Oh my blog, I have been away too long.
School has started for me. I am enrolled in six courses for the summer semester at Tidewater Community College. I am taking all of my classes online, and it is a load of work - sixteen credit hours.
I know it will be worth it when I earn my degree, so I am pushing myself to be motivated and successful.
Summer, of course, is in the air. This means I am due for a "blog-over" very soon, and also that I will be going for another visit to my North Carolina home.
I haven't seen my family in two months, and I am thrilled to have the ability to type here that I will be leaving tomorrow for a ten day visit with my family and friends.
I am sad to leave my Jordan, though. Nine nights without him will be hard, as leaving him always is. I hate to be away from him, and it has been this way since the first time we looked at one another. Some will say we argue too much, but our petty disagreements have nothing on the love we have, a love I believe can withstand any trial, as we sure have been tested.
Speaking of tests, we are going through them still today. We have been married over a year and still don't really have our feet on the ground. It is hard to admit, but painfully true. I know full well that others have far more painful trials, so I try not to complain, but if anyone reading this could just pray for us, I know my God is listening.
I have nothing else to blog at this particular moment, but I am ready for an eventful summer.
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Oh, yeah! I forgot! (Almost!)
I wanted to post about the adorable baby birds we found in the window of the Field's garage last night when we went over for the bonfire!
They were so tiny, and adorable! Here's a video of them chirping and wishing their mother would come back with dinner! Baby Birds!
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
They were so tiny, and adorable! Here's a video of them chirping and wishing their mother would come back with dinner! Baby Birds!
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
Oh My Blog
I didn't use any grammar for the title of this post, because I wasn't sure how I wanted any readers to take it.
Honestly, it came to me a few days ago. I was cleaning and in deep thought and just kind of thought, "Oh, my blog", as if I had forgotten it.
I haven't.
Life seems to get incredibly busy sometimes, but when I sit back and really think about everything I have been up to, it doesn't actually seem too busy at all.
I have a few things I would like to write about, so I will just jump right in. I apologize in advance if this post is all over the place.
My mom and I created a photo book with our pictures from Disney, and she ordered two copies, so when I get my hands on mine, I will share it with you and also the photos from the other locations we visited on our trip to Florida.
I did get registered for school. I start May 20th, and I have 16 hours worth of online classes for the summer semester. I am going into the Social Work field, and hope to be able to have some type of job working at a children's hospital when it's all said and done.
I also got a little job down the street a little ways at the Dollar Tree. It's small, but I like it alright. Most of the people are nice.
I have witnessed some awesome things with the customers since I started there. I wanted to write about them so I don't forget:
- One woman came in with her little girl, who may have been a little different, and she was teaching the little girl to communicate. From my innocent eavesdropping, I understand that the girl is rewarded with a sticker every time she communicates in a positive way. The little girl said "hello" to me, and was given a sticker. I can still picture her smile, so big just for being proud of something as simple as saying hello. The little experience really touched my heart.
- There was an older lady who couldn't carry her bags, so the two sweet ladies behind her escorted her to her car, her bags in their arms.
- There have been two instances so far when customers have left behind their change "in case someone else doesn't have enough", and I have been able to share that blessing twice, once for a man who needed a dime, and this morning for two kids who didn't have enough for their candy bar.
- An elderly woman who was hard of hearing came in today and was a nickel short when paying. She frantically dug through her bag to find it, and the sweet lady behind her paid the nickel. Simple, but incredibly humbling.
- A father was teaching his daughter to use money, counting change and whatnot. She paid for the items they had selected, and the total was $5.25. She handed me a five dollar bill and a quarter and was very proud to say "I don't get change, because this is the exact amount.", to which her dad responded "Very good sweetheart!" Again, just a simple lesson, yet so touching to see how simple things can bring such smiles to children.
These simple experiences have really humbled me and brightened my days at work.
This weekend was one I want to remember.
Thursday, Michaila's blood sugar was so high, her meter would not read it. My M-I-L and I picked her up from school and rushed her to the Norfolk General ER, where we spent the next four hours, but her sugars did go down after a bag of fluids and 6 units of insulin. She's had a kidney infection that's making her sugar levels act up. The hospital lab reported that when we arrived there, her sugar was 594. Just 6 numbers away from a possible coma. This girl is truly a miracle. Her number of near-death-miraculous-survival stories continues to climb, and she just takes it in stride. She is so strong.
By Friday night, Michaila felt a lot better, so we went over to her boyfriend's family's new house, just a few streets away from us now, and made cupcakes for their church bake sale that was Saturday morning.
We spent Saturday at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake after having lunch at Friendly's, and we did some much needed retail therapy. All through the mall we kept seeing these posters that said something about someone named Kristen. They were on dressing room doors and store doorways like everyone was waiting for her grand arrival. Finally, we walked up and read one. It turns out Kristen is a local Make-A-Wish kid who wished for a shopping spree, and she got one, with celebrity treatment. We were very touched to learn this, and it made our day very special just to know that Kristen, who we have never met or even seen a picture of, was having the day of her dreams.
I also got some awesome purple shoes. They were on sale for $15.00, and that is my FAVORITE color, and I just couldn't pass them up. Michaila got matching black ones and we wore them later back over to James' family's (The Field's) for little miss Lacey's 10th birthday bonfire.
We had a pretty good time over there last night dancing and making s'mores and just hanging around with everyone. Michaila and I spent most of our time with a 12-year-old by the name of Tia, who was a very sweet girl and mature for her age. Her baby brother was only 3 and he was so precious! His name is Amidio (I'm not sure I spelled it right). We also encountered a little princess named Laney, she was two and very well behaved and just overall happy! Plus, she had a baby sister only 3 months old. Not to mention all the other kids, ages ranging 5-13. I love kids, and they were everywhere! It just made me more excited for Mrs. Heather to welcome baby #6, "Baby O".
And the last bit of info I will share for tonight is as follows:
James was hired as a delivery driver for the same Papa John's my F-I-L works at, AND they just re-hired Jordan. The guys are SO excited (no sarcasm intended) to be working there, and as for Michaila, myself, and my M-I-L, we are officially all three "Pizza Women", and I do have to add, I am pretty proud of that. If Jordan is happy, I am happy. :)
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
Honestly, it came to me a few days ago. I was cleaning and in deep thought and just kind of thought, "Oh, my blog", as if I had forgotten it.
I haven't.
Life seems to get incredibly busy sometimes, but when I sit back and really think about everything I have been up to, it doesn't actually seem too busy at all.
I have a few things I would like to write about, so I will just jump right in. I apologize in advance if this post is all over the place.
My mom and I created a photo book with our pictures from Disney, and she ordered two copies, so when I get my hands on mine, I will share it with you and also the photos from the other locations we visited on our trip to Florida.
I did get registered for school. I start May 20th, and I have 16 hours worth of online classes for the summer semester. I am going into the Social Work field, and hope to be able to have some type of job working at a children's hospital when it's all said and done.
I also got a little job down the street a little ways at the Dollar Tree. It's small, but I like it alright. Most of the people are nice.
I have witnessed some awesome things with the customers since I started there. I wanted to write about them so I don't forget:
- One woman came in with her little girl, who may have been a little different, and she was teaching the little girl to communicate. From my innocent eavesdropping, I understand that the girl is rewarded with a sticker every time she communicates in a positive way. The little girl said "hello" to me, and was given a sticker. I can still picture her smile, so big just for being proud of something as simple as saying hello. The little experience really touched my heart.
- There was an older lady who couldn't carry her bags, so the two sweet ladies behind her escorted her to her car, her bags in their arms.
- There have been two instances so far when customers have left behind their change "in case someone else doesn't have enough", and I have been able to share that blessing twice, once for a man who needed a dime, and this morning for two kids who didn't have enough for their candy bar.
- An elderly woman who was hard of hearing came in today and was a nickel short when paying. She frantically dug through her bag to find it, and the sweet lady behind her paid the nickel. Simple, but incredibly humbling.
- A father was teaching his daughter to use money, counting change and whatnot. She paid for the items they had selected, and the total was $5.25. She handed me a five dollar bill and a quarter and was very proud to say "I don't get change, because this is the exact amount.", to which her dad responded "Very good sweetheart!" Again, just a simple lesson, yet so touching to see how simple things can bring such smiles to children.
These simple experiences have really humbled me and brightened my days at work.
This weekend was one I want to remember.
Thursday, Michaila's blood sugar was so high, her meter would not read it. My M-I-L and I picked her up from school and rushed her to the Norfolk General ER, where we spent the next four hours, but her sugars did go down after a bag of fluids and 6 units of insulin. She's had a kidney infection that's making her sugar levels act up. The hospital lab reported that when we arrived there, her sugar was 594. Just 6 numbers away from a possible coma. This girl is truly a miracle. Her number of near-death-miraculous-survival stories continues to climb, and she just takes it in stride. She is so strong.
By Friday night, Michaila felt a lot better, so we went over to her boyfriend's family's new house, just a few streets away from us now, and made cupcakes for their church bake sale that was Saturday morning.
We spent Saturday at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake after having lunch at Friendly's, and we did some much needed retail therapy. All through the mall we kept seeing these posters that said something about someone named Kristen. They were on dressing room doors and store doorways like everyone was waiting for her grand arrival. Finally, we walked up and read one. It turns out Kristen is a local Make-A-Wish kid who wished for a shopping spree, and she got one, with celebrity treatment. We were very touched to learn this, and it made our day very special just to know that Kristen, who we have never met or even seen a picture of, was having the day of her dreams.
I also got some awesome purple shoes. They were on sale for $15.00, and that is my FAVORITE color, and I just couldn't pass them up. Michaila got matching black ones and we wore them later back over to James' family's (The Field's) for little miss Lacey's 10th birthday bonfire.
We had a pretty good time over there last night dancing and making s'mores and just hanging around with everyone. Michaila and I spent most of our time with a 12-year-old by the name of Tia, who was a very sweet girl and mature for her age. Her baby brother was only 3 and he was so precious! His name is Amidio (I'm not sure I spelled it right). We also encountered a little princess named Laney, she was two and very well behaved and just overall happy! Plus, she had a baby sister only 3 months old. Not to mention all the other kids, ages ranging 5-13. I love kids, and they were everywhere! It just made me more excited for Mrs. Heather to welcome baby #6, "Baby O".
And the last bit of info I will share for tonight is as follows:
James was hired as a delivery driver for the same Papa John's my F-I-L works at, AND they just re-hired Jordan. The guys are SO excited (no sarcasm intended) to be working there, and as for Michaila, myself, and my M-I-L, we are officially all three "Pizza Women", and I do have to add, I am pretty proud of that. If Jordan is happy, I am happy. :)
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Back to Life!
Well blog world, it has been a couple weeks since my last post and a lot has gone on. I went on Spring Break with my family to Orlando, Florida; Emma finished her cancer treatment; Abbi had surgery; and EJ has been in and out of the hospital and is currently there again. Also, Jordan went with his family to Orlando, Florida, and CPI Corp. (the photography company I worked for) went out of business.
I am super excited to share all of the pictures with you all from my Disney trip with my family, and to share a post about Emma finishing treatment, and to update this blog on Abbi and EJ's progress, but at the time I am hard at work looking for work! Also, my mom and I are still getting all of the pictures together from Florida, and I want to make sure I have the best of them to share here.
I basically just wanted to update my blog and say that the Spring "Blog-Over" has occurred and I am getting back to life!
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
I am super excited to share all of the pictures with you all from my Disney trip with my family, and to share a post about Emma finishing treatment, and to update this blog on Abbi and EJ's progress, but at the time I am hard at work looking for work! Also, my mom and I are still getting all of the pictures together from Florida, and I want to make sure I have the best of them to share here.
I basically just wanted to update my blog and say that the Spring "Blog-Over" has occurred and I am getting back to life!
Shine Bright!
<3 Stormy
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Well, Well, Well
Guess who hasn't blogged in a bit?
Oh, was it that obvious?
ANYWAY, it's that time again already.... BLOG-OVER!
It's Easter time, so I chose Jelly Beans, because to me, Jelly Beans are a true sign of Easter. This is literally the only time of year I eat Jelly Beans, and they are a big memory for me because my momma would ALWAYS give them to me on Easter morning.
In other news, my trip is now just days away. I don't leave for Disney for another week and some days, but I go to NC on Saturday! I am a little sad to leave my Jordan, but I am also ecstatic for a long visit with my family and friends, and of course, DISNEY WORLD! I am the most excited about seeing my sister, Savannah, get excited. She has been talking about going to "The Disney Channel" since she could talk.
I never got around to uploading my father-in-law's birthday pictures, and honestly probably won't. If I do, it will be WAY later, but I probably won't considering they are still on my camera. So in case I never get around to it, let's just say everyone had a good time and his favorite gift was his Sons of Anarchy shirt from Michaila. Oh, and we ate at Lonestar.
Now it's time for an update on EJ. He just got to go home today, so he spent his birthday in the hospital. Jordan and I went up to see him twice this week, once on Thursday night and again on Saturday, his birthday.
Thursday night was rough. Michelle and Ed had gone, understandably, to see the rest of their kids. Jordan and I sat with EJ for a couple hours, but while we were there the nurses had to wake him up to advance his NG tube and remove his Stem Cell catheter. Basically, they had to push one tube further up his nose, and pull another from his groin. The good news is he harvested enough stem cells that he only had to do one day of harvesting, the bad news is the removal of that cath was NOT pretty. Jordan even had to step out of the room. EJ did a great job holding still, but he screamed and cried and it was absolutely horrifying. I just stood there and held his hand and I felt so incredibly helpless. Soon after it was over, he was right back asleep. More strength than I have ever shown, right in front of me, by a four year old.
On Saturday, we arrived about 12:30 and gave EJ his cake and gifts and we were sitting with him, Michelle, and Ed, when Spider-Man walked in! That's right people, Spider-Man! He came in with a walkie-talkie and told EJ he had an important call for him. It was Captain America! They played with him and gave him some gifts and did balloon art with him and even made him an honorary superhero. It was so awesome! You can see the videos on my YouTube channel. Also while we were there, Child Life came in bearing gifts for EJ and sang to him, followed by some of the medical students bringing him a life-sized Spider-Man balloon.
When the superheroes left, EJ dozed off, so us adults ran out for some dinner. It was a great time of relaxation for us and for Ed and Michelle. We went to Logan's, and even though the service was nothing outstanding, we had a nice time. After dinner, Michelle and Ed went back to the hospital and Jordan and I ran to WalMart and then home. Michelle later posted some pictures of EJ with Superman and Wonder Woman. His team of heroes definitely came through for him on his special day. Despite being in the hospital, he had a really good birthday.
The best part of Saturday was EJ was scanned early that morning and the results showed that his body IS responding to chemo! So far, EJ is kicking cancer in the face, just like his big sister, and I have hope and faith that he will continue to do just that.
Here's the little collage I put together of his Spider-Man and Captain America visit:
Oh, was it that obvious?
ANYWAY, it's that time again already.... BLOG-OVER!
It's Easter time, so I chose Jelly Beans, because to me, Jelly Beans are a true sign of Easter. This is literally the only time of year I eat Jelly Beans, and they are a big memory for me because my momma would ALWAYS give them to me on Easter morning.
In other news, my trip is now just days away. I don't leave for Disney for another week and some days, but I go to NC on Saturday! I am a little sad to leave my Jordan, but I am also ecstatic for a long visit with my family and friends, and of course, DISNEY WORLD! I am the most excited about seeing my sister, Savannah, get excited. She has been talking about going to "The Disney Channel" since she could talk.
I never got around to uploading my father-in-law's birthday pictures, and honestly probably won't. If I do, it will be WAY later, but I probably won't considering they are still on my camera. So in case I never get around to it, let's just say everyone had a good time and his favorite gift was his Sons of Anarchy shirt from Michaila. Oh, and we ate at Lonestar.
Now it's time for an update on EJ. He just got to go home today, so he spent his birthday in the hospital. Jordan and I went up to see him twice this week, once on Thursday night and again on Saturday, his birthday.
Thursday night was rough. Michelle and Ed had gone, understandably, to see the rest of their kids. Jordan and I sat with EJ for a couple hours, but while we were there the nurses had to wake him up to advance his NG tube and remove his Stem Cell catheter. Basically, they had to push one tube further up his nose, and pull another from his groin. The good news is he harvested enough stem cells that he only had to do one day of harvesting, the bad news is the removal of that cath was NOT pretty. Jordan even had to step out of the room. EJ did a great job holding still, but he screamed and cried and it was absolutely horrifying. I just stood there and held his hand and I felt so incredibly helpless. Soon after it was over, he was right back asleep. More strength than I have ever shown, right in front of me, by a four year old.
On Saturday, we arrived about 12:30 and gave EJ his cake and gifts and we were sitting with him, Michelle, and Ed, when Spider-Man walked in! That's right people, Spider-Man! He came in with a walkie-talkie and told EJ he had an important call for him. It was Captain America! They played with him and gave him some gifts and did balloon art with him and even made him an honorary superhero. It was so awesome! You can see the videos on my YouTube channel. Also while we were there, Child Life came in bearing gifts for EJ and sang to him, followed by some of the medical students bringing him a life-sized Spider-Man balloon.
When the superheroes left, EJ dozed off, so us adults ran out for some dinner. It was a great time of relaxation for us and for Ed and Michelle. We went to Logan's, and even though the service was nothing outstanding, we had a nice time. After dinner, Michelle and Ed went back to the hospital and Jordan and I ran to WalMart and then home. Michelle later posted some pictures of EJ with Superman and Wonder Woman. His team of heroes definitely came through for him on his special day. Despite being in the hospital, he had a really good birthday.
The best part of Saturday was EJ was scanned early that morning and the results showed that his body IS responding to chemo! So far, EJ is kicking cancer in the face, just like his big sister, and I have hope and faith that he will continue to do just that.
Here's the little collage I put together of his Spider-Man and Captain America visit:
To get daily updates on our little buddy, you can follow me on Instagram, and follow EJ's journey on Facebook.
Until My Next Post, Shine Bright!,
<3 Stormy
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Two Weeks and Four Days
Well, still no picture of my mirror. I am having technical difficulties with it, I guess. It keeps falling off the wall. I have to figure out a different way to hang it up, so hopefully I will have it figured out by the time I switch from St Patty's Day to Easter decor.
Also, EJ is back in the hospital. He is having a very rough go at it after round two of his chemotherapy. He will be in the hospital for the rest of the week, so I'm hoping to get up there to see him at least one day this week. This is his fourth hospital stay since his diagnosis just a little over a month ago.
In lighter, happier news, I have been packed and ready to go to Disney World for weeks now. The countdown seems to be taking forever! I am most excited to see my sister's reaction. She has wanted to go for so long, and I am thrilled that she finally gets to go. Nothing is sweeter to me than seeing a child's dreams come true. We leave in two weeks and four days, and I am so excited I can hardly stand it!
My in laws are also going, with Michaila's boyfriend's family, and we just found out last night that they might take Morgan, Michaila's BFF, so that will be cool! And we might run into each other there, since we are going during the same week.
I also might run into Lindsay! I might finally get to meet her! Lindsay and I have been internet friends for around three years now, and it really would be a dream come true to meet her in person at the place where dreams come true. Her family is arriving in Florida at the same time mine is.
I have also been in cahoots with the Easter Bunny lately, and he has left gifts for Savannah, Michaila, Ashlynn, Aniyah, Tyler, Sawyer, Madison, Mekenzie, James, Kyra, Lacey, Macaden, and Norie right in my bedroom! I can't wait to deliver the gifts to all the wonderful kiddos. I'm working on a really internet gift for Michelle's babies, since EJ might be in the hospital for Easter and I'll be gone.
A lot of those names are familiar to this blog, but Aniyah is a new name here. Aniyah is a beautiful 7 month old princess that I have been babysitting. Her mother and I are close in age and they live right down the street, so I watch baby "Niyah" while Johanna works and goes to school. I love her!
Speaking of school, I start again pretty soon and I am determined to make it this time! My education is a dream of mine, and I really want to see it come true so that I can pursue other dreams of mine, in the career field.
This post has been all over the place, but I haven't blogged in a little while, so I wanted to just share some things here.
Until my next post, Shine Bright,
<3 Stormy
Also, EJ is back in the hospital. He is having a very rough go at it after round two of his chemotherapy. He will be in the hospital for the rest of the week, so I'm hoping to get up there to see him at least one day this week. This is his fourth hospital stay since his diagnosis just a little over a month ago.
In lighter, happier news, I have been packed and ready to go to Disney World for weeks now. The countdown seems to be taking forever! I am most excited to see my sister's reaction. She has wanted to go for so long, and I am thrilled that she finally gets to go. Nothing is sweeter to me than seeing a child's dreams come true. We leave in two weeks and four days, and I am so excited I can hardly stand it!
My in laws are also going, with Michaila's boyfriend's family, and we just found out last night that they might take Morgan, Michaila's BFF, so that will be cool! And we might run into each other there, since we are going during the same week.
I also might run into Lindsay! I might finally get to meet her! Lindsay and I have been internet friends for around three years now, and it really would be a dream come true to meet her in person at the place where dreams come true. Her family is arriving in Florida at the same time mine is.
I have also been in cahoots with the Easter Bunny lately, and he has left gifts for Savannah, Michaila, Ashlynn, Aniyah, Tyler, Sawyer, Madison, Mekenzie, James, Kyra, Lacey, Macaden, and Norie right in my bedroom! I can't wait to deliver the gifts to all the wonderful kiddos. I'm working on a really internet gift for Michelle's babies, since EJ might be in the hospital for Easter and I'll be gone.
A lot of those names are familiar to this blog, but Aniyah is a new name here. Aniyah is a beautiful 7 month old princess that I have been babysitting. Her mother and I are close in age and they live right down the street, so I watch baby "Niyah" while Johanna works and goes to school. I love her!
Speaking of school, I start again pretty soon and I am determined to make it this time! My education is a dream of mine, and I really want to see it come true so that I can pursue other dreams of mine, in the career field.
This post has been all over the place, but I haven't blogged in a little while, so I wanted to just share some things here.
Until my next post, Shine Bright,
<3 Stormy
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Long Weekend Heartbreaks
So obviously I never posted a picture of my "Holiday Mirror". That's probably because I didn't take one.
Today was a little heartbreaking.
Actually, a lot of this weekend has been a lot heartbreaking.
Two of the children I followed the updates of passed away this weekend.
Audrianna Bartol died at the age of 6 Friday evening at 5:45pm. She fought Neuroblastoma for four years. I knew about her and read about her progress for about three of those years, and even contributed to helping cross a few things off her bucket list by making a page dedicated to the list on Facebook.
Saturday morning, at 2:40am, Daisy Love Merrick also passed away. Daisy had battled a Wilms Tumor for also nearly four years, three of which I had been following along with her journey. Her cancer just kept coming back. Her parents even took her to Israel to try and save her life and the stupid cancer just would go away.
Now I never got to meet either of these kids face to face, and I don't think you have to have been face to face with a person to know them. I have had numerous conversations with the parents, including one with Audrianna's mom tonight.
I am just asking that you pray for these two families and the thousands of people who loved them near and far and prayed for their little girls. And if you knew or knew about Audrianna or Daisy, I am so sorry for your loss, and I am here for you.
Today, EJ had clinic. Clinic is supposed to be a one day thing. You go, you get your labs or your one day chemo and your other one day type of procedures or treatments and you get to go home, no bed required.
Not for EJ.
After being home for less than a week, EJ is now experiencing his second hospital stay thanks to stupid cancer. His labs came back absolutely terrible today. ANC was less than 12, Hemoglobin at 6.5, and get this people, his Platelet count? 1. EJ had ONE platelet today.
So, he was declared neutropenic, and sent right upstairs, right back to room 809, where he spiked a fever.
Great.
Not only were his counts out of whack, he now had a fever. So they put him on fluids and pain killers (which he had gone the weekend without and was in pretty bad pain", and they took some cultures and last I heard from Michelle he was resting comfortably.
It's bad enough for a kid to have cancer, and to have planned hospital visits, but to have an unplanned visit just makes for a situation double the difficult.
Please pray for my little buddy. I'm hoping to get up to CHKD to see him and keep Michelle some company tomorrow. We will be a sight with our germ protecting masks on around neutropenic EJ.
Also, my mother-in-law has Sciatica. She can barely move since about four days ago. Michaila and I have been helping her as much as we can and she's slowly getting better, but please add her to your prayer list as well.
I know this post is sad, but it is 100% true. If we turn our heads from the sad things they will only become more sad. In the great words of the Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not!" No child should have cancer. I believe there are cures to be found, and I care a whole awful lot, and I hope you do too.
Do not fret, however, if anyone is actually reading this. I have some happy times and good news to share as well. My father-in-law's birthday dinner was this weekend so I have photos of that I will share within the next day or so and I have an exciting trip announcement for my remembering purposes on this blog.
Before I go I just wanted to share this quote I saw on Facebook today:
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."
Shine Bright,
<3 Stormy
Today was a little heartbreaking.
Actually, a lot of this weekend has been a lot heartbreaking.
Two of the children I followed the updates of passed away this weekend.
Audrianna Bartol died at the age of 6 Friday evening at 5:45pm. She fought Neuroblastoma for four years. I knew about her and read about her progress for about three of those years, and even contributed to helping cross a few things off her bucket list by making a page dedicated to the list on Facebook.
Saturday morning, at 2:40am, Daisy Love Merrick also passed away. Daisy had battled a Wilms Tumor for also nearly four years, three of which I had been following along with her journey. Her cancer just kept coming back. Her parents even took her to Israel to try and save her life and the stupid cancer just would go away.
Now I never got to meet either of these kids face to face, and I don't think you have to have been face to face with a person to know them. I have had numerous conversations with the parents, including one with Audrianna's mom tonight.
I am just asking that you pray for these two families and the thousands of people who loved them near and far and prayed for their little girls. And if you knew or knew about Audrianna or Daisy, I am so sorry for your loss, and I am here for you.
Today, EJ had clinic. Clinic is supposed to be a one day thing. You go, you get your labs or your one day chemo and your other one day type of procedures or treatments and you get to go home, no bed required.
Not for EJ.
After being home for less than a week, EJ is now experiencing his second hospital stay thanks to stupid cancer. His labs came back absolutely terrible today. ANC was less than 12, Hemoglobin at 6.5, and get this people, his Platelet count? 1. EJ had ONE platelet today.
So, he was declared neutropenic, and sent right upstairs, right back to room 809, where he spiked a fever.
Great.
Not only were his counts out of whack, he now had a fever. So they put him on fluids and pain killers (which he had gone the weekend without and was in pretty bad pain", and they took some cultures and last I heard from Michelle he was resting comfortably.
It's bad enough for a kid to have cancer, and to have planned hospital visits, but to have an unplanned visit just makes for a situation double the difficult.
Please pray for my little buddy. I'm hoping to get up to CHKD to see him and keep Michelle some company tomorrow. We will be a sight with our germ protecting masks on around neutropenic EJ.
Also, my mother-in-law has Sciatica. She can barely move since about four days ago. Michaila and I have been helping her as much as we can and she's slowly getting better, but please add her to your prayer list as well.
I know this post is sad, but it is 100% true. If we turn our heads from the sad things they will only become more sad. In the great words of the Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not!" No child should have cancer. I believe there are cures to be found, and I care a whole awful lot, and I hope you do too.
Do not fret, however, if anyone is actually reading this. I have some happy times and good news to share as well. My father-in-law's birthday dinner was this weekend so I have photos of that I will share within the next day or so and I have an exciting trip announcement for my remembering purposes on this blog.
Before I go I just wanted to share this quote I saw on Facebook today:
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."
Shine Bright,
<3 Stormy
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