Tuesday, January 10, 2017

5 Years to a Cure

It's been over a year since my last post but I believe every story needs a happily-ever-after.

Kennedy is a vibrant, 9 year old girl who loves dancing, hanging out with her friends and baking.  Since my last post, Kennedy has been in remission with bi-monthly blood work and check-ups.  She doesn’t even flinch when they draw blood and stares right at the needle (just like her daddy) - this makes me feel like a big baby because I’m a chicken.

On February 2, 2017, we will get the news we’ve been waiting for since her diagnosis – Kennedy will be officially “cured”.  With ALL Leukemia, children who are free of the disease after 5 years from the date of diagnosis are considered cured. 

I've had the opportunity to spend the last two summers with the kids as a stay-at-home mom.  It wasn't something planned but I couldn't be more thankful to have had that time.  I earned the role as Kennedy’s “hero” and we all discovered I CAN COOK (pretty good too)!  I also knocked out a 100-mile century bike ride and got beat by Maddox at chess – more than once.

I volunteer at Loyola on the 4th floor – the pediatric ward where Kennedy was treated.  I thought it would be hard to return.  Surprisingly, it hasn’t been that bad with the exception of February 2016. Knowing it was 4 years later and I was in the same place was haunting but thankfully I was there for a different reason.

Gene and I don’t discuss or reflect on the 2.5 years she was in treatment. I printed out her blog in a hard covered book for her to read, she glances through it occasionally and sometimes I’ll catch Maddox reading too.  


So let the countdown begin…23 days till the cure!

A video of her hip hop dance last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv15W2dqMgo
And her group dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqRfDi9I-6E