| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 11:04:10 AM
Aria continues to do well. She has her days but overall, we really do seem to be out of the dark-dark forest. I know there are no promises, no guarantees but let me tell you most of our days are filled with light and promising moments. I feel incredibly grateful..Actually, there are no words for how I feel.
Aria had a spinal tap on Tuesday (December 29th). This is when they draw some spinal fluid to make sure no leukemia cells have decided to show their ugly faces there AND then chemotherapy is injected into the spinal fluid to ensure that any leukemia cells lurking in the shadows don't get any big ideas. Leukemia cells have never been detected in her spinal fluid but that doesn't mean that at any time they could suddenly show up. This is all a precautionary measure. Leukemia can often affect the central nervous system via the spinal fluid and this bad when it happens. Some kids deal with it with no repercussions whatsoever and others aren't so lucky.
Aria also had her big gun chemotherapy and last month was hard on her. It made her especially tired and caused some serious pain in her legs--the likes of which I hadn't seen for a long time. I'm hoping this month isn't so bad. So far so good. By afternoon she gets some horrible looking circles under her eyes but she rests and feels better.
We had a wonderful holiday. Santa was good to all the kids and we've been having a very low key vacation here at home. Lots of playing with toys, drinking hot chocolate, watching movies, taking naps, playing outside. It has been just perfect.
I hesitate to use that word-perfect-because it doesn't fully apply. If this cancer world was only Aria, it would indeed be perfect. But it isn't just about Aria and that makes it, well, difficult. 3 little friends died this month. All of them had leukemia. This reality makes Aria's health and success so much sweeter and yet it mixes with such horrific bitterness. It's hard to know how to be...
Aria has ONE more spinal tap scheduled on March 16th! She has 3 more rounds of big gun chemotherapy and by March 21, 2010 all of her daily chemotherapy will come to an end!!! You read that right...March 21st Aria will walk to the other side of this cancer experience and greet each day as a SURVIVOR!!
To all of you who have stayed with me on this journey, there are no words to express my gratitude. There is no way I would have marched on through without you cheering me on. I'm serious. I'm not just saying it. I don't even know how to put it nto words...how comforting this forum has been when I needed to be distracted, when I needed to purge my thoughts, express my worries, cry, and wallow in anxiety. It has been monumental knowing how many people have been pulling for Aria, carrying her in their thoughts...Really, there's nothing like it!!
Here's to Aria leaping into a New Year!!! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 8:26:54 PM
Julia:
I will continue to pray for Aria and you. You are such a brave woman. God's grace is felt through your written words.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 6:11:37 PM
God bless your whole family. You've all been through so much. I'm glad to hear that things are looking up for your baby, and thank you for the update!! <3
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| knittingmom |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 1:05:25 PM
I'm glad to hear that Aria is plugging along. March isn't that far away. You and your family are in my prayers.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 09:12:51 AM
Julia, what a great thing to look forward to! I am so glad ya'll are on the road to better days.
Hugs to you and your family.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 08:19:48 AM
Julia . . . and Aria,
I'm thankful!!
I will continue to rejoice . . . and pray!!!
GOD'S BLESSINGS!
CJ
...from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com |
| Beemoosie |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 05:22:24 AM
Blessings and good health to you, Aria and all your family in 2010 and beyond (did that sound like Buzz Lightyear?)
(((hugs)))
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
| dutchy |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 04:56:31 AM
Julia, this post just put a big grin on my face . I am SO thankful to the good Lord that HE is watching over Aria (and your whole family) during these times  .
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
|
| tribalcime |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 04:28:21 AM
I am so glad Aria is doing so well. She is a truly special girl and you are too!!!!!!
http://www.tribalhorse.blogspot.com ..... http://www.tribalbarter.blogspot.com ( items for sale here ) |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 12:04:20 PM
Julia, my heart is warm and fuzzy at the mention of the word "survivor". Keeping all of you close to my heart!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Maven
http://www.harvestthymefarm.vpweb.com
www.onefunkyfarmgirl.blogspot.com
~I'd rather be on my farm than Emperor of the World~George Washington |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 12:01:07 PM
Julia I am glad to hear of the good news.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 11:20:35 AM
Here's to Aria and her incredable mom Julia! imagine me holding my glass up high
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Firemama |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 11:13:57 AM
Julia , I pray Aria continues to feel better. She is so amazing.And I know you dont really want to hear it, but you are too.
I'll have to email you a pic off my phone, of Aria getting her award last month. I was there cause my Autumn got a CUB award too!!
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
People can only make you feel inferior with your permission, and you dont have my permission......
Dont let the chain of love end with you.....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/justanotherhousewife |
