Date: January 4, 2011
Bravery Bead Count: 532
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January 4, 2011 Exactly 3 years ago today, we received the difficult news that Rachel had cancer. It is a day that we reflect back and relive every single moment of the day, as if it were yesterday. It’s a constant reminder of the suffering she had to endure and of the side effects we still see today….physically and emotionally.
Although it’s a difficult day to remember, and we are still dealing with the post-trauma, we must force ourselves to look forward and be grateful for where we are today….7 months in remission.
In the past month, we have received horrible news of other children’s (families we met through this journey) cancer returning. This news is devastating to all our families and it makes us realize how childhood cancer needs to be heard and Rachel will never give up her dream to help fight for other children.
December 25, 2010
At this time of year we wish to thank you – our treasured supporters – for believing in Rachel’s dream and for making 2010 a successful fundraising year!
Your gift has given HOPE to all children battling cancer.
With warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy and Healthy 2011! Love,Rachel & Family
Rachel has generally been keeping well, although the month of December was particularily difficult for her. We were concerned, although her recent check up showed she remains in remission. This is a very special Christmas for Rachel, as it is the first time in three years that we are spending the holidays at home.
Aug 30, 2010
At the beginning of the summer, Rachel decided to make a list of things she wanted to do, since this was the first summer in years that she was off harsh treatments. We enjoyed many activities as a family and she recently spent two weeks at Camp Ooch (a camp for kids with cancer) and had a great time! Our recent hospital visits and frequent blood tests show that she is doing well so far, other than some other issues that we are currently dealing with. She is both excited and nervous to begin school next week. She has been looking forward to being able to finally attend school and to start Gr.1, although this is all quite new for her, which is causing some anxiety. The 3rd Annual Rachel’s Rainbow was a great success…thank you to all who supported us! Rachel couldn’t have done it without you!
July 5, 2010
Rachel was not able to attend school much in the last two years while undergoing treatment, so needless to say that when she graduated from Senior Kindergarten two weeks ago, she was so proud! When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said she wanted to work in the medical field to help sick children.
We are busy getting ready for our 3rd Annual Fundraiser - Saturday the 10th! Rachel is very excited and hopes to see you there!
May 20, 2010
929 days ago, we received a phone call that would change our lives... May 20, 2010 we received another phone call. After a 2½ year battle, we are overjoyed and thankful to God, to share the news that Rachel's tests have come back and they are clear of cancer. Such a celebration, when there were days when we wondered if she would even make it here.
Although we are thrilled, we understand that this is a very crucial time as well. She will continue her usual hospital visits (monthly) to ensure she remains in remission. We also learned that her blood and bone marrow will take at least one year to fully recover from these harsh treatments and we will have to deal with some long term effects that chemo has had on her little body.
She will remain on certain medication because of her compromised immune system and weakened lungs. If there is one thing we learned from this journey, it is to take one day at a time. We will deal with things as they come, but for today, we will celebrate every healthy day! Thanks again for all the prayers and support!
May 4, 2010
Rachel spent her 6th birthday unlike any other. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, her wish to visit Disney World was granted and we were able to spend a week at Give Kids The World Village (a resort for children with life-threatening illnesses) and were absolutely spoiled. This village exists to allow the wish child (and family) to just have fun, be a kid and get a break from hospitals, treatments, etc....and they do a great job!
Between character visits, carousel rides, all day ice cream, feeding dolphins, horseback riding, visits to Disney's Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal, Seaworld, Aquatica....we all felt like kids again. We will be forever grateful to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and all the wonderful people who made this dream come true. It truly boosted Rachel's spirits.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know that the memories we made on this trip will last with us forever.
The month of May marks 2 1/2 years of Rachel's treatment protocol. We are anxiously awaiting the final treatments, tests, procedures and finally surgery in order for Rachel to begin her new journey.
January 10, 2010
To date, Rachel has completed 24 months of chemo. Her current treatment schedule includes receiving oral chemo at home daily and treatment at SickKids every 10-14 days. It has been quite difficult for Rachel to enjoy normal activities in the past few months. In October, her legs were fitted with casts for 5 weeks. That, combined with her regular scheduled chemo treatments and unexpected hospital stays, made it impossible for her to attend school. As a family, we spent Christmas at the hospital for the second year in a row, due to a combination of fevers and neutropenia. We are grateful to have made it home for New Year's.
January 4, 2010 was a very special day. It marked two years of Rachel's heroic battle. Although it is not over, we are very proud of her courage, strength, and amazing spirit throughout her journey.
