Hello everyone, I hope this post finds you well and that you are assessing all that has happened to you in the last year and looking forward to 2009. We are certainly in that mode right now, counting our blessings and remembering some of our recent adventures. We have had a tiring but exciting end of the year. I am pleased to say that Allison is getting better and stronger every day. We have challenges, to be sure, but we have no cancer, according to the lastest MRI on Friday Dec. 18th. We will have two more MRI's in the next six months, and then start on a scheudle of an MRI every six months. Allison is going to have one more eye surgery in January and then shouldn't need anymore corrections to her eye muscles. She has thyroid problems and growth issues, as a result of radiation and chemo, that will be ongoing issues for the rest of her life. She is thriving in school and really working hard. She loves spelling, writing, and reading, and is doing really well at everything. Her hair is growing in lush and thick and she is starting to get a bit rounder in her face and body. It is a beautiful thing to watch her recover.
Since October, we have been going full tilt, doing a number of amazing things, all while Allison is gaining back her strenth, abilities, and desire to do the things she wants to do again.
Allison auctioned one of her Stinkbug t-shirts at the Morgan Adams Concours d' Elegance, and raised over $2,000 for pediatric brain cancer research!
MAKE A WISH TRIP--DISNEY WORLD!
Minnie and Pluto show the love!
MAKE A WISH TRIP--DISNEY WORLD!
Minnie and Pluto show the love!
We stayed at a place called Give Kids the World just outside of Orlando, a place just for wish kids and families, which was a magical experience. We were one of many families fulfilling a dream to meet Minnie and Mickey and see Disney World and it was a powerful experience to be around so many kids and families with different challenges. Make A Wish is truly making a difference in the lives of these kids. I can't think of anything else, besides Sky High Hope Camp, that gave her so much to look forward to and made her feel special.
Allison dressed like Coco for Halloween!
We recovered in time to meet our newest member of the family, Lucy Isabelle Pockman, down in Albuquerque, and also spent Thankgiving in Wichita with Brian's family.
The cousins in ABQ: Ella, Emily, Allison, and Lucy
Then just before school let out we went on a trip to Playa del Carmen to relax and hang out on the beach. Allison surprised us all with a renewed appetite and awakened tastebuds. She loved anything salty or sweet and we loved watching her eat! Emily frolicked in the pool, Brian and I bodysurfed, and we all had a blast. Allison also joined in on a surprise for the parents and learned choreography to "Grease," a sweet show put on by the kids.
We'd love to hear from you....let us know how you are doing and where you'll be in the new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love, Dianna
