Hearing the word cancer in any form changes lives forever. It changed ours, but before we heard those devastating words in regards to our 4 year old daughter we had another trial to face.
Austin spent a month in the NICU, a month I will never forget, a month that some days I did not think I could physically or emotionally make it through. It was difficult to leave my brand new, tiny, helpless baby in a cold hospital. Of course I knew he was in good hands, but I was his mother. The problem was I needed to be the mother of Amelia as well. She seemed to be struggling with the adjustment of sharing my time. For years it had been just Millie and I during The day while my husband was at work. We were best friends.
My sweet baby girl hadn’t been herself the first few months of being a new big sister. Millie tried to be happy but she just couldn’t be. She was so whiny and tired all the time. She would complain about her legs hurting and told me she needed to be carried. Some days she would just cry for no reason.
On the very day of Amelia’s diagnosis Austin was at Primary Children’s Hospital as well. He had a double hernia surgery the week before and was there for his follow-up appointment to make sure everything looked good. The day Austin was officially healthy was the day Amelia's health came crumbling down. I couldn't breathe.
On August 28, 2009 I delivered my second child by emergency C-section. He arrived into this world 11 weeks too soon. Thankfully Austin was strong and surprisingly big. He weighed a whopping 4 lbs 8 oz.
Austin spent a month in the NICU, a month I will never forget, a month that some days I did not think I could physically or emotionally make it through. It was difficult to leave my brand new, tiny, helpless baby in a cold hospital. Of course I knew he was in good hands, but I was his mother. The problem was I needed to be the mother of Amelia as well. She seemed to be struggling with the adjustment of sharing my time. For years it had been just Millie and I during The day while my husband was at work. We were best friends. Luckily Austin was a fighter and although he came home on oxygen he was able to get out of that dreaded place 31 days after his birth. It was overwhelming to feel like I had passed the most difficult trial in my adult life, but I was so wrong. I had no idea as I held my little man with such pride that a horrible beast had taken hold of my daughter while I wasn’t looking.
This is Millie right around the time her cancer starting taking over. She still looks so healthy.
My sweet baby girl hadn’t been herself the first few months of being a new big sister. Millie tried to be happy but she just couldn’t be. She was so whiny and tired all the time. She would complain about her legs hurting and told me she needed to be carried. Some days she would just cry for no reason.I knew something was wrong. I had called her doctor repeatedly but he always had a reasonable explanation for her symptoms. I started to wonder if she was reverting back to baby like behaviors. Really, I didn’t know what to think and I was overwhelmed with being a new mom again.
A few weeks later on December 17, 2009, I insisted Amelia have a blood test. While she was standing next to her other classmates during their Christmas Program it was painfully obvious at this point that something serious was going on. That afternoon we were sent to Primary Children's emergency room and we sat there terrified at the words we were waiting to hear, IT'S CANCER. There is nothing more horrific then hearing those words. At this point Miss Millie began the fight of her life against her Leukemia.
Amelia as the Happy Little Elf. She was so cute, but so sick!
On the very day of Amelia’s diagnosis Austin was at Primary Children’s Hospital as well. He had a double hernia surgery the week before and was there for his follow-up appointment to make sure everything looked good. The day Austin was officially healthy was the day Amelia's health came crumbling down. I couldn't breathe.Both my babes at Primary Children's
Amelia was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphblastic Leukemia on December of 2009 and she will continue to get daily doses of chemotherapy through February 2012. It has been an incredibly stressful journey for so many reason, but there has also been a lot of good to come from it, like meeting all you amazing moms. We are so grateful that Millie has been responding well to her chemo. She has her ups and downs, but we are incredibly blessed that she is winning her battle while always having a smile on her face. 
Amelia started Kindergarten a few weeks ago and loves it. She also has about 5 more months of chemo, but you'd never know it, She is a true ROCK STAR!
to read more about Millie, you can visit her blog
Millie is such a doll, she has the best personality. It has been so much fun to get to know your family. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteShe is so gorgeous! Your family is awesome
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful girl. So glad she's doing so fabulously!
ReplyDeleteI have been out of town and off the blogs. Thanks for your comments. We are so glad we have such wonderful people during all this cancer crap. Wish none of us had to do it, but so glad we have eachother.
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