This Wednesday I had chemo. This
was week 22 of treatment but my 15th chemotherapy treatment. My mom
and Liam came with me. I was a little nervous that morning and felt sick to my
stomach, so I took a little nap in the car on the way. I did a SUPER job at accessing
my port and everyone was very proud of me! We tried a new flush where the nurse
draws it up as opposed to it being pre-drawn. This made a HUGE difference, I didn’t
feel sick or throw up from the smell or taste. I was very happy about that. All the nurses and staff in clinic loved my
new hat and that made me feel really special. My CLS Roschel came and talked to
me about what I was doing and how school was. We got to meet with my Doctors
and my mom talked to them about how things have been going. I’m still going to
PT and told them how much fun it was. My hands and feet are much better and I can
almost get all the way up on my heels! My doctors were really happy about that.
I am also getting better with my hands.
(Mom) While meeting with Dr Draper she informed me that Reece
had just ONE more treatment!! I was
completely caught off guard. I thought she had a few more and had to make up
the doses she missed. Well I was pleasantly surprised that we were just 1
treatment away from being done with this journey. She will have her next chemo
on May 11th and then 3 weeks later will have scans to check for any
signs of tumors. This was about the best news we could have had yesterday. It just
made the day even better since Reece was scheduled to have a photo shoot at 5
later that day!!
We met the photography ladies at this really cool park in SL, it
was called Peace Gardens. I loved it, there was so many fun things around to
see and lots of pretty flowers. I had so much fun taking pictures, it was all
me! After pictures we drove home and I was SO tired I just wanted to go home and
sleep.
(Mom) I’m
just amazed at how quick this journey has gone for Reece. I am amazed at her
strength, her motivation, her desire to be a kid through this all. I am so
proud of her and so happy that she has responded well to treatment. I am
grateful for everyone who had a part in her journey, even those we never met
and don’t even know but have made an impact on our family. We are just beyond
grateful for the love we have received and the help from so many friends and
family members. Our ward was great from the moment Reece was in the hospital,
we had people dropping off meals, cards, gifts, and much more. It amazes me how
people can come together and reunite and draw close to each other from
something like this. I look back to 6 months ago, on Nov. 13th Reece,
myself and her dad sat in the doctor’s office at Primary Children’s waiting for
the results of her CT scan, not expecting to hear what we did. But who goes to the doctor to hear the word “cancer”.
Six months ago our lives changed drastically, but today I think how amazing it is
to live in this world of modern medicine. Things have come a LONG way in the
medical world. I am grateful for modern medicine and without it Reece would
probably not be here. We are so blessed to have Reece in our lives, she has been
such a sweet girl and has had to grow up a little faster from all this. She has
really matured and I feel she has been able to overcome so much in her short
life. We are hopeful for “clear” scans and hopeful for a full bill of health. In
just a couple months she can start a “new” chapter in her life. Reece has such
high spirits and she is so happy, she loves to be active and will talk your ear
off!! My faith has grown watching her go through this. I am so proud to be her
mother and hope I never take that for granted. Thank you to everyone who has
been a part of this journey with Reece and our family. We feel overwhelmed with
so much love. There have been good times and bad but I mostly like to remember the
good! Here’s to a brighter, healthier and cancer FREE future! Reece you are a
Rock Star. #goteamReece
