Clarity....sort of

Calling Grammy to tell her about the snow falling at our house

We had our first of many "clinic" visits today.  Each week for the remainder of her treatment will begin on Mondays with a visit similar to the one we experienced today.  The pediatric oncology offices are similar to any physician's office, but I'm gathering that there is a more open door policy than most.  I guess cancer kind of takes away some of the privacy that one might come to expect in any other setting.  The patient and their parents need to see so many different specialists within that one clinic visit, that it's more of an ebb and flow of doctors (we saw three today), nurses (we saw three different nurses today) and social workers.  The door to each treatment room always stays open and you can hear parents report on how the week is going, any change of behavior, any cause for concern, any high temperatures noted and discussed. The child's name is written on a yellow sticky note (that gets attached to their treatment room door) along with all the other peds oncology patients that will trickle through the office that day.  The little window that holds the handwritten names of our children, these precious, innocent, brave little patients stabs my heart when I see them.  These names of children that belong to families that never knew this would be a part of each of their stories.  An indelible mark of bravery and struggle that each family must walk through.  Such a simple reminder, written on little yellow slips of paper. 

She had her blood drawn today, the last time through a vein in her arm.  Going forward all blood will be able to be drawn via her port. We had good news today.  ANC level is good.  Platelet count is good.  Other aches and pains are all normal and can be expected with the amount and varied number of medications that she is now taking.  Her wound looked good and we have discussed her surgery plan for port placement coming this Friday.  

Snow Day with the boys in her life (Dad, Joseph, Ben)

We discussed a few options and hope for her to be able to attend some school on some days bearing ANC level, energy level and other risk factors. (with me by her side)  She is excited at the possibility and we cautiously hope that might be a reality.....sometimes.  We discussed again some of her 10 year old kid concerns and she took the news like a seasoned oncology patient, not one who had just learned of her journey not more than a few days ago.  I continued to be amazed by her strength, continued to be bothered by the details and the unknown bumps in the road ahead of us, and continue daily to be humbled by the great love and care each of you, our treasured family and friends are heaping upon us.  

Celebrate

"Celebration is the way in which faith in the God of life is lived out, through both laughter and tears." 

˜Henri Nouwen

Today I hope to share some of the blessings and miracles that our family has experienced in these last few weeks that point to the unmistakable hand of God in the midst of our trial.  We celebrate each of these and know that God is placing people and situations in our life to share our load and lift our spirits.  He promises to do the same for each of you.  I invite you to peek into the inner-workings of a Savior who cares for the details of life.....

Family Support

• We have a close and large family, many members living within seconds and minutes from our house.  Merely 3 months ago, Jon's parents moved onto our shared family property, the property we purchased 5 years ago right before we learned of his Dad's Lymphoma (Burkett's) battle.  They are currently finishing their house that is "over the river and through the woods" from ours separated by several acres.  We have privacy, yet we have Grandma and Grampa right there to help with the daily chores and tasks like taking down the trash can, letting out the chickens and making daily grocery drops since Grandma works at Raleys.  Because of his experience beating this type of cancer, he has understanding, suggestions and little tricks to help with the chemo for Emma that none of us could know or understand. 

• My mom and dad, sister Bethany, her husband Robb, my brother Garrett all live within 15 min. of our house and have acted as my right hand-or maybe a third hand in this case.  Bethany and Robb's son Gavin attends school with my kids, so she has been able to pick up the boys any day that is necessary, and my mom and dad in their "retirement" are available and willing to do anything that comes to us.  The kids spend time at both of their homes so often, that going to Grammy's or Bethany's after school or on the weekend is something they look forward to and cheer for.  We are carried by their unending love and support.  

• My brother in law Dan (Jon's sister Christa's husband) is a 4th year Pathology resident at USC.  We have been texting pictures of the "bug bite" to them since the beginning.  They are the ones who advised us to take her to the emergency room to get it looked at more closely after we'd been spinning our wheels for a few weeks not getting a correct diagnosis.  That was the first step to getting the mystery solved.  He was also able to fast track a 2nd opinion at both USC Medical Center as well as a confirmation of her specific treatment protocol at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for us within days of us sending him the pathology slides from her surgery.  We have peace of mind knowing that many eyes have looked at all her tests and biopsies and confirmed her diagnosis and treatment.  

• My cousin Nate and his family have just finished their own 3 year battle with Leukemia with their son Isaiah.  www.isaiahoates.com.  Nate is also our pastor and shares life with us at Emmaus Church Community.  www.emmauscommunity.org  They have a level of understanding that only fellow parents of a child diagnosed with cancer can know.  He was the first to come to our hospital room, the night we were admitted at Sutter Memorial.  He walked into the room to hug me, and after lending me unspoken love and support, quietly mentioned that "this was Isaiah's room"  It seems unfair that two kids in our close family should ever have to endure this trial, but there is support, there is honesty and there is comfort, because of that fact.  All the nurses know Isaiah and his family and so we don't feel like strangers in the halls of the pediatric oncology department.  Emma can't wait to share her Beads of Courage with Isaiah and his sister Sienna.  

Friends

• Our wonderful and generous friends Amy and Bill Donovan have stepped up to organize our "master plan" of helpful and practical blessings from all of you.  She has worked tirelessly creating an email list, data base, volunteer website (all of which are somewhat out of her comfort zone or expertise) and countless other tasks I don't even know about.  She quietly slips in every evening to our home to deliver the meals that have been prepared for us, drops off our mail, receives hundreds of emails and phone calls for us, traveled to the hospital with me to fill out piles of paperwork and releases for Emma's 2nd opinion, all while being a mom and wife to her busy family.  She has done this with such joy and humbleness.  She has been a rock for me. 

• Our friend and neighbors,  Lorena and Dick live on our shared country road.  They own the first miniature dachshund that Emma fell in love with 3 years ago, named Portia.  We now own two dachshunds ourselves thanks to Emma's love of these little dogs, including our newest puppy Hank who is Portia's son.  Dick and Lorena came driving up our driveway right before Christmas with three adorable puppies from Portia and my kids begged and pleaded and we decided that could be their "big" Christmas present.  Hank is a huge comfort for Emma and is the puppy she holds in her recent pictures taken.  Lorena happens to be a Pharmacist.  She generously offered to be our personal Pharmacist through this journey.  I simply call her with our newest prescriptions or medication needs and she fills them herself, has fast tracked the authorization of the meds with insurance, and delivers it all to our door. They have also agreed to "puppy sit" Hank any time we need to be at the hospital for an extended period of time.  

• Joseph, our strong and determined, 12 year old and Emma's big brother, is a soccer player.  He and two of his good friends and fellow team mates from his Select team decided they wanted to take a risk and try out for a local Competitive soccer club.  The weekend between Emma's hospitalizations and before her diagnosis, he and his buddies took a deep breath and attended an intimidating try out with an unknown coach and scores of very talented players.  On the first day, one friend was accepted to the team, the second day the other friend was accepted.  On the final day, he came to us with a brave smile on his face stating that unfortunately he did not make it.  That was a blow to us, since both of those friend's dads were his soccer coaches for the last two years as well and would no longer be coaching since their sons made the Comp team.  John Rowland and Tony Federico are remarkable coaches and men of faith and examples to Joseph about having character and integrity both on and off the field.  Fast forward 6 days after the tryout.  Joseph also plays on an indoor team with those friends at a local indoor soccer facility.  He had resigned himself to looking for other sport options for the fall and so played his indoor game with the confidence and abandon that comes when you have nothing to prove and nothing to gain.  God knew.....the very coach that had cut him from the Comp team, also happens to own the indoor soccer facility (we did not know that).  Joseph had the game of his life.  The coach noticed and the next day Joseph was offered a spot on the Competitive team.  This is a blessing to us as Joseph has an outlet, a focus for his extracurricular life, his close buddies are on his team, his former coaches are in his life, and both the Rowland and Federico families live right up the street from us and have offered rides to Joseph anytime during this new and very complicated schedule and location of practices.  This team will carry Joseph almost to the end of Emma's scheduled treatment.  A true miracle.  

Support and Generosity

• There are so many who have stepped up in these last few days to show us your love and support through many ways.  Thank you! ( I apologize if I've missed someone or something)
• Henning family who brough us food, shampoo, tea, Panera lunch and loaded Emma's ipod with music and stories while we were at the hospital
• Oates, Beidler, Ochoa, Henning, Willey, Hancock, Russell, Graupensperger families who have prepared meals for us. 
• Sprouse and Hancock familes who have allowed Joseph to come home after school to work on science and burn some after school energy.  
• Flom family who took Ben to the movies.
• Bethany, my sister and Emma's aunt who gave her a pedicure in her hospital room bed.
• Tessa, my sister and her husband Arnaud, in Paris, France, Dan and Christa is Los Angeles and all the cousins, Great Gramps and Granny Franny, and Anissa (Jon's sister) and her husband Chris in Illinois, for loving us and supporting us from afar. 
• Mrs. Wenstrom and the families of Ben's 2nd grade class who threw him a fabulous and fun 8 year old birthday party
• Mrs. Sardella, who is working to help Emma not get behind at school and has arranged for skyping lessons and opportunites online for Emma so she doesn't miss the great parts of being a 4th grade student.
• The many friends and family who sent Ben a huge stack of birthday cards.  He was thrilled!
• My friend's and colleagues at Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School who have filled the gaps during my absence, had love and hugs of support for me, visited us at the hospital, covered my PE classes, and have arranged subsitute teachers for my many roles at school and have promised to "keep my seat warm" for whenever I am able to return.  Thank you Janel, Cathy, Andrea, Tina and Janet.  I love you ladies and feel forever supported by you.  
• The families and students at HRCCS, for lending your love and support and understanding as to why Mrs. Stanphill disappeared one day and has not been able to return to teach PE.  Many have volunteered to help out in my absence and many have donated gas or grocery cards to help out. 
• Sarah Sevey, my friend, for styling Emma's hair for her photo shoot, even while Emma layed face down on my lap due to her spinal headache.
• Nicole Cook, my friend and photographer, for caputuring Emma's strenghth and beauty in images for us.
• Kaitliyn Henning, 17 years old, who is fasting every Saturday in support of Emma.
• Riley, a young man who is shaving his head in honor of Emma.
• For the many friends who have offered ideas, suggestions, and volunteered to help Emma and honor her journey in ways yet to be announced.  

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

-Ephesians 3:20-21

Gratitude

Dearest Family and Friends,

Today the sun is shining after a beautiful snow shower at our house, Emma is feeling better-in fact is acting just like her usual sweet, perky 10 year old self, and I feel like we are finding our brains again and are able to breath a little.  These last 9 days have been a whirlwind of information, fear, sadness, fatigue, peace, blessings and grace.  I speak for Jon, myself, Joseph, Emma and Ben when I write these words to you, our cheering and supportive circle.

Thank you-how can these two words ever be said in a way to convey what a blessing and overwhelming system of support you have all been to us? After learning that Emma indeed had the diagnosis of Lymphoma, within hours we had people jumping into action in thoughts, prayers and deeds for us.  The four days at the hospital were spent cocooned in our hospital room, but we were far from alone.  You were sending emails of support, suggestions, offers to help, prayer and love. Know that this carried us out of a very dark and scary time.

It is beyond humbling to be on the receiving end of so much love and support, and quite frankly feels awkward at times.  I would hope that if any of you were ever in a similar situation, and I know that many of you have already been, that I would be as selfless and grace-filled as you all have been to us.

As you read of opportunities to support Emma Kait and her journey through Lymphoma, please do not feel obligated in any way to participate in anything.  I see, especially in this time, how God gifts people in so many different ways with talents and those talents are different for everyone. So many people are offering to use their unique talents or associations to show support for Emma.  What a huge blessing this is to us.  Please see these as choices and never an expectation.  We are humbled by it all.  We are overwhelmed by it all, and will be forever grateful.

I plan to update this blog as often as I can, and it is where I share her journey, her story, in as much honesty as I can.  I pray you can follow her journey through and out of this disease, and that it will forever point to the glory, power, and unimaginable LOVE of our God for each of us.

Forever praising Him,

Rebecca, Emma's mom
For the entire Stanphill Family

Rest

I have been thinking all day about a post sharing some of the many miracles already experienced by our family, but I am tired.  Emma is tired.  The first night was a rough experience.  She was sick all night long from the chemo and part of the morning.  I was very surprised that the chemo affected her body so quickly.  We called the Dr. and they added another medication to hopefully help combat the nausea and vomiting.  She was only able to keep down a few liquids today, and so we are watching for dehydration.  She sleeps soundly now beside me.  I'm thankful that she can rest.  I will save sharing the miracles until the morning.  They are stories meant to encourage.  They are a beautiful testament to God's faithfulness and love.  Until tomorrow, I am resting in this promise tonight:

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. 

I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

47 beads

You, Lord, give true peace.  You give peace to those who depend on you.  

You give peace to those who trust you. 

-Isaiah 26:3

And the journey starts

The details of our journey are now known.  The route we will take is mapped out, the detours we might need to take are unknown, the people we will meet along the way are strangers to us now, the details of the trip are yet to be determined, the experiences are coming, the views from the mountains are not yet seen, the weariness of our bodies can only be imagined, but the peace is promised, the peace is here.

Emma has Stage 3 Non-Hodgkins Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Her treatment plan stretches out before us for at least 1 year--(29 days of "Induction" and then 15 cycles that last for 21 days each)

She is one of 2500 children who will be diagnosed with Leukemia or Lymphoma this year in the nation

There have been cancer cells found in lymph nodes all over her body including neck, axillary (arm pits), inguinal (leg creases) and behind her intestines

There is a very high cure rate and we have been very encouraged by the numbers we've been given

We are having a second and possibly third opinion on the diagnosis 

Treatment started today

She is strong, she is peaceful, she is graceful and insightful

She said to us, "Sometimes you just have to look at the bright side of things"while walking out of the hospital today after hearing the plan for treatment, possible side effects, possible hair loss, probable sickness, and schedule of next surgery to have a Port placed in her chest to receive her Chemotherapy and blood draws from here on out 

Day 1 of "Induction" .  29 days of medications that will effect every cell of her body

Getting her PICC line removed after chemo.  Not needed anymore due to Port being placed in 9 days ready for next round of chemotherapy

Learning about the Port which will live inside her chest for the next 12 months or so.  She was truly interested in how it worked and wanted to feel it and asked questions about it

My "homework"

Beads of Courage

www.beadsofcourage.net

As of today, Februrary 23, 2011 Emma has "earned" 47 Beads of Courage.  She is so proud.  These 47 beads tell the story of her journey so far.  The necklaces are given to the kids to honor the challenging journey they take while receiving care for cancer or blood conditions.  The necklaces start off with simply the child's name then colorful glass beads that visually represent the many challenges they overcome along their treatment journey are added to the string to tell their own unique story of courage. 

Emma's Beads as of today:

  11 Yellow Beads (Inpatient Admission to Hospital)

2 Beige Beads (Bone Marrow Aspirate/Biopsy)

8 Light Green Beads 

(Tests: CT Scan, PET Scan, EKG, ECHO, Bone Scan, Nuclear Scan)

4 Purple Beads (Antibiotics represented in weeks)

4 Black Beads (Pokes-blood draws, IV Starts)

3 Blue Beads (Clinic Visit)

3 Orange Beads (Line placement or removal of PICC)

2 Silver Beads (Dressing Change)

1 Tortoise Bead (Lumbar Puncture)

2 Magenta Beads (ER and Ambulance)

1 Lime Bead (Isolation)

1 Aqua (Tube placement)

1 White Bead (Chemotherapy)

2 Star Beads (Surgery)

1 "Bumpy" Bead (Medication Challenges)

1 Heart Bead (Act of Courage)

These 47 beads tell the story of the bravest little girl I know.  They attest to the fact that she's been on this journey for some time and the trials have begun.  These beads will be added to over the months that she is in treatment and have already become a treasure to her.  This is her unique story, her journey, but one that she shares with others.  We welcome you to come along.  Many of you have already packed your bags and made preparations to come with us.  The journey will not be easy, but we are trusting in the One who prepared us for it.  This journey will produce a beautiful rainbow necklace of glass beads, but more importantly, it will illustrate the strength of one little girl, will bind together a family, will inspire a community and above all point to the love, protection and unbound-less power of our God.  

Message from Emma

Thank you for all your messages, they are very encouraging. My back is feeling better but my headaches still have not gone away, but better then they were. I got pictures taken of me at my house today, Nicole took my pictures and Sarah did my hair, it looked great.(Thanks Sarah and Nicole!!) I was really happy to see all your messages and to know that everyone is praying for me. Donut day was really fun and I LOVED the donuts, they were the best so far. I am eager to see your new messages.

Love,

Emma Kait Stanphill

:)

A little bit of normal

Our family has a quirky little tradition that started because my youngest sister Tessa would always beg my mom to make doughnuts, partially due to a wonderful children's book called Homer Price by Robert McCloskey and the inspiring picture of doughnuts filling a room.  To satisfy my sister's desire for doughnuts filling our kitchen, my mom conceded to making doughnuts at home by scratch once a year.  President's Day was chosen because my mom was a teacher and she always would be guaranteed to have the day off school.  Homemade doughnuts are not a quick or easy or clean thing to make and requires most of the day to accomplish (plus about 2 whole containers of vegetable oil for frying!)

The tradition has continued for 20 plus years and we now have our kids participating and looking forward to it. 

Funny thing....we are not very successful.  Every year we diligently and enthusiastically (some more than others in the family) try new dough recipes, cutters, batter dispensers, oil temperature and toppings for the doughnuts.  They are never very tasty.  And then there was the infamous "doughnut that resembled the anatomy of a human heart". 

The adults of the family slowly realized that we actually preferred the taste of bought doughnuts, so for the last two years, much to the kids dismay, have purchased the doughnuts to be consummed on our Doughnut Day. 

Last week, the kids made it clear that they wanted us to try again to make doughnuts this year.  Armed with new enthusiasm, we picked a recipe and planned the day.  My sister Tessa, who now lives and works in Paris, France was even going to make the same recipe and skype to us on the day. 

Then, last Wednesday our lives changed.  Emma was so hoping to make it to Doughnut Day, and thankfully, she did just that.  Together as a family, we gathered today at my mom's house, my sister Bethany whipped up the recipe-which by the way was hands down the BEST doughnuts we've made to date-thanks to my favorite recipe blog:  www.thepioneerwoman.com, the cousins played inside and outside, Emma helped cut out doughnuts, and we melded together, took naps, laughed, and played as a family, gathering our strength and resolve for the future. 

My girl and me in our matching jammies

Cousin Lily

Lily's second Doughnut Day and still not sure about it

Benjamin-Emma's little brother who is turning 8 years old tomorrow

Happy Birthday Ben!

Laughing with crazy cousin Carter

The results

As my dad says, "Not Bad!"

Lily and Emma Kait

Thankful for a little bit of "normal" because of our very abnormal family tradition.

The past few days....a journey in pictures

The morning after hearing about our new journey

Exploring the playroom with dad

Happy still in the face of so much uncertainty-she amazes me with her strength

One of her favorite things to do to pass the time-also helped masked the sounds of beeping, paging and other conversations around her

Checking out the four chambers of her heart

Contemplating

Having fun with an Ipad while patiently waiting for anesthesia, bilateral bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap and PICC line placement

Emma's favorite teachers of all time-Mrs. Wenstrom and Mrs. Sardella

Every 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade student at our school made her a card

Laughing and enjoying their artwork for her

One of her favorites :)  -thanks Nate S.

Going for a ride

Her face is still smiling, but it's all taken a toll on her little body

We are not alone

The early mornings around the hospital are the hardest times for me as a mom.  Usually it's quiet and only the nurses and parents of kids are moving around trying to accomplish tasks before the kids wake up and need all of our attention and energy. My thoughts from the quiet this morning kept coming back to this phrase:

WE ARE NOT ALONE

We are not alone...my friend from church, Teresa and her 14 year old son Jacob are right across the hall....literally five steps away from our room.  Jacob has been struggling with a different journey for a longer time, but they were admitted again the day before we arrived.  Teresa, having experienced "club Sutter" several times before, sent me over her brand new sleeping pad to add to the top of the Oh so hard hospital chair/couch/bed contraption that becomes a parent's office, kitchen, closet, livingroom and bed, so I could have a better first night's sleep. Thank you Teresa.


We are not alone....across the hall is another little girl named Emma.  She's 2 1/2 and blond with a peaceful round face like our Emma Kait.  She was also admitted the same day we were with Leukemia.  Her journey stretches out 3 years ahead of that family.  She has two siblings at home and a mom a dad who look just as tired and "deer in the headlights" as we do.  My sister Bethany has actually met this family before as they have a common very good friend.  We have shared our stories of disbelief in the hallway together as we pass to the kitchen to grab a snack or a warm blanket for our Emma's. I pray strength and healing to you little Emma


We are not alone....since 2am on the night we were admitted, we have shared our small hospital room on the 6th floor with three other souls.  Beautiful 6 month old baby Diana who has a tender spirit and large dark trusting eyes and her parents have spent the last 4 days mere 6 inches from Emma Kait's bed separated only by a curtain, which we have to move aside and wiggle our IV pole around her crib every time Emma needs to get up.  At first I thought, "Oh, no.  We have to share our room with an infant.....a crying, needy, up at odd hours, baby."  She has been a blessing to us.  She is the happiest baby I have ever known...even in the face of now getting dosed with chemotherapy and other drugs which she often vomits from, she smiles every time we see her and she settles down and sleeps quietly the entire night. Her parents speak very little English, so we unfortunately were audio witnesses to her parents learning for the first time on our second morning here that their precious baby girl (they also have two boys age 4 and 3 1/2) is "very sick" with Leukemia.  We heard the news in slow, deliberate speech that comes when using a translator.  We heard the shock, the fear, the mourning in their sobs as the news sunk in.  We have shared our space with these kind and considerate people, smelled their wonderful beans, rice and tortillas three meals a day, heard their baby babble and click her little lips as they sing lullabies to her.  Please keep them in your prayers.  I will forever be linked to Diana and her family and will continue to pray for her miraculous healing. Blessings, strength and healing to you sweet family.

We are not alone....the outpouring of love has been staggering.  I can not begin to express our gratitude at the hundreds of offers to help in so many ways.  We are being carried by you, our family, friends, co-workers, prayer chains, bible studies, churches, and cloisters both here and around the world.  You are truly being God's hands and feet to us.  We are forever grateful and humbly thank you for lifting and carrying so our load seems easier to bear. Leaning on your support.

We are not alone...our God is here.  He will be victorious.  He loves Emma Kait.  She is more precious to Him than I as her mother can even begin to fathom.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.
Isaiah 40:11
 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
 
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
 
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
 
Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

The story so far......

Back in December a small "bug bite" type bump appeared on Emma's neck and like any typical 10 year old, she mentioned it to us and we asked, "Does it hurt or itch?"  her answer was "no" so life went on with school, piano lessons, Girl Scouts, sleep overs and playing with her brothers.  Over the next few weeks, the bump did not improve, in fact it got worse.  On Christmas Day, her lymph nodes were affected and swollen and I had my first pit in my stomach.  We saw 7 doctors over the following 3 weeks, and had surgery done on the wound which was first diagnosed as a bacterial infection, spent 6 days in the hospital and we were sent home with a PICC line and IV antibiotics.  The next 4 weeks were spent dosing with antibiotics, chasing allergic reactions, enduring painful wound care both at home and at the clinic and fighting an extremely aggravating and dangerous yeast type infection around her PICC line.  The feeling in my gut never went away and when the wound and lymph nodes were still not improving, we got a second opinion at the hospital in Sacramento which specializes in pediatrics.  A second surgery was done, tissue samples taken, lymph node biopsy and culture sent to pathology.  A week later we got the news in the doctor's office that no parent wants to hear about their child.  "There is a reason why the wound was not healing.  She has Lymphoma.  Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.  We are admitting her tonight to start the many tests and procedures to find out the "stage" of the cancer."  We now sit in the hospital, three days after our life changed forever, waiting to find out the results which determine the next days, weeks, months ahead for our family and especially for our daughter. She is a Face of Faith.  Our sweet and precious child of God.  Our Emma Kait.