PS I Adore You

Gratitude has a way...

It changes perspective, flavor, experience, and like the quote says, our heart.

Love this time of year when the attitude of gratitude is so wonderfully contagious. Hope you're all enjoying this season!

PS We Love To Travel: Malibu & Solvang

Hey PS peeps! Haley here. :) Last month our little family joined my husband's family for a trip to California. Goodness it's a beautiful state! Wanted to share some highlights of our adventures! We spent the first day at a beach in Malibu. Sand, warm sun, and cool saltwater are good for the soul I tell ya. Then we headed a bit north to the Danish town called Solvang. Talk about charming! We were there for Danish Days and we soaked up every bit--from pastries to parades and folk dancing in the street, to quaint shops and people dressed from head to toe in their best Danish duds, to every street and each corner having the most lovely architecture. And of course we enjoyed some aebelskivers! We also couldn't help but take advantage of Ostrich Land just outside the main part of town...those birds are hilarious!

So if you're looking for a enchanting getaway that makes for a simple and sweet vacation, Solvang is your place! And don't forget to pick up some Sprinkle's cupcakes on your way to or from LAX. ;)

Meet Boston!

We have exciting news! We have teamed up with Millie's Princess Foundation and they are going to match every donation made for this month's cancer cutie, Boston! We are absolutely honored to be working with them. To read more about Millie's Princess go HERE. And to keep up with their wonderful cause, follow @milliesprincess on Instagram and make sure to "Like" them on Facebook. :)

Boston, November's cancer cutie, is such a handsome little guy! He is a younger brother to two, an older brother to one, and already a hero to many. His loving mom shares his story below...

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We are a new cancer family, but when we meet people the first question is, how did you know Boston was sick? This is our sweet boy's story.

Boston was our surprise baby. I remember being so scared because when I found out I was pregnant with him I had a 2 year old and a 7 month old. I had no idea how I would take care of 3 kids, all 3 and under. From the moment Boston came into our family, I knew without a doubt that he was supposed to be here, exactly when he came. He was the happiest baby, extremely relaxed and incredibly loving. He’s always been this way.

Boston also doesn’t talk. We had his hearing tested after he turned 2, and we were informed he needed tubes placed because of fluid build up. He had the tubes placed at the end of June this year. I kept hoping this would help his speech, but he still wasn’t progressing, even with the help of speech therapy. This is important to know because Boston has never been able to tell us where he was hurting. In mid-September, he started to limp. We had seen him do this a few times within the last month, so we had attributed it to growing pains. The next day he would only crawl. This wasn’t something he had done before. The following day he screamed when we touched him. I took him into the pediatrician, fully expecting he had fractured something or pulled a muscle. They sent us to get an x-ray, which came back negative. We were told that if it got worse or he developed a fever, to let them know. A week and half later, Boston was limping around if he tried to walk, but was still preferring to crawl. We went in for our youngest son’s check-up and the pediatrician looked at Boston again. He ordered an x-ray on his hip. This came back negative again and we were told the same thing- call if it got worse or if he developed a fever. Three weeks after Boston first started limping, he still wouldn’t walk. As parents, you know when something just doesn't feel right. We knew that it wasn't going to get better. We took him back to the pediatrician and together decided to have a full x-ray again and have a pediatric radiologist look at it. His pediatrician also ordered blood work. He called later that evening and informed us that the x-ray came back negative again, but some of his blood work was abnormal. We were admitted to a local hospital that night. We met with more doctors, none of them knowing exactly what was wrong. His blood work was showing us that his inflammation was high and his white blood cell count was low, but nothing too abnormal.

The next day the hospitalist discussed with us some options and we decided on a bone scan. This was supposed to be done by injecting some dye that would gather where his body was “angry”. We weren’t surprised, but very frustrated, when this came back negative. Its hard when there is something wrong with your baby, but no one can figure out what it is. We so badly wanted to help our little boy, we missed him running around and playing with his siblings.

The hospital sent us home until the pathologist could read the results of his blood smear that Monday. During this whole process, we were told it was probably an infection or a fracture no one could find, and a very small chance it was something more serious. The pathologist didn't find anything, so after our pediatrician and hospitalist talked, they decided it was time to send us up to Primary Children’s Medical Center to see an Orthopedic Pediatrician. We met with him a few days later. He took another x-ray, but this time he saw some hollow spots on his left tibia bone that he wanted an MRI on. We went back the following day and Boston had an MRI. This is when things drastically changed. He informed us that Boston was missing some fatty tissue that usually surrounds the bone. This was a sign to him that abnormal cells were pushing it out- most likely cancer. They sent oncology down to talk to us before we left. The whole time I just kept thinking they were wrong. This was just another test that would come back negative.

We had to wait a week to see the Oncologist. It was the longest week of our lives!! The next week we met with oncology and gave them the history leading up to the appointment. Boston was scheduled to have a bone marrow aspiration and bone biopsy. The oncologist came out after the procedure and told us it was extremely hard to remove bone marrow. It should have come out just like blood does. This was a bad sign to him. We were told to go get some lunch and come back for the results. I will never forget the moment that the doctor walked in to the room and told us our sweet boy had Leukemia. My heart instantly broke, and I was shocked. He was limping, how could he have Leukemia? We were admitted and the next 6 days were a whirlwind of tests, more bone marrow aspirations, spinal taps, blood transfusions and chemo treatments. Boston had developed a fever, so they had to place a PICC line instead of a port. We learned Boston had B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It is the most common form of Leukemia in children. He is standard risk, which is also most cases. What is completely ironic about Boston's diagnosis was his cousin Haley just finished her fight against this same cancer. Boston received his first chemo treatment the exact same day she received her last.

We’ve been home for a week now and its been quite an adjustment. Boston is the 3^rd of 4 kids, all 5 and under at the time of his diagnosis. His older brother and sister have taken things really well, being completely understanding when I explain we can't go to the store or the park for a while. He is also on steroids for this month and has turned into quite the screamer. His appetite has increased though, so I'm hoping to sneak in some new foods :). This has been the hardest thing we’ve ever been through- I keep wondering when we will get back to normal- realizing this will never feel normal. Having a child with cancer will be hard, on all of us. But we are doing our best to keep his life and theirs much like it was before. Boston will be treated for this for 3.5 years. He will be 6 when he will be done. It feels so far away!

We are so grateful for all the kind words and gestures people have shown us. Our hearts are broken, but we have been blessed with so many wonderful people who are here supporting us. We have met a few families who are also going through this, and we are grateful for that support as well. We know we have a long road ahead of us, but we are hopeful that our sweet boy thrives and that we can give him the best support possible!!

SLC CureSearch Walk

The SLC CureSearch Walk a few weeks ago was incredible! All the smiles you see in these pictures are on people who love and feel inspired by their friends and family who may be kids with little bodies, but they have the BIGGEST HEARTS who are fighting cancer. There was such an empowering feeling the whole morning! Our group supporting Cami Carver was SUPER pumped to be there and raise awareness and funds to find a cure! A huge thanks to everyone who came!! From the opening ceremonies, to walking in the beautiful sunshine, meeting Princesses, and experiencing a palpable feeling of love for all those affected by children's cancer, it was a wonderful morning! Missed you Cami!

We. Are. Cami. Strong.

Meet Ian!

This months featured cancer cutie began his battle with cancer at the young age of 6 months. His sweet face stole our hearts instantly! Ian, you have given us more strength to continue fighting for a CURE. Stay strong sweet boy!

Read his story below written by his sweet Mommy.

Ian has bilateral retinoblastoma, diagnosed on May 18th 2007 at age 6 months old. Ian is now 6 years old, in kindergarten and learning to read and write along with his class. He plays roller hockey and is a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. After a four year battle Ian's cancer has been stable for 2 years now. This is our story.

When Ian was about five months old we began noticing a white glare in his left pupil. This white spot was most noticeable in pictures. I looked in my baby book and didn't find anything about it and it didn't seem to bother Ian any so I waited to discuss it with his pediatrician at his six month check up. A month later the pediatrician was able to see the white glare and gave me the number of a specialist with instruction to call for an appointment. She didn't seem overly concerned but did tell me to call her if we weren't able to get into the specialist within the next week or so.

While sitting in the office of the specialist, pediatric ophthalmologist I recall looking around the room at all of the chronically ill appearing children, and being so grateful for my son's health. I recall thinking how lucky we were that we didn't have to be here but this one time. (Little did I know). We had a long wait and I lots of time to think, we first were brought back and saw a nurse then waiting room again, then saw an optitician then waiting room again, then doctor in training then waiting room again. After 4 hours and one cranky baby we finally saw the doctor. I still remember the moment like yesterday. "It's cancer and it's in both of his eyes."

SAY WHAT??

We were admitted to the hospital directly from the eye doctors office and began the roller coaster that is cancer that very day. CT scans, MRI's, surgery and chemotherapy soon followed. Ian had a central line placed in his chest through which he received chemotherapy. Ian went to the operating room for a dilated pupil eye exam and laser treatment for the tumors on his retina. Ian's left eye was 80% tumor and the retina was fully detached, his right eye also had tumors and the retina was about 70% detached. After three days in the hospital we were sent home with a large bag of medication a baby with a central line in his chest and a nurse to come to the house in 3 days.

For the next six months this was our life. Three days in the hospital for chemo and a trip to the operating room. Followed by three weeks at home running our own hospital. We had six different medications to give both by mouth and through the line in Ian's chest. The nurse came to the house to draw Ian's blood twice a week. It was just us mother, father and baby turned nurse, assistant and patient. While Ian continued to grow and progress like other babies we did not get to enjoy those baby milestones like other families. Instead of when did he first sit up, get his first tooth or learn to crawl. We were focused on what time was his last dose of X medicine, what were his labs and when is his next cycle of chemo. There were no trips to the park, or the zoo too much risk of germs there.

After six long months Ian finally completed his planned chemotherapy. Unfortunately it didn't end there. Ian's cancer quickly returned and at age 15 months Ian began radiation therapy. Even more horrendous than putting a baby through chemotherapy is putting a toddler through radiation. One must stay completely still during radiation treatments so the beams can be pointed directly at the tumors. In Ian's case the beams were pointed along his eyebrow and upper cheek bone. In order to keep small children still for radiation they are put under anesthesia. Ian had anesthesia daily Monday through Friday for 22 days. Anyone who has ever had anesthesia knows this means nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Daily for 22 days with a 15 month old please, it was torture for him and for us. Not to mention the radiation burns, blistering burns to poor Ian's face. Again our home hospital was back in business with round the clock pain medication for the burns and IV fluids.

Unfortunately Ian's cancer again quickly returned. Ian had a radioactive implant surgically sewn into his left eye at age 22 months. Talk about painful, have you ever had an eyelash in your eye ouch. Now imagine something sewn onto your retina and kept there for 4 or 5 days. This implant was finally effective at killing the cancer in Ian's left eye. However we learned about 2 months later that it left him completely blind in this eye.

After about 2 years of fighting and being told Ian's vision was anywhere from normal to "legally blind" Ian now had vision in only his right eye. Six months later his cancer came back in this right eye. We were terrified that Ian would also lose vision in this eye. As were his doctors. At age 3 Ian began training to use an orientation and mobility cane (the white cane used by the blind to get around), and he was introduced to braille. Fearing the worst we applied for and were granted a wish from Make a wish of the midsouth. As I believe every child should SEE Mickey Mouse we took Ian to Disneyworld and he SAW Mickey, Minnie and the gang. Despite our doctor's best efforts using laser therapy the tumor in Ian's right eye continued to grow. Another radioactive implant had to be placed. Just before Ian's 4th birthday this was done. We were very concerned this implant would destroy Ian's remaining vision but it had to be done to stop this cancer. Fortunately, this implant was successful and killing Ian's cancer and did not further harm his vision.

The treatment for this cancer has left Ian's retina severely damaged. We have to be continuously concerned about bleeding in the retina, as this could damage Ian's remaining vision. On our last assessment Ian's vision was 20/80 in his right eye. Ian has had cataracts, as a result of radiation, removed from both of his eyes. I would like to ask everyone to go gold for childhood cancer awareness.

5 month glare - this picture shows the tumor's reflection from the camera flash