Kicking Cancer's Butt!

The other day I was holding Ainsley.  She had a huge smile on her face and looked at me with an eager grin and said "Daddy, when the cancer is out of my blood...because I'm going to KICK IT'S BUTT...then I'm going to have grapes!"  My response:  "Baby girl, you WILL kick cancer's but and let's make a list of all the things you want to do when you are done kicking cancer's butt, and we'll do them all!"  (She is unable to have fresh fruits and vegetables that don't have a peel because of the risk to her immune system if they are not completely clean.  Cooked or frozen are okay, though.)  So far, she wants to have a party at the park as well as eat grapes.

I also love to ask her:  "Hey Ainsley, did cancer pick the right girl or the wrong girl?"  She grins and says "the wrong girl...I'm gonna kick it's butt!"  Be still my heart!  What a girl!

This week has been busy, hence the absence of updates.  Monday is another dose of chemo at the hospital and then she gets a 4 day break before going back for more!  She loves those days in-between treatments.  She'll ask us "how many days till I go back to the hospital?"

She has started to get sores in her mouth, which is a common thing in chemotherapy.  The fix is a mouth rinse that she is supposed to swish around and then spit out.  She hates it.  Her ANC (body's ability to fight infections) is back down again as the effects of the new chemo regimen takes place, so she is back to wearing her mask while in public places.  She puts it on like a champ.  It's always amazes me how adaptable kids are.

We have had both sets of Grandparents in town and a surprise visit from Uncle Jeff this weekend.  It was Rhyan's baptism and birthday as well as Hudson's baby blessing.  We'll hope to update photos and such from those.  Due to precautions with Ainsley's lowered immune system and timing between her treatments, we did the baptism and baby blessing on Sunday evening.   It was a very special night and we are so grateful for the love and support of so many of you.

I guess that will have to be it, I need to go back to sleep, but realized that it had been over a week since we'd posted.  Ainsley's spirits have been up this past week, which has been such a boost to us.  Seeing this little girl get to run and play brings feelings of absolute ELATION!  What a girl Ainsley!  We love you!

P.S.  Thank you for all of your support for the bracelets.  We have a new order coming and I will let you know when it arrives.  Also, we are getting feedback that the Youth-sized bracelet is preferred by many adult women as well.  Jenny wears the youth size and Bryan wears the adult size.