Concluding 2009

We are about to conclude an amazing year. A year that we shared fears that we were unable to vocalize, relationships were defined, gained medical terminology we would have preferred to never know, financial strains, limited sleep, our faith was tested and yet God clearly showed his provisions. Our lives have been adjusted more so than any other time (marriage was such an easy transition and Eden was the most perfect baby). Today we are together and so extremely thankful for all of our blessings. We have been given our daughter, in Remission! A true answer to prayer.

We have/will celebrate Christmas with each of our families and yet we were able to be home on Christmas Day. I think the year has taught us the importance of home. We both clearly remember the day they told us Eden would be a frequent inpatient at the hospital. I immediately wanted the security of home as much as possible. We love being home. We were able to be in Our Church Christmas Eve and share our Christmas Gift with our church family, those that have spent much time on their knees praying for Little Eden. Christmas morning Eden has us in the kitchen a little after 6 to make our Baby Jesus birthday cake. She had even discovered, on her own, that the candles from the candle light service at church would be ideal for the cake. It just brought extreme Joy to us for her to even have the slightest understanding of the meaning of the day. Her own nativity set that she received this year has assisted with reiterating the Christmas Story (thank you Jensens it is her favorite gift.) Eden was heartbroken when we took the Christmas Tree down and Kurt explained to her that just because Christmas day is over we can still celebrated baby Jesus everyday. The lessons we learn from our children . . . I hope to put a little Christmas throughout all of 2010.

On the medical side of life Eden continues to tolerate her treatment extremely well. She started maintenance in September and to date she has yet to have the desired blood counts. Her ANC is normal, which defies what the chemo is to be accomplishing. We are anticipating the counts to drop in the next couple of weeks or the 100% dose of chemo that she is on will be increased. As much as we have enjoyed her feeling great we want to keep cancer out of her little body. The effects of 11 months of chemo has became evident as her lab work has showed numbers out of the desired range. The Drs will try to push the limits and will closely monitor her organ functions before decreasing chemo. We ask for your prayers!

Thanks for following us throughout the year you have carried us in so many ways! Happy New Year!

December 17th

Yesterday, Selena took Eden up to Iowa City for her monthly clinic visit. It's just not as easy as it once was! Everything from getting her dressed in the morning, to the trip up, and once inside, according to Selena, the experience wasn't great. When Selena and Eden would go up for the weekly visits (last winter/spring), Eden actually looked forward to seeing her Dr's, nurses, and the ever friendly Child Life Services folks. Apparently Eden only said about 20 words the entire time they were there. Normally, Eden says 20 words just to tell us what she wants for breakfast! This particular trip to the clinic included an LP (lumbar puncture). Either the medications prior to the shot or the shot itself made her sick, so bless Selena's heart, she dealt with it as best she could. God was with them as some good friends of ours were across the street from where they stopped and lended a much needed hand. After the girls got home, and after a good long nap, Eden seemed much better. When she woke up, we asked her what she wanted to eat (remember the long nap)...........she said "lets go eat breakfast, and I want french toast". The kid thought it was breakfast time!! So, we made french toast, and she ate very well. We were pleased that it all stayed down too!

Eden's ear infection from a few weeks ago is gone, however, a nasty cough hasn't left yet. Thankfully, it only affects her at night, after she's been sleeping for several hours. It lasts about an hour, and then goes away. We're all looking forward to that cough taking a hike!

Earlier this week while i was at work, i was summoned up to the front desk. I figured it was someone from the general public coming in with a question on some environmental regulation. Nope, it was our friend and neighbor from just down the street, who brought in two wrapped Christmas presents for Eden! That night, I brought the gifts home and placed them beneath our tree. When Eden first seen them, of course, she wanted to open them. We told her, sorry, you have to wait til Christmas. Her response, "dad, we have our Christmas tree up, so it's Christmas". I told her "you're correct, it is the Christmas season, but Baby Jesus's birthday isn't until the 25th, so you have to wait". She was fine with the answer, so she just rearranged the packages back under the tree, and went on her way.

Selena and I are so very thankful for where we are right now. Looking back on this past year reminds us of how much our lives have changed. Obviously, no one wants to have cancer affect their life, however, it's certainly made us appreciate certain things more, and certain other things much less. Thank you for your prayers for our family!

December 6th

We celebrated one of the most meaningful Thanksgiving Day’s with family. This year has certainly reminded us what is really important and that regardless of the trials life brings, we have so much to be thankful for. We enjoyed the long holiday weekend together, which was perfect . . . almost. Sleeplessness occurred at our home Saturday night into Sunday as Eden was battling an uncontrollable cough, which turned into some minor vomiting. Morning brought us comfort as were able to get medical consultation to keep Eden comfortable and we all enjoyed our last day home together. Sunday evening we were again faced with vomiting and tears that were consoled with Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving (this has replaced Cinderella as her comfort movie). Monday we visited Dr Dave at our clinic and her right ear confirmed the ear infection we were speculating. We were thankful for the diagnosis . . . something easily taken care of with antibiotics. Through this we are thankful for the fact that Eden did not fever (automatic trip to the hospital) and for the Drs at Family Practice. The town of Washington is amazingly blessed with the most compassionate and gifted Drs that we trust.

Although, our nights are still accompanied by a coughing, little girl Eden has returned to her usual disposition during the day and we are enjoying all of her antics. Although we have not been able to spend our weekends in Ames this year cheering on the Cyclones, we have been able to watch a little football. Eden received a special football this weekend and was gearing up for a game of football with her helmet on. Eden had a stocking hat on (as her helmet), Dad was wearing something resembling a tiara, meanwhile, I was chasing her trying to get a med in her. She says to me “Mommy, football players don’t take meddy.” Well Eden, this one does!!

Please pray that we are able to keep Eden healthy and fever free, and that Eden remains in remission.

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Selena and I have many things to be thankful for (it wouldn't do justice by trying to name them all, nor do i want to bore you with a list). We greatly appreciate all the prayers and support we have received from our family and friends. Thank you!!

Selena and I are thankful that we're able to be taking Eden to a 'Disney on Ice' show over the Thanksgiving break. A few nights ago we told her about our plans - I don't think she could be any more excited!! (Selena and I CAN NOT wait to see her reaction to the show once we get there).

Eden's body has continued to react well to the chemo and steroids. Her hair has a red tint to it again, and it's almost long enough to clip bows in again.

Sorry this is so short and that our blogs are less frequent, but honestly, we just don't have a lot to report. Honestly, I am fine with 'boring' right now. Excitement in our lives is not necessary! We've had plenty 'excitement' since January 14th.

Again, I want to say that we are SO thankful for all the blessings in our lives. As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the continued health of our little girl!

In closing I want to say: Be nice to others. Give thanks. Be safe. Go Coach Rhoads - we're proud of you for taking the Cyclones to a bowl game in your FIRST year as head coach!!

Rain - rain go away!

Eden was feeling good over the weekend so we headed to the farm.

Eden & Rick - Eden's got her eyes on the inbound combine!

Here comes Annette in the combine!!!

The seat was comfortable, the ride was smooth, the view was great, and Annette showed Eden and I how to run a combine. Thanks Annette!!! We had a blast.

As you can see from the photos, Eden thoroughly enjoyed her trip to our friend's farm for a late afternoon trip aboard the combine.

This week, Selena and Eden head north to Iowa City for chemo at the clinic. Lately, she appears to be feeling good most of the time, and periodically, she appears worn down. Thankfully, the good times out weigh the not so good. She continues to get plenty of rest daily, is eating and drinking well, her hair continues to grow and overall seems to be a normal two and a half year old. We're so thankful and blessed for Eden and the progress she's made. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers, as she still has a long "row to hoe" (come on - she's a farm girl now).

This Week in Pictures

Bubbles with Alysse and Taylor. We met Alysee during our
first hospital admission . . . needless to say Eden was not as
enjoyable during their first meeting. Thanks Alysee for being
so understanding!


Megan introducing Eden to Herky and Perky! We love
Megan regardless of the Herky influence!


Megan and Taylor learning some new moves from Eden.
We had the best night watching our little girl with a smile
all night. Thanks DM!

100 days to DM

Tonight we broke our cardinal rule - mom, Eden and I attended a public event. It was a Dance Marathon event on campus at the University of Iowa. The event was to highlight that there is only 100 days to the upcoming main event for Dance Marathon (on Feb 5&6). We thought it would be okay to bring her out, since her counts have been pretty good, and we wanted to support the organization that has supported our family (and many others) so much and in so many ways since Jan 14th, 2009. Eden had an absolute blast tonight. The night started off with some crafts, then she met Herky, enjoyed the LOUD music in a ballroom atmosphere, watched the dancers dance, and got to spend some quality time with a few of our "regulars" from dance marathon. These same "regulars" have frequently spend time with Eden while we were on one of our long terms stays at the hospital.

One of the highlights tonight was that they introduced several of the cancer families that were present by having us walk across an elevated stage in front of all the dancers, and we were introduced. I wasn't sure how she'd do, being the absolute center of attention, with the big spot light blaring down on the stage. She did better than I hoped!!! Not only did she go up and onto the stage, but she was the very first of us onto the stage!! She blew kisses to the crowd, waved her arms, and did a little spin around dance - and the crowd of student dancers responded with loug cheers for her. Selena and I couldn't have been prouder of her. After our minute on stage was over, she rejoined a couple of our dancer friends (she actually asked that mom and dad stay back)!! So we did. Eden and two of our friends from dance marathon danced, and ran back and forth on the dance floor, pausing every 30 feet or so to lay down flat on the floor, then get up quickly to resume their run. (It reminded me of drills we did during 2-a-days to get into shape). Apparently it had that effect on all three of the girls, as they were all red cheeked and worn out. When it was time to go, Eden showed us her displeasure. She asked if she could "just stay".


After sleeping most of the way home, we changed her and gave her one of two oral chemos for the night. After the first chemo she took, we told her needed to take the pepcid too "to keep your tummy from hurting", we told her. She asked "does it hurt??" I said "well, we don't want it to hurt, so we're giving you this meddy". She said "does it have cancer in it?" I said "no, but you take lots of meddy's to kill the cancer". She looked me in the eyes, paused and said "yeah, we're killing cancer". I said "yep - and you're doing a great job". She rolled over and was asleep within minutes.

It's days like this one that make the stinky days seem like a distant memory. Thanks Dance Marathon!!!

We will be adding pictures so please check back . . . .