A Christmas Note

Merry Christmas!!!

This Past Year has been Crazy!!
We’ve started our Christmas letter the past few years that exact way. It was true enough each time we wrote it, but... We didn’t realize what being truly crazy could mean. Our lives were turned upside down when Grace was diagnosed with cancer in June and our world was tipped right side up again when no cancer could be found in October, yet our perspective on life is forever altered.


Jessica (10) enjoys choir
Jane (8) was baptized this year
Grace (6) is getting healthier everyday


May His Grace Rest Upon You Always.
We Think Of You Often And Hope You Are Well.



The Cluff Family
Rodney, Melissa, Jessica, Jane & Grace

Merry Christmas!!

This time of year always helps us remember our blessings--this year, like never before, we are grateful for our friends, family, and neighbors. We've felt the love of our Savior so strongly and feel so overwhelmed by the love we feel from each of you. The Barton Creek Ward and Pearland Ward along with our friends, family and neighbors made it possible for us to keep our home running. We didn't realize how Grace being sick would depress our progress in every aspect of our lives. We love having such an amazing group of people pulling for us. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such loving, kind family--we consider all of you family.

Merry Christmas!!!

Not a trace....

We met with the doctor today and Grace is cancer-free!!! The doctor said, "This is amazing, there's not a trace!"

We are so excited we can hardly keep it together!! We're crying and laughing and jumping up and down and clapping and screaming out and crying, laughing......

Gracie was on the phone and said, "I beated up the cancer!"

She has tests again in 12 weeks. If those tests are all clear then she can have her Broviac (central line) taken out. She'll be tested every 12 weeks for the first year. She'll be on an antibiotic for at least 6 months but that's way better than hospital stays and chemo.

Her white blood count is still low but that's normal as her bone marrow is rebuilding. The doctor said that she'll be able to start going to school in January. For now, it's better for her to remain in the homebound program, it will enable her to continue to get healthier and stronger.

Yeah!!!!! Gracie is cancer-free.

We don't know what to do--this is so amazing!

We don't even know how to begin to express our gratitude for the many, many, many acts of service and the millions of prayers offered in our behalf. It's a miracle--because of all of you--we could not have made it through. So many times we thought we couldn't go on for another minute and someone would fill the need, and made it possible for us to meet the challenge at hand. We've never been through a more difficult experience but we've never been so blessed.

Thank you. We hope everyone has a huge party tonight, tomorrow and everyday celebrating life, love, friends, family, kindness, courage and service.

In other news, Jessica made the All-City choir!! She is so excited. Her music teacher said she had a great audition!! 5th graders from all around the city are chosen to represent their school. So if you see her, please congratulate her!!!

Tonight we'll sleep like never before!!

Testing...one, two, three

Today, Gracie had her PET and CAT scans done. It was an ordeal--not the tests themselves but getting to the point the tests could be done was a mess.

Starting yesterday Gracie couldn't eat any carbohydrates--which was a challenge because she'd say something like--mom, can I have a Popsicle--no, sweetie that has sugar--papa, can I have a potato--no, it's a carbohydrate--papa a potato is not sugary--well, it doesn't taste like sugar but it really is--Let's put it this way Grace, you can have eggs, meat and cheese!!! That's it! That just made her want chips, cereal, bread etc more because they weren't on the list--is she a 6 year old or what??

We made it through the day and we woke up today and got Jessica and Jane off to school and we left a little while later and were at the radiologists office at 8:21am. But the first thing we ask for was a barf bucket--we weren't even half way to the doctor's when Gracie began throwing up. Of course, we didn't have a bucket, or trash can, or bag or anything--so she just threw up all over her blanket that she brought for her "comfort" item and Melissa was turned around in her seat trying to catch it all on the blanket, as Rod kept on driving faster and faster (the smell was motivating us to get there quickly). Luckily, Gracie had decided to bring her giant Cinderella stuffed doll also. So, we had a back-up "comfort" item. We highly recommend back-ups of all kinds!!

We get checked in and wait, and wait, and Gracie lays down and they call her name!! Back we go, to a room that is stifling hot because among other instructions we got were that Gracie should be kept really warm--jacket, long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks and shoes and we can't forget the hat!! The paramedic enters and puts numbing cream on a couple of different areas because it's better to access her not through her Broviac tube. We wait in the sauna of a room and he comes back 30 minutes later and he can't get a vein--she's too dehydrated--she's been poked several times and then they decide that they have to use her tube (great, all that trauma for nothing)--They also need to get the vomiting under control, but all meds have to be ok'd by the doctor. We got the ok for some anti-nausea medicine after about an hour and also for some Valium because she's upset about the pokes etc and we need her calm, calm, calm.

Next, comes the radioactive sugar--that has to circulate for 45 minutes or so--so, we wait, with the meat falling off our bones in the sauna they are keeping us captive in. (just so you know, trashy magazines are as trashy as ever and we had time to read them all!!!)

In the team comes and out go Rod and Grace (apparently the rules changed from the last time because now only one parent is allowed). By now, we are all exhausted and so the test that took about 40 minutes went perfectly--they didn't even have to give Gracie any extra medicines to keep her calm. She just laid there as still as can be while the machines whirled around her.

Recovery was another 40 minutes--they had to be sure she would keep liquids down and that she wasn't too loopy. Then off we went--at 2:00pm!!! All day long--and now Gracie wasn't the only one starving (Gracie couldn't eat anything after midnight)!!!!

First stop lunch!! Yummy!! Next stop home--we all needed a nap but none of us got one--so early to bed!! So, we are signing off because we need to be asleep in about 10 minutes!! Do you think we'll make it??? Have a super evening--we meet with the doctor on Friday to go over the results of the test. We'll update the blog asap when we get home. Until Friday....

You know, mama, it will be OK...

Hello Everyone!! It's been awhile since the last post because Melissa was sick last week and now Rod and Grandma are sick! Grace has been home for over a week. So far the mouth sores have not made an appearance!!! Kepivance and prayers work really well together. We are still keeping our fingers crossed and hope the mouth sores are not just delayed!! Grace has been having pain in her hips and lower back from the neupogen (it's a medication that stimulates white blood cell production). She's never noticed the pain before because she's been in a morphine stupor by now. Tylenol with hydrocodone works wonders for hip pain and we've been able to manage the pain at home. Gracie has her PET and CAT scans in a couple of weeks. Then we will know better where we're at and we can move forward from there. She feels really good right now. Over this week her white blood count should come up and she may have a week or so where she can be pretty normal and go to church etc. We'll have to wait and see but she misses everyone so much at church and gymnastics and she's excited to meet new friends at school too.

Friday night, Grace came to Melissa and ask if they could snuggle--Gracie climbed up and snuggled in and ask, "Mama, did you know that some kids with cancer die?"
"Yes, I do know that."
"But you and papa don't want me to die, do you?"
"No, sweetie we don't."
"You know, mama, it will be OK because if I die, Heavenly Father and Jesus will be there to take care of me until you and papa come and Jessica and Jane and we can all give big hugs!"
"Yes, we are a forever family. I love you Grace."
"I love you too mama. Will you rub my back until I fall asleep?"
"Yes."
Then Melissa silently cried and cried as Gracie fell asleep.

Grace is only 6--and she knows Heavenly Father and Jesus will take care of her no matter what happens. She has such great faith--it's amazing how the little ones teach us.

We hope this finds you well. Have a great day.

And so it continues...

This has got to be a record. Grace is still home!!! We've had clinic visits every week day and a blood transfusion but we've been able to be at home in the evenings and mornings!!! Tomorrow, September 4th, Grace starts her 5th round of chemo. It's the same chemo she had the first 2 times that made her so sick with mouth sores--on the up side we've been getting the medicine to help with that--cross your fingers!!

Her home bound teacher is amazing with her. It's been so good for her to have that structure and know that no matter what education is important. Grace has "school" on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 in the morning. She has homework in between sessions. They are moving at a very fast pace--We were skeptical that 4 hours a week could actually keep her up with the class but it's amazing how much they accomplish in that time. It'll be interesting to see how it works when we are in the hospital. Hopefully, we'll only have to have school in the hospital on Tuesday and we'll be home for the Thursday class time.

We are anxiously awaiting the clinical evaluation that will be done after her 5th round. The doctor said that they wait 3-4 weeks to do the evaluation so the patient is feeling a little better and the chemo side effects are wearing off. It's really the results that we are anxiously awaiting. A little girl a few weeks ahead of Grace had a lot of scar tissue and they couldn't determine conclusively that the scar tissue wasn't tumors so they opted for 4 more chemo rounds. We didn't realize there could be scar tissue from all the tumors but it makes sense that there would be some damage. We are hoping for the best but we'll do whatever we need to.

Grace was so sad on Labor Day. Her cousins were here and we went to the pool/park to play and she couldn't go swimming. She could just dangled her feet in and she said to grandma, "it's just not fair that Jessica and Jane get to go swimming and I don't!" Grandma just told her that she was right. It's not fair and that probably next summer she'd be able to go swimming too. Grandma also got her another Popsicle--that always helps!!

She seems to be doing well. We hope that means she's doing a great job at "beating up the cancer". That's what we always tell her when she's sick of everything--we tell her we have to keep fighting and beat up the cancer.

This is definitely the worst and most amazing experience of life so far--we know prayer works and we know service changes lives because our life is better because of all those willing to help us at this time. We hope this finds you well.

Home Sweet Home

Sunday was Gracie last day of chemo for the 4th round. She was supposed to finish up around 4:45pm and then go home!!!! At about 1:30 she started having respiratory spasms--she could breathe but it was getting harder for her and she began panicking (of course!!! who wouldn't panic) which made it worse to the point she started throwing up!! After that though she was so worn out that she was like a rag doll and she began dozing off--but it helped her relax and about 20 minutes later her oxygen level went back up and she seemed to be all right. She didn't have to go on oxygen so we were able to come home as planned--yeah!! But we got a stern caution that if Grace started not breathing we should take her to the closest ER--and if she began turning blue we should call 9-1-1. She continued by adding that 'breathing is really important!'
Whew!!! That was great information and I began laughing then the nurse realized what she said and started laughing too. We definitely don't want to add 'ambulance ride' to our list of new experiences so we hope there's no blueness that occurs over the next week or so.

Our first day at home was the first day of school. Luckily, we bought the girls' school supplies at the end of last year from the PTA!! Jane and Jessica both got really nice teachers--we've already had parent/teacher conferences--we try to avoid those =)!! We've also met Gracie's teacher at the conference with the principal, counselor, and homebound rep. I've never had to meet with the principal before. Fun, fun times. Gracie is enrolled in the 'homebound program'. It's a program where cancer kids are assigned to a teacher and classroom but a tutor comes either to your home or to the hospital to teach the child so they stay up with the class. The teacher meets with the tutor, so the tutor teaches the same things that they are learning in class (all tutors are certified teachers). Amazingly enough the tutor only meets with Grace 4 hours a week--the tutor said that usually homebound kids end up being ahead of the classroom. We could hardly believe it--they can really go fast when it's one-on-one. Anyway, that starts today--we'll see how it goes.

It's looks like we won't have to start the 5th round until day 21--we are on day 9 today. We'll see. It seems everytime we get our hopes up that we'll be at home for a while it seems something comes up--but she is home and a nice beige-peachy-pinky color--HOORAY!!

We hope this finds you well--

4th Round of Chemo

Grace started her 4th round of chemo yesterday. She had a lumbar puncture today and usually when she comes out of general anesthesia she is mean, mean, mean!!!! Today she was chatty and silly--and I'm thinking they did a partial lobotomy, not a lumbar puncture!!! Anyway, it was a good day for her. She was able to play in the playroom and make herself a badge with her picture and name--just like the hospital staff. She's official now. She is also taking over many jobs like taking her own temperature and blood pressure.

We'll see how this week plays out--hospital weeks are hard but in general the side effects haven't kicked in yet so she feels pretty good!! We hope the rest of this week goes well. We were so excited to have her home for 8 days in a row!!! It was awesome. We were able to go to our nephew's baptism (way to go Austin)!!! Grace had so much fun with her cousins!! Just getting out of town cheered all of us up!!

We'll keep you updated as much as we can. Many of you have asked us if the treatments are working. She'll have a thorough evaluation after her 5th chemo round and that will give a better idea of where she is at. We know that the tumor on her neck has gone away (visually). We hope that is indicative of the other tumors but as of yet, we don't know. But we'll let you know as soon as we have more info.

We hope this finds you well!! Have a super day.

More Blood

Monday, Grace needed a blood transfusion. We were able to do it at the doctor's office!! It took the better part of the day but we were able to come home again!!

Her next round doesn't start until Sunday. She has another office visit tomorrow, hopefully all will go well and we'll get to stay at home the whole week--that would be amazing.

Our nephew is getting baptized this Saturday and Grace really wants to see her cousins, hangout and just feel normal. She misses gymnastics and we were watching the women's team last night and Grace said, "When I'm in the Olympics, I hope I have my hair again, it'd be weird if I was bald and the other girls had ponytails!" We told her she'd have her hair by then!! After that she wanted to know if we'd let her wear make-up if she was in the Olympics--we said yes--but that hers would look good, not so crazy!! What is up with gymnasts and their complete lack of make-up common sense??

Anyway, this has been the best week since all this craziness started. Hopefully, it'll continue to get better and better.

At Home and Loving it!!

We are at home and loving it. Grace is doing well and eating more than she was at the hospital. Her skin is getting mottled and is peeling. The mouth sore shouldn't really be a problem this round (cross your fingers). We are hoping to be able to keep her home until next weekend!! Monday she has a clinic visit and blood transfusion scheduled.

Every time Rod or I walk through the door Jessica and Jane are there in an instant hugging and kissing us and holding hands--then they just follow us around and keep saying, "we miss you so much!!" We've been rearranging schedules etc. to be able to spend more time with them. There's a great organization called 'Super Sibs' that is dedicated to helping the siblings of cancer kids--it also has a guide to help us know how to make them feel loved and special. So many people helping families get through these heart wrenching experiences--it still amazes us--the cable guy was over here yesterday looking at our connection and he just kept saying, "I have 4 kids, it breaks my heart." Complete strangers offer to pray for us or put us on their churches prayer roll. We are so grateful for good people, family and friends.

3rd round of chemo

Gracie started her 3rd round of chemo yesterday. We came home Thursday evening and had to be back to the hospital at 2 o'clock Friday. Grace was not happy. She knew we needed to go back to the hospital but she thought we would be able to come home that same day--sort of an outpatient thing. When she realized that we were staying for a week she just began crying, all energy gone, she just sagged. She's tired of it. I have to admit, every time we bring her home I have this overwhelming desire to throw her in the car and head for Mexico or Europe or somewhere and just make it all go away. As if sandy beaches would cure her. I feel like if we pretend it's not happening it'll stop and we can go back, she'd be smiley, bouncy Grace again, and we could forget all about this nightmare we can't seem to wake up from. But she still has cancer and needs more treatment. I can hardly stand it and yet, it must be so much worse for her.

None of us would be able to cope at all if it weren't for all the love and support we've received. I don't know how to express forcefully enough, or just enough, enough how much we appreciate all that you are doing for us.

Thanks--thanks--thanks!!!!

Blood and Fever

Late last night Gracie's fever went to 102 and after consulting the doctor were sent straight to the hospital where we found that her Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cell counts were dangerously low. She got her 2nd blood transfusion along with platelets too. Her fever continues to go up and down according to her Tylenol doses. Her electrolytes were off from dehydration--she wasn't taking in enough fluids the last couple of days. This afternoon we found that her White Blood Cell count is beginning its rise so we are hopeful that her fever will break and her mouth sores will heal quickly. She is on morphine again but she is comfortable and sleeping better than the last few days. It looks like her White Blood Cell count will be high enough by Wednesday and she'll start her next round of chemo on Thursday or Friday.

Have a goodnight--We'll update as soon as we can.

Some Rough Water

The last few days have been a little rough. Grace did get some swelling and mouth sores--but her temperature hovered between 99.3 & 100.9--thankfully, it never reached 101.5 (that's the cut-off for her to be hospitalized)!! We've been able to semi-control the pain with a Tylenol/hydrocodone mixture! She'd be pretty good and comfortable for an hour to 2 hours, but by 2 1/2 hours she was uncomfortable and by 4 hours when her next dose was due she's been beside herself. And then the cycle starts again. This is how she was last time when her mouth was beginning to heal--her mouth is already beginning to slough off--it's painful and she's really tired, but it's been drastically better than last time. We've been able to be at home and sleep a tiny bit better--even interrupted sleep in your own bed is better than at the hospital. It's really hard to see her in pain. She just keeps doing her best, she gets frustrated easily when we don't understand what it is she wants or needs. But she has all her blanket's and stuffed animals and cards around that help her feel better. Sometimes when we walk into the room she'll just be looking at the posters we've made out of all the cards and well wishes she has received. She'll reach out and touch it card or picture. It helps calm her down and she's able to rest.

We appreciate all the support, help, love and prayers we continue to receive.

Home

We are home. It's so nice to be home--it's so much more relaxing than at the hospital. Her 2nd round went well. She's a little weaker this time. However that medication for her mouth sores (Kepivance) is working well. It's kind of holding them at bay, so she doesn't have a full blown attack!!! Hopefully, we'll get to forgo the morphine haze!! We just found out today that her next round won't start until day 21 of this cycle and we are on day 7 right now. We really hope we can keep her fever free. Because there's no place like home.

2nd Round

Well, thankfully her mouths sores are on the mend--her white blood cell count came way up--YEAH!!! But it also means that it's time to start her 2nd round of chemo.

We were admitted to the hospital on June 15th--one month later we have been at home only 3 days (including today). Tomorrow it's back to the hospital for a week. The chemo she gets this week is exactly the same as the last round. Gracie's doctor gave her a medication that is approved for bone marrow transplant patients that helps with the mouth sores. The medication is taken 3 days before and after chemo. She will only be able to take it one day before and 3 days after. It's more important to start her next round than to prevent the mouth sores. But the next time we have this chemo scheduled she'll get all 6 days of the medication.

She's doing really well, she gets tired quite quickly but we were able to have a small party for her birthday last night. Lots of Tinkerbell--plates, cups, napkins and even a cake!! Half-way through her party she had to go lay down. I have to say she slept so well last night without anyone checking her vitals or administering medications all night.

Sunday was the first she had smiled since the mouth sores started but yesterday she laughed--it was awesome to see her giggling and smiling.

The unknown of this is difficult. We were thinking we'd have her home for a week or so but it just didn't work out. Hopefully, with the new medication we'll have better luck.

Jessica and Jane came home yesterday!!!! Everyone was happy to be all back together. My mom came also. We are so glad she can help us right now. Jessica and Jane will be able to have some stability.

We shaved Gracie's head--her hair was falling out by the handfuls--afterwards the nurse came in and said--"Wow!! that new haircut really makes your eyes pop!!" I said, "Sinead O'Conner has got nothing on you!!" And the nurse replys, "Gracie, 'nothing compares to you'." ha ha ha
Very funny!! (if you are too young or old--"Nothing Compares to You" was Sinead O'Connor's hit song)

Fever Strikes!!

We went to a doctor's appointment on Tuesday morning. Gracie's red blood cells were too low and she needed a blood transfusion. She began to run a fever that was higher than 101.5 and that's the cut off and she had to be hospitalized. Over the past couple of days her fever has been up and down. The highest it's been is 103.3 and the lowest is 99--she is hanging in there. She's actually in a morphine haze, which I think is good. Hopefully, she won't remember too much of this. She has really bad sores in her mouth--they cover her entire mouth--it's pretty gross!! Her mouth and gums are swollen and we learned that the lesions are in her throat as well. The morphine she is on is for managing the pain from the sores. They think her mouth will start feeling better in a couple of days. She's pretty out of it. She hasn't eaten for 3 days, (Monday afternoon was the last time she ate) she started on IV food this evening.

It's so hard seeing her in so much pain. I'm too tired myself to think of something funny right now. I'm sure I'll come up with something--then I'll add it!!!

Grandpa Cluff came to visit today and brought Grace a bright sombrero from Mexico!! He brought Jessica and Jane one as well. We'll get a picture of all three of them and post it as soon as possible.

We hope this finds you well. We would be remiss if we didn't say thank you for the many care packages, food, friendship and especially your prayers. There's been so many days that the package or food or note or phone call or email was exactly what we needed. There is no way for us to thank all of you enough.

Oooh!!! Gracie's hair has begun to fall out--it's kind of weird and it doesn't hurt for it to fall out so that's a major bonus!!!! It's a bit itchy though. She's pretty sure she's going to be cute bald, we'll have to wait and see.

Have a super evening.

Fund Established for Grace

The Cluff Family has blessed the lives of numerous people through their kindness, service, and caring. They have borne the burdens of many throughout the years. Now, we feel it is our turn to lighten the burden that the Cluff family is now bearing.

How We Can Help
First and foremost, Grace needs our prayers and faith. Nothing can substitute for that.

Another way that we can lighten their load is by lessening the large financial burden that results from the treatment of such diseases. We all understand how expensive the cost of health care can be.

We are asking that you consider donating to assist with Grace's medical costs. In order to simplify the process of making a donation, we have set up a fund in Grace's name at Wells Fargo Bank. We chose Wells Fargo because of the large number of locations that they have throughout Texas and the Western U.S.

The simplest way to donate is to visit a Wells Fargo Bank. Let them know you want to make a contribution to the fund for “Grace Camilla Cluff” (make sure to give them her full name). Checks should be made payable to “Grace Camilla Cluff”. See below on how to find a Bank location near you.

There are numerous other ways to make a donation (i.e. we can send you an envelope and a deposit slip to mail in, you can mail a check made out to “Grace Camilla Cluff” to us and we can deposit it, etc.).

If you have any questions, or would like more information on the other methods of making a donation, please don't hesitate to contact us by sending an email to: enscarfment@netzero.net

Thank you for all your love and support,

Darren and Victoria (Melissa's sister) Carpenter
enscarfment@netzero.net

To locate a Wells Fargo near you:
Go to their website (http://www.wellsfargo.com/) and type in your Zip Code in the area entitled “Find ATMs/Locations” on the left-hand side of the web page.
Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-956-4442, and select “0” to speak with a representative.

Too Soon

I guess we spoke too soon on Thursday night. Friday was the worst so far. She had terrible headaches from the lumbar puncture. The nausea kicked up a notch and she couldn't keep anything down. She is very fatigued. They only allowed Rod to bring her home once all of that stabilized (at least it stabilized). They came home about 8:00pm. We will be able to keep her home as long as she doesn't develop a fever or begin to vomit and other yucky stuff we will spare you the details of. If any of these happen it is right back to the hospital. We want to keep her home so we are forcing the fluids and watching her temperature closely. She is a sick little girl right now. This is the first we have seen her without any good moments in a day. The plus side is she does not speak. How many times have we wished for our kids to be silent????? Silence means "Yes" and a grunt means "No". That's the most we get from her. Oh, yeah we forgot about "Aaaaahhhh" it means there is something she wants and we have to guess until we get silence. Of course she did tell Vicki in the night "I need to go potty" and this morning she told her "I'm hungry". So, we know she hasn't lost the ability to speak. Whew!! That was not a side effect they mentioned.

First Round of Induction Chemo

This week has been stressful watching for signs of side effects to the chemo. There have been a few bumps in the road but thankfully it has gone better than we anticipated. She has done fantastic other than begging to go home every day and not wanting to take any more pills. Last night was the first Rod spent away from the hospital. When he got there from work Grace and I were both in the bed crying. Grace was having chest pains and I couldn't take my baby crying. After the pain medication took affect both of us were better. Rod decided he was more worried about me than Grace and took me home, it was nice to spend time with him. My sister Victoria stayed the night with Grace. I'm so glad she could come and help us.

We received a gigantic stuffed bear in the mail 2 days ago. It takes up 1/2 of Gracie's bed. She is going to be so excited when she comes home. There was no note so whoever you are, thanks. The generosity of all those around us continues to make me burst into spontaneous tears (of joy and gratitude).

Grace is scheduled to have a lumbar puncture again tomorrow morning and her 5th round of Chemo for the week. Then if all goes well, and her tests come back ok, Gracie may be able to come home tomorrow (July 4th).

We really want her to be home this weekend because we have definitely had our fill of Disney Movies and the Disney Channel. I (Melissa) think my brain is even mushier than before(if that's possible)!!!

Hopefully, we'll have her home for 10-15 days--as long as she doesn't catch a virus or something, then back to the hospital for her next round.

We hope this finds you well--Have a great 4th of July!!

And so it begins....

Ok. I never wanted to 'blog' but here goes. I'm starting this because our youngest daughter Grace, 5 years old, was just diagnosed with cancer and I needed an easier way to reach all of you.

So, other than feeling like we've been run over by a Mack Truck, we are doing all right. We don't even know how to thank everyone who has helped us through the past couple of weeks. It's been overwhelming to realize how many people love us and are concerned for our little family. Grace is doing as well as possible, the type of cancer she has is called Burkitt's Lymphoma. It's an aggressive cancer but also one of the most responsive to treatment. The mass on her neck is now almost undetectable (it used to be the size of an egg). She had that mass biopsied on June 16th--we found out it was malignant (cancer) on the 18th and found out it was Burkitt's on the 19th. The chances are amazing for this type of cancer--over 85% success rate!!!!! She had her central line (a Broviac--for anyone who knows about them) put in on the 23rd and while she was under sedation they also did bone marrow aspirations from both hips, a lumbar puncture and started her chemotherapy "reduction phase". We found out that her bone marrow and her spinal fluid is cancer-free!!!!!!! Her cancer is level 3--4 is the highest but she stayed a 3--hip-hip-hooray!!

She begins her "induction phase" of chemotherapy Monday, June 30th. She will be in the hospital Monday-Saturday at the very least. From what we understand, this next week will not be pleasant, it will be hardcore, hair falling out, nausea, etc, etc. We will try to post news of her condition as often as possible. My sister, Victoria, is here helping us figure out how to get organized.

We would have starved the past couple of weeks without the meals and snacks that were brought in from, the Stone & Handy families, the Pearland Ward members and the Barton Creek Ward members. The hospital staff could not believe the balloons, activities, stuffed animals, coloring books, cards and all things helpful that Grace (and we) received. From Q-tips and coloring books to a new camera, we can't believe the outpouring of love and concern. From across the country to next door, people have been praying and helping us more than we will ever be able to repay. We are so grateful for family, friends, church, co-workers and neighbors. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. That doesn't cover how grateful we are but it's a start.

Gracie's big sisters, Jessica and Jane, are incredible--they have been sensitive and worried and trying their hardest not to be jealous of all the attention Grace has been getting. They made her posters and cards to help decorate her hospital room!! They have come to the hospital to participate in activities to help Gracie feel better. They have been bouncing from family to family every other day so mama and papa could be with Gracie. Jessica and Jane--You are amazing!!!!!

These pics are from her most recent hospital stays.