| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| julia hayes |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 12:55:05 PM
I know many of you have been following Aria's story with great devotion and care. I'm so completely indebted. There really are no words for that.
Let me tell you that she continues to do well! Her counts are still low, although I don't know exactly what they are but last week they were 830. Anything under 1000 is a bit worrisome because she becomes more susceptible to infection. So, I'm keeping her out of school for the next few days. She's been feeling ok. Not great, not horrible, just o.k. She's really low key and I can't tell if she's brewing something like a nice nasty virus that will land us in the hospital for a few days or if she's bored and lethargic because she can't move around with a huge cast on her leg. I just don't know. We're watching her like hawk though.
Her tummy has been off for the last few days and this is always troublesome. Aria, normally, has a voracious appetite especially when she's on steroids or just coming off of them, which she is now. For the last few days though, she hasn't been all that hungry. Her lips are dry and we're trying to keep her well hydrated.
It's a waiting and watching game at this point. Still, she's in good spirits and is overall doing well.
I mentioned that I started a blog about Aria and I wanted to let you that I've included 3 new stories about her there.
The first (in the beginning) is rather like an introduction really. The second story (before it all began) are pictures of Aria just months before her diagnosis..before cancer was about to consume her body and threaten to take her from me. They are hard to look at for some reason. They represent an old life in a way...a life I don't recognize anymore and that makes me sad. The third story (early signs) is something I have shared with only a few people in any real detail through conversation or short cryptic emails. This is the first time I've sat down and written out in its entirety what illustrates the sequence of events leading to what completely changed our lives. The pictures included have never been published before. I haven't been able to show them to anyone except maybe a few family members and very close friends and even then I can't remember if I've actually shared them or just thought about it.
Check it out if you're curious and once again, THANK YOU for keeping us so close! It has meant the world to us!! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 22 2009 : 6:59:29 PM
Julia, so glad to hear Aria is doing better. How much longer will she have the cast on? I bet she's ready for it to be gone.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 7:22:41 PM
I'm off ot look at your blog, but I wanted to say that I continue to keep Aria and your family in my prayers. stay strong and know that we are all here for you! Big Hugs and lots of love going your way!!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| kmbrown |
Posted - May 20 2009 : 6:17:48 PM
Oh my, our dear Julia. What a lovely blog you've made. Someday Aria will be able to look back and read and see these pictures and it will mean so much to her to know she has a mother who cares so much for her and her family. I'm glad you are having some good days. You deserve them for sure and certain. You and your precious daughter will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. |
| Annika |
Posted - May 20 2009 : 5:21:07 PM
Dear Julia, I hope that you've had a wonderful day and that you, hubby and kiddos are enjoying the spring. It is so heart warming to hear about Aria playing and being a kid! It is also wonderful hearing you are out in your gardens and happily playing in the dirt  Go sister go! live, be happy , enjoy the good times. They get you through the rougher ones. Love to you and your family. You are in my prayers.
Looking forward to meeting you at farmfair!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Tn.Earthmama |
Posted - May 20 2009 : 4:43:50 PM
Julia, prayers for you and Aria. hoping the counts get back up to decent levels. you and Aria are very strong farmgirls. Love Phyllis |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - May 20 2009 : 2:19:29 PM
Julia, I am so glad to hear that Aria is doing well. The ups and downs are all part of this I know, but, I have to say I admire you and your sweet Aria more than I can say. You both are so brave and are so willing to share this experience with all of us. You answer so many of the questions that we have yet don't know if we should ask. Thank you for being so open and honest, for letting us share this intensely personal part of your lives.I pray for Aria and your whole family so often. Know that you both are very loved by all of us here.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 12:26:59 PM
Your blog is very very good. Any mother knows that a small pain can go either way.....how many times have I heard my granddaughter Abigail tell me she has a leg ache, or a sore ankle, and I feel a nagging worry. Tylenol and rubbing help ease it, but I always wonder if everything is okay. It is so hard to know when something serious is happening! It is always wait and see.....the hardest thing to do. But you pouring yourself into this informative blog is probably going to help many people who read it....and may help you too in the healing process. Aria will someday read it too, and be so impressed with her mommy.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| julia hayes |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 09:08:33 AM
Heide!! I think I would be completely dazzled!! FANTASTIC!! I can't wait...holy smokes...It will be here before we know it!!! I'm off to sew. It is windy windy here so not much time outside yet...inside chores for now!! sending some SHAZAM!!! your way!! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| NudeFoodFarm |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 09:01:38 AM
Yeah for the garden! What great news. All of it. Even the stalking part. I am so excited for the Farm Fair over the fourth of July! Julia you have just inspired me, I am going to go with a Disco theme and wear a bright red sequined tank top and blue/gold striped pants and I will have a flower behind my ear with HUGE Jackie O sunglasses! Whatta ya think? This way you will know its me and who wouldn't stare.
Pow! ZAP! Bang!
xxxoooxxx
h
Nude Food Farm
~Grown so good,
Dressing is Optional. |
| Jami |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 07:55:50 AM
Hey Julia, thanks for the update on Aria. Was wondering how it was going. I hope the blog and the dirt continue to keep you sane and the vitamin D boosts up our girl's spirits too. That outside time is so important for a kid. I'm thinking of you all today. That man of yours has some good insight...going through the motions is better than not moving at all. In my world that usually means there are vultures flying over the barnyard.
Hugs and sunshine to you and yours today.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
| julia hayes |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 07:04:58 AM
Oh Sisters!! just a big whopping thanks to you all!!
I had the most wonderful day yesterday with my whole tribe here. Last year I wasn't able to do any gardening at all. As a matter of fact, I don't think I even bothered weeding or going into the gardens much. I didn't want anything to get on my clothes that I would inadvertently bring inside to infect Aria. When her counts get really low she isn't allowed to eat fresh fruit, veggies or have flowers in the house...even house plants are a bit of a bug-a-boo. Naturally occurring bacteria in and on these things are very dangerous to immuno-suppressed people like cancer patients..
So, THIS year, I brought in my rack of grow lights with the fullest of intentions to grow seed trays. Well, Aria's broken leg and the weather really threw a kink into that one but as my shrink husband says, "Hey, we went through the motions!" He's absolutely right. Last year there was nothing but grieving and letting go. This year I'm seeing some rejoicing and welcoming back. Even going through the motions and having nothing come to pass is huge!
Yesterday my main perennial garden, "Namaah's Garden" got some nice attention from me. I'm actually going to have it till it under and start over but I'm ok with that. It has been so neglected that the weeds and grasses are just too much. So, I'm in the process of trying to save as many perennials as I can. Yesterday I dug out a small patch of irises and then replanted them in another garden. This was SO BIG for me!! Aria was outside with us too. Even gimpy she was having fun. The kids had a ball playing in our playground, using the house and just generally being outside! It was so so so great for me to dig and replant and touch so much soil..something I just haven't been able to do!
Aria is really trying to scoot around...Yesterday being outside I think really lifted her spirits and brought her back to herself quite a bit. Last night she was in our playroom scooting all over the place, playing with Rianna-the banana-boat ray-ray!! Too cute!!
Today she is in great spirits and we are planning a fun day....
Oh, my spirit is soaring!! What a great new day....
My love, admiration and respect to you all!! ~julia
ps: Heide, it is going to be so scary seeing you at farm fair....PLEASE don't freak out if all I'll be able to manage is to stare at you like some creepy stalker!! Rebekka Mae knows this stare pretty darn well!!! THANK YOU for passing along the blog....I'm amazed. I really don't know what to say and this coming from someone as 'wordy' as I!!!!
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| NudeFoodFarm |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 10:27:54 PM
Go girls! Go Girls! Go Girls! (hear me cheer you all on?).
I am so proud of you and Aria (and your whole clan).
I love your blog. Rich with stories of strength and raw emotion.
Your purity and honesty illuminates through.
Julia, What a great mom, wife and woman you are (seriously).
Aria is so lucky to have such a fantastic family.
A very good friend of mine helps run the cancer center here in the Tri-cities and I forwarded the link to your blog. She LOVES it and said she will pass it on (to many) as a useful tool.
Julia thank you and thank Aria too and Doc and Reo and little ray ray.
xxxoooxxx
h
Nude Food Farm
~Grown so good,
Dressing is Optional. |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 4:46:42 PM
Julia,
You, Aria and your whole family are in my prayers. I wish that there was something I could do for you. I am thankful that Aria has a Mom like you :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 2:39:11 PM
{{{{BIG SQUISHY HUGS}}}}
(and perhaps a margarita)
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| Especially For You |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 1:52:02 PM
Julia,
My prayers are with you and your little one. I read your blog and I think you are just about the stongest woman I know of. Keep hanging in there!! I also will be putting Aria on our prayer list at our church.
Hugs,
Tina |
| Alee |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 1:11:06 PM
*hugs Julia* Oh Julia. I have no words. I am sitting over here tearing up for you and Aria. Partially grieving with you for the lost "what could have been" of a perfectly healthy childhood- not just for Aria but for your whole family, and partially in happiness that she is doing so fantastic. *hugs*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
