Jeremiah and Gabrielle had the chance to head out to Grand Rapids two nights ago for a Hematology/Oncology Holiday party. Jackson stayed with Grandma Waligorski for the evening and I worked the night shift at our Pediatricians office. Jeremiah said she had a great time and there was a lot of fun things for her to watch and do including a carousel which see seemed to enjoy for the first time. She's always been a little nervous about them but this time she told daddy not to stand next to her. She's becoming so independent so fast!
Jeremiah also took in her next urine specimen for HVA/VMA testing. We received the results yesterday and were happy to find that they remain low and steady. HVA was 13.1 and VMA was 6.7. These are some of the lowest numbers we've seen and we continue to be so thankful for how healthy she is.
In her very first MRI the doctors found what appeared to be two small pieces of residual tumor. After her lastest, they are saying that she has no evidence of disease. We are praying and hoping that this means those spots in her spine (seen in the original MRI and those following as well) may simply be scar tissue or perhaps some bits tumor that have matured into benign masses. They are so small that they would not cause any issues if left where they are. It is amazing to use the word REMISSION when speaking of her cancer. February 4th will mark Gabs one year free of disease and we so look forward to celebrating that day as well as her 3rd birthday.
This year has been a very strange whirlwind and I am not all that sad to see it coming to an end. We have been touched by so many other family members and friends who have experienced health scares and losses this year. I am realizing how fragile life really is and how quickly your situation can change. Over the course of a few months, weeks or even days you may be on a completely different path. It is teaching me to be thankful for every day that I have with all the loved ones in my life. I do know that we will see them again one day but the days here are earth are short and should be treasured.
As a side note, I am embaressed to say that I have not completed all of our Thank Yous. That being said, when updating my iPad to the most recent software I lost all my information including my list of all the gifts, etc. that we received while in the hospital and when we first returned home. If you were someone who sent us something and I did not send you a Thank You please accept my humble apologies and know that we have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and thoughtfulness. It saddens me that I won't be able to properly thank each and every person who showed us kindness. I guess this is a good lesson for me to make sure that those types of things are done in a more timely manner.
All our love and thanks as always for keeping up with Gabrielle's progress! Happy Holidays!!
Jeremiah also took in her next urine specimen for HVA/VMA testing. We received the results yesterday and were happy to find that they remain low and steady. HVA was 13.1 and VMA was 6.7. These are some of the lowest numbers we've seen and we continue to be so thankful for how healthy she is.
In her very first MRI the doctors found what appeared to be two small pieces of residual tumor. After her lastest, they are saying that she has no evidence of disease. We are praying and hoping that this means those spots in her spine (seen in the original MRI and those following as well) may simply be scar tissue or perhaps some bits tumor that have matured into benign masses. They are so small that they would not cause any issues if left where they are. It is amazing to use the word REMISSION when speaking of her cancer. February 4th will mark Gabs one year free of disease and we so look forward to celebrating that day as well as her 3rd birthday.
This year has been a very strange whirlwind and I am not all that sad to see it coming to an end. We have been touched by so many other family members and friends who have experienced health scares and losses this year. I am realizing how fragile life really is and how quickly your situation can change. Over the course of a few months, weeks or even days you may be on a completely different path. It is teaching me to be thankful for every day that I have with all the loved ones in my life. I do know that we will see them again one day but the days here are earth are short and should be treasured.
As a side note, I am embaressed to say that I have not completed all of our Thank Yous. That being said, when updating my iPad to the most recent software I lost all my information including my list of all the gifts, etc. that we received while in the hospital and when we first returned home. If you were someone who sent us something and I did not send you a Thank You please accept my humble apologies and know that we have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and thoughtfulness. It saddens me that I won't be able to properly thank each and every person who showed us kindness. I guess this is a good lesson for me to make sure that those types of things are done in a more timely manner.
All our love and thanks as always for keeping up with Gabrielle's progress! Happy Holidays!!