Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Holiday Happenings


The last couple weeks have been full of ups and downs.  Luckily there have been a lot more ups than downs.  Kelly did have a rough recovery from her last chemo.  She was feeling better, then last Sunday she came down with a stomach virus and could not keep anything down.  A day of throwing up that is unrelated to chemo should not be allowed for a cancer patient!  She did have a fun day on Saturday last weekend though.  Last summer, one of the highlights for the girls was Camp Ronald McDonald, a camp for oncology kids and their siblings.  The Camp had a Christmas party last Saturday at Warner Brothers Studio Ranch in Burbank for all the kids that have been to camp.  The girls were excited to see friends they made last summer.  There was food, activities, and gifts for the kids.  They had a great time.

Here are the girls with one of their friends from camp with none other than Ronald McDonald.  Thanks Ronald for providing a wonderful camp for these kids where they don't feel different from anyone and can forget about doctors and treatments for awhile.

This is the fountain from the beginning of the "Friends" TV show at Warner Bros.

Kelly started feeling better last night and got to help celebrate a big birthday for our friend, Pam at Buco di Beppo.  The Turners have been there so many times for us since Kelly was diagnosed.  It was nice to help celebrate with them. 

Kelly felt well enough today to go to school.  Then tonight, Make A Wish had its Holiday Harbor Cruise in Newport Harbor.  It is such a beautiful boat and it's fun to cruise around Newport Harbor seeing all the Christmas lights.  Some of the houses right on the water have amazing lights displays!  There were a lot of boats that were lit up for the holidays also.

The girls on the boat.  They were handed champagne glasses of 
sparkling apple cider when they boarded the boat.
You can't see the whole thing in this photo, but if you see the black on Megan's leg, she is in an orthopedic boot. Last June she had a stress fracture, and her ankle has been bothering her again in dance.  Her doctor says it isn't as serious (yet) but he wanted to take advantage of Christmas vacation coming up and really give her ankle a rest.  She has a heavy dance schedule starting in January as her dance team prepares for a competition in February.

Our table was on the top level - we had great views of the harbor

Kelly receiving her gift from Santa.  I would take a picture of it, but she is wearing it and she is sleeping right now.  She got a necklace with an angel on it and there is another little charm that says peace.  She loves it.

Linda and Diemers, we really missed you this year!  It just wasn't the same.  The girls wanted you to take pictures of them with stalkers Linda!  (There were boys following them around last year!)

Kelly's confirmation group is doing a service project for CHOC.  (Kelly's idea)  They are raising money to buy things for the teen patients on the oncology floor. There are always stuffed animals and toys for the younger patients, but there isn't always fun things for the teens.  Her group showed a movie at church Friday night and sold candy and are on a good start with their fundraising!  One thing Kelly wants to buy is a Wii Fit.  When she is inpatient, they always want her to get up and walking when she starts feeling up to it.  She thinks the Wii Fit and some other Wii games would be a much more fun way to get moving instead of just walking laps around the third floor.  They are looking for other types of games and fun things for teens while they are in the hospital.  If anyone has any more good ideas, let us know!

Tomorrow is chemo day.  We just want to get through it, then Kelly gets a three week break because we are leaving Saturday to go to Oregon!  We are visiting my sister Tracy and her family for Christmas.  We are excited to get on the road and see them.  


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your mom's absolutely right, Kelly...those nasty viruses should stay away from you. You've got enough to deal with already! I'm glad you were feeling better so you could enjoy the holiday festivities. The boat looked amazing!

Kudos to you and your confirmation group for raising funds for CHOC's teens. I noticed that Target has three-packs of $10 iTunes cards so those might be a good thing to pick up in addition to the Wii Fit. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors.

Tell Megan I'll say a prayer that her ankle is in tip-top shape for her January dance schedule. Take care and enjoy the rest of your week!

Hugs & love from Fairy Candy

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kelly! I was a bit perturbed when you were at CHOC last time when the nurse on your floor told me no flowers and to "send a stuffed animal." I tried to explain that you were 16 years old, not three, and I wanted to send something more appropriate. It would be so nice if there were items more fitting of your age and particularly items that could be delivered. I am still pondering this - the cat was only a good idea because its name was Snowball and it was the 25th of the month :)

I hope you have a wonderful time at your Aunt Tracy's! Maybe your Mom will take pictures of the bookstore and post them so we can all be super envious you were there!

I hope chemo goes better today. Thank goodness that is it for a few weeks ^.^

Love,
Pat

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

What a bummer that you were sick in addition to all of your chemo days! That shouldn't be allowed! Glad you're feeling better again and have gotten to do so many fun things. Hope today goes well for you. Then 3 weeks off-that's fantastic! Have a wonderful time in Oregon! That sounds like a great time! I hope your whole family has a fabulous Christmas!!!

Love,
The Silvestris

Anonymous said...

You guys have been having tons of fun. I am so happy for you!
So.. you guys are leaving on Saturday??? We are expecting another nasty storm, so drive careful! (this next part is a secret.. shhh.. I just made reservations for my brother to join us this next weekend and stay through New Years!! EEEKKK!) I can't tell my mom or my sister, he wants to surprise them and my boys!! But.. I had to tell someone! I am busting at the seems.~ But Remember.. shhh-secret!

Have fun packing and getting ready for travel! Can't wait to give you guys a real hug instead of cyber hugs!
See you soon!
Amy.. Kasey's mom

Catalina Eddy said...

Hey Y'all,
This winter storm should pass by the time we begin our roadtrip. Bet you're looking forward to 1,000 miles of singing "100 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall". Hope Santa can find us in Portland.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Kelly! You have had an incredibly busy and fun past week. Other than Sunday of course. We pray that you have more and more fun days and less and less sick days. Thanks for sharing the great pictures. You are a very very beautiful girl, as are your sisters too. Have a wonderful Christmas and a great vacation from everything.

warm hugs and love,

Cheryl and Angel/ Angel_Wings

www.caringbridge.org/visit/awesomeangel

Port alberni, Canada

Anonymous said...

It was an honor having the Laude family at my birthday party! You are like the coolest family on the planet! I am so happy that you are all enjoying Kelly's favorite holiday in such grand style. Have a safe trip and can't wait to see Christmas pictures of those three cute girls!

Love you all, Pam and Family

Gabby's Mom said...

Books! Books! Books! for CHOC.

And make note of these words of wisdom for today - when you can no longer see just buy bigger things. I cannot look up from the Kindle and focus on the television so that required me to buy a new television that is big enough to see. Right now the faces (even though it is only 19 inches) are so big they are scaring me :) If I see a white television I just have to have - Gabby bought me a television for Christmas- isn't she the sweetest and somehow she just always knows exactly what I want and never does she actually pay for these things ^..^

Love,
Pat

Tracy said...

We can't wait to see you guys!!! Just have a safe drive up! I hope there is still snow in our yard when you get here!

So yucky you were so sick Kelly on top of the chemo kruddies - but glad to hear the fun things weren't at the same time! It looks like you all had a lot of fun in all your photos your mom posted! We'll try to have the sparkling apple cider ready when you arrive! In champagne glasses of course!

Love & Hugs!
Aunt Tracy

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Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to the Laudes!! I really enjoyed all the pictures and reading about your fun activities!!! My, you guys have been soooo busy!!!

I hope chemo went well yesterday and that you did not get sick!!! And I will be praying that you have a GREAT 3 weeks, and will feel SUPER the whole time!

Have a safe trip to Oregon, and a FANTASTIC time with your family and relatives!!! We travelled to Oregon this summer to see my sister too,(in Lake Oswego, about 15 minutes from Portland)and I laughed about your dad's comment! It is kind of a long trip.....

Anyway, sending Love and Blessings for a Merry Christmas,

Patty J.

P.S. I hope your ankle heals like it should Megan..You all take care......

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but there's a guy in Florida who's been getting tons of stuff to translate and he's been keeping us both busy.

I'm glad to see you've been having fun on the harbor cruise, and I hope your most recent chemo session went well.

Megan, 50 years ago, those boots used to be made of heavy plaster of Paris. They were a real pain to schlepp around (but deadly weapons if you kicked anybody). So, as with everything else, progress has its good and bad points.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that your Dad gets to spend it with you.

Henry

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kathy, Kevin, Megan, Kelly, Shannon and Murphy - have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy the car ride and singing ^..^

Love,
Pat

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays!
Please know that you are always in our prayers.

God bless

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Angel_Wings/