Thursday 16 December 2010

Diagnosis Day

Today, December 17 is Amelia's D DAY, it's a day that we will never forget. It's a day we can choose to celebrate or it's a day we can choose to mourn.

We choose to CELEBRATE!

December 17, 2009 is the day that our beautiful daughter was able to take her life back. A lot had to change in order to do so, but we are so grateful for her cure, we are grateful for the lessons we have learned, we are grateful for a Savior that understands her pain and suffering, we are grateful for prayer and the power it has, we are grateful for other little ones that have done medical trails and turned Leukemia, a death sentence, into a 95% cure rate. We are grateful for family, for friends, for doctors, and nurses. We are grateful to be where we are in life and for your support.

I want to say THANK YOU to all of you that have followed our story. It's amazing how much we have been able to feel your prayers and love. I know that Amelia has done so well with her on going treatments because of the people from across the world praying for her. Amelia will continue her chemotherapy for another 14 months or so, and I hope you continue to stay with us and support our daughter in her fight to conquer cancer.
I originally intended to do a post with a bunch of pictures and stories from the past year, but I am just too tired. We were at the hospital all morning yesterday and we are on our way there again this morning. She has to get more antibiotics and some fluids. Her fever doesn't seem to want to go away. I'm super bummed! This is NOT the way I intended to spend the day, but when you have cancer you have to go immediately to clinic or the dreaded ER if it's after hours, just in cause of an infection. Instead of posting a bunch of individual pictures from Amelia's year I thought I would blog some of the old collages Brady and I have made instead.
Miss Millie before cancer took over her little body; September 28, 2009 (her 4th birthday)

December 17, 2009 (around 3 months later) the day I took her in for a blood test. It was very obvious that something wasn't right, just by looking at her. I hate that she got this bad.

Just a handful of pictures from our 1st week in the hospital.

Month 1 - Steroids take over our daughter physically and emotionally.


This one is from her 4th birthday before she was diagnosed through her 5th birthday.

September 28, 09-September 28, 10 MILLIE'S MAIL (thank you!!!)

Diagnosis Day to Today

December 17, 09- December 17, 10


Today we have a HAPPY, "HEALTHY", STUNNING little 5 year old.

18 comments:

Jesse C said...

With how much you've been through, I can't believe it has only been a year. I love that you choose to celebrate! What a great family.

Jodi said...

She's beautiful and strong and amazing.

Sherry said...

Love this little girl so much. She has taught us all so much and I am so thankful for the huge blessing she has been in my life. I love you ALL!!! xoxo

Briana said...

Happy Diagnosis Day - yay Millie for another year of life! And a year well spent kicking cancer's trash! :)

It really is a love/hate relationship with chemo, isn't it? When you see pictures of Millie from when she was so sick and the you see pictures of her so beautiful and healthy looking now, it makes you very happy for the medicine.

Stay strong cute little girl!

ashlie said...

I hate seeing her all puffy. That makes me sad. She looks beautiful. I can just image how strong she is going to grow up to be. She can beat this, she can beat anything.

McCall said...

I am so thankful that she was able to get through this! way to go Millie! and hats off to the rest of you as well, for always staying strong (even when you thought you were weak).

BTW... She is gorgeous!

Molly said...

Happy tears today for your wonderful update and to being almost half way done!

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking of you all day today. I definitely remember December 17th! I'm so glad this first year is over for all of you. I LOVE YOU AMELIA!!! - Miss Patti

lea said...

Im so grateful for other moms like you who share their stories...Its so nice to know Im not alone. That even in "good days", treatment wise, we can have bad days....and thats ok. Congrats on surviving the 1st year...I hear its MUCH easier after that!

ps-I cant believe how much Millies hair has grown since I saw you guys in November. Shes SO darling.

Eisha said...

She's so cute, I love the last pix!

Missy said...

What a crazy year it has been for your entire family! She looks fantastic, and we are so happy that her treatment is going so well. 12 months down, only 14 to go! You guys are so amazing.
Much love!
Ben and Missy

Danalisa said...

She is stunning and amazing. As are you all!!

Anonymous said...

One Year? I will remember that day for the rest of my life, whre we were, what was said. President Kennedy's assanation, 9/11, Elisabeth Smarts return and Millie's diagnosis day.

One year ago was stepping into the the unknown, hairloss, sickness, fear. Goes to show why we should just live the day we can when so much of what I worried about never came to be, and even the things that did where nothing like I had imagined.
We love you all so very much! Millie, you have been a great little teacher of strenth, faith, and goodness.
your grandma adores you and you are your grandpa's favorite kid your size.

Jim said...

Great post. Once again we're AMAZED by your honesty and the way your family thinks about things- then determines its attitude. We're taking notes. No, really. We're taking notes. Thanks.

lindsay Roscoe said...

I can't believe a year has passed. So much life has happened in one year. Heres to getting to where you get to start counting down the months.

Anonymous said...

You have all been such great examples to our family! Thanks for your visits and your constant support as we go through the cancer journey together. Millie is such a darling girl! We will pray that the next 14 months will pass quickly for you all!
--Marie and Rachel

Carly said...

She's the most adorable little girl! It was sure fun playing with her last week :)j

Chelsea said...

I haven't been able to get through this post without crying. You guys have come so far and you have done it with so much positivity. You guys have given us hope from the very beginning and I can never thank you enough for that. Millie is amazing and an example to many. We just love you guys and cant wait to be where you are!!! XOXOXO