Last week of 2008!

Lot's to say today so I'll try to be brief...

An update on the neighbor's little girl with leukemia is that she is still dealing with an aggressive cancer. I guess they must draw blood levels on her before her chemo treatment each week and they have yet to draw one that is good. Before each chemo treatment, they need to transfuse blood and platelets. Then, she gets her chemo, which is only a quick infusion. But it takes her little body the week to feel better and then it is time for a new treatment.

The mother told me that this will be the pattern until mid-summer next year. She told me that the levels of immune antibodies are so low that she is at risk for getting really sick and not being able to fight it.

Then tell me why they are taking the child to Publix and the Sawgrass Mills mall? I'm thinking that the doctors are telling them to try to keep things as normal as possible and that they are choosing not to take her out in peak hours.

I think that if it were my child... I'd seal up my home and not let anyone in or out for a long time. They were willing to have Olivia and Meredith over to play this week - their older daughter got a game she wanted to play with my kids. Well, I wouldn't let mine go. I told the family that our home was dealing with a stomach virus and, even though mine haven't gotten sick, I didn't want to run the risk of getting Sofia sick. They were grateful and thanked me for thinking about her.

I'm like - you have no idea what anyone's kids will bring in. How guilty would I feel if I knew that one of mine landed that kid in the hospital? I told mine, they can't play there for a very long time. Maybe play OUTSIDE with the older sister... but that is it!

She still hasn't lost her hair. We saw her today... her father was walking her around the block for some fresh air. Again, trying to keep it all NORMAL, but did he really feel that the child could walk around the block? I guess he doesn't know how it feels to be ANEMIC! Men - they just don't get it, do they?

They also bought a new puppy for Christmas. I have to admit, it is a cute dog, called a MORKIE (maltese and yorkie mix) really cute and I'm thinking that the new puppy will add some joy to a home that is dealing with much sadness. I just wish this mother wasn't putting so much on her plate.

Speaking of plate...


I made a big pot of sauce today and shared half of it with them. She seems grateful and I think that she was going to give her family speghetti for dinner. I'm hoping they like my cooking... cause I'll be making much for them. Just double batching meals and splitting it.

I just wish that I could turn back the clock and take away all the past few weeks and make it all go away for them. That would be my wish.

I'll keep posting updates about her to let you know what is going on. It is just a simple awareness that it only takes one day to totally uproot your entire lives.

Be grateful each and every day for the mere fact that you got up and were able to hug your child or family today. Be grateful for the crazy normal that your life involves... tomorrow it could be all gone.