We found another way to get Talitha out of the house and safely around more people today.
Last year, a few months before Tali's tumor was discovered, Audrey told the family she was going to prepare to run a 5 kilometer race sometime in 2010 and invited the rest of us to prepare with her.
True to her word and in spite of the unforeseen challenges, Audrey was diligent in getting ready to run a race.
Today Audrey and our three oldest children ran their first 5K race called Cooper's Run--in memory of a little boy who was hit by a car and died exactly one year ago.
After, the real race, everyone who wanted to was able to run (or walk) in a one-mile family fun run. Thanks to a kind neighbor who let us use their fully-enclosed child jogging stroller our whole family was able to participate.
Talitha loved it!
She saw dogs, balloons, a helicopter, fire trucks, and lots of other children. We kept a friendly distance. :-)
Talitha was in such a good mood today, she even sang a song for us. (See video below.)
She definitely keeps us smiling!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
About seven steps
Audrey called me at work all excited.
Talitha had just taken about seven steps unexpectedly all on her own!
When she takes steps, her left leg seems a bit stiff and awkward. The trauma of the operation to remove the tumor back in December left her with very little movement on her left side. Tali is right handed so it's hard to see any problem with her left arm and hand but when it comes to walking, both sides kind of have to work together as equals. I think that's why it's easier to detect a deficiency.
We are hopeful her brain will continue to heal and work well with her large motor skill development.
Maybe you can tell that her hair is starting to grow more noticeably?
Now--especially in person--you can see the top of her head getting darker without having to squint in just the right light to imagine hair.
Talitha had just taken about seven steps unexpectedly all on her own!
When she takes steps, her left leg seems a bit stiff and awkward. The trauma of the operation to remove the tumor back in December left her with very little movement on her left side. Tali is right handed so it's hard to see any problem with her left arm and hand but when it comes to walking, both sides kind of have to work together as equals. I think that's why it's easier to detect a deficiency.
We are hopeful her brain will continue to heal and work well with her large motor skill development.
In these pictures, she’s trying to smile but her mouth is full of pickle. (She loves pickles!)
Maybe you can tell that her hair is starting to grow more noticeably?
Now--especially in person--you can see the top of her head getting darker without having to squint in just the right light to imagine hair.
Yay!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The children
I was on my way out of town on a business trip when Audrey texted me the good news that Talitha is cancer free.
Ever since then, my emotions have been close to the surface.
What a joy to return home this evening and hug my children.
Some of you know that in my church, we have opportunities to serve in various ways so that no one person is completely overwhelmed with responsibility since there is not a paid clergy.
One of my assignments each Sunday is to teach inspirational songs to the young children ages 2 to 11 in their different age groups. I have loved doing this for nearly four years now.
Working with children is a joy and a delight. Some weeks I feel that I am learning far more than the children. Their faith knows no bounds and when I hear them praying for Talitha I’m so touched and grateful because small children are so close to God.
While getting ready this morning, I thought of several of these children, a few of whom are younger than five who have told me they pray for Talitha every day. I choked back some sudden emotion as it hit me that God heard the prayers of these children and lovingly answered their faithful petitions.
Many of these children will be peers to Talitha as they grow up in a world that is stumbling and will need the strength of these young warrior spirits who are already exercising faith in Christ. They are learning in their youth to build their lives on the one sure foundation--the rock of Christ. Trusting in the Lord will not be new to them and they will know from experience where to turn when the going gets tough in ANY area of their lives.
"And now...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)
I thank the Lord for little children. They lift my spirits and show me by their faith that Heaven doesn't have to be so far away.
Ever since then, my emotions have been close to the surface.
What a joy to return home this evening and hug my children.
Some of you know that in my church, we have opportunities to serve in various ways so that no one person is completely overwhelmed with responsibility since there is not a paid clergy.
One of my assignments each Sunday is to teach inspirational songs to the young children ages 2 to 11 in their different age groups. I have loved doing this for nearly four years now.
Working with children is a joy and a delight. Some weeks I feel that I am learning far more than the children. Their faith knows no bounds and when I hear them praying for Talitha I’m so touched and grateful because small children are so close to God.
While getting ready this morning, I thought of several of these children, a few of whom are younger than five who have told me they pray for Talitha every day. I choked back some sudden emotion as it hit me that God heard the prayers of these children and lovingly answered their faithful petitions.
Many of these children will be peers to Talitha as they grow up in a world that is stumbling and will need the strength of these young warrior spirits who are already exercising faith in Christ. They are learning in their youth to build their lives on the one sure foundation--the rock of Christ. Trusting in the Lord will not be new to them and they will know from experience where to turn when the going gets tough in ANY area of their lives.
"And now...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)
I thank the Lord for little children. They lift my spirits and show me by their faith that Heaven doesn't have to be so far away.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Alphabet Soup
Talitha is doing amazing.
Today she had some more tests done to qualify for the Provo Early Intervention Program that will do the physical therapy for her (if we pass). It took longer than we had wanted, with all the interviews, appointments, and assessments. But, it looks like we are finally done with all the testing and so now we wait to see if we qualify. I can't imagine not passing since Talitha is not walking and is almost two (even a child could tell you she needs some help :o)...all of this testing thing is really for their check off list of procedures.
Frustrating.
On a happy note, the last couple of days we have discovered that Tali knows how to sing the entire alphabet with very little promptings. It's amazing. She was just sitting with me and started singing away. I couldn't believe it. She must like the tune (it is also the tune to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" which she knows).
Speaking of ABC's, have you ever had a bowl of alphabet soup and tried to spell your name or some other word only to find out you're missing a letter? Isn't it frustrating? Until you realize you can eat part of another letter to make a new letter and complete your word.
I think that it's natural to try and "fill in the blanks" or try to make something out of the unfinished. Your brain just works that way.
I think that is what we feel about Talitha not being able to walk right now. It just doesn't make sense. She's smart and coordinated in every other way that we can see, it's just that darn walking.
It's hard to be patient. She wants to walk. Saturday William and I spent a long time having her walk back and forth to us--much like you do with an almost-1-year old. She loved it. She was laughing and chattering and turning around as fast as she could to try again. The most she took was three steps.
I know it will come, until then I'll just eat my soup.
Today she had some more tests done to qualify for the Provo Early Intervention Program that will do the physical therapy for her (if we pass). It took longer than we had wanted, with all the interviews, appointments, and assessments. But, it looks like we are finally done with all the testing and so now we wait to see if we qualify. I can't imagine not passing since Talitha is not walking and is almost two (even a child could tell you she needs some help :o)...all of this testing thing is really for their check off list of procedures.
Frustrating.
On a happy note, the last couple of days we have discovered that Tali knows how to sing the entire alphabet with very little promptings. It's amazing. She was just sitting with me and started singing away. I couldn't believe it. She must like the tune (it is also the tune to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" which she knows).
Speaking of ABC's, have you ever had a bowl of alphabet soup and tried to spell your name or some other word only to find out you're missing a letter? Isn't it frustrating? Until you realize you can eat part of another letter to make a new letter and complete your word.
I think that it's natural to try and "fill in the blanks" or try to make something out of the unfinished. Your brain just works that way.
I think that is what we feel about Talitha not being able to walk right now. It just doesn't make sense. She's smart and coordinated in every other way that we can see, it's just that darn walking.
It's hard to be patient. She wants to walk. Saturday William and I spent a long time having her walk back and forth to us--much like you do with an almost-1-year old. She loved it. She was laughing and chattering and turning around as fast as she could to try again. The most she took was three steps.
I know it will come, until then I'll just eat my soup.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Emotions and gratitude
So hard to put in words the feelings and gratitude.
I don't know what the future holds but for now, the Lord has made it possible for us to hold our baby on this side of the veil a little longer.
The gratitude I feel for the Lord and for all of you who have helped us and are helping us in every imaginable way is deeply humbling.
Thank you.
This journey has changed my life.
Audrey and I have tried to diligently and faithfully to record this journey and the many miracles we've witnessed.
We will continue to report daily on Talitha's progress at least until the 100-day-after-treatment mark.
To think that this post and the blog in the coming days will be within a cancer-free context is both exciting and surreal.
While we celebrate the extended life Tali has been granted, we are acutely aware of many--both publicly and privately--still facing intense trials and hoping, praying for healing and relief.
You have prayed for us; we are praying for you.
My hope is that even as Talitha is restored to full health, may we remember that the creator of all things--Jesus Christ--really has overcome death and hell. Whether in this life or the life to come, all will be raised by Him and the infinite power of His resurrection and atonement.
I never, ever imagined that the story of Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead would take on such personal significance.
I feel we have just witnessed a first-hand re-enactment of that sacred, holy story.
"And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." (Mark 5:41)
I don't know what the future holds but for now, the Lord has made it possible for us to hold our baby on this side of the veil a little longer.
The gratitude I feel for the Lord and for all of you who have helped us and are helping us in every imaginable way is deeply humbling.
Thank you.
This journey has changed my life.
Audrey and I have tried to diligently and faithfully to record this journey and the many miracles we've witnessed.
We will continue to report daily on Talitha's progress at least until the 100-day-after-treatment mark.
To think that this post and the blog in the coming days will be within a cancer-free context is both exciting and surreal.
While we celebrate the extended life Tali has been granted, we are acutely aware of many--both publicly and privately--still facing intense trials and hoping, praying for healing and relief.
You have prayed for us; we are praying for you.
My hope is that even as Talitha is restored to full health, may we remember that the creator of all things--Jesus Christ--really has overcome death and hell. Whether in this life or the life to come, all will be raised by Him and the infinite power of His resurrection and atonement.
I never, ever imagined that the story of Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead would take on such personal significance.
I feel we have just witnessed a first-hand re-enactment of that sacred, holy story.
"And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." (Mark 5:41)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Happy Happy Day
"Oh happy, happy day!"
This is a line from a play that our family says to each other when something great has happened. (I love how families have little things that make them unique --things that an outsider would not understand or think was funny.)
We had a happy, happy day today.
Talitha does not have ANY cancer cells showing up in her spinal fluid!!!!!!
When I asked about it this morning the Dr. and NP were all casual about it and I was freaking out. They said that they had expected her to not have any cancer cells, a relapse at this point would not be a good thing. They said that they were pretty confident in the procedures that she went through. They said that they expect that she will have no cancer cells show up in her 100th day check also.
I was amazed. Stunned. The way that everyone talked about it earlier made the word "radiation" come up as if they expected that she would have cancer show up and we'd have to zap it when she was old enough.
I don't understand it all, but today we'll take "cancer free."
Talitha's MRI went well and looked normal. Her hearing test read a little better than last week's test and so for now, no hearing aids recommended. And you know, I'm sure their "procedures" are great and all but I happen to feel we're experiencing a miracle.
Thank you for believing.
As I was driving home a song about miracles kept popping into my head. It's from Disney's "Prince of Egypt"--the story of Moses and the Children of Israel. Here are a few of the lines:
Many nights we pray
With no proof anyone could hear
And our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe
This is a line from a play that our family says to each other when something great has happened. (I love how families have little things that make them unique --things that an outsider would not understand or think was funny.)
We had a happy, happy day today.
Talitha does not have ANY cancer cells showing up in her spinal fluid!!!!!!
When I asked about it this morning the Dr. and NP were all casual about it and I was freaking out. They said that they had expected her to not have any cancer cells, a relapse at this point would not be a good thing. They said that they were pretty confident in the procedures that she went through. They said that they expect that she will have no cancer cells show up in her 100th day check also.
I was amazed. Stunned. The way that everyone talked about it earlier made the word "radiation" come up as if they expected that she would have cancer show up and we'd have to zap it when she was old enough.
I don't understand it all, but today we'll take "cancer free."
Talitha's MRI went well and looked normal. Her hearing test read a little better than last week's test and so for now, no hearing aids recommended. And you know, I'm sure their "procedures" are great and all but I happen to feel we're experiencing a miracle.
Thank you for believing.
As I was driving home a song about miracles kept popping into my head. It's from Disney's "Prince of Egypt"--the story of Moses and the Children of Israel. Here are a few of the lines:
Many nights we pray
With no proof anyone could hear
And our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Cheerfully
I loved going to church today!
The speakers were so excited about Christ. Their eyes shown with enthusiasm and encouragement.
I needed that.
Tomorrow is Talitha's first post-treatment MRI. While she's sedated for that, they will also do another hearing test.
We may also find out the results of last Wednesday's spinal tap.
Thank you for the kind words and expressions of hope and encouragement. You lifted and helped us make it through a nervous week.
One of our friends shared this scripture with us a while ago and I feel like it's the perfect expression tonight, especially after such enlightening church meetings today:
"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)
Here's to a cheerful week!
The speakers were so excited about Christ. Their eyes shown with enthusiasm and encouragement.
I needed that.
Tomorrow is Talitha's first post-treatment MRI. While she's sedated for that, they will also do another hearing test.
We may also find out the results of last Wednesday's spinal tap.
Thank you for the kind words and expressions of hope and encouragement. You lifted and helped us make it through a nervous week.
One of our friends shared this scripture with us a while ago and I feel like it's the perfect expression tonight, especially after such enlightening church meetings today:
"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)
Here's to a cheerful week!
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