Out of 3 daughters Mimi is our middle child, older sister Iza by 3 minutes and a younger sister Magi by 3 years. Mimi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on August 12, 2009. After 2 years, 2 months and 26 days on November 6th, 2011 she took her last chemo pill and is considered OFF Treatment! This is our story of our journey through childhood cancer.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Clinic Day (Yesterday)

We made a quick trip to the clinic to check counts which were fine. Miss Magi got to go she was very excited to see Mimi's nurses who she got to play with at Six Flags last week (see photo). She thought her big sister was very brave at the clinic. After some foot massages and taking too many stickers we were back home for a day filled with fun in the sun and a Hannah over for a sleepover!

Counts:
WBC - 1.55
Hgb - 11.7
Platelets - 131
Neutrophil - 780

Ahhhhhh Shark!


Thanks Griffin's Friends for a fun day last weekend. I braved Six Flags with the three girls in the 600 Degree weather and the 200% humidity and the kid that SHOULD have been tired (Mimi) was the only one that kept saying "More, More!" It was a great day spent with some super awesome staff from the clinic!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

We HEART Camp Sunshine!!!

I was pretty sure we would have fun. We had so much more than that.

The drive to Maine was relaxing, perfect blue sky and green all around, all three monkeys sleeping. From the minute we parked the car to check in we had "yellow shirt" volunteers helping us in whatever we needed mostly running after Magi.

The energy through the whole camp was so positive everyone wanted to be there, to have fun and to make sure the kids were happy. Everyone there was on a road of uncertainty but with one goal, to live happy. Kids became friends instantly with other kids just like them and with counselors some who once were the kids at camp. I had the chance to meet parents going through similar challenges and be able to listen and even learn. I listened to a forum of teenage campers, some in treatment some siblings of cancer patients, all wise beyond their years sharing their fears as well as accomplishments. This week was much needed.

During the week we also had some celebrities at camp NESN employees came up to volunteer and have some fun with the kids, in the video you can see us in the background and a shot of Magi with Mike Wozowski.


click for larger image

All the campers decorated wooden wish boats, one night after dinner everyone met at the water and after their candle on the boat was lit they set them in the water and made a wish. I am not sure how I managed to get this photo since my eyes were filled with tears but I caught the moment Mimi wished.

Yey to smashmellows, campfires, songs, lots of silly bandz trading, new friends, naps, tree climbing, yummy food, chocolate milk with every meal, smiles, answers, paddle boats, ice cream, turkey dinner, all the wonderful volunteers who will hold a spacial place in our hearts. Tracy for being a Lapierre gal for the week ;) I can go on forever! The girls can't wait to go back!

THANK YOU CAMP SUNSHINE AND TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE!

Enjoy the video! We heard this sond LOTS of times during camp.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Packed.

After a rocky Wednesday everyone is looking good and feeling great.

So...
GPS charged.
Camera charged.
Pharmacy packed.

We are almost ready to start a week of fun!!!

Today we go to Six Flags for a picnic and some rides. Not the Superman ride although Mimi is convinced she grew enough since last month and is able to go on it. After a day of fun we are driving to auntie Tracy's house to hang out with some awesome aunties and Sunday morning we will drive up to Camp Sunshine in Maine.

We will miss you Daddy Dan, stay out of trouble! ;)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Clinic Day.

What a day.

First counts are not awful but not great either. I guess the good thing is they have gone up since last week just not by much. She took her Methotrexate tonight (it is taken once a week unless counts are under 500) and se will also take her nightly chemo pill and I am hoping that her counts will continue going up. I am trying to think positive for her, she is really looking forward to all the fun starting on Friday, we all are.

Today's Counts:
WBC - 2.07
Hgb - 11.3
Platelets - 175
Neutrophil - 620

Iza has been "off" for the last couple of days. Just extra whiny and throwing some tantrums that I was really thinking we were done listening to. She has also been sleep walking and all of this is just NOT sitting well with me. To top it off she was in tears tonight saying her head hurt alot, five minutes later she was throwing up for an hour. Dan gave her a shower and put her to bed at 5:30. I hope she is all better tomorrow morning.

And of course Magi had to join the show today... She fell asleep at 5 on the couch I transferred her to her bed and so far she is still there.

Tonight for the first night since Mimi started Maintenance I am going to bed at 8pm setting my alarm for 10 to give Mimi her pill. I have a feeling I might have some early risers in the morning.

Oh and one more thing the tooth fairy is coming tonight for Mimi!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Ice Cream for Breakfast?!


Give Kids the World is having their annual awareness and fundraising campaign, Ice Cream for Breakfast!

Donate and Share a Scoop of Hope! We have found a scoop perfect to fit everyone in the family, probably the best one is Bacon flavor, perfect since all Magi ate at GKTW was ice cream and bacon.

Here she is with her FAVORITE Chocolate Ice Cream.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Clinic Day.

It is a million degrees outside, okay so maybe just 103 according to my car, but it is HOT! So other than the clinic we will be staying home for the most part. Mimi got her port accessed, while getting her feet rubbed, got her chemo (Vincristine)and we waited for counts. Which were not so great, but we will continue all chemo and check counts next week to make sure they are going up. Which I really hope they do because she is very excited to go to Six Flags next Friday with everyone from clinic, thank you to Griffin's Friends! Next weekend we are planning to drive to Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. So we need good counts! Today is also a start to a five day steroid pulse.

Today's Counts:
WBC - 1.26
Hgb - 11.2
Platelets - 173
Neutrophil - 580

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Live Happy and Be Monkey!

This weekend felt like a vacation! Even though I worked a bit everyday we had a blast it was a perfect do nothing planned but have loads of fun weekend. Part of it was maybe that on Friday when Mimi did not feel well all day, I though we might not be doing anything at all, but when she woke up Saturday morning re-energized and ready to have fun that is exactly what we did and then some! You just never know what tomorrow will bring so live happy and be monkey!

loads of giggles SUN hugs & kisses movies pool sleeping in! puzzles pretzel m&ms auntie tracy staying up pedal/paddle boats burritos silly bandz



Friday, July 2, 2010

Tired.

That is how Mimi seems today. She woke up with some aches and pains, took an early nap, played for a bit so I thought she bounced back but she fell asleep again this afternoon and two and a half hours later is still sleeping. No fever though. I called clinic today so they are aware of her odd day. I am just hoping it does not turn into anything on this long weekend.