6 months post transplant... Samantha continues do do good. She really misses her central line - what, misses it you ask ? The central line was surgically place through her jugular vein and came out her chest to allow for easy access to do daily blood tests, provide her new line of the stem cells, to sustain life while waiting for new cells to grow and to treat all possible complications. That's all over with. She now takes daily medications orally, including anti-rejection FK506 and magnesium. Thanks God for getting us here.
Watauga County had a successful Relay for Life this past weekend and raised over $314,000 for the American Cancer Society. A Relay is so awesome since it also honors all the cancer survivors. Ken and I walked with a lady who is a cancer survivor and she explained how honored she was that someone was recognizing her battle. There were almost 200 luminaries for Samantha - it was breathe-taking. Thanks to everyone who supported this cause. Ken was the guest speaking and he was great. I looked out of the crowd of thousands of people who were wiping tears from their eyes. Thanks Ken for sharing how this war has touched the family.
And now, I ask special prayers for some special people: For 2 year old Sydney who is nearing the end. A family will be making the decision within the next week. For 23 month old Garrett whose went last week with Sam for his 6 month post-transplant tests. They came back showing a spot on his liver. Please pray that his neuroblastoma is not bad. For baby Ryan who still struggles daily - but is miraculously taking baby steps. For 3 year old Jessica in Florida who is beginning her journey of leukemia treatments. For my friend Ivette who is leaving tomorrow to begin her bone marrow transplant process. For my uncle who just got home from the bone marrow unit. And all who fight this battle every day and everyone who is helping them.
Update Tues, Jun 11, 2002
6 mo post transplant... Sam is doing great. She is such a little miracle. She told me last night that she just read chapter 1 of the Wizard of Oz. She is only 5 and not even in school. She was so happy to hear my uncle got rid of his leukemia too. When Sam told Matt that she kicked her leukemia to the moon, Matt said "Oh no, you would not want to even give the aliens leukemia". Sam then got upset and asked Nancy if God would be mad at her if she said she kicked her leukemia to the moon.
My heart just aches as I heard that 2 year old Sydney got her Angel Wings last night. She started on the bone marrow unit shortly after Sam. Please say prayers for her family. They have had quite the battle for life the past 6 months at Duke. Again, special prayers for our little Garrett who is having additional testing to make sure his neuroblastoma is not back.
By the way, special thanks to all who have helped with the Hope for Marrow fund. At the bone marrow drive Saturday, we tested 50 people in less than 2 hrs ! Thanks.
Update Fri, Jun 14, 2002
Today, Sam is 7 months post-transplant - wow. She is doing great. She even got to go in a pool. There are still lots of little issues, but she is doing good. Nancy was telling me that Sam is so worried about her leukemia coming back. If anything is wrong, she is afraid to say anything since she thinks she will have to go to the doctor and find more leukemia. I cannot believe a 5 year old has to even have such thoughts. I told her last night not to worry, I saw the rainbow of Hope last night. The biggest brightest rainbow was in the V between 2 mountains - where was the camera when I needed it ! I just sat and thanked God for His message.
Sam and Matt are so very excited about a special visitor today Andrea, Sam's nurse at Duke. They have been making all kinds of gifts for her too. What a special touch for Andrea to stop by on her way. These nurses love the kids so much.
Great news - more prayers were answered for my little 23 month old buddy Garrett - the bone marrow biopsy came out normal. Special prayers for 1 yr old Ryan who has confirmed GvHD and for 5 year old Brandon going through the engraftment stage with high fevers. And for my friend Ivette who started her transplant journey this week in MD.
Update Sun, Jun 16, 2002
7 months post-transplant.... Sam continues to do well. She has little issues, but handles them well. lately, she seems so worroed about her leukemia coming back. It's not fair that a 5 year old has to even think such thoughts.
Happy Father's Day to my Dad and to Ken and to all the father's out there. Ken has been through so much and I know he is happy to get all kinds of crafts from Sam and Matt today.
Special prayers go to 5 year old Brett (who had his transplant about a week before Sam had hers.) He is having some stomach problems and hopefully not bad GvHD. I pray the biopsy comes back ok.
Update Wed, Jun 19, 2002
Sam is doing good. She was so brave getting her port accessed yesterday at clinic. She talked about the tooth fairy the whole time. She does have the GvH rash popping up all over. I think it bugs Nancy more than Sam. Her hair is growing back full, fluffy and dark.
Thanks God for her continued health and for the continued health of my uncle, Garrett, Emily, Brett, Austin, Benjamin, Michael, Gooch and so many of the little ones.
Update Sat., June 29,2002
7.5 months post-transplant.... Samantha is doing great. She has had the graft vs Host disease rash pretty bad lately all over her body. The sun and heat seem to make it worse. Thanks so much for everyone who is just so helpful to Nancy & Ken.
Would you believe a 5 year accepting a finger prick ? It's much better than accessing her port and she is ok with it too. I just cannot believe how brave kids learn to be.
Sam got to go to church last week and she was so excited. Matt was more excited about the chocolate donut after church.
Sam and Matt are doing great learning sign language. They decided it would not be wise to eat pizza and sign certain words. Matt says you would end up with pizza in the ears and hair with some words.
Special prayers to my friend Ivette who will have her sisters bone marrow next week. Special parayers to little Jake who starts his next round of chemo before his surgery (he relapsed with neuroblastoma after his transplant). A special parayer for 5 year old Brett who had his transplant a week before Sam. He is back in the hospital and bless his heart, he had just had his central line removed too. Yay for 6 year old Brandon who has new cells and a special prayer for my uncle who is on his next round of chemo now. This cancer seems endless !
Update Wed., July 3,2002
almost 8 mo. post transplant.... we need some extra special prayers for Sam today. They are off to Duke to get her rash checked. It's been getting bad and all over. We want to see some GvH rash meaning there should be no leukemia, but at this point - too much can mean chronic. It is a fine line to walk with GvH too since the anti-rejection medication FK506 can suppress the immune system. So the rollercoaster ride continues. I am not sure if it would be better to be a fungal infection.
They had a near scare at clinic yesterday. They were almost exposed to chicken pox. Fortunately, Nancy is extra specially cautious having Sam wear the mask. It made for quite a long clinic visit though clearing all the cancer kids.
Happy 4th of July. Congratulations to my friend Ivette who had her transplant - Grow Cells Grow. !
Update Sun, July 7,2002
almost 8 months post-transplant.... Sam is doing good. They are dealing with the rash that is GvH and eczema (yes, she has my genes too !). They want to see some GvH and yes, it unfortunately may be for the rest of her life. As long as the fight is going on, the hopes are that the leukemia will stay away.
This is a day that Nancy & Ken need some prayers too. July 7th was the day they lost their twins. Losing a child will stay with a parent forever.
Thanks so much to everyone who is so caring to still send goodies to the kids. It surely helps Nancy out, especially on those long clinic days. Thank goodness for the wonder Brenner Children's hospital too. They make the place fun for the kids. The Brenner Children's classic race (family fun mile or 5K race is Sat Aug 3 in Winston-Salem. The proceeds benefit the children's hospital.
Special prayers for all those dealing with various forms of cancer, especially my uncle, my friend Ivette who had her transplant last week and Brett who had his transplant a wekk before Sam did.
Update Wed, July 10,2002
Samantha is doing good. She and Matt are really enjoyng sign language. Nancy says that when she is talking on the phone, the kids try to sign. They think because they are not talking they are not interrupting. But Nancy can't sign back and talk to someone at the same time. Nancy is doing a great job teaching them to sign using various books.
Sam's rash is clearing up good. That's a good sign. She does get belly aches after eating, but it takes so long for the intestines to heal after what has been done to her body. Special prayers for little Michael who sas the GvH really bad in his gut and for 1 yr old Ryan and 5 year old Brett who are also battling GvH.
Thanks to all who keep giving platelets. You are saving lives every day. I know our family appreciates everyone who donated in Sam's honor. Thanks for getting your bone marrow tests and thanks for all the kind things people have done.
One side request: Once Sam starts getting out more and visiting with people, please remember that her immune system is still no where even that of a premature baby. So if you have been near anyone the slightest virus or bacteria - please please please do not go near her ! And also remember that her little brother deserves just as much attention as she does. This has been very very hard on him.
Update Mon, July 15,2002
Samantha is doing good. They have been making some unplanned visits to clinic since her graft vs. host disease rash seems to get pretty bad at times. One day last week, her eyes were swollen shut. The rash does itch and burn at times. Sam seems to be having some body aches. The doctor says her body is catching up with her. Sam has hardly stopped throughout this transplant. Even through the real bad days on morphine and benydral, she kept going and going.
Sam has been asking lots of questions about why some kids have to die when they have cancer. But she thinks they are lucky to be in a place as nice as Heaven. I think she knows they are no longer suffering. I cannot believe that a 5 year old carries so much with her. She knows 1st hand what suffering is all about.
I pray that one day Sam will not have to deal the the GvH rash and belly pains after eating. And hopefully one day no one will have to go through this process that occurs with a stem cell transplant.
OOPS - I was wrong on Brenner Children's Classic. It is Aug 23. Check out my links section to Brenner's.
Update Tues, July 16,2002
I cannot believe it has almost been a year since Samantha was diagnosed with cancer. Life has changes for me for sure. Nancy & Ken's life will be forever changed. They will not have a moment of piece. But here we are STILL ! Thank you God.
I saw a poem that I want to share:
Count Your Blessings
Count your blessings instead of your crosses.
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes.
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears.
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean.
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth.
Count on God instead of yourself.
Author unknown
Update Sat, July 28,2002
8 months post-transplant.... Samantha is doing well. The kids are getting some great play time. Matt even got to do some special activities with his Daddy that Sam still has restrictions on. Sam seems to be seeing some white spots, but that may be the cateracts getting worse. But things are going good overall.
Special prayers that my uncle can keep his leukemia in remission.
Update Mon, July 22,2002
Wow, it's been a whole year since Samantha was diagnosed with cancer. It really is so amazing how many lives have been touched through her ordeal. Many lives have also been saved. Thanks to everyone who has given especially platelets. My uncle is still getting them. Sam is really doing great. It is so hard to believe that she will start 1st grade this year. For now, it will have to be home-school. Her immune system is holding it's own though. She still has not yet started all her baby shots. With a non-related cord blood stem cell transplant, there are many many restrictions for years. Nancy and Ken should get a medal of honor. Sam has stayed so healthy despite what her little body has been through. Next month will be the 9 month post-transplant studies. My prayers are that she will stay in remission for many more years. Thanks God ! We cannot forget to thank God. I know I begged and pleaded with God for many months and questioned for many more. He sure has given Sam a guardian angel these past months.
Special prayers go to little Michael and Ryan who battle Gvh so bad after their transplants. My friend Ivette is about 3 weeks post-transplant and she is now battling the GvH. Grow cells grow though !
Update Mon, Aug 12,2002
9 months post transplant... Things are great with Samantha. She had her 9 month post- transplant studies at Duke today. All tests showed she is doing great. We won't know the results of the immune studies for a while. She does still have the rash really bad. It may possibly be a fungal infection along with GvH. But, they are talking about weaning her off the anti-rejection medication. That may cause more graft vs. host disease, but we will take that over leukemia.
It is hard to believe that Samantha will be 6 years old 2 weeks from today. I am planning a Wizard of Oz birthday party.
Special prayers to little Michael who battles the GvH so bad. He is quite the fighter. And great news about my Uncle - no more chemo for his leukemia. These wonder drugs are something else.
Update Wed, Aug 14,2002
9 months post transplant...Samantha is going good other than her eye problems and the fungal infection on her skin. Nancy was telling me last night when she heard "fungal infection", many fears hit. But Dr. Martin has assured her they can deal with it. She will most likely need eye surgery and glasses. That's ok too. That's from all the high dose chemo and radiation. Remember she also had that week of cranial radiation pre-transplant.
The kids are doing great and getting excited about Sam's Wizard of Oz 6th birthday party.
I am so so so happy that my uncle's leukemia is in remission. Thank you God ! Special prayers for my friend Ivette who is at day 36 post-transplant. She has the GvH and now the dreaded CMV virus has hit her hard. Extra special prayers for little Michael Allen who had his transplant about a year ago and has battled GvH so bad. He is now in critical condition. This stuff just seems to never end !
Update Fri, Aug 16,2002
Samantha is doing pretty good. If they could only clear up that skin fungal infection - life would be great. She is not able to start 1st grade this due to a suppressed immune system. She will also have to start he baby shots all over and cannot go to school because of that too. Now that schools are starting, I ask that anyone who is exposed to any virus (a cold, chicken pox, etc.) please please do not try to visit the family. It seems that I was begging this a year ago and the fact is that her immune system is still weak. Thanks.
Please say special prayers for a patient of Dr. Washko who has a nephew in Atlanta just diagnosed with leukemia - Brandon. I pray that this little one's leukemia can get in remission and stay there and never need a transplant.
Update Mon, Aug 19,2002
9 months post-transplant.... Samantha is doing good. She is one week from being 6 years old. It seems like this time last year, we were fighting and praying to make it to 5 years old. She is so happy and just learning so much. She asked Nancy the other day what people did before refrigerators were invented. So they got on the internet and learned all about it. So if you ever need to know about the refrigerator, just ask Sam !
The biggest battle seems to be the rash. She is covered head to toe with it. It is a combination of GvH and a fungus. They are lowering her anti-rejection medication FK506, so I pray the GvH is not going to be a life-time battle.
For the trip to Duke last week, they decided to take balloons to all the kids on the bone marrow unit. The Balloons For Sam was such a great boost while she was in the unit. She was so excited to give some balloons to a little boy riding the tractor on the bone marrow unit. The little boy said "I have to go now". Sam said "you keep riding, that is what made me better". Nancy said it was so cute. Sam was so happy to visit the bone marrow unit and see her old room.
Special prayers for 7 year old Michael who is in critical condition with his GvH. He has his transplant almost 1 year old.
Please keep giving platelets for all those who need that gift of life EVERY day. And remember, the Brenner Children Classic 5k and family fun run (www.bccrun.org) is this Saturday in Winston. See Ken Run - see Aunt Cathy run and you never know who may be a guest speaker at the awards ceremony !
Update Wed, Aug 21,2002
9 months post-transplant.... Samantha is doing ok. The bad news is that they now have to double her anti-rejection medication FK506. They have tried weaning her off, but she is showing various signs of the graft vs. host disease. She is such a brave kid and never complains. The bad thing about the FK506 is that is suppresses her immune system.
Please keep the prayers for 7 year old Michael Allen who is out of the PICU, but still in bad shape with the severe GvH in his stomach. He is fighting so hard for his life.
Update Fri, Aug 23,2002
9 months post-transplant... Samantha is doing good. Monday will be her 6th birthday. Wow, and thanks God !!! She is a little miracle. She does have some issues with the GvH, so they have doubled the anti-rejection med.
Special prayers that little 2 year old Garrett's tests show he is still in remission. Special prayers to Randy and Shelley who have so gratoiusly taken care of the Washko's dog. Randy's brother passed away. He is now cancer free and pain free in Heaven. Special prayers also for my friend Ivette battling post-transplant complications. She is about day 50 post-transplant.
Update Mon, Aug 26,2002
Happy 6th birthday Samantha !!! Samantha is off to Duke today to deal with some issues of her skin. It does seem to be getting better with the increased anti-rejection medication.
Special prayers for the family of 7 year old Michael Allen. He is now pain-free as he went home to Heaven yesterday. Michael had his transplant about 6 months before Samantha did. Please say special prayers for his family.
Update Thu, Aug 29,2002
Samantha is doing good. She never stops and has been so full of herself. The appointment went great at Duke. It looks like are going to soon start the taper of off the anti-rejection medication again. They got to delivery birthday cupcakes to all the nurses, doctors, friends and bone marrow unit. Sam even got to throw confetti for a little 3 year old girl going home from the bone marrow unit. Leaving the bone marrow unit is such a miracle !
Then they had clinic at Brenner's and got to give everyone there cupcakes. And speaking of Brenner's .... this Aunt Cathy got to beat Ken in the Brenner Children's classic. It was hot, but there were LOTS of runners.
Life is great now and I pray that Samantha can stay in remission. I aslo pray that all of 2 year old Garrett's tests come back normal and he can keep his neuroblastoma in remission.
Please keep the platelet donations going - they are so life-saving every day for so many people - young and old .
Update Tues, Sep 3, 2002
Almost 10 months post-transplant. Samantha is doing good. She is as smart as ever and that cranial radiation and chemo sure got a blow when it messed with my niece ! September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Did you know that 1 in 900 adults with cancer are childhood cancer survivors ? We still need a cure. Aunt Cathy will be going to Celebration on the Hill in a few weeks as an ambassador to meet with congress to say I vote and I care about cancer. I have hope that there will be a cure one day. Samantha (along with many others) will have luminaries lit around the reflecting pool to honor their struggle with cancer.
Thanks to the Hendrick Marrow Program for rolling out the red carpet for me when I visited this past weekend. The folks at Hendrick Motor sports are so caring. They not only provide bone marrow testing and financial assistance to families, but they have a great program where the pit crews get involved with the kids on the bone marrow unit. This past weekend, the pit crews wore special buttons "In Loving Memory of Michael Allen". They are so caring. Thanks.
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Update Wed, Sep 4, 2002
Samantha is doing great. She still has her rash and some occassional diarrea (probably GvH). But doors are opening. They got to go to a resteraunt and Sam may even get to go to dance class once a week. She hopefully understands that is someone there is sick, she will have to leave immediately. She is always happy and loves reading to Matt. And, by the way, she got to go to the library. Samantha is also really happy about her new twin cousins.
Update Mon, Sep 9, 2002
Almost 10 mo. post-transplant ! There is so much news. Sam is doing great. She is recovering far ahead of the expectations for someone getting a mis-matched transplant. Her immune studies came back showing it is time to start popping bubbles around her. She cannot get to school full-time since she cannot begin her immunizations all over until she is off the GvH medication. She still has a rash that gets firey-red and burns and itches, but they are managing that.
I have so much to share. She lost another tooth. That meant a HEAVY dose of antibiotics. She did write a letter to the tooth fairy asking if she could keep the tooth a few extra days so she could show her Grandma and Grandpa and nurse Andria who were visiting. It is so awesome that Andrea takes her time off to visit Samantha. It's funny though because Sam loves it, yet gets emotional. Andria was there those days that were the real battle for daily life. I think deep down Sam knows that Andrea was part of her new life. Thanks Andrea for your love !
Sam has been reading to Matt and helping him spell words. Matt wants so bad to lose his 1st tooth. He wrote a letter to the tooth fairy too !
Another milestone - when they were at church Sunday, Sam got to walk down the aisle and get her blessing. The smile never left her face and she said "Mommy, I am smiling so much, I think my smile is stuck to my face". Yea God.
Please keep praying for the miracle all these little ones - especially my friend Ivette who is still in ICU. And please please keep giving platelets. And finally, pray for a cure !
Update Fri, Sep 13, 2002
10 months post transplant tomorrow. Yeah ! Sam is doing good. Her rash is of course always an issue and lately some headaches. But they deal with those things one day at a time. Sam got to go to dance class for the 1st time in a year and is just in 7th heaven. She also got to deliver cupcakes to her 1st grade class. One little boy asked why her hair had to fall out. She explained about the chemo. She also told him that boys usually have short hair, but she likes short hair. Matt is being the patient accepting little 4 year olds as people dote on Sam and leave him out.
I am off to the Clebration on the Hill in Washington DC. It is an American Cancer Society event to let our legislators know we vote and we care about cancer. I will be sharing my personal story with my NC senator and representative. There will also be a luminary ceremony and I hope to find Sam's to take a picture. I am have some luminaraies lit for some special other people too who have been touched by cancer. So watch the news Thursday Sept 19 and look for me. We will all be wearing purple t-shirts.
Update Mon, Sep 23, 2002
Samantha is 10 months post transplant and doing well. She got to play with her cousins and seeing the kids together made me realize how close she is getting to being more normal. I did notice how pale she got after a while. She really did great keeping up with all the kids. She does have a bad rash and seems to be getting headaches quite a bit. The medications all take their toll !
I must reports a successful message to Congress was delivered to spend more money on cancer research. President Bush addressed those of us who went as ambassadors, stating "In order to win the war on cancer, we must fund the war". I brought Sam's book along with me and gave a copy to each of my senators and representative. I sure hope they are touched.
Please say special prayers for my friend Ivette who is battling BK virus post transplant. And special prayers for baby Ryan who has difficulties and for little Jake who has had some fevers.
Update Mon, Oct. 7, 2002
Almost 11 months post-transplant. Yay. Sam is doing good and just having fun learning. She is studying the Ice Age. That is really old news and she is now into the Inca's and Aztec's. Matt loves studying about the Indians and is just like Uncle John, collecting arrowheads.
Next month Nov 14th is 1 year post transplant. That is a huge milestone. There are some health issues and GvH and the scare of germs to deal with. And yes, there is always the chance for relapse. I thank the doctors, nurses, platelet donors, the parents of the cord blood and especially God. I kept praying to God, "please please let Sam make it". Then I changed my prayers to "Please God, thy will be done". I am so glad of God's will !
Special prayers for my 21 year old friend from Boone (Ivette). She went thru 2 years of chemo, then relapsed with her leukemia. Her sister was a perfect bone marrow match and she had her transplant 3 months ago. Ivette now struggles for life on the respirator with kidney failure. Miracles happen, please pray for hers.
Samantha is doing good. She is so excited about learning. She has made a list of all the things she wants to learn. Most have to do about history. She got to go to dance class again this week and just loves being "normal" again. The next day she went to clinic at Brenner Children's Hospital. Her numbers are looking good. Thank you God. When I was in Washington, DC, I submitted a prayer request for her at the National Cathedral. I just got the card from the Reverend letting me know they did a special prayer for her. And we know God listens !
Special prayers for my friend Ivette from Boone who is battling post-transplant complications. Special prayers for little 3 year old Jake with neuroblastoma who is in a lot of pain with complications. And special prayers for a family in Boone who have a 2 year old just diagnosed with leukemia.
Here is a picture of Sam getting ready with her popcorn to watch a family movie. You can really see the rash on her legs.
Update Tues, Oct. 15, 2002
11 months post-transplant. Wow, almost a year since the transplant. Everytime I see Samantha, I see a miracle - God's little angel on earth. Saturday while we were hiking, Sam held my hand the whole time. She said holding the handing of someone you love is happiness flowing between each other. What energy she has too. We kept running ahead on the trail with Matt and jumping out to scare Grandma and Grandpa. She still has the bad itch and her skin is "rugged". And does does seem to get a little sick after eating. But she loves Aunt Cathy's homegrown, homemade apple raspberry sauce to mix her medicine with.
A miracle occurred this week and thanks for all the prayers. My 21 year old friend Ivette from Boone is about 4 months post-transplant and came off the respirator. One kidneys is still bleeding bad, but she is getting to be her fiesty old self. I say special prayers for her family who are at the NIHMS hospital in Bethesda, MD with her. They are in the midst of the sniper shootings.
Thanks God for my awesome weekend with my special nieces and nephews.
Update Wed, Oct. 16, 2002
I just canot believe Samantha is almost 1 year post-transplant. Wow ! She loves her learning. Sam and Matt make lists of what they want to learn about, they go to the library to check out books, then they read and make crafts. Sam is into the Boxcar Children books. She is also into painting. She wants to now paint some mountain scenery. I have to share this picture of her enjoying the fresh air at Roan Mt, TN (6300 feet) this past weekend. She just stood there forever with her eyes closed letting the wind whip across her face. We take this for granted, but not Sam. While in the bone marrow unit, she fantasized about being outside every day. And then once she was able to go outside, for over 6 months, she had to wear that thick mask. She enjoys the simple things in life like fresh air ! We sure could learn a lesson from the little ones.
Update Sat, Oct 26, 2002
3 weeks away from 1 year post-transplant. Yayayay !!!! Sam is really doing good. The skin problem and some stomach problems seem to be the worse things going on now. Sam seems to be getting a little cold, but that little body is doing great fightimg it off. Nancy said the kids live in their Halloween costumes - Sam as Dorothy and Matt as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Sam is really having fun reading.
The numbers are final, the Watauga Co. Relay for life raised over $380,000. We are number #1 in the nation for our population group 40,000-49,000. And we even beat the next highest population group. Samantha's Rainbow of Hope team was awarded a silver level award. Thanks to everyone we helped out. I have had the great oppurtunity to meet several doctors in NC who have been awarded research grants from the American Cancer Society. I just pray they can find cure soon for the little ones like Jake Courtney who have relapsed. As Sam would say "I just know they will".
Here is a great picture of Samantha in the pumpkin patch, deciding which pumpkin to get.
Update Tues, Nov 12, 2002
Samantha is 2 days away from her 1 year transplant anniversary. This is a HUGE milestone in their lives. Ken, Nancy, Sam and Matt will celebrate with cake and ice cream. Then they will head to Duke Sunday for a few days of tests. I hear they may not have to do a bone marrow aspiration since a new test has been developed through a simple blood test - yay ! She will probably have her port accessed for the last time. The surgery is set for the 1st week in December to remove the port (the line under her skin in her chest to easily access her veins). She is doing other than stomach pains after eating and the rash.
This is really cute.... Sam and Matt are always asking lots of questions as curious kids do. Matt asked if he could ask God if He could come hold his hand while he is sleeping since he is so afraid of the dark. But in the same conversation, he asked if Sam was going to die and go to Heaven soon since she was so sick. Sam's response was "No, I will live to be very very old and maybe even older than you Matt!" Matt was just 3 when Sam got cancer and it is amazing what has gone on with him through all this. Thanks to everyone who has so gratiously remembered him too.
Well, awesome news on my friend Ivette...she is out of ICU and actually up and walking. Her kidneys seem to be functioning a little better too. The prayers sure have worked a miracle for her too. Yay God (as Sam and Matt shout after saying grace.
Update Thurs, Nov 14, 2002
It's a miracle .... Samantha is 1 year post transplant today. Thank God. Thanks to the awesome parents in NY who donated their baby boy's umbilical cord after he was born. Those stem cells gave Sam new life. Thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared so lovingly for the entire Washko family. Thanks for the bone marrow unit families and friends for supporting the family. Thanks to everyone who fixed meals and sent gifts. Thanks to the Hendrick Marrow program for their loving support. Thanks to everyone who donated platelets that helped keep Sam alive for many months. During the time while they killed her type B+ blood and the time she grew her new A+ blood, donors truly gave her the gift of life. Thanks to everyone for continued prayers. And thanks to the rest of my family for supporting the Washko's in so many ways. Sam still has a weakened immune system and there are many issues to deal with. I still cry thinking about what Sam has had to go through. It is not fair that a little one whould have to suffer so dearly. I have learned so much about cancer and what we can to do help other families with cancer. We need to continue to pray for Sam to remain in remission, although I think God has shown us that He is lending us this angel for many more years. Please say special prayers for all the families who have lost a precious little one. So many angels have touched my life since Samantha was diagnosed with cancer last year. Here is a picture of Sam moments before her transplant last year on Day 0 and then today.
