Blessings galore and preparing for Charlotte’s scans

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A day full of good news!

Thanks so much for keeping Charlotte’s special friend in your prayers everyone. This friend has been a member of our own village, caring and praying for our Charlotte all this time and then, she became her preschool teacher this year. Ms. Courtney, although still facing a long healing process, should make a complete recovery as the pathology report has returned as a rare but BENIGN tumor which was successfully, surgically removed! This is amazing news for our caterpillar class teacher who is so loved and cherished by our girl Charlotte, as well as by so many people. What an incredible outcome for her and her family. 

We’ve learned that Jacob, who was the first Neuroblastoma child and family we ever met during treatment who has been a bit ahead of Charlotte in treatment but whose cancer had been more stubborn in response to therapy, also received good news this week. At his last scans, a spot showed up in his chest indicating potential relapse. The doctors were able to biopsy and it has been determined that although this spot is Neuroblastoma, it is matured disease which means it is not active and not metastatic. No treatment is needed and he is set to receive his final vaccine on the MSK trial in April! I’ve been so worried but heard from Jacobs mom today and what an amazing surprise! It leads my thinking ahead to our own Charlotte’s scans that are in 2 weeks...

I do forget that sometimes it is possible to find a tumor, and it NOT be cancer. Sometimes a spot may appear on a scan, and it does NOT indicate relapse. Sometimes people’s prayes are answered and sometimes they are not. The 2 individuals I am writing about tonight know and feel these blessings because in another room down the hall, or in another hospital in a different town, someone else did not get the news that they hoped and prayed and begged for. This perspective is both heart wrenching and eye opening at the same time. 

Today, Brian and I watched as our children played together in their imaginary world. We watched and listened as the laughed. This day is today. We aren’t guaranteed this day or the next. This perspective is a gift, one I try to appreciate with a grain of salt. It’s heavy. I know it is. But I’m changed and this is one of the ways I am. Because in 2 weeks, Charlotte will have radio active tracer injected into her arm again. She will under go sedation and have an MRI of her head, a chest and abdominal CT, and a full body MIBG scan trying to detect hidden cancer that resurfaces in these kids. It is relentless. This entire process is relentless and terrifying but equally life giving. It forces you to LIVE life truly and fully in the moment, the best you can. I hope this is one of those gifts that Charlotte and her journey gave not only to us as a family, but to others who have loved her and followed her journey.

Tonight we praise God for the good news. Tomorrow, we begin praying once again for clear scans for our Charlotte which will take place the second week in February. Thank you God for today. And thank you for the chance at so many more❤️🌈

A few pictures of Charlotte’s FIRST gymnastics class. She’s so excited and proud 







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