Monday, January 26, 2009

CHOC Gala

Thank you so much to everyone who left nice comments for Kelly here after our last post.  They really helped her (and me!) over a rough patch. (Actually, we love the comments any time.) Not that IV hydration is such a major deal, but Kelly was really upset about having to have medical procedures done to her in our home.  She did get adjusted to it and was OK with it after we got her started. OK, the Borders bribe was really what made her accept it!  She was looking forward to helping with the CHOC Gala Saturday night, and since she was feeling better, I unhooked her from her hydration bag, leaving the IV in her hand so we could hook her back up when she got home.   The Gala was at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.  Kelly was a greeter as the guests arrived.   Luckily, another family that was speaking at the event had two extra tickets and asked if Kelly and I would like to use them.  Thanks so much Erin!  We really enjoyed it.  So we got to stay and attend the Gala.  Erin's daughter, Sammy, has also been an oncology patient at CHOC and was presenting an award and giving a speech that night.  Sammy is doing great now.  She has been in remission for a year and a half!  It is always encouraging to hear good stories like hers.  Cheyenne and her mom were also at our table.  Below is a pictures of Sammy, Cheyenne and Kelly.  Cheyenne also presented an award.


Kelly was  happy to see her neurosurgeon, Dr. Muhonon, at the Gala.  
She also got to meet his daughters, who are her age.

We were happy to see Cathy, who works for the CHOC Foundation.  She is one of the people at CHOC we are so glad we have had the chance to get to know.

This is Lisa, who also works at the CHOC Foundation, and Virginia, Cheyenne's mom.  After the girls went to bed, the adults stayed downstairs for some fun.  Too bad I had to drive, so I was just the photographer!  The bottles are ice and the martinis would be poured through them.  

Kelly did get tired pretty easily that night.  It was her first time off the couch after 3 days!  So after dinner, she and Cheyenne went upstairs and went to bed. Cheyenne and her mom had a room for the night because they live far from Newport Beach.  By the time I came up to get her, she was sound asleep, so she spent the night at the hotel and I picked her up in the morning. Thanks for having her stay Virginia!  You can see Kelly's hand with the IV in it still!  I did have to hook her back up when she got home in the morning.

Kelly is doing much better now and is planning on going to school tomorrow.  We actually spent the afternoon at Disneyland today (IV free!) since all the girls were off school today.  Thanks so much for all the prayers and good wishes for Kelly.  

Kevin is traveling to Colorado Springs today for the rest of the week.  I'm glad it's not a chemo week!  Megan is the one whose schedule we are juggling right now.  She is in Physical therapy for her ankle, plus she is beginning rehearsals for Singin' In the Rain, which she is very excited about, plus her normal dance classes and homework.  (That darn homework) I really have to thank the Schultes for helping get her to dance when I am driving Megan and Kelly to where they need to be with CHOC and physical therapy appointments.  You don't know how much you have helped us out, Misty!  Thank you so much for always being there for Shannon.

18 comments:

Gabby's Mom said...

Hi Kelly! So glad to hear you feel better. It looks like you had a very nice nite at the CHOC event with your friends. I hope a lot of money was raised. "Your photographer" always does such a great job - thanks Kathy!

I know y'all have been busy but I think you were recently supposed to have a meeting to decide about your confirmation project? I hope you will let us know what was decided in case we want to help!

I was very excited at 4AM to see it was not snowing as I had hoped to go to work. By 8AM it was a mess outside - very pretty sitting here looking out though! The salt truck just skidded by my house - never quite a good sign so I am grateful to be inside! It is really coming down right now and hopefully later I can take some pictures...better than those Obama Express ones - isn't that just the funniest thing that I bothered to post those. But somewhere the train IS there!

Have a nice day!
Love,
Pat

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

It looks as if the CHOC gala was a lovely party. I'm glad you were able to get extra tickets.

Your mother does take lovely pictures of you.

Good luck in school today.

Henry

Tracy said...

Hi Kelly and Kathy!
What a whirlwind weekend! So glad to hear the home IV went ok and had you feeling well enough to go to the CHOC gala and Disney! Kelly, you are quite a trooper! Hope you have a great day at school! Emily and Jake were supposed to have Monday off as well but had to make up for the snow days last month!

Can't wait to hear more about Singin' In the Rain from Kelly and Megan! Get that ankle all better Megan!

Love & Hugs to all!
Aunt Tracy

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

So glad to hear that you're feeling better and are able to start doing things again. The CHOC gala looks like it was a lot of fun and of course Disney always is! (That reminds me of riding the roller coaster with you over and over again at California Adventure!) We were supposed to have Monday off here too, but unlike Jake and Emily's snow days, we had to make up a "hurricane day."

Love,
The Silvestris

Anonymous said...

Hey Kelly!
The CHOC event sounds so fun! I am glad you got to go,and then were able to stay and enjoy yourself!!! You looked so pretty that night! How was Disneyland? We almost went yesterday also! But I ended up taking the girls to the Spectrum instead. They had some gift cards that were burning holes in their pockets! Ha! Let's do Disneyland together one of these days!!! Debbie Meyering

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly,

IV's, Galas, and Disney, Oh My!! I know you could do without the IV part, but we're so glad you were able to go to the Gala and have a great time!! The photos are great! Nice that you had a Disney day when it wasn't so crowded!

Glad you're feeling better!

Love,
Aunt Jenny, Uncle Bob, Kylie and Ryan

Anonymous said...

Kelly, it's so great to see that you were able to get out and have fun at the gala. And a day in Disneyland too. Wow, that's Angel's favorite place in the whole wide world. She wants so desperately to go meet Tinkerbell. Did you get to meet her when you went today or are you too old for that sort of thing now? And what rides did you go on? Angel's fave is the Indiana Jones ride. And Space Mountain. We are praying for your healing. And for strength for you as you go through each day.

warm hugs,
Cheryl and Angel/Angel_Wings
www.caringbridge.org/visit/awesomeangel

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly!

Disneyland sounds like a fun time!! I've gone to DisneyWorld the past 2 February's...I can't go this year, but I hope to go this summer! :) (Brian's sister has a time share so they are down there A LOT!) I'm glad to hear you were able to get out and have some fun, both at Disneyland and the CHOC gala.

Good luck at school. I hope that is going well for you. You're such a fighter and you're very amazing! :)

Take care,
Christine D. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the pictures and updates. Love the cute hair cut Kelly! I'm glad Kelly is feeling better! Yippee! School! Yippee!
What book did you choose??? I want to know what book I can bribe Sophie with in the future :) You got her hooked on Twilight a long time ago -- it would be fun to get her into something new.
Geoff just got back from Korea. He's been gone a lot the last few months. We're always happy when he's home - everything is just a whole lot easier!
Will call you all soon - Love, Darla

Anonymous said...

Dear Megan,

How long do they plan to torture you with physical therapy for your ankle? I hope it's going well, but I'm sure you'll be glad when its over.

Henry

Shannon said...

Hey Kelly!!!
I was very ecstatic to see you yesterday at rehearsal (fun stuff) and it is going to be so much FUN doing the musical together!!!! I was excited that you could meet my friend Maryssa too. She is such a nice person, and she absolutely loves the theatre just like us! Oh! And guess what?! I was at Disneyland on Monday too! Well, after all, it IS the happiest place on Earth! Glad you are feeling better! See you soon! God Bless <3 Shannon Hargis

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly and the rest of you cute Laude girls,

I was so glad to read that you were up for the CHOC Gala! It sounded like a fun evening! How nice that you and your mom could stay!!

And I was happy to read that Disneyland was part of your girls' day off. Good for you!

You all take care.. You are in my prayers...

Love you,
Patty J.

P.S. Megan, I hope your ankle gets better each and every day!

Anonymous said...

Kelly,
I went home last night to search for the book I was telling you about- it is nowhere to be found. I'm pretty sure I loaned it out. But the title is The Secret of The Ruby Ring by Yvonne McGrory. I also found one you might like called Dragon's Milk by Susan Fletcher. If you haven't already read it, I will take it to the studio and give it to Megan or Shannon on Friday. You can come over and look through Amy's books anytime to see if there is one you want to take home.
Terry

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

I forwarded a French e-magazine to your e-mail address. It has to do with siing, so I thought you might like it.

My wife sometimes translates French. A client must have sent it to her. I really don't know.

Take care,
Henry

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

It's making a half-hearted attempt to snow here today. There is supposed to be more snow along the shore in New Jersey. They could get 4-5 inches before all is said and done.

If this is chemo week, I hope it goes well for you.

Take care,
Henry

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

It's making a half-hearted attempt to snow here today. There is supposed to be more snow along the shore in New Jersey. They could get 4-5 inches before all is said and done.

If this is chemo week, I hope it goes well for you.

Take care,
Henry

Heather said...

Hey Kelly!!!
I hope you are feeling better. Its "RA-RA" time!
RELAY FOR LIFE!!!
Give us all the details.
Katie and I are in for MAJOR HELP this year!
Heather

Gabby's Mom said...

Hey Kelly - I hope you have another good book to take with you tomorrow and that all goes well. We will, as always, be thinking of you and sending good thoughts and meows your way.

love,
Pat and Gabby ^..^