Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Countdown to Relay

Kelly had her 12th course of this chemo yesterday. It wasn't quite a three bucket day, but close. She still has a hard time with the Irinotecan. The one thing that was better for her was when we got home she seemed to feel better than usual. She is doing really well today too. Her wonderful nurse, Trina, ran her hydration longer after her chemo, and that seemed to really help. So thanks so much, Trina. Kelly has never been so perky the day after chemo.

It was one year ago today that Kelly had her seizure. We are actually thankful that she had it, since it led to CTscans and the MRI that might not have happened so fast. It is hard to believe that this journey started a whole year ago. Kelly has been through so much since then, and has grown up so much faster than she should have to (so have her sisters.)

Our Relay for Life is this weekend! We are busy getting everything ready. All of us, especially the girls, are really looking forward to it. For our first year, our team has done well raising money for the American Cancer Society. I found out at our meeting last night that if we raise a certain amount of donations, we can designate where we want our money to go (what kind of cancer research) That was good news, since childhood cancers to not get nearly as much research funding as adult cancers.
Thank you so much to everyone who has joined us or donated. It isn't too late if you would still like to donate!
TEAM KELLY website: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/kellylaude

12 comments:

Tracy said...

Go Team Kelly!! Glad to hear you feel perkier than the usual day after chemo day since I bet you are all extra busy with the Relay For Life approaching fast! I wish we could be there with you this weekend, but we will be thinking about all of you! Can't wait to hear how it goes! Of course, you're alsways welcome at the Hillsboro RFL in June!
Lots of love to all of you!
Aunt Tracy

Anonymous said...

Wow! One year already! It seems like just yesterday that we heard about the seizure and yet it seems sooo long ago because of all your family has been through!

Did Kelly ever get to go see Oz????? I hope so! I heard it is really good.

Thanks for the updates! Love and Hugs,
The Miller Family

Gabby's Mom said...

Glad to hear that you bounced back so quickly from the chemo. Can't wait to read about how the Relay for Life goes!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly! Glad you has a better chemo day than normal. It's wonderful when you figure out something that helps! We are sure excited to see you all this weekend at Relay for Life! It's going to be such a blast!!

XOXOXO

Karla Diemer & Family

Anonymous said...

Hey there Kelly!!! Your Relay team is doing AMAZING!! I couldn't resist putting down the amount needed to make your team reach its goal!! :) AWESOME!!! I also want to go back and get a luminaria for Jessica.

Glad to hear that chemo went a little better this round, in some ways.

GOOD LUCK AT RELAY, and I can't wait to hear all about it, and see PICTURES!!! :)

~Heide
m/o ^Jessica^; forever 17
http://caringbridge.org/visit/jessicarandall
TEAM UNITE! Help Conquer Childhood Cancer!

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

I'm glad to hear your chemo went better, and I'm thrilled to see you nailed your goal. That's absolutely the way to go.

If you have the time, I'll tell you of another adventure Angus and I had, though to be fair to Angus, he was purely an innocent bystander.

Our apartment in New York was on the third floor. We had a living room window that was directly above the front entrance to the building.

It was a beautiful spring day. My mother had the window open. She had a potted geranium on the window sill. I looked out the window. The front door was opening, and Franklin was emerging from the building.

Now, Franklin was about 16 at this time. He was a nice kid. He gave me piggyback rides, and he gave Angus treats. We both liked Franklin, but somehow, I thought it might be fun to bean Franklin with the potted geranium. I remember asking Angus if he liked the idea. He didn't say anything. I took his silence as a yes. So, I sized the situation up and let drop. It crashed just INCHES behind him. The poor guy was scared out of his mind.

My mother shook me and told me I could have killed Franklin. I certainly didn't want that.

The whole incident took place well over 50 years ago, so I'm fairly certain the statute of limitations has run out.

Whether Franklin survives to this day, I don't know. He and a friend of his used to jump from roof to roof (these were 6-story buildings). He might have died in a fall, but I know I didn't kill him.

Whew!
Henry

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

Hi Kelly!

Just checking in to let you know we're thinking of you and glad that this last round of chemo was a little better for you!

We just read your thermometer for Relay---way to go surpassing your goal!! I think it's great you get to choose how to donate the money your team has raised! We feel the same way that Aunt Tracy feels--wish we could be there this weekend with all of you! What an amazing time you will have!

Sending you love and hugs,
The Goldfish Family
(aka The Opificius Family--a 3 year old recently thought our last name was Goldfish--much easier to pronounce!)

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly and Family,
I did not realize that April 15th was your first seizure. You have been through SO MUCH, but you have been so brave and positive through everything too! You truly are an inspiration to many others, whether you know it or not. And SO IS YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY! Have a wonderful Relay for Life! You are all amazing!!! I'm thinking of you this weekend!
Love,
Patty J.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

Have a wonderful time at the relay this weekend. Knowing that you broke the thermometer will probaly add to your enjoyment.

Every year at this time, I have to think of Fergus. This is the season when the white-throated sparrows are on the move to Nova Scotia, where they spend the summer. Their call is quite a simple whistle, and in time, Fergus grew to recognize it. He would hear it, and his ears would perk up and his tail would wag. My mother would say: "That's right, Fergus. White-throated sparrows, on their way to Nova Scotia. We'll see hem this summer." Then he'd lie down again.

Take care.

Henry

Gabby's Mom said...

Happy Relay for Life weekend! I am looking forward to seeing the pictures and reading all about it - I am very happy you exceeded your goal!

Hugs,
Pat

PS - I figured out how to give myself a name the other nite :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Kelly,

Wow, one year- I'm so glad you've bounced back quickly from chemo!!!!

Anyway, hope the Relay For Life goes great!!!!

Lots of love,

<3 Kriztia

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly..........

Just checking in to leave a little note to let you know I'm thinking of you.......

I can't wait to read all about the Relay for Life.........we had ours too, this weekend. My daughter, Kelly, wasn't able to go.....she had prom instead.......so we walked in her honor..........

Have a great week!!!

Veronica/Angel_wings
www.caringbridge.org/visit/kellygranier