Monday, April 9, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Shining Stars Ski Trip
Lily had so much fun on her ski trip to Colorado.
 |
| She skied standing up AND sitting down :) |
 |
| She played in the snow |
 |
| And showed off her mad dance skills |
 |
| Made lots of friends |
 |
| And made everyone laugh |
 |
| A big thank you to everyone who gave of their time, energy and love to make this a very special time that Lily will always remember! Denver news clip about the trip: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/30690343/index.html |
Friday, March 2, 2012
Marvelous March: Exciting Adventures Await
Today the PCH clinic had an end of treatment party for Lily.
Lily is also looking forward to being in the fashion show this weekend and next weekend she goes on her ski trip to Aspen, Colorado with the Shining Stars Foundation. This trip is going to be an amazing experience for her. She will be gone 8 days and will have daily one on one ski instruction and lots of fun activities.
And to top it all off, Make a Wish Foundation is going to grant Lily a wish!!
Her wish?
To have her own private Victorian cottage playhouse/ art studio in our backyard!
This is how excited she was:
 |
| Hooray! No more chemo! |
Lily is also looking forward to being in the fashion show this weekend and next weekend she goes on her ski trip to Aspen, Colorado with the Shining Stars Foundation. This trip is going to be an amazing experience for her. She will be gone 8 days and will have daily one on one ski instruction and lots of fun activities.
And to top it all off, Make a Wish Foundation is going to grant Lily a wish!!
Her wish?
To have her own private Victorian cottage playhouse/ art studio in our backyard!
 | |||
| This is is sort of what she is envisioning. Source: The New York Times |
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Lily's MRI and PET scan did not indicate the presence of any cancer in her body!!
Her doctor's appointment to review the results isn't until Friday but I couldn't wait that long-- I called the doctor the day after her scans and he confirmed that she is in remission and that as long as her scans continue to look good, she is done with treatment.
So although this is her second negative scan, we are doubly excited because Lily is not only in remission, she is finished with her year long intensive chemotherapy treatment!!
This is truly an amazing miracle and we are incredibly grateful that things have gone so well. It's been a tough year and Lily has had to be so strong through it all. She is certainly proof of the power of love and positive thinking!
Lily has never once doubted that she would get better and through all the many, many chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she never lost her focus. No matter how sick she felt, she simply accepted it all with the grace that only a child could have.
For us, this was important. There was no anger toward the cancer. For us, this was not a "fight" or a "battle" to be "won" or "lost." Although I think many people like to use that metaphor, we do not. For us, it is a matter of accepting what is, dealing with it, and moving on. I learned how to do this from Lily. When Lily first got sick, I remember saying, "Life is hard enough without cancer." This past year has taught me that it's all in your perception. Life is only as hard as you make it. A heart full of love and gratitude is the best antidote to a mind full of doubt and worry.
Her doctor's appointment to review the results isn't until Friday but I couldn't wait that long-- I called the doctor the day after her scans and he confirmed that she is in remission and that as long as her scans continue to look good, she is done with treatment.
So although this is her second negative scan, we are doubly excited because Lily is not only in remission, she is finished with her year long intensive chemotherapy treatment!!
This is truly an amazing miracle and we are incredibly grateful that things have gone so well. It's been a tough year and Lily has had to be so strong through it all. She is certainly proof of the power of love and positive thinking!
Lily has never once doubted that she would get better and through all the many, many chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she never lost her focus. No matter how sick she felt, she simply accepted it all with the grace that only a child could have.
For us, this was important. There was no anger toward the cancer. For us, this was not a "fight" or a "battle" to be "won" or "lost." Although I think many people like to use that metaphor, we do not. For us, it is a matter of accepting what is, dealing with it, and moving on. I learned how to do this from Lily. When Lily first got sick, I remember saying, "Life is hard enough without cancer." This past year has taught me that it's all in your perception. Life is only as hard as you make it. A heart full of love and gratitude is the best antidote to a mind full of doubt and worry.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
One thing I’ve learned this past year: even when things seem at their worst, there is always hope.
Hope is the center of light that keeps you going when you are otherwise surrounded by darkness. Amazingly, it is that darkness itself that allows you to behold the beauty that is hope and love. Knowing this instills gratitude in my heart regardless of what each day unfolds.
To all of those radiant souls who have lit our path this past year with your love, your generosity, your faith and your hope, I send a heartfelt Thank You, from my heart to yours.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Renaissance Fun
Lily was so excited to go to the Renaissance Festival this year and we had a terrific time!! Of course we had to dress up, eat turkey legs, watch the joust and shop til we were ready to drop!
My favorite part was lounging here in the grass and watching the drum and bagpipe show called Tartanic:
Gotta love men in skirts playing musical instruments!!
Although Lily was tired by the end of the day, she is so much stronger than she was at this time last year and I am so very thankful for that. Each day is a blessing!
My favorite part was lounging here in the grass and watching the drum and bagpipe show called Tartanic:
Gotta love men in skirts playing musical instruments!!
Although Lily was tired by the end of the day, she is so much stronger than she was at this time last year and I am so very thankful for that. Each day is a blessing!
My Crafty Valentine
We had a fun Valentine's Day craft party this year.
 |
| Lily 'n Lacey making beauteous valentines |
 |
| Lily made Lovey a valentine outfit out of one of my old sweaters |
 |
| Lily and I made Homemade treats for our lucky valentines |
 |
| Love rocks!! Yes, it does. |
 |
| Lily's eccentric valentine gloves made from an old sweater :) |
Lily and I have become super crafters!! Our new thing? Instead of donating old clothes, we have been recycling them into awesome new items. Cleaning out my closet yielded us lots of inspiration! A tunic top that I had for years because I loved the material, (but never wore because it didn't look right) became a stretchy headband with attached matching flowers and two different scarf head wraps. Another weird silk top that I bought for $ 3.00 because the fabric was amazing became the coolest matching pillows:
Instead of buying new things, we've been looking around the house for things that we can transform. One of our favorite ways to do this is by collage/ decoupage. I made this large sign for my kitchen from a piece of scrap wood, scrapbook paper and paint:
 |
| All you need is love and maybe a little imagination :) |
Sunday, February 5, 2012
We've Got Eggs!!
Our chickens have been laying for the last few weeks.
Lily loves eggs and it makes me glad to know that these ones are coming from happy, organic fed chickens.
During chemo, she craves certain foods and can only eat those foods. I'm glad that her most recent cravings have included all kinds of soups. One of her favorites is egg drop soup; how convenient that we've got plenty of eggs!
It's incredibly quick, easy and yummy:
Egg Drop Soup
4 cups chicken broth (I use organic "Better Than Bouillon" to make my broth. I'm curious how it would taste with a vegetable broth?)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup of chopped carrot
1/4 cup of mushrooms
1/4 cup of corn
chopped green onion
2 eggs
The great thing about this soup is how fast it is to make. It only takes a fraction of the time most soups take to make. You can also use any veggies you particularly like or have on hand. I think water chestnuts and peas would be especially good too.
In a medium sauce pan, bring broth and veggies to a boil. In a small bowl, mix a small amount of the broth with the cornstarch to dissolve, then stir into the pan. The broth should begin to thicken. If you like your soup thicker, add more cornstarch. If you don't care about thickness, leave the cornstarch out. It won't affect the taste.
In a separate bowl, scramble the eggs. Once your broth is how you like it and your veggies are cooked enough, stir in the scrambled eggs. The eggs quickly cook in the boiling broth. Top with green onions and viola! you're done-- 10 minutes tops.
During chemo, she craves certain foods and can only eat those foods. I'm glad that her most recent cravings have included all kinds of soups. One of her favorites is egg drop soup; how convenient that we've got plenty of eggs!
It's incredibly quick, easy and yummy:
Egg Drop Soup
4 cups chicken broth (I use organic "Better Than Bouillon" to make my broth. I'm curious how it would taste with a vegetable broth?)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup of chopped carrot
1/4 cup of mushrooms
1/4 cup of corn
chopped green onion
2 eggs
The great thing about this soup is how fast it is to make. It only takes a fraction of the time most soups take to make. You can also use any veggies you particularly like or have on hand. I think water chestnuts and peas would be especially good too.
In a medium sauce pan, bring broth and veggies to a boil. In a small bowl, mix a small amount of the broth with the cornstarch to dissolve, then stir into the pan. The broth should begin to thicken. If you like your soup thicker, add more cornstarch. If you don't care about thickness, leave the cornstarch out. It won't affect the taste.
In a separate bowl, scramble the eggs. Once your broth is how you like it and your veggies are cooked enough, stir in the scrambled eggs. The eggs quickly cook in the boiling broth. Top with green onions and viola! you're done-- 10 minutes tops.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Long Chemo Week Over!
Lily had chemo everyday this week. It was Vincristine and Irinotecan, which made her feel so sick in the beginning of her treatment. What a difference this week was!
Lily has been eating, gaining weight and feeling relatively good. Each day was a countdown to the end of her treatment, which is coming up soon. She is scheduled for chemo Monday (Vincristine), then she will have another PET scan. If everything still looks good, she will be officially finished with treatment and will only need to go in for evaluations every 3 months.
We are excited/ anxious to see the results of her scan and will obviously keep everyone updated!! Please keep Lily in your thoughts/prayers...she's gonna rock this thing!
In other news, she is planning to attend a ski camp in March. The camp is in Aspen, Colorado and is funded by Shining Stars Foundation. It's going to be an awesome experience and Lily will have one on one instruction to learn how to ski!
Lily will also take part in a fashion show in March to benefit the Children's Cancer Network. Click here to register if you are interested in attending.
We are excited/ anxious to see the results of her scan and will obviously keep everyone updated!! Please keep Lily in your thoughts/prayers...she's gonna rock this thing!
In other news, she is planning to attend a ski camp in March. The camp is in Aspen, Colorado and is funded by Shining Stars Foundation. It's going to be an awesome experience and Lily will have one on one instruction to learn how to ski!
Lily will also take part in a fashion show in March to benefit the Children's Cancer Network. Click here to register if you are interested in attending.
Friday, January 20, 2012
One of my New Year's resolutions is to stop buying unnecessary crap stuff, and when I do purchase something, to be more conscious of how it's made and where it comes from before I decide to buy it. In general, I also try to buy things used, as this can really help to reduce our carbon footprint.
Likewise, buying organic foods is not only healthier for our family, but also benefits our Earth. To go along with this, another goal I've made this year is to buy more local organic produce (I want to make the Farmer's Market a weekly habit) and to eat less meat.
Lily and I wanted to share with any of our readers this great documentary we recently watched called Dirt! The Movie:
This movie really makes you realize how precious this simple resource is and how important it is to protect it.
Lily has always been conscientious about protecting our Planet, and she even educates me on the subject. I still remember how she banned any products containing palm oil from our house more than 2 years ago when she was only 9. While we were at the zoo, she had learned about the effects of deforestation due to palm plantations being planted in places like Indonesia. She became very concerned about the effect the deforestation had on the wildlife in that area.
Soon after this, she discovered that Girl Scout cookies contain palm oil. Being a Girl Scout, this was a source of concern for her. I'm proud of her for sticking to her principles and choosing to raise money for her troop by other means instead of selling cookies.
Lily is certainly a singular individual and I've always taught her to embrace her uniqueness and to think for herself. Having to live through Cancer has only reinforced these qualities in her. She has a source of inner strength that amazes me. It is my hope that she will use this strength, her desire to help others, and her creativity to really make a difference in the world as she grows into an adult.
Another great documentary that we have watched is the movie Bag It. We watched this movie on channel 8 last year (I don't think it's available for free online, but is definitely worth purchasing). It's sobering when you realize how much plastic humans consume. What can we do?!! Awareness is only the beginning:
Another resolution of mine is to reduce our family's consumption of plastic. It's not enough to just recycle the plastic that we purchase. We also need to really think about the purchases that we make and what we can do to make a difference within our own lives.
Like a small ripple in a pond, we never know how our choices can affect the whole. As a parent, it is my responsibility to teach my children that their choices are important and that their actions show what kind of person they are.
When it comes to shopping bags, we use reusable ones. However, I will admit that there are times when we forget to bring our reusable bags (I will be better about this!) and we wind up with a bunch of plastic bags. Usually, we take these to be recycled at the grocery store. Recently, though, Lily and I discovered how to make plarn (plastic + yarn = plarn) to use in crochet. I'm making a cute striped reusable shopping bag (out of shopping bags) and Lily has been really helpful with connecting the strips of plastic for me.
More to come about this fun project!
Likewise, buying organic foods is not only healthier for our family, but also benefits our Earth. To go along with this, another goal I've made this year is to buy more local organic produce (I want to make the Farmer's Market a weekly habit) and to eat less meat.
Lily and I wanted to share with any of our readers this great documentary we recently watched called Dirt! The Movie:
This movie really makes you realize how precious this simple resource is and how important it is to protect it.
Lily has always been conscientious about protecting our Planet, and she even educates me on the subject. I still remember how she banned any products containing palm oil from our house more than 2 years ago when she was only 9. While we were at the zoo, she had learned about the effects of deforestation due to palm plantations being planted in places like Indonesia. She became very concerned about the effect the deforestation had on the wildlife in that area.
Soon after this, she discovered that Girl Scout cookies contain palm oil. Being a Girl Scout, this was a source of concern for her. I'm proud of her for sticking to her principles and choosing to raise money for her troop by other means instead of selling cookies.
Lily is certainly a singular individual and I've always taught her to embrace her uniqueness and to think for herself. Having to live through Cancer has only reinforced these qualities in her. She has a source of inner strength that amazes me. It is my hope that she will use this strength, her desire to help others, and her creativity to really make a difference in the world as she grows into an adult.
Another great documentary that we have watched is the movie Bag It. We watched this movie on channel 8 last year (I don't think it's available for free online, but is definitely worth purchasing). It's sobering when you realize how much plastic humans consume. What can we do?!! Awareness is only the beginning:
Another resolution of mine is to reduce our family's consumption of plastic. It's not enough to just recycle the plastic that we purchase. We also need to really think about the purchases that we make and what we can do to make a difference within our own lives.
Like a small ripple in a pond, we never know how our choices can affect the whole. As a parent, it is my responsibility to teach my children that their choices are important and that their actions show what kind of person they are.
When it comes to shopping bags, we use reusable ones. However, I will admit that there are times when we forget to bring our reusable bags (I will be better about this!) and we wind up with a bunch of plastic bags. Usually, we take these to be recycled at the grocery store. Recently, though, Lily and I discovered how to make plarn (plastic + yarn = plarn) to use in crochet. I'm making a cute striped reusable shopping bag (out of shopping bags) and Lily has been really helpful with connecting the strips of plastic for me.
More to come about this fun project!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Hooray for Friday!
Lily has had chemo every day this week, and she's been so brave. Monday when she woke up she had a sore throat, so on top of nasty chemo, she has had to deal with that. Also, with her port accessed, she has a hard time getting comfortable and finds it difficult to sleep well at night.
The good thing is that she has kept her appetite all week, although with her sore throat, she hasn't wanted much more than soup. Luckily, making all sorts of yummy soups is kind of my specialty!
We are so glad it's Friday. And, it's a 3 day weekend! Next week, Lily only has one day of chemo, then she is off for a week. After that, she repeats the cycle of 5 days straight followed by one day. And then...her treatment schedule is complete.
We will go in for another evaluation after that point.
The good thing is that she has kept her appetite all week, although with her sore throat, she hasn't wanted much more than soup. Luckily, making all sorts of yummy soups is kind of my specialty!
We are so glad it's Friday. And, it's a 3 day weekend! Next week, Lily only has one day of chemo, then she is off for a week. After that, she repeats the cycle of 5 days straight followed by one day. And then...her treatment schedule is complete.
We will go in for another evaluation after that point.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Lily has been researching the Plains Indians and she created this diorama:
She made the patterns for the tepees, then cut them out and put everything together on her own. She researched Native American tepee designs and painted her models.
Now that she knows so much about the subject, I'm determined to purchase a real tepee. We want to spend the summer in Idaho and pitch our tepee on our land near my dad's family. It would be our base camp as we explore the area- Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons specifically.
Call me crazy, but I can't think of anything more fun than living in a tepee for a summer in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Happy New Year
Although I didn't get as much accomplished during my holiday vacation as I wanted to (the garage is still an unorganized mess), I did get some much needed time to focus on renewing and recharging my energies.
A large part of this was due to the fact that Lily hasn't had chemo (or any doctor appointments for that matter!) in over 3 weeks. This is one of the longest breaks that she has had in her treatment. She was initially scheduled for the chemotherapy Irinotecan for 5 days straight the week before Christmas, but we knew that if she stuck with that schedule, she would be sick for Christmas weekend and we really didn't want that. Then, for the two weeks following Christmas, the east valley clinic was closed on Monday and rather than going to Phoenix for treatment, we decided to take a long break to just enjoy the holidays without having to worry about it.
It's been wonderful to see her feeling so well. Her hair is starting to grow back and she's gained some weight. She's been running around, playing with her friends in the neighborhood, and her wheelchair is now just another thing to clutter my garage!
My one wish for the new year is that she will continue to heal and grow into the beautiful young woman I know she can be. My artistic, funny, original, smart, caring girl. How I love her!
During my time off, I spent a lot of time reflecting and it's helped me to feel recharged and ready to face whatever 2012 brings.
Lily is scheduled for chemo on Monday and it's hard to think about going back. It's also hard to know if these rounds of chemo are truly necessary at this point. We are trusting the doctors who tell us that according to research, the likelihood of the cancer coming back is lessened if Lily finishes the entire course of treatment that was prescribed. And this makes sense, I mean, think about it- when you have an infection, you don't stop taking antibiotics as soon as you feel better. You are told to take the entire course of treatment to ensure that your illness doesn't come back.
The last thing we want is for the cancer to come back.
A large part of this was due to the fact that Lily hasn't had chemo (or any doctor appointments for that matter!) in over 3 weeks. This is one of the longest breaks that she has had in her treatment. She was initially scheduled for the chemotherapy Irinotecan for 5 days straight the week before Christmas, but we knew that if she stuck with that schedule, she would be sick for Christmas weekend and we really didn't want that. Then, for the two weeks following Christmas, the east valley clinic was closed on Monday and rather than going to Phoenix for treatment, we decided to take a long break to just enjoy the holidays without having to worry about it.
It's been wonderful to see her feeling so well. Her hair is starting to grow back and she's gained some weight. She's been running around, playing with her friends in the neighborhood, and her wheelchair is now just another thing to clutter my garage!
My one wish for the new year is that she will continue to heal and grow into the beautiful young woman I know she can be. My artistic, funny, original, smart, caring girl. How I love her!
During my time off, I spent a lot of time reflecting and it's helped me to feel recharged and ready to face whatever 2012 brings.
 |
| Bring on 2012 |
The last thing we want is for the cancer to come back.
Tea for Two?
Lily and I have been taking daily tea time. It was her idea and it has turned into so much fun. It's so nice to take a break from the day and relax outdoors in this beautiful weather. We highly recommend it!
Here's our top ten tips for making the most of your tea time.
10. If it's sunny out, don't forget your parasol!
9. It's more fun if you dress up
8. Turn on some water and enjoy watching birds take a bath/ come get a drink
7. Make your own tea
6.You'll need a pretty cup! Thrift stores always have a selection of fancy tea cups for cheap
5. If you're hungry, keep in mind that the simplest food gets fancy if you cut it up small and stick a toothpick in it
4. Bring a friend
3. Your friend does not need to be human
2. Lounge on the ground, not on a chair! You sit on chairs all day. Stretch a bit. It feels soo good.
1. Finish your tea, lay on your back, and look at the endless blue sky. Relax and smile.
Here's our top ten tips for making the most of your tea time.
10. If it's sunny out, don't forget your parasol!
8. Turn on some water and enjoy watching birds take a bath/ come get a drink
7. Make your own tea
 |
| Mint grows easily and makes yummy tea |
6.You'll need a pretty cup! Thrift stores always have a selection of fancy tea cups for cheap
5. If you're hungry, keep in mind that the simplest food gets fancy if you cut it up small and stick a toothpick in it
4. Bring a friend
3. Your friend does not need to be human
2. Lounge on the ground, not on a chair! You sit on chairs all day. Stretch a bit. It feels soo good.
1. Finish your tea, lay on your back, and look at the endless blue sky. Relax and smile.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)