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.