1 Year Post Treatment Scans

     I had a completely different post planned for today where I would update you on how our little Hazelnut has been doing, but I will save that for tomorrow because instead I would like to take a moment to ask for your thoughts and prayers once again.  As many of you may have seen on Hazel's Facebook page, our very sweet little friend Bailey, who we met through CHLA and has been fighting Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, received the most heartbreaking news yesterday that her cancer is continuing to spread throughout her body despite the aggressive treatments she has been undergoing and was sent home on hospice care to live her remaining days with her family.  My heart is literally in pieces and I BEG for your prayers and support for the Haney family.  First, pray for a MIRACLE!!  However, if God chooses to bring her home to a place of ZERO suffering, please pray that Bailey's journey from this life to the next be one that is pain-free and peaceful; that her mother, father and 3.5 year old brother will be given a peace that surpasses all understanding and that they can hold onto one another as they cling to His promises during this time.

     This news is especially difficult for me to process for a thousand different reasons, but probably the most pressing and burdensome issue is that this news comes on the eve of Hazel's 1-year post treatment scans.  We are heading down to the hospital today for the radioactive iodine injection, she will be scanned tomorrow morning, and then we meet with her oncologist Monday morning for results.  

     We have seen so many of our friends with the same disease relapse, and many take their last breaths here on earth, so my heart is heavy and fearful as we face these next few days.  I am thankful for God's healing of my daughter, and now more than ever ask Him for His continued healing.  

     Please also pray for the condition of the hearts and souls of all parents of children fighting this terrible and, many times, insidious disease.  Those still in treatment much watch as their child battles for their life, not only against Cancer but against the side effects of many outdated and toxic treatments. Those with children like Hazel, who have fought and won, live everyday with an overwhelming sense of relief and thankfulness, that is also coupled with survivorship guilt, anger that others are suffering and extreme fear that your child may suffer again. And of course those who have or are currently about to face the loss of their child. Their hearts are ripped in ways that most people cannot even fathom. 

Childhood Cancer is not rare.

It does not discriminate.

It's is not fair.

It is ruthless.

It needs our awareness and support.

It needs a cure!!