Update, Fall 2008

Friends and Family,

I had every intention of getting back on in July to update you, then August, and here it is almost the end of September. Life is in fast forward right now and I don't know where the free time goes, but I have only small bits to actually sit and think about a post to you all.

Summer was rejuvenating for all of us. We laid back and enjoyed the season. The week-long camp (Sky High Hope--a Ronald McDonald camp) was everything we hoped it would be. She started the camp very frail and weak and got stronger by the end of the week. When we picked her up, she looked stronger and had gained weight! She made friends, connected with adults and kids going through the same thing, and had a blast doing all of the things kids do at camp. Horse riding, fishing (she got the award for catching the largest crawdad), dances, pranks, silly songs, and making amazing friends and counselors. The camp helped her become more independent, a big step that Brian and I really wanted to push her toward but needed the help of her peers and other adults to do.

After camp, Allison rested and had an eye surgery to balance her weak and strong eye muscles that has been very successful. At the same time, she had her port removed and had the docs pierce her ears. After the surgery, her balance improved a bit and she found it easier to work on math with her tutor, Mrs. Mahlke. Then school started and Allison jumped in full throttle. She has been going all day and soaking in as much as she can of third grade. She is thriving in school and excelling in reading and writing. Math will take some work but we will get a tutor to help. Brownies, Hebrew School, art, and maybe a dance class will keep her busy. Her hair is growing in thick and lush, brown with a bit of gold, just like before. Her weight is steady and hasn't increased yet, but that will happen in time as she gets more energy and starts eating more. Emily meanwhile is keeping herself occupied with first grade but she misses being a kindergartner. Soccer, dance, reading, and goofing off are her specialities.

We have been back for an MRI, which was all clear, and are learning a bit more about what challenges we face. Her cerebellum was injured as a result of the surgery, and she will struggle with balance and coordination for the rest of her life. She will learn to compensate as she starts to get stronger. Her total treatment was 14 months, so the docs say it will take about 28 months for her to return to full energy levels. She is taking medicine for her thyroid. She will be tracked for normal growth patterns. Things will come up and we will deal with them as they come.

We added a new member to our family, Coco Pipi, an 8-month Bichon Frise, who we adopted through the prison dogs program. Colorado Correctional Industries has a training program for inmates who train rescued dogs. We just got her on Thursday and we are getting to know one another. She is adorable but still timid with us. She is more used to being with dogs than people!

We still count ourselves so blessed to have the support of such a wide circle of friends. I don't know how we would have gotten through without you!

All the best,

Dianna