Woody Allen said "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” In hindsight our plan wasn't overly ambitious, however the expected relaxation never materialized ... in its stead was a long, miserable hospital stay. Raina struggled with vomiting and other unpleasant side effects of the various chemo agents for most all the days since wrapping up round three. We are just now seeing her start to rebound ... just in time to pack up and head out for a long stretch of focused radiation therapy. We were powerfully bitter today about the lack of downtime and sleep, right up until today's MRI revealed that the tumor has shrank another 50% since Raina's last scan! ... Razzle-dazzle! Queue the party music!
The oncology team is quick to remind us that the real danger is that the cancer is likely to recur after we beat it down with chemo and radiation in the months ahead. However, we have gotten used to the notion that we will be living in the space between MRIs for the rest of Raina's life and so are perfectly happy to declare this a major victory for the short-term.
What super-awesome news to read on a dreary Wednesday (well- all but the part about her being so darn sick and miserable, but a week of that is welcome if it gets you one step closer to beating this!!)!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you and your family- and will continue to send positive thoughts and prayers for you all. Thanks so much for the update- and the pictures you continue to share while you are on this journey... Again- she is such a beautiful little girl!
Take Care!
Erin
What fabulous news! Gabriella and I pray together for your family every night. She asks me about Raina often and like you, she cannot comprehend why God would let this happen. I don't have a good answer for her just like I don't for you. All I can tell her is that you have to keep the faith. I can only imagine how hard that must be for you. But, take each small victory and celebrate it. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI was so, so happy to get the news yesterday afternoon - we were in the mama-bus headed to soccer and I YELLED to my kids about Raina and they were screaming happy too! It's amazing the impact that your little fighter is having on people near and far - EVERYONE is in this with you to fight and support and hold you up! Raina is kicking ass and taking names - she is the dictionary definition of never giving up! Hang in there guys - it's working!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on this victory!!! Suzanne, Christian, my parents, and I have been thinking about you all and following the blog. Again, hooray for this victory!
ReplyDeleteI normally dont get on my computor this early but I got off work early to go to the doctor's and I just felt this need to turn on my computor, I am so glad I did, what awesome news!!!!! I pray for her and you both and with all the prayers out there for her and the fight Raina has in her she is showing everyone how strong she is and to never give up... I am sending big hugs and kisses to her:)
ReplyDeleteLove Martine ( and the rest of the "Racing For Raina Team")
Congratulations! I cant even imagine how happy that makes you! Keep up the fight Raina. We are saying prayers for you every night.
ReplyDeletewow, guys, i am just so happy to hear this news. raina will continue to be in my prayers as she fights this... and she IS a fighter!! lots of love and smooches - amanda
ReplyDeleteRazzle-Dazzle indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news. The best yet!! I just love it when a happy ‘surprise’ lands in your lap. What a great parting gift. A nice little boost as you head in to the next phase and prepare for radiation treatments.
Thanks to the oncology team for ‘keeping it real’ but they don’t know Raina. She isn’t a statistic or the norm. She is RAINA and she is kicking this tumors hiney.
I truly hope that you get that downtime you all so very much deserve over the next few weeks. Radiation of course brings its own challenges but in comparison to the Chemotherapy regiment you have been on, this will hopefully be a ‘walk in the park’. Rest up when you can and enjoy each other as much as possible. It is great to hear that Raina is feeling better and acting more and more like herself. She’ll soon be ready to take on Philly and all it has to offer!
Glad to hear the bebes will get a break from chemo...hope she gets to eat lots of popsicles and yummy goodies. Always wonderful to hear some positive things going on with the family. And maybe you'll all get to enjoy some nice weather. Love you! -Jojo & Mags
ReplyDeleteAnother great victory! Raina is a fighter and she has amazing parents to cheer her on and provide all the love and support one could ever ask for.
ReplyDeletePhilly - get ready!
Great news!!! We are constantly checking up on you guys and awesome to get great news like this. We love you all! Jim and Nancy
ReplyDeleteSmiling through my tears! That is fantastic news that these difficult therapies are reaping rewards. Continuing my nightly prayers for all of you as this journey continues. Hope you're settling in to Philly as comfortably as possible!
ReplyDeleteThere's no news like good news and this is some of the best I've heard. Thank you for sharing your struggle with all of us. Raina is lucky to have parents like you...no wonder she is such a fighter. Hang in there...and celebrate days like these!
ReplyDeleteRazzle Dazzle. Got to keep the spirit up and this is good news.
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