Is this a dream??

I apologize for not updating the blog as regularly as I did before, but Aly is doing so well I am soaking it all up.  Writing this blog is a bit of therapy for me and updating it seems to remind me of all the hard times we went through this summer.  I realized that by not updating the blog, I was really just being selfish.  I know that she is doing great and acting like a healthy (nearly) 3 year old, but all of you that read this, don't know that. People assume that no news is good news, but I guess I should write about the good news too.

Well here goes .... Aly is fantastic.  She runs around and plays like any other child her age.  Her visits to clinic are getting easier, last week she even sat in the big green chair all on her own to get her gripper taken out (gripper is the needle that goes into her port and allows nurses to obtain blood and give her chemo) ..... she cried a little, but was SO BRAVE....I was so proud of her.  She is nearing the end of this round of treatment and people give me a strange look when I tell them I don`t know what is next for her treatment ...... it`s gonna be a tough round for her, so I am not ready to face that reality.  A couple of weeks ago I spoke with some other parents at the clinic whose kids are now in maintenance and they were talking about what to expect in Aly`s next round of treatment and gave me some tips on how they handled it.  But for now I am enjoying her laughs, her playfulness and even her saucy behaviour.  I swear that she is wise beyond her years - the things that come out of her mouth are unreal.  The other day we were on our way to a playdate with Denise and one of the kids from daycare, and while we were listening to the radio she heard the word `Watertown`.... she said, ``oh we can`t can`t go there Mommy ....`` ...after asking her why, she said because Mommy, we would get wet .... and we shouldn't get wet in our clothes``.  It was so funny.

So we are being careful and ensuring no-one is sick, but I am trying to get Aly out and playing with other kids in the park, or having some light playdates.  It might be a long winter in-doors and I think it`s important that she soak up all the fresh air and fun that fall has to offer.  This past week she was able to have playdate with one of the boys she went to daycare with.  Liam is such a sweet, loving little boy and they played so well together at the park.  They shared, they laughed and they played well together - it was go great to see.  Aly was also excited to see her favourite cousin Connor this weekend and little Grace.  We went to see his hockey game, then we went to Grannies and played for a few hours in the backyard, on the swing, in her playhouse and on the deck with her toys - - she had a blast!! 

No treatment this week, just antiobiotics to aid in preventing any infections that she might be exposed to.  Wed head back to the clinic on Oct 4th.

"RAISING HOPE FOR ALY" FUNDRAISER UPDATE from Denise.......

I'm sure that everyone is anxious to know how much we raised at the "Raising Hope for Aly" fundraiser on September 17th. I am proud to announce that we raised $7,900.00. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of their support and generous donations. The evening was a huge success! I would further like to thank everyone that has mailed me or has dropped off a donation for Aly and her family. With all of these donations pooled together we have raised over $10,0000. We should all be so proud for making a difference in the life of our LITTLE MISS ALY. Thank You!

Fundraiser Update - - a note from Denise!

Hi Everyone,

Now that we're into September, the "Raising Hope for Aly" fundraiser is not far off. Just a reminder that if your reservation has changed in anyway to please contact me at deener.25@hotmail.com
Names will be checked off at the door, and payment will be received at the door for the evening. Our silent auction items are amazing, and there is a fantastic variety of something for everyone. Just a reminder that cheques or cash are the method of payment for the auction. Seating at the restaurant is indoors and out, so please dress according to the temperatures (patio will be covered with a tent)

Looking forward to a fantastic evening. See you on the 17th!

Denise Leonard

Treatment Update

So Aly just completed her Consolidation phase of treatment with her last chemo pill tonight.  She has been taking a pill called mercaptopurine (orally) for the past 28 days and has been such a trooper.  In order to ensure she takes the pill with no issues, we have been disolving it in water and giving it to her with an oral syringe.  We call it her "important" medicine and each night we have to pretend to give it to her Yoda doll and her Darth Vadar "build-a-bear".  Those poor stuffed animals have to get chemo.

Tomorrow we are back at the cancer clinic at 9am for the first treatment in the next phase of her treatment.   This next phase is referred to as "Interim Maintenance I" and lasts for 8 weeks and consists of two types of IV chemo treatment ( Vincristine and Methotrexate) that she receives every 10 days in addition to one more spinal treatment on day 31.  I hope this is a long 8 weeks, because the next phase also runs for 8 weeks, but has 2 separate weeks of the dreaded dexamethasone ( steroid).  I dread this, but at least this time it's only for 5 day cycles .... and apparently just as the side-effects kick in, they are beginning to decline and nothing like they were when taken for 28 days .... not sure I could survive that again.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month !