Princess Ball

The Hopekids put together a Princess Ball.  They sent out the coolest scroll-like invitations by email to all the princesses, had a fancy place for us to eat at with the cutest servers, a Cinderella coach for rides, balloon shapes, cupcakes and of course all the princesses were in attendance.  It was so much fun!  Kathleen went as Aurora, Josselyn as Snow White and Odette as Cinderella.  It was great to mingle with other families that have lived in the cancer world with us. 

 

 Odette drinking out of her fancy glass.  It didn't break and she drank most of it!

 A ride in Cinderella's coach.  Odette LOVED the horses!

I took over 50 pictures and had to just pick a few.  It was so much fun!  I am so lucky to have my princesses!

Dentist

Seriously, Odette is the best patient for ANY doctor visit!  I had forgotten that we had started having her get her teeth cleaned six months ago because we were concerned that she might have some serious dental issues given the chemo and the amount of puke that came in contact with her teeth.  

She was so cute at the dentist office.  She climbed right up on the chair, laid down and opened up her mouth.  She held perfectly still the entire time.  The only thing we couldn't do was the fluoride because she wanted to keep swallowing it.  Guess nothing tastes gross to her anymore!

Two years

Two years ago today, I was uncertain if I would ever see the day that Odette would be the girl in the above picture.  (Uncertain is a nice word, more like terrified half to death.)  Of course, when your child is diagnosed with cancer, there are so very many emotions going through you; fear, uncertainty, helplessness to name a few.  However, I quickly learned in the beginning that those feelings that I experienced in the first few hours needed to be replaced if I was going to survive the road map that was then placed in front of me.  Faith, hope, trust and courage were what I was going to need to make it.

The past week I have been thinking a lot about what has happened since two years ago.  I actually do this quite frequently; at least every time that I am to take Odette to the hospital for a check up.  It is amazing to me, how grateful I am to the Lord for blessing me with this experience.

Now, I know you are thinking, "Hello Stephanie, didn't you say all the time that cancer sucked?"  Yes, I did say this quite frequently and I still think that it does, but WOW what great and marvelous things have happened in my life because of this experience.

I know that Heavenly Father is indeed in charge of all the details of our lives.  And, he indeed works in mysterious ways.  (Odette having cancer I consider as mysterious.)  One just need put their faith and trust in Him and they will be in awe at how everything seems to "just work out".  I have had the opportunity to walk with the Lord through my difficulties over these two years.  And when I couldn't walk, I was carried.  Sometimes, what seems to be the very hardest, is actually the answer to a prayer that we have been praying for.  Indeed this is how I view Odette having had cancer.  I have been taught, made stronger and had many prayers answered all through her.  A miracle happened two years ago, that I will be forever grateful for.  I love you Odette!

Another month gone by

I can't believe that it has already been another month!

Usually I don't really want to take Odette up to PCMC.

However, I was very grateful that today was her day.

She hasn't been eating well lately.

Having random fevers.

Sleeping a lot.

Of course, and I really do try not to let my brain go here, you know what I am thinking.

So I was antsy to see what her counts were today.

I was so happy when I saw that they were all perfect and normal.

She didn't even have an ear infection.

Must just be some virus gong around.

So the only not so great news for the day was that Odette lost a pound.

We will be seeing the doctor the first week of August about this.

Otherwise, our next appointment with oncology will be her one year mark!

She is as cute as ever.

Ate her chips.

Told everyone about her black chicken.

Got to love Oliver, the dog.

And showered everyone with "blow kisses" today.

That is my Odette!