Friday, February 29, 2008

Kudos for Kelly (and Megan & Shannon too!)

Relay for Life TEAM KELLY page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/kellylaude
Please visit our site to join us or make a donation.

Kelly has had a good week. So I guess it is good that I have nothing new to report on her. Her sisters, Megan and Shannon have been very busy with their dance team at our dance studio. Their team participated in the Los Angeles Dance Force Competition last weekend. It was the first competition for their team, and they won two silvers. Pretty good for their first time out. They got to take a lot of different dance classes with different teachers and they learned a lot. They really liked staying at the hotel with all of their teammates.

I wanted to share a letter that one of Kelly's oncologists emailed to her back in December after she invited him to come to the Christmas presentation that Dr. Muhonen did for her at CHOC. This makes me very proud of our daughter that has been through so much this year and still remains so positive. It is just nice to see her recognized for it. Dr. Esparza, who wrote this to Kelly, was happy to have me share it.

Dear Kelly,
I just wanted to send you an email to tell you a few things. First, I want to apologize for not being able to make it to your presentation on Thursday. I would have liked nothing better than to see you recognized for what a wonderful young lady you are. I am really grateful that you took the time to invite me. I was busy in the clinic and I have 2 family conferences for new patients that day.

I want you to know that I am very proud to be one of your doctors. I have been a doctor for over 7 years and I have never seen a young lady with more courage, strength, and compassion than you have. Your smile lights up a room and your presence makes people feel happy. I want to thank you also you being so kind to Cheyenne. I know that she gets very scared sometimes and I think that she looks up to you and tries to be strong like you.

I know it can't be easy to deal with all of the difficult things you have had to go through. Sometimes life is not only hard, it can be downright unfair at times. Your approach to life will not only help you get through this illness, it will help you do anything you want to do with your life.

Anyway, I could go on and on but I just want you to know how special you are. I'm sure your parents are so very proud of you.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sam - attending physician for GHOC (Gingerbread Hospital of Orange County)


OK, you have to remember this was December when Kelly and her friend, Diana, made the gingerbread hospital. I just liked the way he described Kelly, and he is right, her parents are so very proud of her!

We got a call from Make a Wish this week and Kelly's trip is planned! We are going on a Disney Cruise in August. Kelly (and all of us!) are excited to have such a fun trip to look forward to.

Kelly has labs on Monday and her next chemo treatment on Tuesday, March 4th.
Extra prayers would be appreciated for Cheyenne, Kelly's 7 year old friend from the clinc who is also fighting brain cancer. She is going through a rough time right now. www.caringbridge.org/visit/cheyennebroswell

THANK YOU to everyone who has joined us for Relay for Life and TEAM KELLY or who made a donation. Everything helps as we work together to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. The link to our TEAM KELLY page is at the top of this post.

9 comments:

Tracy said...

Hi Kelly!
I can only whole heartedly agree with the attending physician of GHOC ;) about all the courage, strength and compassion you show and share with everyone around you - not to mention that incredible smile! I also agree with your mom about how proud she is of your positive attitude. I'm mostly in awe of your amazing attitude actually!( I get whiny about a headache!) I hope this week has been a nice one for you! I'm sure you are all still recovering from the busy and exciting dance competition! Congratulations to Megan and Shannon!

We are off to watch Jake's soccer game now - I'm so thankful for indoor soccer!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Love & hugs!...
Aunt Tracy

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly!!!
I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better! I miss you! That was such a nice letter that your doctor wrote - especially that part about GHOC!!!
<3christina
p.s. congratulate megan and shannon for me, it sounds like they are having a ton of fun with their dance team!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for coming to Ashley's play last night. It was so nice to spend time with you all! XOXO Karla & Family

Heide said...

Hey there, Kelly!! What a nice letter from your doctor!!!!

I'm so glad to hear that you've had a good week!!

I just visited your friend Cheyenne's site. You girls are such BRAVE WARRIORS!!!!!

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

~Heide
m/o ^Jessica^; forever 17
http://caringbridge.org/visit/jessicarandall

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

That was a lovely letter from Dr. Sam. It was good of your mother to share it. Congratulations to Megan and Shannon, too, for their dancing ability.

My wife Kathy and I had dinner with your Aunt Denise last night and she told us you might be sponsored by the Knights of Malta to go to Lourdes. That would be an interesting and inspirational trip.

As it happens, one of our best clients is a member of the Knights of Malta, and every spring, in late April/early May, he boards a charter flight from Newark Airport and flies to Lourdes. Last year, he took over 300 malades (that's what they call the patients) with him. I certainly hope you can go, but I will give you this word of warning. Lourdes is way up in the mountains. Our client has told us it snows, even in May. I know you won't mind. You like it; but bring a warm coat and boots.

While I think of it, you might want to start applying for a passport now, if you don't already have one. It might also be a good idea to pay the extra for rush processing. It can take 8 weeks if you don't.

I think the cancer didn't know what it was up against when it tried to tackle you. If it weren't such an absolutely rotten disease, I could almost pity it--almost, but not quite.

Rock on!
Henry

Aunt Jenny & Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan ie & Ryan said...

Hi Kelly,
I knew I liked Dr. Sam from the Gingerbread Hospital when Aunt Tracy and I were able to meet him back in December! We all say "ditto" on everything he said about you!

Congratulations to Megan and Shannon on a great dance competition weekend!

I'll be working on Uncle Bob to see about a Disney cruise rendevous with the Laude Family in August! We're just excited we'll be able to see all of you then!

Have a great weekend!

Love,
Aunt Jenny, Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and praying for you everyday.

If we ask anything according to his will, he hear us. 1 John 5:14

Elaine/Angel_Wings

www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnshattuck

www.caringbridge.org/visit/bettywilliams

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly! What a nice letter from your doctor. I can tell that he thinks the world of you.

Your friend Cheyenne is one of our March Friends for Audrey's Umbrella so hopefully lots of smiles will be coming her way soon. You are both in my prayers.

Take care and enjoy your week!

Anonymous said...

Kelly,

I saw your message to my brother-in-law Josh Prunsky. Thank you for taking the time to write to him. You sure have been through a lot and are very brave. You are such an inspiration to many.

Hugs :)
Laura