I can’t wait to see that smile and that sparkle again!

So I am going to try and do a brief history to get the blog up to date so we can just post what is going on currently, going forward but I just want to make sure that anyone that is new to Addi’s Journey can know the history to date.  So I left off where she had her first chemo that started August 30, 2018.  She has just completed round 5 and her final chemo for this part of her treatment.  A lot has happened during the 4 months of chemo.  After each round of chemo she has been pretty sick.  Anything from vomiting to mouth sores, low blood counts, lack of appetite, fever and many nights in the hospital.

Addi had scans in November that showed that chemo had not shrunk the tumor on her kidney but it did show that the cancer that had metastasized to her skull, arms, hips and lung had shrunk half the size as it was in the beginning.  Although the tumor did not shrink, it had to come out so surgery was scheduled for December.  During that surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor had to take her kidney as well because there was no way to remove the tumor safely because it had incapsulated her artery and vein coming from the kidney and had started to grow down into the kidney.  After a couple of days in ICU she was moved to a room and after 5 days was sent home.  She has done AMAZINGLY well since the removal of the tumor.  Again, this little warrior is tough and what should have been a 7-14 hospitalization, she was able to go home in 5 days.

Addi had stem cell harvesting back in November and her next step is Stem Cell Transplant.  They harvested Addi’s own stem cells and at the end of January the transplant phase will begin.  This part is a little scary to me because I have been told she will get pretty sick from the very high doses of chemo she will receive.  After several days of chemo they will wait for blood counts to be zero then transplant her good, cancer free stem cells back into her body that was harvested.  It will take her body some time to accept those stem cells and for them to start generating bone marrow so we’ve been told to expect her to be in the hospital for at least 4-8 weeks.  This will take a toll on her little body and on us as her caregivers as we have to be with her 24/7 while in the hospital.  Prayers for her during this time are greatly appreciated.

Since August 19, Addi has spent close to 70 days in the hospital.  That does not include the days spent having scans done, doctors appointments and other medical related procedures at the hospital.  It is so heart wrenching to see all that she endures everyday but God has been so faithful to be close to her.  She may have bad days but in grand Addi style, she wears that beautiful smile and has amazed me with her strength.  I know God will see her through this very long and hard cancer journey and at the end we will praise Him for all He has done.  We learn to adjust to a new normal and that is what Addi, me, Warren, Alexis and our entire family has done.  We have adjusted to many nights at the hospital, lots of doctors appointments, being ready to get in the car and rush her to the hospital at any given minute, not to make plans and so many other changes that have occurred during the past 4 months.  It is not all bad.  We have found so much joy and peace during this journey as well.  Everyday she smiles, is pain free and is our vivacious Addi, we count it as a blessing from God.  We cherish those days.  We have found that there are so many good people in this world.  People we don’t even know have come to love Addi and has amazed us at how she has touched the hearts of so many.  Our small town community in Toccoa has come together and loved us in ways that we never dreamed.  We go out and people we don’t know stop us and ask us about Addi and tell us they pray for her daily.  I could tell you story after story at how this beautiful little blue eyed girl has touched so many people and it blesses us so much and has been so humbling in so many ways.  Although cancer has changed our lives, we find the good in everyday we have and embrace the life that God has given to each of us to spend with Addi and together.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude for every prayer that has been prayed for Addi.

And now today 1/8/19:
Addi was hospitalized on January 5 for high fever, vomiting, dehydration and low blood counts.  She is still in the hospital but today felt good enough to get up and walk around, we’ve seen a few smiles and she has been able to eat and drink a little bit. She’s went 24 hours without a fever and hasn’t thrown up since yesterday so she’s on the mend! Her counts are still too low to go home but praying that blood counts will start rising and she will be able to go home soon. Thank you so much for your prayers. They are working!!!! #addisjourney