game and raised money for St Baldrick's, an organization that funds research for childhood cancer. At the end of the game, all of the players (AND COACH) shaved their heads in support. That's just unbelievable to me! We also watched with much pride as Caulin threw out the first pitch just like the champ he is.
Here are some pictures from the soccer event:
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| Ally and her friend Jordan |
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| Love Rowdy's shirt "Greeks 4 Ally" |
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| These are some of the Greeks |
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| Basketball Head Coach Billy Donlon came to the game |
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| Here is Ally accepting the check from the top Greek organizers |
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| Here is Ally handing it over to Caulin! |
Ally has a long day at the hospital coming up. She is doing some testing at the lipid clinic and then also a visit to the Hem/onc clinic for her monthly bloodwork and checkup. She is doing a little better this month too. She is loving her Zumba class and I really think it is helping both her joint pain, her sleeplessness, and hopefully her weight issue. I will post more after our appointments. Thanks for keeping Ally and all of the kids in your prayers.
Save the Date: The 3rd Annual TJ Chummps Rally for Ally Motorcycle Poker Run will be held June 16. Calling all motorcycle friends for this awesome and generous event. TJ Chummps is one of our favorite restaurants (they are very charitable) and I love seeing the wait staff wearing Rally for Ally t-shirts when we go in!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Fundraiser for three local heros
Thank God for good blood counts! After worrying most of the month over what was probably a bad blood sample....Ally got a good report on her blood. Her hemoglobin and platelets were back up and her ANC was the highest I have seen it (4500). I am always grateful to get good news..just wish I didn't have to worry for a month before it! Ally also had a sinus infection for pretty much most of the month. She ended up doing 10 days of antibiotics and now that is gone too! Her brother and sister have both had a fever this past week. I am hoping that she doesn't get it. (If so, it will be her first fever that we don't have to rush to the hospital within an hour.) Fevers with her still scare me so I have been going through a large amount of lysol and wipes!
We are still dealing with issues with her weight. We watch every calorie that we can and we are pretty strict about what she eats. I hate that my 10 year old daughter has to count calories. We also try to exercise every day. She has started doing Zumba classes and she really likes them. So now we are considering this Ally's "sport" and making it a priority. Just like any other child would go to their sport practice, we are trying our best to do this with her. (well we is actually me since Jerad really wouldn't want to do this, hah!) She even got a few of her friends to go with her which makes it all that more fun.
Unfortunately, all of these attempts to mitigate her weight gain have not seemed to help much. So Dr B recommended we go to the lipid clinic at the hospital. They can do some testing of her metabolism and hormones and see if all the chemotherapy (and more likely her radiation) has affected her. I remember when doing the radiation at UC the docs there mentioned it could affect some of the glands (thyroid, pituitary, etc). Maybe there is some outlying reason why she keeps gaining weight. They will test all of these things at the clinic and hopefully be able to help us. They shared with me that 50% of ALL survivors have a weight problem throughout their life. But if that is all I have to worry about I will take it! They just want to get a little more involved so as to avoid other issues (diabetes etc). So one more area of the hospital is going to have a Barnett visit.
We were pleased to finally get the opportunity to go the Emily's Beads of Courage Dayton Dragons game. This is a game just for the Hemoc kids with their families and their nurses!! We have missed this the last few years for various reasons. I got the chance to thank Emily's mother for providing these beads for our children. Ally has "worked" really hard to earn her beads. She is immensely proud of them and so am I. I truly value them as one of our most precious things. (if the house were on fire, I would grab them!) When she wanted to take them to school to show her classmates I became very nervous. Scared they could get lost, stolen, etc. But they came home safe. Here is a picture from the game of my three heros in life wearing their beads:
Kayleigh, Caulin, and Ally.....all three ALL leukemia kids from Beavercreek!
I loved watching these kids interact at the game. They sat and compared beads and chatted. They truly have a kinship like no other. Only they can understand what it is like to go through cancer treatments as a child. They are all only about a years difference in age too. And I believe all three will grow up to be extremely compassionate people in the world and will go on to do great things. While their siblings were complaining of the cold night....no complaints from these three!
And last but not least, I wanted to let you know about a couple fundraisers. The first one is going to be at the Beavercreek Golf Club this Friday night (20th). It is a shopping event with all proceeds going towards Curesearch for these three kids. Ally's Army, Caulin's Crew, and Kayleigh's Crusaders. Please consider attending if possible. All three kids plan to be there! (I will be at the retreat for Dayton Children's but Ally should be there!) We are grateful for any money raised for this awesome organization.
Another event is being held at Charming Charlie's at the Greene Sunday night. This is for a great doctor at Dayton Children's who is running for LLS woman of the year- Dr Patricia Abboud. All the money raised goes to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Man/Woman of the year is the event that Ally was the honored hero for last year (and which Dad ran for the year before that). We are going to this event too.
We are still dealing with issues with her weight. We watch every calorie that we can and we are pretty strict about what she eats. I hate that my 10 year old daughter has to count calories. We also try to exercise every day. She has started doing Zumba classes and she really likes them. So now we are considering this Ally's "sport" and making it a priority. Just like any other child would go to their sport practice, we are trying our best to do this with her. (well we is actually me since Jerad really wouldn't want to do this, hah!) She even got a few of her friends to go with her which makes it all that more fun.
Unfortunately, all of these attempts to mitigate her weight gain have not seemed to help much. So Dr B recommended we go to the lipid clinic at the hospital. They can do some testing of her metabolism and hormones and see if all the chemotherapy (and more likely her radiation) has affected her. I remember when doing the radiation at UC the docs there mentioned it could affect some of the glands (thyroid, pituitary, etc). Maybe there is some outlying reason why she keeps gaining weight. They will test all of these things at the clinic and hopefully be able to help us. They shared with me that 50% of ALL survivors have a weight problem throughout their life. But if that is all I have to worry about I will take it! They just want to get a little more involved so as to avoid other issues (diabetes etc). So one more area of the hospital is going to have a Barnett visit.
We were pleased to finally get the opportunity to go the Emily's Beads of Courage Dayton Dragons game. This is a game just for the Hemoc kids with their families and their nurses!! We have missed this the last few years for various reasons. I got the chance to thank Emily's mother for providing these beads for our children. Ally has "worked" really hard to earn her beads. She is immensely proud of them and so am I. I truly value them as one of our most precious things. (if the house were on fire, I would grab them!) When she wanted to take them to school to show her classmates I became very nervous. Scared they could get lost, stolen, etc. But they came home safe. Here is a picture from the game of my three heros in life wearing their beads:
Kayleigh, Caulin, and Ally.....all three ALL leukemia kids from Beavercreek!
I loved watching these kids interact at the game. They sat and compared beads and chatted. They truly have a kinship like no other. Only they can understand what it is like to go through cancer treatments as a child. They are all only about a years difference in age too. And I believe all three will grow up to be extremely compassionate people in the world and will go on to do great things. While their siblings were complaining of the cold night....no complaints from these three!
And last but not least, I wanted to let you know about a couple fundraisers. The first one is going to be at the Beavercreek Golf Club this Friday night (20th). It is a shopping event with all proceeds going towards Curesearch for these three kids. Ally's Army, Caulin's Crew, and Kayleigh's Crusaders. Please consider attending if possible. All three kids plan to be there! (I will be at the retreat for Dayton Children's but Ally should be there!) We are grateful for any money raised for this awesome organization.
Another event is being held at Charming Charlie's at the Greene Sunday night. This is for a great doctor at Dayton Children's who is running for LLS woman of the year- Dr Patricia Abboud. All the money raised goes to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Man/Woman of the year is the event that Ally was the honored hero for last year (and which Dad ran for the year before that). We are going to this event too.
Charming Charlie's (next to Von Maur) $10 admission, gets you 20% off your entire purchase! There will be a raffle and refreshments too! The store will open JUST FOR THE EVENT from 6pm-8pm.
Thank you Ally's Army for continuing to pray for our girl.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Girl Scout Cookie Day
Friends: I know I haven't posted for a while. Usually this means I am just getting along with life and such and time slips past me. Which is partially true, but I am also in a rut. I apologize to all of the people who have sent me emails, texts, phone calls, etc. I haven't been the best about returning them. Right now I am just sad and mad at the world that my friends are now facing leukemia with their child. At the hospital and amongst my "cancer family" it is a talked about that the parents face a bit of post traumatic stress disorder as soon as their child finishes treatment. Maybe you have to go through it to realize that this can happen but I can totally see how this occurs. Parents have to stay strong for so long...carrying the burden of their child's illness around with them for several years. The worry alone can bear heavily on the soul and noone wants to see their child go through the pain either. However, while going thru it, there is no choice other than to be strong. But when it is over, I can sense that there is a bit of a collapse. The worry escalates a bit (no more chemo safety net anymore), the child still complains (but no chemo to blame anymore) and then you look back at the enormity of what you have just been through and WOW. Stressful. Grateful yes, but also stressful. So to have some of your friends (who are pretty much like my family) be diagnosed just about a month after the port came out....well it doesn't help the emotional state any. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for us...we have so much to be grateful for...just want you to know where I am coming from and the sadness that now fills my heart.
What I can ask for, is that our army continue to support this family in their journey. I have seen so many of you post messages to them on their caring bridge site. Every time I see it another tear is shed by me. We are so lucky to have our army and I know Caulin and family will love all the prayers and support. So thank you.
Ally seems to be doing alright. She still complains of something pretty much every day (except for vacation week...why are there no complaints during vacation week?? ;) We never got the blood/platelets tested again. I assumed since the doctor was okay with it that Dr Mom needed to be okay with it too. It did shake me up quite a bit and with every symptom Ally ever speaks of I start my internal questioning, but I have left it at that. I followed my friend Suzanne's advice...I put my faith over my fears....and we went on with our lives. We went to an amusement park this week. For the past few years, everytime we do something like this we end up pushing our 100+lb girl around in one of those rental stroller things. Her ankles are too weak and she tires too easily...legs hurting, etc. And this time we still rented the stroller, and she even still sat in the stroller, but I noticed her able to walk a little a further on her own!! Her ankles still hurt at the end of the day, but I definitely felt like I saw progress in her. This is a good thing and makes me very happy. On Wednesday, she does go back to the clinic to get checked by Dr Broccoli and have her counts done. Praying for that. Wanting to see normal numbers again.
A while back, Ally started selling girl scout cookies. But we took a bit of a different approach and decided to sell them in order to donate them to the Hemoc patients at Dayton Children's. I was very proud of my girl for always wanting to give back and never forgetting her time spent there. She did great with this and had 131 boxes donated!! We took them to the 4th floor inpatient unit, the Almost Home unit (where she goes for spinals and such), and also had numerous boxes for the clinic. We also shared with the PICU and the NICU. Ally's BFF Madison had mentioned wanting to help her pass them out. And coincidentally, Caulin was there getting chemo that day so he walked a little with us too. So proud of these kids.
What I can ask for, is that our army continue to support this family in their journey. I have seen so many of you post messages to them on their caring bridge site. Every time I see it another tear is shed by me. We are so lucky to have our army and I know Caulin and family will love all the prayers and support. So thank you.
Ally seems to be doing alright. She still complains of something pretty much every day (except for vacation week...why are there no complaints during vacation week?? ;) We never got the blood/platelets tested again. I assumed since the doctor was okay with it that Dr Mom needed to be okay with it too. It did shake me up quite a bit and with every symptom Ally ever speaks of I start my internal questioning, but I have left it at that. I followed my friend Suzanne's advice...I put my faith over my fears....and we went on with our lives. We went to an amusement park this week. For the past few years, everytime we do something like this we end up pushing our 100+lb girl around in one of those rental stroller things. Her ankles are too weak and she tires too easily...legs hurting, etc. And this time we still rented the stroller, and she even still sat in the stroller, but I noticed her able to walk a little a further on her own!! Her ankles still hurt at the end of the day, but I definitely felt like I saw progress in her. This is a good thing and makes me very happy. On Wednesday, she does go back to the clinic to get checked by Dr Broccoli and have her counts done. Praying for that. Wanting to see normal numbers again.
A while back, Ally started selling girl scout cookies. But we took a bit of a different approach and decided to sell them in order to donate them to the Hemoc patients at Dayton Children's. I was very proud of my girl for always wanting to give back and never forgetting her time spent there. She did great with this and had 131 boxes donated!! We took them to the 4th floor inpatient unit, the Almost Home unit (where she goes for spinals and such), and also had numerous boxes for the clinic. We also shared with the PICU and the NICU. Ally's BFF Madison had mentioned wanting to help her pass them out. And coincidentally, Caulin was there getting chemo that day so he walked a little with us too. So proud of these kids.
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| Here they are outside the Mills family lounge...getting ready to start |
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| Going into our buddy Nevin's room. He was a friend when Ally was inpatient a lot. |
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| Here they are en route to the NICU |
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| and PICU |
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| They stocked a lot of cabinets.... |
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Clinic Update March
Thought I would post an update on Ally and our (lengthy) clinic visit yesterday. After doing two blood draws (the first one clotted and was unusable) I got the results of her blood counts when I arrived back home. Everything looked good (no blasts) but some of her numbers were a little lower than usual. Hemoglobin was down a bit 11.7, and platelets were down a lot (136). This of course sends me into a panic. Her platelets hadn't dropped below 215 or so for about the last 15 months. Even while doing maintenance chemo. Her WBC was ok and her ANC still hovering about 3500 so the nurse tells me not to worry. Easier said than done, but I am trying to turn it all over to God and just keep marching on. I just can't figure out a reason as to why theses numbers would go down. I wish I had gotten the results while still in clinic so I could talk to Dr B who always has the immense responsibility for calming me down. He got quite a dose of me already yesterday (crying, which I normally try not to do!)
I guess I am just a bit down about everything. Of course, I am upset about my friends diagnosis mentioned on here last time. I know that everyone is different but it has proven to stir up the fear in us that we try to push away. For instance, my thought pattern is that whatever caused this to happen to Caulin...is it going to make it come back in Ally?!! I also know that noone can give me the answer to this. But of course I had to talk to Dr B about it all. His reponse (in his sweet Southern tone) "Janel, the chances of this coming back in Ally are very low" Me: "Really, OK. Wait, how low?" Dr B: "there is a less than 20% chance it will come back....we have to get thru two more years and it goes even lower" Me: feeling black wave come over my eyes..."20% is HIGH"...more tears....medical student in room handing me box of Kleenex" Just another day at the office. These doctors have to be so strong as they guide us through the unknown.
Prior to this discussion, we talked about the fact that Ally has been off treatment for 5-6 months. I was kind of hoping by this point that all of the medicine would be out of her system and our lives would be much like normal again. However we are still dealing with the fact that Ally can't sleep 3-4 nights a week. Of course, waking us everytime. After talking to a hospital psychologist, we deemed we were doing everything right with bedtime routines, no caffeine, white noise, etc....so again we just have to accept it and hope she relearns her sleeping patterns like a baby would. I am not sure how to do this with a 10 year old. It is not like I have a baby in there and I can just let her cry it out.
And then there is the larger issue of her weight gain. So frustrating. She continues to gain a pound or 2 a month. Up about 20 lbs since summer. I am telling you we limit her on everything. We try so hard. We know what to do. She does TaeKwondo twice a week. She gets on the treadmill several times a week and does some weights, situps, pushups etc. We were told that this is not enough. Now we have to go to no snacks between meals, no 2nd helpings, etc, no treats....and also sign her up for something more exercise related. REALLY? It woudn't be so bad except we already do so much for this issue and never see any results. Then Dr B added in the fact that unfortunately she has a short mother. Hah! And she doesn't have much growing time left. I feel bad because I feel like she has my crappy genes on this one.
All of this being said....I KNOW that I am the lucky one. I still have my child here with me today. I have dealt with much worse issues and I know lots of kids that are experiencing much worse side effects than us. It just gets so frustrating for me because I know she has been through so much and I just want her to be able to eat and sleep like a normal kid and not have to talk to her everyday about this stuff.
Sorry this is so long and probably not too exciting to read. I just continue on with the story....
Here is Ally! This is about a month before she was diagnosed at Easter....she was seven.
And Here is Ally! The other day....her friend Alex straightened her hair and I thought this is pretty much what she used to look like before diagnosis. Her hair used to be straight as a board. (but she still prefers it curly)
I guess I am just a bit down about everything. Of course, I am upset about my friends diagnosis mentioned on here last time. I know that everyone is different but it has proven to stir up the fear in us that we try to push away. For instance, my thought pattern is that whatever caused this to happen to Caulin...is it going to make it come back in Ally?!! I also know that noone can give me the answer to this. But of course I had to talk to Dr B about it all. His reponse (in his sweet Southern tone) "Janel, the chances of this coming back in Ally are very low" Me: "Really, OK. Wait, how low?" Dr B: "there is a less than 20% chance it will come back....we have to get thru two more years and it goes even lower" Me: feeling black wave come over my eyes..."20% is HIGH"...more tears....medical student in room handing me box of Kleenex" Just another day at the office. These doctors have to be so strong as they guide us through the unknown.
Prior to this discussion, we talked about the fact that Ally has been off treatment for 5-6 months. I was kind of hoping by this point that all of the medicine would be out of her system and our lives would be much like normal again. However we are still dealing with the fact that Ally can't sleep 3-4 nights a week. Of course, waking us everytime. After talking to a hospital psychologist, we deemed we were doing everything right with bedtime routines, no caffeine, white noise, etc....so again we just have to accept it and hope she relearns her sleeping patterns like a baby would. I am not sure how to do this with a 10 year old. It is not like I have a baby in there and I can just let her cry it out.
And then there is the larger issue of her weight gain. So frustrating. She continues to gain a pound or 2 a month. Up about 20 lbs since summer. I am telling you we limit her on everything. We try so hard. We know what to do. She does TaeKwondo twice a week. She gets on the treadmill several times a week and does some weights, situps, pushups etc. We were told that this is not enough. Now we have to go to no snacks between meals, no 2nd helpings, etc, no treats....and also sign her up for something more exercise related. REALLY? It woudn't be so bad except we already do so much for this issue and never see any results. Then Dr B added in the fact that unfortunately she has a short mother. Hah! And she doesn't have much growing time left. I feel bad because I feel like she has my crappy genes on this one.
All of this being said....I KNOW that I am the lucky one. I still have my child here with me today. I have dealt with much worse issues and I know lots of kids that are experiencing much worse side effects than us. It just gets so frustrating for me because I know she has been through so much and I just want her to be able to eat and sleep like a normal kid and not have to talk to her everyday about this stuff.
Sorry this is so long and probably not too exciting to read. I just continue on with the story....
Here is Ally! This is about a month before she was diagnosed at Easter....she was seven.
And thank you so much to all of Ally's Army for embracing the Booher family. I see tons of comments on their blog from my peeps all over the United States! Thank you for continuing to encourage them and envelop both these kids in prayers. No words can express my gratitude!
One more prayer request this week. One of our extended family members, Aunt Fay, has found out that her cancer has come back. She is now having trouble getting the medicine that she needs to fight her particular kind of cancer. She has been a huge part of Ally's Army...they fought the battle at the same time...we are thinking of you Aunt Fay (and Aunt Joyce!) and love you all. Please say a prayer for her too!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Asking Ally's Army for Prayers.....
Well this is certainly one post that I never thought I would have to write. It has taken me quite some time to even gather the words in my mind and my heart to put this one on paper. We received the devastating news that our best friend's son, Caulin Booher, has ALL leukemia. Just. Like. Ally. I am sure many, if not all, of you recognize the name from multiple blog entries. Remember my Family of 13? The two families who picked up all the slack for me when Ally was going through her intense chemotherapy. That's the Boohers. They helped me every step of the way. Arranged meals, watched kids, PRAYED with us, they even sold the Ally's Army bracelets for us that many of you wore. My Mom had just died and then with Ally's diagnosis...well my friends basically picked up all the pieces for me. They live just a few doors away.
This is Caulin shaving his head for Ally. He did it without hesitation. The before...He is in green shirt.
And after, in the back....
I have know Caulin since the day he was born. Celebrated numerous holidays...vacations.. birthdays...first and last days of school....summer breaks...trips to the lake...you name it. Jerad and I were saying he is about as close to us as our own child without being our child. Heck my kids even call HIS grandparents...Grandma and Grandpa Booher.
I have no words for this one. We are all shaken up. I keep reminding myself that the statistic is that 3 out of every 100,000 kids get ALL. How can this happen? I think in my mind I still think it has to be a mistake. You could fill OSU's stadium with kids...and only 3 would have it. It cannot be a coincidence.
Caulin's Mom Suzanne asked me to forward on his blog information. All that she keeps asking for is prayers for their boy. She wants as many as she can get. I know a lot of my cancer family and extended family still read this blog. So please, please, please, I am begging my Army once again to pray for this boy that we love we much. Prayers did wonderful things for Ally. I am asking all of Ally's Army to now become Caulin's Army, or Caulin's Crew...or whatever they decide for his group to be. And keep the faith.
We are all in this together. Fighting childhood cancer. We have to just continue to fight for those we love. Fight for Caulin to go into remission. Fight for Ally that she remain in remission. And for all the other fighters out there...keep on!
Here is his caring bridge site (think you do need to set up a password)....
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caulinbooher
This is Caulin shaving his head for Ally. He did it without hesitation. The before...He is in green shirt.
I have know Caulin since the day he was born. Celebrated numerous holidays...vacations.. birthdays...first and last days of school....summer breaks...trips to the lake...you name it. Jerad and I were saying he is about as close to us as our own child without being our child. Heck my kids even call HIS grandparents...Grandma and Grandpa Booher.
I have no words for this one. We are all shaken up. I keep reminding myself that the statistic is that 3 out of every 100,000 kids get ALL. How can this happen? I think in my mind I still think it has to be a mistake. You could fill OSU's stadium with kids...and only 3 would have it. It cannot be a coincidence.
Caulin's Mom Suzanne asked me to forward on his blog information. All that she keeps asking for is prayers for their boy. She wants as many as she can get. I know a lot of my cancer family and extended family still read this blog. So please, please, please, I am begging my Army once again to pray for this boy that we love we much. Prayers did wonderful things for Ally. I am asking all of Ally's Army to now become Caulin's Army, or Caulin's Crew...or whatever they decide for his group to be. And keep the faith.
We are all in this together. Fighting childhood cancer. We have to just continue to fight for those we love. Fight for Caulin to go into remission. Fight for Ally that she remain in remission. And for all the other fighters out there...keep on!
Here is his caring bridge site (think you do need to set up a password)....
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caulinbooher
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Our commercials
I am sorry to our out of town family (and non-facebook Army members)...took me a whole week to get this up here. But these are the commercials that we did for Dayton Children's.
This is the one that is Jerad and I and Dr B. So glad they didn't use my words because I found that I completely froze up when having to talk to an inanimate object (camera) Luckily Jerad pulled through and did his part in 1 or 2 takes. vs. my 18. Think I will stick to the blog.
I was completely amazed how many people saw these. They played during the Superbowl and I guess maybe that is the only time of year people don't fast forward through commercials. I have random people I have never met saying stuff to me. We were at the hospital the next day and they were all the buzz.
I do have to say I was quite proud of these. Not really for any profound thing that we said just because our friends at CMC thought we were worthy enough to share our experience. I feel a huge debt to them that I can never repay in anyway. They saved my child's life. So I am always trying to find a way to pay it back to them even if it is something small like this.
So here ya go:
First one is shorter version. I also learned Dayton Children's is in the top 11 of pediatric cancer hospitals in the country. Our small town should be so proud.
This is the longer one and our story is towards the end.
Finally, the reason Ally was at the hospital on Monday was to start her testing for the long term side effects. Several chemos are hard on the heart. They got a base echo and ekg the day she was diagnosed. So now we were gonna get our first look almost three years later. Dr Ross (our favorite) checked her out. He is married to one of Ally's favorite nurses in the clinic. I thought all was fine until he thought he saw a plastic piece of her port tubing still in her artery. UH...yea lets get that out. So we had to do some additional chest x-rays and wait for a very painful hour with her asking me...how will they get it out...do I have to have surgery again??!!....and me just praying for about an hour straight. Turned out to be OK. It was some scar tissue that basically grew around the port tubing since her port was in so long (2 years 7 months!) He said they would watch it and it will dissipate in time. Her other heart tests just showed some very mild changes and he said we have nothing to worry about for the time being. They will keep checking her every year.
Thanks for those of you still praying for our girl!
This is the one that is Jerad and I and Dr B. So glad they didn't use my words because I found that I completely froze up when having to talk to an inanimate object (camera) Luckily Jerad pulled through and did his part in 1 or 2 takes. vs. my 18. Think I will stick to the blog.
I was completely amazed how many people saw these. They played during the Superbowl and I guess maybe that is the only time of year people don't fast forward through commercials. I have random people I have never met saying stuff to me. We were at the hospital the next day and they were all the buzz.
I do have to say I was quite proud of these. Not really for any profound thing that we said just because our friends at CMC thought we were worthy enough to share our experience. I feel a huge debt to them that I can never repay in anyway. They saved my child's life. So I am always trying to find a way to pay it back to them even if it is something small like this.
So here ya go:
First one is shorter version. I also learned Dayton Children's is in the top 11 of pediatric cancer hospitals in the country. Our small town should be so proud.
Finally, the reason Ally was at the hospital on Monday was to start her testing for the long term side effects. Several chemos are hard on the heart. They got a base echo and ekg the day she was diagnosed. So now we were gonna get our first look almost three years later. Dr Ross (our favorite) checked her out. He is married to one of Ally's favorite nurses in the clinic. I thought all was fine until he thought he saw a plastic piece of her port tubing still in her artery. UH...yea lets get that out. So we had to do some additional chest x-rays and wait for a very painful hour with her asking me...how will they get it out...do I have to have surgery again??!!....and me just praying for about an hour straight. Turned out to be OK. It was some scar tissue that basically grew around the port tubing since her port was in so long (2 years 7 months!) He said they would watch it and it will dissipate in time. Her other heart tests just showed some very mild changes and he said we have nothing to worry about for the time being. They will keep checking her every year.
Thanks for those of you still praying for our girl!
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