The best news EVER!

Today, after 2 months of driving back and forth to ABQ, we finally got results from all the tests.

Alyssa has had CT Scan, Bone Density, Echo Cardio, Pulmonary Function, and Labs. ALL ARE CLEAN and yes, Dr. Winter said we could wait for 6 more months before we have to go in for another CT. THAT is the best news EVER!!!!

He said she looks good and he was so glad to see her having a great time at camp two weeks ago. He said it is nice to see these kids being kids instead of green, barfing and feeling ick after a few doses of their toxic cocktail to kill the cancer. He also said he isn't going to make her do CTs once a year because he's not a huge fan of the major doses of radiation they have to undergo so after one more year of Clean Scans he's going to have her only do yearly XRays as they deliver a much lower dose of radiation than the CTs.

We must have the worlds GREATEST Dr.!!!!

YES, tears are flowing - major tears of joy!!!!

Alyssa Update.

Yesterday was another very interesting Hospital day for us.

Our first appt was at 8 am (that's what time I usually milk goats - hah!)

to get her IV in and her labs drawn. While we were there they informed us that our insurance wasn't going to cover our CT scans. OH! Great! Sooooooo we went anyway and at the last minute were informed that no indeed - we'd have to wait until June for them to cover the CT scans.

So we had 3 hours before our next appt - which was at 1pm for a DEXA (bone density) scan.

Alyssa got a new bathing suit for Camp Enchantment (Camp for Kids with Cancer) which she goes to at the end of the month. We also have more tests on May 20th which include the ECHO and Pulmonary Functions tests. Then we should be meeting with Dr. Winter for our next move (game plan?) Oh, and this month is CLIFF's Amusement Park. The kids are sooooo looking forward to this one.....I guess you could consider it a perk to having a kid who had cancer (thanks but I'd skip Cliff's and Cancer if I could!) if there is such a thing. HOPEFULLY I will remember to get pics this year but I'm not counting on it. I am the milk tester for SWNDGC One Day Milk Test and will be driving back and forth to the canyon on top of going to Cliff's , I am not counting on having my brain fully functional.....But it will be a fun FULL weekend!

GREAT News!

Today was the Pre Op appt for Alyssa's port removal. Of everything we've gone thru this year this is one of the most looked forward to events. This means the Oncologist feels comfortable that we will not be doing any more treatments! Alyssa has been in remission for over 6 months now and we hope we are done forever with Chemo and Radiation! The port makes it easier for the Dr.s to access her often and not have to stick her in the arm constantly! Her port removal is scheduled for Monday January 25th, 2010. We aren't even 1 year out from her diagnosis and here we are! God is GOOD!

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Today Alyssa turns 15. I cannot believe my baby is 15 today. It bring tears to my eyes (tears of joy of course but still a little sad as I realize she's not really my little girl any more!!!) I think most especially because she is here to celebrate. I know there are many parents out there whose precious children did not make it because of Cancer and my heart really goes out to them today. I am abundantly blessed - my child is going to make it and most likely will be well!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me - I just wish I could give that joy to those other parents. Why should I be happy when they are grieving? I remember when Alyssa was a baby - this day seemed so far off. The day when she is old enough to drive (or at least get her learner's permit) that she is really old enough to get a job now, that we only have about 3 years left until she graduates High School and is off to college.......Sigh! (That is if I don't have to hold her back and keep working on her Freshman year.....) I'm really glad that we aren't going to be in the hospital or doing treatments today....now, what to do to surprise her!!!!

Oh My Gosh!

Life sure does have a way of sneaking back up on you. Tomorrow is Alyssa's appt with the radiologist so we are back on that again. I forgot that some folks haven't seen an Alyssa update in a while and I'm still obviously on vacation mode!!!! We need to go in early and get Alyssa's port flushed and heprenized before the Radiology appt. This isn't her first treatment - it is a consultation with the Dr. who will be doing the treatment. My guess is they will be telling us what they will be doing, getting her body pillow made and marking the spot for the radiation machine. REALITY is back!!!! Nope, we aren't on vacation any more!.
Since I'm here I wanted to share a few things. Thank you Auntie Nita for the really cool prayer square - a quilt square for Alyssa - so sweet and it is beautiful. I also wanted to Thank everyone who went to Applebee's for the fundraiser and Thank Applebees for making it possible to do the fundraiser for Alyssa. I also want to thank all of the folks who donated money even though they didn't go to the fundraiser - We can't even begin to tell you all much your support for Alyssa means to us!!!!!
I won't do it today but I would like to start getting the word out on my site about the wonderful
different organizations are out there that make the lives of these precious kids going thru cancer treatments a little easier. Not too long ago I told you all about a few of the ones we've been blessed by but there are more so maybe once a week I can do a tribute to these fine organizations out there. If you are ever looking for a place to donate money too - many of these are deserving candidates. I can't tell you how they have helped our family, lifted our spirits, blessed our children and brought smiles to faces of the kids fancing some pretty scary medical stuff!!! IF anyone wants/needs more information please let me know and I'm happy to share what I have/know!

Road Trip!

Well, we all decided that we needed a real vacation so we loaded up our truck and headed north. Grandma and Grandpa booked two condos up in Pagosa Springs and the whole family: Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bill, Auntie Megan, their kids and all of us.

I get up to Colorado and start taking pictures. IT is beautiful up there. We had rain nearly every day and we saw some of the most beautiful scenery.

I did NOT take near enough pictures while I was there but we sure had a good time.

We fished, walked, shopped, rode bikes, slept, watched TV, played games, played the Wii,

played putt putt, swam, beaded, drove around, and had a great time. This was a much needed time away from the reality of life right now. Like Alyssa said " I'd almost forgotten about it (the medical stuff)"

Lots of News

WE have lots of news so I'll divide it in two for those who want to only read Alyssa updates or those who like the goat news too. I wanted to post all of this earlier but our weekend was so busy I never had much time to sit down and write.
ALYSSA NEWS - Friday we had an appt with Dr. Winter and we didn't get the good news we expected - We got " the shrinkage in her tumor wasn't enough, I'm sorry Alyssa will now have to go thru 14 radiation treatments" GULP. What this means is that she will have two weeks M-F of daily treatments and then 4 days the next week. Also there will be an appt where they mold a pillow to her body the way they want it positioned so she stays still and right where they want her during treatments = Thankfully the treatments are quick and precise. Side effects short term are: sunburned skin at the site, tiredness and possibly nausea though most folks said they did not have nausea during the treatments - just tired and sunburned. Her and I have cried our piece now and we just need to wait for the call for us to go in and meet with our Pediatric Radiologist.
Today is also my appt with the Surgeon to determine when I will have the Thyroid half with the nodule removed. NOT really looking forward to this but it is time. I hope I can get it done before alyssa starts radiation.

GOAT NEWS - Joie and Twinkle went to a one day milk test this past weekend. Joie milked
3.8 lbs (compared to 3.2 last year when she earned her star for AGS) we are trying to earn her star in ADGA. Twinkle milked 2.2 lbs as a First Freshener so I doubt she'd earn her star. HOWEVER - even if she did she would get it as her tattoo in her right ear was unreadable so I will be re-tattooing! PTHTHTHT!!!

Update on Aly

Well, yesterday I got out of the shower after a long day homeschooling and got a message that made my heart sink. They wanted to move Alyssa's appt to tomorrow(Thursday) instead of next Thursday. I guess they think that because the cells from the FNA came back abnormal they are ready to pursue the Giant behind door number 3 - Lymphoma. The appt. tomorrow is to discuss them doing a open biopsy where they remove part of the tissue of the swollen Lymph node to do further testing to determine if it is in fact Lymphoma. Needless to say - mom is a basketcase. Dad is a flurry of pursuing all natural options and doing research and Alyssa is moving on like nothing is happening. I so wish I could do that. I cry at the drop of a hat - i spent from 4:11am to 5:45am tossing and turning. Preparing myself for what might come and praying HARD. I am trying to be as realistic as possible. Trying to prepare for the events to come and realize what is really important and what is not. I am staring selling my herd in the face because I do not know if I can do this right now and care for my daughter IF it is Lymphoma. I think I am glad I sold down this past year to those i thought were really outstanding and was willing to cull ruthlessly this year and next. It makes it a little easier to part with them if the need should arise. I stepped down as the assistant leader of our 4H club last night. I am getting ready to step down as Show Secretary for the Quad show this May as well. I just don't need anything extra on my plate right now. I need to be here and not scattered all over stretching myself thin for the duration. I just have to get thru it. Thank GOD that I have the support system and family I have or I do not know how I'd get through this at all. I know I am blessed beyond measure even in the trials and tribulations of life. I am very concerned for my daughter - she is so quiet about all that is happening to her - opening up isn't really her strong suit so I just want to be there for her.....whatever she needs of me. And watching Suzy and Nik be so loving and caring toward their sister is beautiful.....I just love my kids so much and this is really bringing to me the reality of what REALLY is important in life. Hug you loved ones this Valentine's Day and tell them how much they mean to you......don't wait until something scary happens. I know that God is in control and I am not and I'm really learning what it means to cling to HIM. Believe me, I'm clinging. And thank those folks in your life who are there for you - you never really realize what a blessing they are until something like this happens and you get so many calls, emails, etc
that tell you they are there for you - and by all means - if someone is going thru something rough - be there for them! It means a lot - I love you all and am so thankful and grateful for each one of you who have called or written to offer your support, prayers and care for us and our kids. You all mean the world to us right now even if it seems like I'm not available - I'm thanking HIM for each of you!!!!!