2 Year Diagnosaversary!!!

Today marks a moment in time that will forever be in our minds as the day Lilly was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  It comes as a bittersweet moment. Sweet as we express gratitude for having Lilly in our lives. We couldn't live without her.  But, we are bitterly reminded of the ever real possibility that life is fragile and that her life may be shortened because of cancer or all the chemo she's received.

As I have been reflecting on that dreadful day which tossed us into this chaotic adventure, I found my self browsing through pictures and reading through specific moments on Lilly's blog. Only to be reminded of the feelings and tears I felt and shed over Lilly in those first moments and nearly every day since. In the beginning I felt Fear, Desperation and Concern. But, as the days turned into weeks, months and now years my feelings have changed from that of darkness to those of gratitude, love, hope and appreciation. Though all those emotions seem to well up inside from time to time. It has been our goal as a family to look on what we can control and that is our "focus". We can choose to focus on the fact that Lilly has cancer, or we can choose to focus on the fact Lilly is still a beautiful blossoming young lady who has the kindest of hearts of anyone I have ever met. That is why we have a word of the day every day to help us keep our focus on what really matters. 

Last night and this morning also came as an even more difficult day than we expected it to be in the fact that Emery started fevering last night. Which came the day after her having a nose bleed that didn't stop for nearly 24 hours. Her fever reached up to 104.4 for several hours and she refused to take any medicine to help reduce the fever. Now as a parent of a child with cancer our minds immediately think of the worst possible things. Especially since we just refreshed our memories of the initial moments of Lilly's diagnosis. Her fever continued into this morning, hovering around 103 degrees. We decided to take her into the doctor. Sadly enough Emery has a double ear infection. But, I couldn't be more proud of her as she faced her fear of doctors that she's developed over these past two years. By fear, I mean crawling up the walls deathly afraid of them kind of fear. She surprised me though, she was able to allow the dr. to listen to her chest and look into her ears, all through tears and constant sobs. But, she did it.

As I mentioned before we were tossed into this chaotic adventure. But, I use the word adventure in the fact that like all adventures stories, the hero is faced with many challenges before the happy ending. Our hero Lilly certainly has been met with many moments of great opposition. Some that tested her strength, some that tested her mind, and others that test her very soul. But, would a hero be a hero if they never faced opposition? Would a hero be as strong as we know them to be if they faced tasks that were easy to do? Though I wouldn't wish cancer on any one I am truly grateful for the strengthen Lilly and all of us have gained. And hey, we know the final out come of it all. Good shall triumph! No matter what happens here on earth we look forward to live together as a family with God.

Here's a video of the past 2 years. There certainly have been moments of shear difficulty but, we choose to look at the more happy moments. That's why you won't find (at Lilly's request) some of the more difficult or scary moments. Notice as I have, Lilly has never been alone in any of this. She has always had someone there to lift her up and bring a smile to her face. Thank you all so much for your kindness, love, and prayers.

Remember, No One Fights Alone.

Below are Lilly's reflections of that day:

looking back at that day I felt scared, I thought mom and dad were going to leave me there at the hospital. I had to go out of the room when the doctors came in and talked about me. because I needed to get a way from that part. I was in tears that day I felt i could not do this. some times I say this is all my fault for getting cancer.  that was then but, now I am amazed by what i have ben through. Thank everybody for the help.

Love Lilly

Please flood the "comments area" with your memories of that day and words of encouragement for Lilly today.