Sunday, April 13, 2014

CYCLE #3 DONE!

     Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, thoughts and support this week, because they have moved mountains!!  Cycle #1 (which is the same as Cycle #3) proved extremely difficult for our little Hazelnut; filled with cries of "I want to go home!" and "All done!", swelling, hives, extreme discomfort, disinterest and grumpiness beyond belief.  So mentally, physically and emotionally I prepared for another week of sleepless nights, agonizing days and watching my daughter suffer through something we willingly put her through.  However, God, once again has proven how faithful He is.  Despite some slight discomfort, redness, itchiness and moodiness Hazel seemed to almost breeze through this week!  She ate about one-and-a-half meals each day (instead of not eating or drinking at all, per usual), she smiled and laughed, played with toys and play dough, sang songs, listened to music and we read tons of books.  Additionally, each night after the Chimeric finished, she got out of bed to go for a walk!  Comparatively, this week was an absolute miracle! 






     We arrived home on Friday afternoon and she felt well enough, right from the get-go, to play with her siblings.  Usually it takes about a week for her to recover fully, but it was as if this cycle didn't even happen.  We have all been enjoying being home and the beautiful weather we have been having in Southern California.  


     Now this coming week is an EXTREMELY important week for our little Hazelnut.  It is disease assessment week, which means she will have a full work up of tests and scans to determine the status of her Neuroblastoma.  As many of you may remember, we got so very close to the NED (No Evidence of Disease) result that we have been praying for, but there was a spot on the kidney that was indeterminate.  This week could very well be a very BIG week for our family.  It is quite possible that Hazel is cancer free, and we ask for all of you to be praying for that!!  However, with Neuroblastoma, it is also quite possible that her disease was resistant to Immunotherapy and maybe began to grow back.  So, suffice it to say, we are all quite anxious and trying our very best to put our trust in the Ultimate Healer who has carried us through this whole journey.  I am not sure when we will get results, but for all of our sakes I hope it is quick!

33 comments:

  1. So glad she did well, glad to see some hair on her head!

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  2. Good luck to u and ur family. Ur all in my prayers

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  3. I love that we can see hair on her head. I will be praying she will be free of cancer.God bless

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  4. Oh Our sweet Hazel I pray for nothing but good news! XOXO

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  5. Sending prayers to Hazelnut and your family for NED. Lord please watch over our little Hazelnut and her family this week and always.

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  6. I've never met her, but I pray for her daily and praying for her to be cancer free. May God bless you and your family and your little Hazelnut.

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  7. Jasmina from SwedenApril 13, 2014 at 11:01 PM

    I think of you every day, and I pray for you constantly...Hazel you are going to fight this, you are so strong, so strong....praying!

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  8. Praying for you guys!! So glad the everything is okay. God bless you

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  9. Praying for you guys!! So glad the everything is okay. God bless you

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  10. The Anderson familyApril 13, 2014 at 11:22 PM

    So happy for you and your family. I am extremely happy for your little Hazelnut. She is a beautiful little girl. Im also happy to see hair on her beautiful little head.

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  11. I was a volunteer at CHLA and had the privilege of playing with little Hazelnut in the playroom a few times! I always remember her little pink, glittery Toms! I look forward to your posts here and on Instagram! You and your family are in my prayers little one! You are in the best care of CHLA doctors and the big guy upstairs! keep fighting and keep the updates coming! :)

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  12. I will send out prayers for Hazel to be in remission soon and continue that way until she grows old. I want to see her live out her natural life span, so that she can live to fulfill her potential, and I can see that she has a lot of potenial. Hugs and kisses to her and to the rest of your family.

    Kay, mother of Angel Lyra, 2002 to 2011.

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  13. Praying for little Hazel and your family. God is good! Hazel looks so good with her hair! She is such an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your journey with us even if it is a difficult one. God bless you all!

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  14. I'm so glad the week went well and its good to see that adoptable smile.

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  15. Praise God...HE is good!!!

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  16. I will be praying that Hazel won this battle and is cancer free. She has fought such a hard battle and seem to thrive regardless of the pain of the treatments. You are amazing parents and the Dr./ nurses are awesome. God Bless you all. May this be one of your happiest Easters ever. How are you feeling right now yourself?

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  17. God has placed His loving arms around you through all of this. He has plans for Hazel to do amazing things in His glory. Praying for Hazel to be cancer free.

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  18. So happy to hear that Hazel is doing well, despite the circumstances. My heart breaks for sweet Hazel and all other children who endure this horrid disease. She is a strong willed girl and by God's grace she is cancer free! My family and I continually pray for her FULL recovery, as well as the well being for the entire family. Hazel, you are doing just great. Keep enjoying playing with your siblings, and the fresh air outside! You are moving in the right direction!

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  19. Praying for NED for your little Hazelnut. She is the bravest girl and so lucky to have such a wonderful family!!! I have been following your story for quite a while now and have been sending prayers for the whole family.

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  20. PRAISE GOD! We are continuously praying for Hazel and the whole family.

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  21. praying for ned for little hazelnut,what a strong little baby,, love you hazel xox marie

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  22. so happy for you and our little nut will be praying for you all :)

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  23. Praying for NED for Hazelnut, and prayers for your family !!!

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  24. Lauren and Aaron and Hazel and the rest of the family. Prayers are nonstop and will continue to be. Love Craig and Kerrie

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  25. Hoping and praying for excellent results and a great big NED on her file! God bless little Hazel and her wonderful family!

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  26. Hoping and praying for excellent results and a great big NED on her file! God bless little Hazel and her wonderful family!

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  27. God is the almighty healer, praying and visualizing the NED proves Hazel is free of cancer. Love you Lauren. Hazel has her mother's strength and her mother's strength comes from her faith!

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  28. Praise God for your miraculous week!

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  29. God is wonderful, I am truly happy that she's doing so well, I've been following your story for quite some time now and I'm going to keep praying for this little miracle of God, for the NED results and for you and your family. In God we trust*

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  30. By God's mercy and Grace, he has continued to heal Hazel. You remain in our prayers and hearts and we look forward to your good news!
    We love you Hazel!!
    The Kelly Family

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  31. I dont even know how to begin to express how much Hazelnut and your family means to me. I have been following her. story ever since i learned about her through the new (on that grand pizza delivery day) .. i have cried tears of joy, wept over moments of discomfort and fear, and have thought of and prayed for your family often. So here in this moment i pray for a complete and total healing that only our awesome God can bring. May your easter be blessed with the greatest gift ever... a full healing!

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