tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272355742003321782024-03-14T01:19:16.013-07:00Face of FaithStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-50819963207523491682022-08-15T17:52:00.000-07:002022-08-15T17:52:08.266-07:00Flying<p>Emma turned 22 yesterday. She has grown into the most beautiful version of a young lady I could only dream about years ago in her journey through cancer. She is currently starting her senior year as a nursing major at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is loved and cherished and has simply taken flight into her adult life. We owe much of her strength and focus and determination to get through a challenging major and prepare for her future as a nurse, to the love and support she received from so many of you, our supporters and friends. </p><p>We are currently in the cheering section for many friends and family traveling through their own fight with cancer......we pray for them, remember them and stand with them, just as many of you stood with us. You can DO THIS! Dan. Emily. Remembering Ben and Mary who fought brave battles. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BXK8kNARAII95YD8MyDTS1_SgPvmMNgurdha6V0C0s2Cb0l1PJfkV3ZTKCQImhovmDJ0RJEFqcoXiPwyAUDyN9FKVfMGrUDLG-U3GaFzekp2WiFh0i_Obb8Z1oqlWEz_uwagcjedUYX-sMbYC5zf-jFxhMG3t5X0V-ZfMcJF9BGA5GFUn7P0B9kl/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="815" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BXK8kNARAII95YD8MyDTS1_SgPvmMNgurdha6V0C0s2Cb0l1PJfkV3ZTKCQImhovmDJ0RJEFqcoXiPwyAUDyN9FKVfMGrUDLG-U3GaFzekp2WiFh0i_Obb8Z1oqlWEz_uwagcjedUYX-sMbYC5zf-jFxhMG3t5X0V-ZfMcJF9BGA5GFUn7P0B9kl/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5516.jpeg" width="204" /></a></div><br />This blog was my outlet and my lifeline in the confusion and overwhelming days of watching my sweet girl battle. I may update it, and I may not. The beauty and free choice of NOT having to do something is one I cherish after the prison of a pediatric cancer diagnosis. <p></p>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-35863413754487739032012-03-19T10:19:00.003-07:002012-03-19T23:33:52.984-07:00A new normalAs we've discovered this year, nothing ever stays the same, a new normal seems to happen every few months. This last month has been different....in a good way!<br />
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We heard the news on March 8, 2012 that our entire year of praying and hoping and fighting for led us to...."<b>There has been a complete anatomic and metabolic response to chemotherapy." </b>Praise Jesus! Her PET scan showed no signs of the Lymphoma, so we are celebrating the fact that she is in "remission" from cancer. (and will be in remission until the 5 year mark of clear scans/blood work when she can be declared "cured"). We are taking a deep breath and still letting those words sink into our life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Joe on Splash Mountain at Disneyland</td></tr>
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She did have an abnormal result on her ECG heart scan, so we went last week for a more in depth MUGA scan of her heart, and should know the results this week. All in all, it's not a big deal if her heart output was effected by the chemo (Her doctors told us that if there was damage, the effect on her life would be that she would never be able to compete in competitive long distance running....well, shoot!) I guess she'll just have to use her time in other ways......a million other choices lay before her......we are not worrying too much about this little challenge that may or may not be true.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being brave getting an IV placed in her hand for her MUGA scan.</td></tr>
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We've had longer stretches between appointments, which feels so freeing! We've also had the school science fair, placed all our puppy babies in their new homes and just saw the production of Mama Mia! on stage with some dear friends. Life has been good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the fun night Tina and Bailee! </td></tr>
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We have other friends who are still traveling on their journeys of this cancer thing...and we are not forgetting them in any way. We are still cheering for you Emma, Jacob and Diana! (we saw little baby Diana in the hospital a few weeks ago when Emma Kait had a fever and had to stay 6 hours for bloodwork...Diana was a toddler walking down the halls with her IV pole behind her! Yay Diana!) And, we have new fellow travelers on this road from our circle of friends....Heather (a mom from school) and Lachlan (a little boy we knew as a baby from our preschool days). We are praying for Lachlan and Heather's healing and recovery and rehab from brain surgery from tumors. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd place in the Science Fair for 5th grade!</td></tr>
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So...what is next for Emma Kait? Our care continues to stretch out ahead for the next five years and beyond. We start with her port removal surgery this Friday the 23rd of March. Then we see the clinic every month for blood work until the 6 month mark when her PET scan is repeated as well as other in-depth blood work. Then, if she has another clear scan, the visits stretch out to every 2 months for awhile, then every 3 months, then 6 months, then yearly at about the 3 year mark. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved our pups but so happy they all found great homes. </td></tr>
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We are also preparing for a family trek across the US with Jon's parents in a motorhome...to gather as a family to celebrate our brother-in-law Chris' retirement from the Air Force and to celebrate Emma's new freedom from Chemo! It should be an adventure for sure...we are looking at traveling through 13 states in 14 days in early April. <br />
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Thank you for continuing to keep Emma in your thoughts and prayers and for encouraging her in her next stage of life....she is more prepared than ever for the challenges that lay ahead. All of us who were a part of her journey this past year....her year of preparation and strengthening for her adventures ahead....we can all say with great confidence and conviction....GO EMMA! <br />
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-72817320305542982552012-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:002012-02-10T11:00:43.878-08:00Onward and Upward....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXMocEj3bSAnPpo7f23SPrdrB2vYuqdwA4QUjECIzRi6sJTZ09B7jE1DbIp-CL1FCaTmVbMR_QsyxFW8RmUCeybN195KhDbQ6YYwyQpkncZiDmlXa49KCGYh613tMN_u2J_4Hu3YXw3g/s1600/IMG_1684.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXMocEj3bSAnPpo7f23SPrdrB2vYuqdwA4QUjECIzRi6sJTZ09B7jE1DbIp-CL1FCaTmVbMR_QsyxFW8RmUCeybN195KhDbQ6YYwyQpkncZiDmlXa49KCGYh613tMN_u2J_4Hu3YXw3g/s400/IMG_1684.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday Februray 8, 2012 was a day to celebrate and with help from many, we did just that. It's hard to tell it all with words, or even with pictures as so much was communicated within hearts, but I will try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The day started with Emma's whole school gathering on the front lawn to cheer her on and wave her goodbye with hugs and tears and smiling kids. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qDMosBgQhnz3O2GDUGaFcGWFGiRoKSb8qI19_BWI2Dipk4rUXH93aCz_Dy4tZRfLKl44S-aUhRaxsl7LciH8IOtNHBdDlsq_QdbM6_MV7oI1qdwJHF3EE4i1s3nAWdVKlSytb4AQ178/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qDMosBgQhnz3O2GDUGaFcGWFGiRoKSb8qI19_BWI2Dipk4rUXH93aCz_Dy4tZRfLKl44S-aUhRaxsl7LciH8IOtNHBdDlsq_QdbM6_MV7oI1qdwJHF3EE4i1s3nAWdVKlSytb4AQ178/s320/IMG_1454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJBYO7Mg_VHC8BjbVX5DMTkrWvmPMWor1HexFEKAwyQsmg2uEFCmRtqF-KfYii_Tgp2ukaftt4FE2VHC_dz8ApX5Z3bu-vj2C3cCSRAhyUiX-pjxpqtqTzlU9ZYgNQECUquLlTZA8ueY/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJBYO7Mg_VHC8BjbVX5DMTkrWvmPMWor1HexFEKAwyQsmg2uEFCmRtqF-KfYii_Tgp2ukaftt4FE2VHC_dz8ApX5Z3bu-vj2C3cCSRAhyUiX-pjxpqtqTzlU9ZYgNQECUquLlTZA8ueY/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Walking toward the hospital for what seems like the thousandth time...familiar yet uncomfortable territory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvTGDcoKdQ3ExRvPDkA1cPbX757D7ZdryE0A0sogNiAkXXEiivopLG9AyV-VJAZytTE86X9OoLk0TRnLPioHoa-9K5mezy2WS6YHcWxHgLvp9w0ygWZvmPwI0lgo52R6MFgcDIJSLXxc/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvTGDcoKdQ3ExRvPDkA1cPbX757D7ZdryE0A0sogNiAkXXEiivopLG9AyV-VJAZytTE86X9OoLk0TRnLPioHoa-9K5mezy2WS6YHcWxHgLvp9w0ygWZvmPwI0lgo52R6MFgcDIJSLXxc/s320/IMG_1457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting in the lobby for her Electrocardiogram....chemo can affect the heart....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdcdMdUGqfp9tHGsU33vBeEkxktSE66XTHphsYuQX9mCHYajewHUMHryMsheLyijiXROhEmkOKmiVq4AFILogRsma6B70wmAaRyQTGD5AgyIllci4WNiB3bjfO96lpqtqoKdNJd-lcs/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdcdMdUGqfp9tHGsU33vBeEkxktSE66XTHphsYuQX9mCHYajewHUMHryMsheLyijiXROhEmkOKmiVq4AFILogRsma6B70wmAaRyQTGD5AgyIllci4WNiB3bjfO96lpqtqoKdNJd-lcs/s320/IMG_1459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally our turn</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAJ1qN83McVjv7lh1qaLKFG4CAIN_hDPfgq0L17fjl-SX6kN5h3CtlnlyHtNlrSpmM58hQHiVTSxu_3tFIEBKWxqSsRqTVatTSLKlpuUlnIcPSnx0BRTS7nT1hMjpXzYjQ_DfvvK_v_4/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAJ1qN83McVjv7lh1qaLKFG4CAIN_hDPfgq0L17fjl-SX6kN5h3CtlnlyHtNlrSpmM58hQHiVTSxu_3tFIEBKWxqSsRqTVatTSLKlpuUlnIcPSnx0BRTS7nT1hMjpXzYjQ_DfvvK_v_4/s320/IMG_1471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After a short break and some lunch....we now wait again at the clinic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizklXPsQrNb1a7oL4vO7EHv_-AY3ZbyeWnzApEzdX6HZo_mhfd9SjHnW81f-h0WEpU9VVuzBZCjEjCleG7aATzCPJxMiMowGEC0bN41yvkCT6Gcvp0ho5gwnq2HSDspUVHdxy5eH7VI2c/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizklXPsQrNb1a7oL4vO7EHv_-AY3ZbyeWnzApEzdX6HZo_mhfd9SjHnW81f-h0WEpU9VVuzBZCjEjCleG7aATzCPJxMiMowGEC0bN41yvkCT6Gcvp0ho5gwnq2HSDspUVHdxy5eH7VI2c/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The position I was in this whole year....by her side, unable to take on the treatment myself....trying to comfort her and help her to be strong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ6W1PO6dKKW6CrtdU1AKX3To6PbFVYBSGYx3jhATQROgH_L5mWjs9hsnxLR0XucHlEqux5D9VPuWVhnyLIynNwQxE-WEquQ53vFNWGOcn2ab5Oi1YU6fVl1Pp-gONuNXFw22IUvw_jc/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ6W1PO6dKKW6CrtdU1AKX3To6PbFVYBSGYx3jhATQROgH_L5mWjs9hsnxLR0XucHlEqux5D9VPuWVhnyLIynNwQxE-WEquQ53vFNWGOcn2ab5Oi1YU6fVl1Pp-gONuNXFw22IUvw_jc/s320/IMG_1479.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Last run....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0k89P_MRKgmkIsopfhNfEBHA9Pnn_Mo1jizLbILChHxQlRE11QH6k84jG0itOA-FG_tCq8wX1qIX5mMwPDFLVw0ejOKPDn49bVXW0vOMFZJkdrmUc-kwqW3kEX_GHcWi8BdFW3_Bhfo/s1600/IMG_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0k89P_MRKgmkIsopfhNfEBHA9Pnn_Mo1jizLbILChHxQlRE11QH6k84jG0itOA-FG_tCq8wX1qIX5mMwPDFLVw0ejOKPDn49bVXW0vOMFZJkdrmUc-kwqW3kEX_GHcWi8BdFW3_Bhfo/s320/IMG_1490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Proud of her photo....joining the ranks of other warriors in the battle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71KQPm9qstjrrKMBPFfE-KxK3q2Np7BeooY-pelfarjy5tGcoCaL_CuMTBX1-V9rinTLrl4-DIIswOeJFtMc6IhPnk1iC5N8ZAw5H9WBMQWFyprh0YOcx5kJ7EE76LDZiJ4kcgRw9Riw/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71KQPm9qstjrrKMBPFfE-KxK3q2Np7BeooY-pelfarjy5tGcoCaL_CuMTBX1-V9rinTLrl4-DIIswOeJFtMc6IhPnk1iC5N8ZAw5H9WBMQWFyprh0YOcx5kJ7EE76LDZiJ4kcgRw9Riw/s320/IMG_1494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtwDgslecBEqXof4reFfxhPVwEVEKNh4Uz5-3Zs5F1PABoezOwj17MBu1USY896NOHOXxIssnH8Tju73CajgtCahg0G65a7pKDjWP704q5LT2S5nKVXJwYFec-EVWMPjUv0BIBkMCgI/s1600/IMG_1519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtwDgslecBEqXof4reFfxhPVwEVEKNh4Uz5-3Zs5F1PABoezOwj17MBu1USY896NOHOXxIssnH8Tju73CajgtCahg0G65a7pKDjWP704q5LT2S5nKVXJwYFec-EVWMPjUv0BIBkMCgI/s320/IMG_1519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A surprise limo ride home from the hospital....she couldn't believe it was for her. When we arrived home, the kids all wanted to see inside and sit in the seats....they were so happy for her and celebrated right along with Emma. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ffs52t4QphQZGI_A5zMCfasZPsi7oYtIXFNJzNKCHH-alBUq-Vcq1pkq7JqV2SDpPZ2ns6ZL7nKiGYXl9kqBM9frNCSvjmmb0Hiq5FXlP80InS_QeUFowiClVsrnhkRdcwuXKC4MUoQ/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ffs52t4QphQZGI_A5zMCfasZPsi7oYtIXFNJzNKCHH-alBUq-Vcq1pkq7JqV2SDpPZ2ns6ZL7nKiGYXl9kqBM9frNCSvjmmb0Hiq5FXlP80InS_QeUFowiClVsrnhkRdcwuXKC4MUoQ/s320/IMG_1521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5KkOg36KSDTD5iRp_VKU0pPMTPtqC9dMNcZoIRgMPIls6yckZ_opN3x_gJbr7VHi9anFnfhUuFCGZ0hBz9MN7pTLs3QbiCrjw72yv28dJ5DmozjS_S2UuFEcXfVaFEWnyGvoqrVQMLY/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5KkOg36KSDTD5iRp_VKU0pPMTPtqC9dMNcZoIRgMPIls6yckZ_opN3x_gJbr7VHi9anFnfhUuFCGZ0hBz9MN7pTLs3QbiCrjw72yv28dJ5DmozjS_S2UuFEcXfVaFEWnyGvoqrVQMLY/s320/IMG_1522.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Some welcome signs for her arrival home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCu501qe7AbBBwTFg_NIvUcQB5Y1O0SHm53XR7BBXjxdAghq5BFILyd2gwB3asCbvhgHZx2rcNHiMwi7gNtqu2UApwAC64IrXXdBP_rrfTTm037iQfVpPzUUqTBgvCKAOtzGNVSYhjSw/s1600/IMG_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCu501qe7AbBBwTFg_NIvUcQB5Y1O0SHm53XR7BBXjxdAghq5BFILyd2gwB3asCbvhgHZx2rcNHiMwi7gNtqu2UApwAC64IrXXdBP_rrfTTm037iQfVpPzUUqTBgvCKAOtzGNVSYhjSw/s320/IMG_1530.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> The balloon surprise....it was so awesome! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEl2cVDcfGUgwjVXV-o4dwa1LNSczNyeRVAHyeH5BABjRvD9bCqS-V-gDEwhgnvyBd1yL3lDsZI3UXVNhEtkeKRueJHewAfD7n3ZUIE9I7epw_vM6Vz1dgv3T14oJYzff5Q8Vpy6ubq8/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEl2cVDcfGUgwjVXV-o4dwa1LNSczNyeRVAHyeH5BABjRvD9bCqS-V-gDEwhgnvyBd1yL3lDsZI3UXVNhEtkeKRueJHewAfD7n3ZUIE9I7epw_vM6Vz1dgv3T14oJYzff5Q8Vpy6ubq8/s320/IMG_1532.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She read some of the notes right away....the words mean so much to her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn-UgFnC1FFb6h7wsfBrU3cEgykwIgEY4U-uak1F-GoU7NMEIq9_nNUApvvitUdL0sHhf8FGZPQpZtAyzfioMbPn_BIlwOP7SwlVId9eTEG3m77_hRZHPaCWZJ7h5sSTmhkAmywAr4E0/s1600/IMG_1535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn-UgFnC1FFb6h7wsfBrU3cEgykwIgEY4U-uak1F-GoU7NMEIq9_nNUApvvitUdL0sHhf8FGZPQpZtAyzfioMbPn_BIlwOP7SwlVId9eTEG3m77_hRZHPaCWZJ7h5sSTmhkAmywAr4E0/s320/IMG_1535.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Soaking it in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIYipNb1178oQVfh9C3qGLvrTI8iCL8VtD-z2xXURrDxVtDxQqd0I3aPLhu8TyCMFvgJWt84jJJw1DyyLgIU1Uaz3Iql7j83c7h2abSBTNvtDNGUe-6fzQrWCKis_QhUKpJsqE9zOiZw/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIYipNb1178oQVfh9C3qGLvrTI8iCL8VtD-z2xXURrDxVtDxQqd0I3aPLhu8TyCMFvgJWt84jJJw1DyyLgIU1Uaz3Iql7j83c7h2abSBTNvtDNGUe-6fzQrWCKis_QhUKpJsqE9zOiZw/s320/IMG_1545.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJlFs4bXMs_Y7iPhQlPEluMap8ZDXD4yJoe6COJjmBZSnCicq_PEZqCdBLvK-iei5DQFgiTaG-KOpX-_8KNuSWHswRdJVW5m4P_TR_jMab7_erE2an98aiubp6GT2HdqXYNGKxzD0E8/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJlFs4bXMs_Y7iPhQlPEluMap8ZDXD4yJoe6COJjmBZSnCicq_PEZqCdBLvK-iei5DQFgiTaG-KOpX-_8KNuSWHswRdJVW5m4P_TR_jMab7_erE2an98aiubp6GT2HdqXYNGKxzD0E8/s320/IMG_1547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> That's a whole lot of love and a year's worth of fighting hard represented in those balloons!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKV1TsxwK0UY-S9Lokm4gH3-OnJ1j9KCU44zUmq5HOs8iGwke2U00zI1XJxZZIdhf2r2gctghBKepLkytkTG5G-4M-9R2Wb-yOayjC05bzpgOHVqmDrVrhr835QOkpAiHlz6h6TP3Vlk/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKV1TsxwK0UY-S9Lokm4gH3-OnJ1j9KCU44zUmq5HOs8iGwke2U00zI1XJxZZIdhf2r2gctghBKepLkytkTG5G-4M-9R2Wb-yOayjC05bzpgOHVqmDrVrhr835QOkpAiHlz6h6TP3Vlk/s400/IMG_1553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Letting it go</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9MziDbTWB0hYBfAe_uZxEHP3V1HoxVr3SN4Y9TocBCjUU0cQ_PBOqZZZJZEpEV3Vk8-vwhxf0FgqUUYsmC4fmTgfrmDPsX1RAA8eupf1v9ce9aCFMWKQHsLohNIMUTx8srnzu3FYlDk/s1600/IMG_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9MziDbTWB0hYBfAe_uZxEHP3V1HoxVr3SN4Y9TocBCjUU0cQ_PBOqZZZJZEpEV3Vk8-vwhxf0FgqUUYsmC4fmTgfrmDPsX1RAA8eupf1v9ce9aCFMWKQHsLohNIMUTx8srnzu3FYlDk/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONN16pFTXYxfFsz7WPXYcRu9RHq4hyphenhyphen8X-1Zf64B5DwibEQSOGFsn-e5eVN0vecGtdoGcWOjdU4RYvP5RlgFvTdr8Gp-AzXBprXHaOZaCsMgLoYhB4CxNOOld5RFYJwDuqaRCXOv8pv90/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONN16pFTXYxfFsz7WPXYcRu9RHq4hyphenhyphen8X-1Zf64B5DwibEQSOGFsn-e5eVN0vecGtdoGcWOjdU4RYvP5RlgFvTdr8Gp-AzXBprXHaOZaCsMgLoYhB4CxNOOld5RFYJwDuqaRCXOv8pv90/s320/IMG_1561.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExasryD7OFLkyQS2g3CHcKJk0TyLbKtHgnfqVVCsAMFEuTEmcffGYTq91wDESdqgwAew82Rm9BVspAHXvLN6jyPwWwHn52jcZR3YnkcayMqrZSVBFk56PGw1881bqSJbwBy6XjioOxRc/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExasryD7OFLkyQS2g3CHcKJk0TyLbKtHgnfqVVCsAMFEuTEmcffGYTq91wDESdqgwAew82Rm9BVspAHXvLN6jyPwWwHn52jcZR3YnkcayMqrZSVBFk56PGw1881bqSJbwBy6XjioOxRc/s320/IMG_1565.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Celebration cupcakes made by Emma Kait's namesake....Kaitlin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAZrBS8-0XDkNLjJ_9MYVccGoP4Bha2CQuJYS1lQipHFDNXnY1n-_glceUOh4jb2UUZ0bfWP1C28ADlE2aDJIzCYXR_6YiEnHH5k_dADfw5rtS0f7AVmBe1-coPZ_DFwV0dJhgliZ63g/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAZrBS8-0XDkNLjJ_9MYVccGoP4Bha2CQuJYS1lQipHFDNXnY1n-_glceUOh4jb2UUZ0bfWP1C28ADlE2aDJIzCYXR_6YiEnHH5k_dADfw5rtS0f7AVmBe1-coPZ_DFwV0dJhgliZ63g/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Reading the words</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQYANOQpfzR6H2tv8gQPyi3ZeM2lswYpCeBJP8PBmZVo4VwV8jXLRFFGtpNf_VnVhkFm6gWAAQQBQgVmERWrjyUEHx-r44OrafjipZLY_qZdCpkNr5Oh7wp9aeL01sYVFRPorTdtklpo/s1600/IMG_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQYANOQpfzR6H2tv8gQPyi3ZeM2lswYpCeBJP8PBmZVo4VwV8jXLRFFGtpNf_VnVhkFm6gWAAQQBQgVmERWrjyUEHx-r44OrafjipZLY_qZdCpkNr5Oh7wp9aeL01sYVFRPorTdtklpo/s400/IMG_1557.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look hard....up in that clear blue sky....can you see? God is here, taking the burden from us as He has this entire journey. Those are balloons that represent so much.....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeO6bX0av2K4OuzUPRx97S-Xn-Lnu1ilhUDAfUxRdRP-ga3myYx8bdVQi5dSW5EP3fTHZX5y1LukfPMA3ZF2XqijvqK-ahj9Zp7IE2V7KcUSsOp2Cpy4AKMTeioCSfmlzAon49pEKYa8/s1600/IMG_1596.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeO6bX0av2K4OuzUPRx97S-Xn-Lnu1ilhUDAfUxRdRP-ga3myYx8bdVQi5dSW5EP3fTHZX5y1LukfPMA3ZF2XqijvqK-ahj9Zp7IE2V7KcUSsOp2Cpy4AKMTeioCSfmlzAon49pEKYa8/s320/IMG_1596.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And when we walked back into our house, after all our extended family left for the evening....this was my reminder. WE HAVE HOPE! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness."</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Jeremiah 31:3 </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Rebecca</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-17121179275475756982012-02-08T20:01:00.000-08:002012-02-08T20:01:06.093-08:00Just a peak....Our day is over. We are spending time as a family and soaking in the love that was shared with Emma today through your notes of encouragement. She loved it. We loved it. She had her 15th and final dose of IV chemo today and we celebrated. I will post tomorrow and share all the photos that tell the story of today....but tonight, we rest. <br />
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Thank you for your love. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Rb5zjycnOoFsqSNRd9Eux2GLAIb22leLSZJRwRqAFEYa71mNsoE3IXSFCXom0cTdM7MDgfwab-bDnz_ojp4IJoUkimFg0c-7QVNMQoxI0T5rKmYZnlSUpvJQZaHlydSKbp8uG91DYY/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Rb5zjycnOoFsqSNRd9Eux2GLAIb22leLSZJRwRqAFEYa71mNsoE3IXSFCXom0cTdM7MDgfwab-bDnz_ojp4IJoUkimFg0c-7QVNMQoxI0T5rKmYZnlSUpvJQZaHlydSKbp8uG91DYY/s640/IMG_1528.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-66817366276985217212012-02-02T10:03:00.000-08:002012-02-02T10:03:14.678-08:00Getting There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Kait- February 1, 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This was Emma yesterday afternoon walking into her 43rd clinic visit. 43 appointments and each of them represents a needle access into her port for blood work, questions about how she feels, vital signs taken and scrutiny over any physical symptom she has experienced. As I walked behind her to snap this picture, my thoughts were focused on how much she's grown up in the past year. She is a different person. I am again struck with how much a child grows up in a year's time and I'm amazed at the change Emma experienced. She was a little girl last year when the scary diagnosis of Lymphoma hit us in the gut. She wore flowers in her long hair and had the carefree outlook on life that every 10 year old child should have. That all changed in one day. She is now a beautiful young lady of 11 years old who wears stylish dark rimmed glasses, spunky boots and a cute pink beret over her sporty short hair. She was listening to Taylor Swift on her ipod and asked me on the way out of the clinic, "Mom, when did you start to wear makeup?" She is more concerned and worried about things sometimes, but also has more faith and a peace about her that is beyond understanding. I'm so proud of her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her counts were 1300....the lowest they have been in several months. It didn't surprise me because of how hard the last round of chemo hit her...I'm imagining her body fighting harder to recover from the effects of the drugs each time she is dosed with them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We scheduled next week's appointment for her final dose of chemo and also discussed the next few weeks of recovery, follow-up testing (PET scan, CT scan, MRI, Echo-cardiogram, blood panels, etc) and finally scheduling the surgery to remove her port (which she wants to keep as a souvenir). It all makes me nervous, happy, anxious, relieved and hopeful.....we are getting there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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This is posted in the clinic as you leave.....it's a good reminder for all of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZs7f5rM_-owBUQgcTPHi9A78_3fNLBACZ4Fz9nBC-zld0WoOLKRIB9zZ2KBQ_Oo2g6jxi3S12qamCQxelHNZYTbuK1sLOV1-rH-TMkhuAG-DqPZM-J6uMLC6YLW1WyrGzRuI-ZqKNr4/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZs7f5rM_-owBUQgcTPHi9A78_3fNLBACZ4Fz9nBC-zld0WoOLKRIB9zZ2KBQ_Oo2g6jxi3S12qamCQxelHNZYTbuK1sLOV1-rH-TMkhuAG-DqPZM-J6uMLC6YLW1WyrGzRuI-ZqKNr4/s320/IMG_0768.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>-Rebecca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-77163244970771729232012-01-25T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-25T22:30:33.293-08:00Hard Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGmW0t7kSgxcP9iBvmX9M9n9GVpA83Ojj-dOZfHNJWaRqi9npG1N0r8G2G8N1qYmi_7Bgnvhcc5aqTaYfbvCluTw_wbnXxuIRd9yIefBCkWu5YYS5cU5RQnHzf-In0rlq0euBl_rQKE0/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGmW0t7kSgxcP9iBvmX9M9n9GVpA83Ojj-dOZfHNJWaRqi9npG1N0r8G2G8N1qYmi_7Bgnvhcc5aqTaYfbvCluTw_wbnXxuIRd9yIefBCkWu5YYS5cU5RQnHzf-In0rlq0euBl_rQKE0/s320/IMG_3185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping and healing with her pal Hank</td></tr>
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Emma has had a few hard days of feeling pretty tired, headachey and nauseous following her 14th round of chemo last week. It's really the way I was imagining she would have been feeling the entire course of treatment, but thankfully, it has been a rarity. I can tell she doesn't feel good when she walks around with a furrowed brow and her lips pressed together like she just tasted something gross. She fights hard to feel good and even got dressed for school yesterday, made her lunch and rode in the car all the way to the sidewalk, and just couldn't get out of the car. I drove her home and she promptly cuddled up on the couch and fell asleep for the next four hours....hard. I had to remove her glasses after an hour when I realized they were making permanent indentations in her cheek and she didn't even notice. <br />
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She wanted to try to go to school today, but I have to say, I saw the same furrowed brow and pressed together lips on the ride there, so I'm kind of waiting for the phone call.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma holding one of the eight new Mini Dachshund puppies.</td></tr>
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Thankfully, we only have one more of these rounds to get through and then her little body can start to cleanse itself from all the medications and bombardment of foreign chemicals that have entered her bloodstream every three weeks for the last year. I'm so looking forward to that.....I can't imagine how much more she is looking forward to feeling back to her self again. Thank you for continuing to hold her up in prayer. She needs it now, just as much as in the beginning. This little traveler is getting weary on her journey.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the BMX Nationals in Reno, Nevada with her brothers and Dad</td></tr>
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In case you missed out on the email or Facebook invitation, we are planning a low key, but personal and meaningful celebration for Emma Kait on her final day of chemo...February 8, 2012. We are going to surprise her with helium balloons filling her room when she returns home. We hope to have notes of encouragement from many of her supporters tied to the strings of the balloons. We will then remove the notes, before releasing the balloons into the air, marking an end to a very long and difficult year for our family. If you would like to send a note to her, please email it to <a href="mailto:rebecca3kids@hotmail.com">rebecca3kids@hotmail.com</a> and we will print it and attach it to a white, silver or pink balloon. Thank you so much for your love, support and cheering her on! We have not traveled this road alone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Keaton Raphael Memorial Foundation Christmas Party-December 2011</td></tr>
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-66731455742964917262012-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:002012-01-12T11:27:25.082-08:0030 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpaVyjL_GLK3WM099l2tGaeJZK77m9J6rJy1J95iuL38aO550y8_JdTdc9HzzD-C7Wx9dN9BMcerfZFeL1eZ97zUM-HVAv3s_XBeWML3-hnGU-rWVzcYcAvyRyktE_0EjSgHC15gYcgY/s1600/Christmas_2011_+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpaVyjL_GLK3WM099l2tGaeJZK77m9J6rJy1J95iuL38aO550y8_JdTdc9HzzD-C7Wx9dN9BMcerfZFeL1eZ97zUM-HVAv3s_XBeWML3-hnGU-rWVzcYcAvyRyktE_0EjSgHC15gYcgY/s640/Christmas_2011_+107.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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This past Tuesday was another milestone in Emma's treatment....January 10, 2012. That day marked the 30 day countdown until her last clinical dose of chemotherapy and the celebration of the end of her formal treatment of stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. I can still barely believe that this was part of our life. I can hardly wait to celebrate with her that huge accomplishment.....the fact that she had cancer and she beat it. Cancer....my child....faced it head on and with so much grace. She stayed strong and brave and courageous through countless needle sticks and tests and machines and hospital stays and appointments and losing her hair and gaining weight and headaches and vomiting and sleepless nights and swallowing pills and and mood swings and disappointments. We can also look back and celebrate the support that was shown, the love that was showered upon us, the generosity that was given and the prayers that were offered....all on her behalf.<br />
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In a way she was blessed because she got sick. Not blessed to be sick, but blessed in spite of being sick. She got a glimpse into the ability of humans to show deep kindness and love to one another, love to her as an individual, love for Emma Kait. What a gift to be given at the young age of 10. If only all kids could have the opportunity to know and see how much they are loved and supported by their family and community.....it was wonderful for her and we will never forget it. <br />
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A year ago we were in the hospital room in Roseville thinking she had a mysterious staph infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics. We now sit on the brink of finishing 15 rounds of chemotherapy and countless physical hurdles. It's simply amazing how fast this year has gone by for us. Partly it's been a blur due to just taking one day at a time and not being able to look around and take in the surrounding details. It's also been a year full of forced rest and bonding as a family and redirected priorities. Sometimes the things that shake us the most, cause us to move into the directions we need most....our families, our friends, our community and our Lord. If only we could get there without such trying circumstances....but maybe that's not the way God works all the time. Sometimes He whispers to us, and sometimes He allows challenges to remind us that we are not in control, but we are being carried and cared for in every detail of our life by One stronger and larger than any hurdle put in our path. <br />
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Thank you dear friends for being a part of this story....Emma Kait's journey......all of our journey of increasing faith.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-Proverbs 20:24 </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> -Psalm 16:8</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lord gives His people strength. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lord blesses them with peace. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-Psalm 29:11</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-Psalm 139:10 </i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Rebecca</div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-7618430902364563102012-01-04T18:21:00.000-08:002012-01-11T20:32:05.158-08:00Thoughts and words from Emma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9gfaXUEclc/TwUHT26SZ4I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/QS8yoXvPor4/s1600/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+10.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9gfaXUEclc/TwUHT26SZ4I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/QS8yoXvPor4/s320/Photo+on+2011-12-29+at+10.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<i>***Updated photos at the end of post.....</i><br />
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Hi everybody. I am doing pretty well. I am just getting past my sleepy/head achy stage of my chemo round. So when I go back to school I will be in tip-top shape:) School is going awesome!! I love my teacher. He explains things very well and digs deeper into the subject. I am soooooo exited that I only have two chemos left!! We have two mini dachshunds. We have a 1 year old boy Hank and a 4 year old girl Ellie. Ellie is pregnant! Like the rest of my family I am waiting. . . and waiting for the puppies to come. She is absolutely huge!! We think she will have three-four puppies. My mom and dad say we can't keep any. They think three dogs is enough so we will find good homes for them. I have been measuring Ellie's belly and it is growing! I think she is at her max which is 23 1/2 inches round. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eX24500gcuY/TwUHhvM1DuI/AAAAAAAAA4g/rM4ovsPt56g/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eX24500gcuY/TwUHhvM1DuI/AAAAAAAAA4g/rM4ovsPt56g/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie and Hank sleeping</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL9lVk4iDms/TwUHmHaEFyI/AAAAAAAAA4o/EkZAG5oqPlE/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL9lVk4iDms/TwUHmHaEFyI/AAAAAAAAA4o/EkZAG5oqPlE/s320/IMG_0662.jpg" width="239" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="color: black; text-align: center;">School is going to be here sooner then we know, but I am VERY thankful that I have no HOMEWORK!! On New Year's Eve my family and I were brainstorming on what we wanted to do in the new year. My ideas were: read one book a month, fix "the 70" so I can ride it ( which is a motorcycle), and join swim team. I also want to go back to soccer and dance. . . FINALLY! I know that is kinda a long list but this year I have missed some things I love to do! We have a lot of trips and tasks ahead of us in the new year, but at the same time FULL of fun!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hank loves Ellie</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma Kait <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXPPrI8T5yi4iBlsPJ39vbRQDkQujRm8GO3rx3wOoPfo8FiyxcmqSSuh4UmvQZp74yqIyaqr7tbOCBTvbBnw0bydt4alHmGUOGK2tYdzfeHc4PK9r01tMoCGa55bFjeNQwR-8QuWmnPY/s1600/Img_+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXPPrI8T5yi4iBlsPJ39vbRQDkQujRm8GO3rx3wOoPfo8FiyxcmqSSuh4UmvQZp74yqIyaqr7tbOCBTvbBnw0bydt4alHmGUOGK2tYdzfeHc4PK9r01tMoCGa55bFjeNQwR-8QuWmnPY/s320/Img_+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie with her puppies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGvF5Ivq9ji_46m08xswQKdFR-W0ESdM8QuoA1QmOe5lBGbmYxSBmw46csaA_onZ6LuZr8melFxgIowOU41sS_6xOwbgaC4hyphenhyphenrTaF5xPXb34sNVOm8e_qp-ZgkNS7ijjrOmA453xh2fk/s1600/Img_+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGvF5Ivq9ji_46m08xswQKdFR-W0ESdM8QuoA1QmOe5lBGbmYxSBmw46csaA_onZ6LuZr8melFxgIowOU41sS_6xOwbgaC4hyphenhyphenrTaF5xPXb34sNVOm8e_qp-ZgkNS7ijjrOmA453xh2fk/s320/Img_+103.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eight puppies total arrived Friday 1-6-11 all healthy and strong after 12 hours of labor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-41480940725695536732011-12-11T20:21:00.000-08:002011-12-11T20:46:19.324-08:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmJ0kjZEcqOCt81WplIdncFDmGtACPe-CDJCXpkg7W3D20emohA7JkqUJ1mEv46Uh2Jng5WyaMJi0qFjuOb72n_LcMdhebCSSf8asoD6dr9yQ8-t8l9ytIlpN5m6TtTmJ4jkOm-F0h0/s1600/IMG_+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmJ0kjZEcqOCt81WplIdncFDmGtACPe-CDJCXpkg7W3D20emohA7JkqUJ1mEv46Uh2Jng5WyaMJi0qFjuOb72n_LcMdhebCSSf8asoD6dr9yQ8-t8l9ytIlpN5m6TtTmJ4jkOm-F0h0/s320/IMG_+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I sit in our decorated and glowing living room with white Christmas lights sparkling up our tree and I can't help but reflect on what 2011 brought to our family. Friends and family's Christmas cards are arriving in the mailbox and as I sat at the computer ordering our own today, I was flooded with images and emotions from our very full and very hard and very blessed beyond imagination year. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87zAYpXhiOR1R-EUCs-TSZkoyygyo-RtO1bQszZWH4O9OwxP9dSMtmwTRwDUiVw5MF1k-AvbQbO2pRPJ0-sX9IHXovL3qzcpTRQ4Yy8mX6he6KQO4au_-jxJVlbyVlvy97TL8ilShtOk/s1600/Img_+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87zAYpXhiOR1R-EUCs-TSZkoyygyo-RtO1bQszZWH4O9OwxP9dSMtmwTRwDUiVw5MF1k-AvbQbO2pRPJ0-sX9IHXovL3qzcpTRQ4Yy8mX6he6KQO4au_-jxJVlbyVlvy97TL8ilShtOk/s320/Img_+040.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
We had an very unwelcome visitor to our life. One that we could not plan for or understand, but we were met with people around us, the love to carry us and the strength beyond understanding.<br />
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I read words today from another blog that resonated with my heart, and I pray finds roots in Emma's soul...<br />
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<i>"It isn’t about the cancer, it isn’t about what it has the ability to do to our bodies, it isn’t about the treatments or the part of us it takes away; its about the journey. Its about rediscovering the parts of yourself that you never ever knew or dreamed existed, and giving them room to grow and room to take flight. Its about seeing life through cancers eyes and being better because of it, being more whole and more alive despite it....I am still a daughter. I am still a daughter of the King. I am still the same that I was before I found out that I had cancer, just a <strike>little more</strike> a lot more mature and a heck of a lot less naive. I still have the same heart, the same dreams, the same desires. I am still me, cancer can't take that away.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>It only made me stronger."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> -especiallyheather.com</i><br />
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I know this year of treatment has has irreversible effects on Emma. I am praying that those experiences are for her to stand on as she grows into the girl and woman God created her to be. He knew this journey would be a part of her forever, and the challenges that she has had, the understanding that she has gained, the power of love that has been shown to her can only be for her good. She is stronger.<br />
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She triumphantly faced chemo round #12 last week. Tonight is her last dose of prednisone and 6MP for this round. She came home and finished her homework and went to school the next day after chemo and took a science and math test. She is my hero.<br />
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Chemo round #13 is set for December 28....then only two left. We are getting there. The end is in sight.Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-24512877662559331792011-11-10T11:36:00.000-08:002011-11-10T16:39:32.920-08:00FunI was scrolling through the last few weeks of family pictures in preparation for a new blog post and realized that Jon labeled the folders on the computer as simply "fun". This is a small word that has big meaning for us this year. The last few weeks have been filled with just that....fun. We have been breathing easier and smiling more and feeling lighter on our feet. The fact that the end of treatment is in sight might be part of that feeling for us, but also, I think that God has been giving us repeated moments of life to savor and appreciate and relax. Life is not all hard, all dark, all scary. Moments of that, yes......but more times of life and light and love. God is all about that, and we notice it and appreciate it more than ever. <br />
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In October and so far in November we've celebrated Joseph's soccer team winning their first ever championship in a soccer tournament.....Ben and Jon visited Legoland for a belated birthday trip from last February......Had cousins visit from LA.....Participated in the Light the Night Walk with good friends.......Halloween fun with the family......Joseph turned 13!!!.....Witnessed our niece Grace get dedicated to God and celebrated with Jon's sister Anissa and her husband Chris.....Jon and Rebecca escaped life for a few days and travelled to Southern California to visit our college campus and see some friends as well as slip in a trip to the beach in Santa Monica and a day at Disneyland.......and Emma Kait reached round 10 of chemotherapy and had high counts the rest of the month.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Place U-13 boys Davis Legacy Cup</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Auburn Boys" </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbgXvK2TjLe0u7sEluIe_dxhSJ1SwtGZywNay4SPgy3OpiW3Q5kd9HQWoHs_bt-rvdc1F_FbH8fH26Z1sHO6iwkaOZLfSzm799J-vqzZDzlr_XGxjytNE_c4mPwprWd2QZdiMmzMrZg8/s1600/IMG00063-20111009-1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbgXvK2TjLe0u7sEluIe_dxhSJ1SwtGZywNay4SPgy3OpiW3Q5kd9HQWoHs_bt-rvdc1F_FbH8fH26Z1sHO6iwkaOZLfSzm799J-vqzZDzlr_XGxjytNE_c4mPwprWd2QZdiMmzMrZg8/s320/IMG00063-20111009-1103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys day at Legoland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light the Night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IuFUelrl9nFJEdGgavO98N4qUuqg2ZgVIJqycagcRp0ij5YMmZ1ZrpaHHl8YgOgeNr35lG08xQbP9fkhGCs97L9kkZAng-uNi7GsJjff9O7xEJjNsELMHJ8GO99l6LWBb3bbfImA8RQ/s1600/Fun_+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IuFUelrl9nFJEdGgavO98N4qUuqg2ZgVIJqycagcRp0ij5YMmZ1ZrpaHHl8YgOgeNr35lG08xQbP9fkhGCs97L9kkZAng-uNi7GsJjff9O7xEJjNsELMHJ8GO99l6LWBb3bbfImA8RQ/s320/Fun_+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Knight, a Butterfly Princess and a Trash Can</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Anissa and Baby Grace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph's 13th birthday </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Loma.....memories</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh122loAtgsCP0xzf4fvGLmP3yljGjCE1hw5cjbvcKBVvZNFhHjb7fhb_hXhuBYWJVl-pFdmZthndr4ph6jVf8ASTLSOwmBcqPNCRpF8QAi03mZqPQ1tUkfZOTKjtds8Cf6mMYxWnWXXoM/s1600/Fun_+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh122loAtgsCP0xzf4fvGLmP3yljGjCE1hw5cjbvcKBVvZNFhHjb7fhb_hXhuBYWJVl-pFdmZthndr4ph6jVf8ASTLSOwmBcqPNCRpF8QAi03mZqPQ1tUkfZOTKjtds8Cf6mMYxWnWXXoM/s320/Fun_+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZeG2vIBbLEElyYG5LUyNKIsSZeesimzLWZ4IfDmL3doK0lG4KnSjVGUs_VUqd0XWh8ZeHCHLOcEsRTb80dnowv68j1swHQrbEpL3pIs08vvjHXXGis9iM7ptIGEhMevXojLQlv4GshM/s1600/IMG_+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZeG2vIBbLEElyYG5LUyNKIsSZeesimzLWZ4IfDmL3doK0lG4KnSjVGUs_VUqd0XWh8ZeHCHLOcEsRTb80dnowv68j1swHQrbEpL3pIs08vvjHXXGis9iM7ptIGEhMevXojLQlv4GshM/s320/IMG_+156.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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All fun, all smiles and all love.<br />
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Next Wednesday Emma enters round #11 and we are looking forward to the holidays as we gather with family in thanks and celebrate the birth of Jesus and to be filled with more hope, more love and more joy. We are getting through this, and it's been full of blessings.Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-66902429714386277062011-10-24T10:10:00.000-07:002011-10-24T10:17:11.312-07:00Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhXnGLfU0p_Od0MRJE9XciXz5PjQ8AzSD8EsVCKnbcSAcpP1lXa_CaTNhurb8o4QsYLzuzRYqWC2DTwnHwL91huV_Oi8p81tsfi1obnTV_5cceu-oljRe2byzKTD_YyF4GQZxVGhUL5c/s1600/Race_+%2528156%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhXnGLfU0p_Od0MRJE9XciXz5PjQ8AzSD8EsVCKnbcSAcpP1lXa_CaTNhurb8o4QsYLzuzRYqWC2DTwnHwL91huV_Oi8p81tsfi1obnTV_5cceu-oljRe2byzKTD_YyF4GQZxVGhUL5c/s320/Race_+%2528156%2529.JPG" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Walk with Emma Kait was on October 1, and I'm just now able to post about it on October 20, not because of Emma's illness, not because of lack of motivation to share the beautiful pictures of that day, but because of the shear busyness of life.....thankfully our life that resembles our old life....soccer, piano, school projects, girl scouts, more soccer, house and yard work.....with only a few reminders that we are still dealing with effects and treatment of Lymphoma. Emma has not missed a single day of school yet this year! We celebrate and are so thankful for her continued strength and health in the midst of chemotherapy and steroids. I pick her up every Wednesday at lunchtime and we drive to the clinic for either her weekly blood test or chemo (every 21 days). She loves school and it's so hard to take her away, but each time we drive the stretch of freeway down to Sacramento, I'm thankful we are not rushing her down there with a fever or worse. It's such a blessing that we have not stepped foot in the hospital since June! We were at the clinic yesterday and her counts were 1000, and we will return next week for round #10!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhfubE99yNQtb_4rQQhBtFDVrw7BaMQw70UCrPig17Mu81vlCoZgAeYtWOIiGEUF_fioch26CnFVfWe_Zd09XiIzBphb-QnXHVSfHtbkWda0n7KaAG9_bAIxzY7clIIyz6ZAiDIsm7dg/s1600/Race_+%252841%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhfubE99yNQtb_4rQQhBtFDVrw7BaMQw70UCrPig17Mu81vlCoZgAeYtWOIiGEUF_fioch26CnFVfWe_Zd09XiIzBphb-QnXHVSfHtbkWda0n7KaAG9_bAIxzY7clIIyz6ZAiDIsm7dg/s320/Race_+%252841%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-hMwpuwk9oN8KAGTJIB0pvt9XdfHL4O-W5RzIh8sO-PVJeTBKv5LorQddfkftwoInXyY0QlSvR7Q-Y_UFGigc7ZYX8O9CrOHM-cwAk_9GQdMP42YUI0eHHZGXFxXLc05lrWwdk7TqaE/s1600/Race_+%2528140%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-hMwpuwk9oN8KAGTJIB0pvt9XdfHL4O-W5RzIh8sO-PVJeTBKv5LorQddfkftwoInXyY0QlSvR7Q-Y_UFGigc7ZYX8O9CrOHM-cwAk_9GQdMP42YUI0eHHZGXFxXLc05lrWwdk7TqaE/s320/Race_+%2528140%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1A-E9ieRH0TNiSHGeHF72rUNsjKFxVc0PrERyvc3c3d6ovenI084lTv2ZLoXj5pTU3K7q13gopGN-pQgwVBQIYToUwuwNyn18jU65_9Pyz2ziYKnWxRWFOggA6wCgq61borjF_WrNyo/s1600/Race_+%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1A-E9ieRH0TNiSHGeHF72rUNsjKFxVc0PrERyvc3c3d6ovenI084lTv2ZLoXj5pTU3K7q13gopGN-pQgwVBQIYToUwuwNyn18jU65_9Pyz2ziYKnWxRWFOggA6wCgq61borjF_WrNyo/s320/Race_+%252829%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEHSCr_qvty4giP-K1N3DDjWMtNjdaQYxM__WMv4_yVHFqSn2q74vv_874s5oq85IUNOPFWhQ5Wx85LlVWKtVUVD9Val3xOcw9s0uJk5tnJhGYyGLL1pZrFfRg8oGBhkOT-3enCQbhDU/s1600/Race_+%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEHSCr_qvty4giP-K1N3DDjWMtNjdaQYxM__WMv4_yVHFqSn2q74vv_874s5oq85IUNOPFWhQ5Wx85LlVWKtVUVD9Val3xOcw9s0uJk5tnJhGYyGLL1pZrFfRg8oGBhkOT-3enCQbhDU/s320/Race_+%252827%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1xoYcE6qVpAPDn-nIzkjBVz3S-r3HI5NUNUnSoPdOL-XOoBklS2N7L5Ccnp37eaN3dlugQxeRgb_zHIxov0rfKxCTCXauBJVOX8ZuF9Gr1hCU9w3S1gM8QqVz3N1E6hCuToOPlHeGCM/s1600/Race_+%252862%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1xoYcE6qVpAPDn-nIzkjBVz3S-r3HI5NUNUnSoPdOL-XOoBklS2N7L5Ccnp37eaN3dlugQxeRgb_zHIxov0rfKxCTCXauBJVOX8ZuF9Gr1hCU9w3S1gM8QqVz3N1E6hCuToOPlHeGCM/s320/Race_+%252862%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUPiMCHnvq6Lae5uDsRKIHc-VVXg7dPlJ_eoCZg8zvt6nKU7rEDLnu0pwPZqGt10huLu5m59UwQS0UEM_NbRFvl_bZCqGbeJInWxPnpOFM_o0ahEBtPd2LMZ1Ugc-9eLscj_8KiLBeSw/s1600/Race_+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUPiMCHnvq6Lae5uDsRKIHc-VVXg7dPlJ_eoCZg8zvt6nKU7rEDLnu0pwPZqGt10huLu5m59UwQS0UEM_NbRFvl_bZCqGbeJInWxPnpOFM_o0ahEBtPd2LMZ1Ugc-9eLscj_8KiLBeSw/s320/Race_+%25288%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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As I write this post, I have sitting on my kitchen table, two packages that I will put in the mail today.....one addressed to the Young Family and one addressed to the Lohner Family. We are so pleased and grateful to be able to help both families financially with the proceeds from Emma's Walk. Each family is receiving a check and some t-shirts from the walk. With your help, over $1200 dollars were raised and we split those funds between the two families and donated $200 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the Light the Night Walk this upcoming Saturday. We could not have done it without you....in fact you, our friends, family and new friends are what have kept us going this past almost 9 months.....you promised to stand by us, love us and support us and you have. We have walked this far in our journey.....together. We will never be the same and we will never forget. Thank you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoYPj221n_bxgde8MFWE3XzxRmwMr6RzS0O_DjgmYkcWosCAS6tupGI5sc8TDrcNdwZfQBdgtP3cBy1qxdQCEXQMe_siShOc18J7Vx5ZbO7hQJOOpgr2sVnnaFqii1v0v3oCL_uYrgFI/s1600/Race_+%2528112%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoYPj221n_bxgde8MFWE3XzxRmwMr6RzS0O_DjgmYkcWosCAS6tupGI5sc8TDrcNdwZfQBdgtP3cBy1qxdQCEXQMe_siShOc18J7Vx5ZbO7hQJOOpgr2sVnnaFqii1v0v3oCL_uYrgFI/s320/Race_+%2528112%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijT6U97IlBeORszO1fL3faXnHyg_jy3VsvRuo-GT0lEkM-kewvJ-QmNonXrbFgo_-qVq4GsO5R2HW1KX8Wq2bLdh9YJcmaErKHfHKP5uHC34QxA1OSyGSndMJb2INJi3FcT6PMJS6en0w/s1600/Race_+%2528144%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijT6U97IlBeORszO1fL3faXnHyg_jy3VsvRuo-GT0lEkM-kewvJ-QmNonXrbFgo_-qVq4GsO5R2HW1KX8Wq2bLdh9YJcmaErKHfHKP5uHC34QxA1OSyGSndMJb2INJi3FcT6PMJS6en0w/s320/Race_+%2528144%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Here are some photos of the day as well as links to two other generous photographers who captured images for us. Thank you Charlotte and Mr. Ryan. <br />
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<a href="http://crphotography.zenfolio.com/walkwithemmakait/slideshow">Walk with Emma Kait (slide show) from Charlottle</a><br />
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<a href="http://donahuephotography.smugmug.com/Other/eks/19303872_3P4wsq#1507694503_2XPtpqq">Donahue Photography </a>(any photo can be downloaded for free from this site) Thank you Mr. Ryan!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r56TCoswUCXJK1BQH45VXGp6l6eEoOB1MDbYGjypY0ttNvZF7v7aOs114vPAB6NBlEKFLQXAOFd9ZufBI6gfRzSLza2Mjwf9GSFKcQMgogd84Op45K2WU0-zToR1PoNm3RcKo0PIChc/s1600/Race_+%252880%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r56TCoswUCXJK1BQH45VXGp6l6eEoOB1MDbYGjypY0ttNvZF7v7aOs114vPAB6NBlEKFLQXAOFd9ZufBI6gfRzSLza2Mjwf9GSFKcQMgogd84Op45K2WU0-zToR1PoNm3RcKo0PIChc/s320/Race_+%252880%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>An finally, thank you a million times over to my generous and beautiful friend Jen with her company J and J Sports Productions, who organized, planned for, and executed the amazing day. We cannot thank you enough! Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-38880073980126680342011-09-23T21:18:00.000-07:002011-09-23T21:18:17.459-07:00Jacob<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SViAAEBtGN8TSe4KXUAI7TNcaGdhIoNx54kq_CPtYwTAw2UGVkabaGmx2oGfTYtniIsJVLKS1AtijgDTAHdonKwCODOsL5DXfmkD-f_CWz-H-mtIzdV_KOZsEgDw2bljnotkmon8o1Y/s1600/jphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SViAAEBtGN8TSe4KXUAI7TNcaGdhIoNx54kq_CPtYwTAw2UGVkabaGmx2oGfTYtniIsJVLKS1AtijgDTAHdonKwCODOsL5DXfmkD-f_CWz-H-mtIzdV_KOZsEgDw2bljnotkmon8o1Y/s320/jphoto.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Here is the other brave soul we would like to help from Walking with Emma Kait.....this is Jacob. We've known Jacob for many years from church, have witnessed him playing capture the flag with Joseph at youth group events, have heard him play the violin beautifully at a Christmas Eve service and have loved their family in our close knit community. It was heartbreaking to hear of his diagnosis of severe Aplastic Anemia and we spent many months praying for his health and healing. We ran into his mom Teresa at one of our first surgery appointments at Sutter, before we knew....before we switched over to the oncology side of the office. The two sign-in windows are a mere 3 feet apart in the clinic yet worlds apart in reality for us. <br />
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Our first night in the hospital, I was shell-shocked, stunned, unable to form rational thoughts or plans, nor even begin to think about needs other that Emma and her diagnosis and Teresa gave me a gift. She gave me her sleeping pad to add to the very hard hospital bed/chair that parents are given to sleep in the corner of their child's room. She had been there for many nights and knew what could help me at least attempt a better night's sleep. It was a small token of love and care that will forever remind me that even the little gestures can mean the world to a person in pain or grief or worry. Thank you Teresa. <br />
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After many months of declining heath, Jacob received a bone marrow transplant on June 16, 2011. He is such a brave kid who demonstrated fearless optimism to Emma each time he would say hi to her on the pediatric oncology floor, in the playroom at the hospital, or plopping down on her hospital bed to compare new apps for their iPads while petting the hospital therapy dog. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwbHV-8gojOF6-_PPAS1yYMdQg8q5DgZNEVdXGUVYtVIwvh-MXh1CuDyCDy0m9KBEdEptAN-lHi1VC-ZLlfERgHk3x1pNYw145TE0bAzmK9uXHMWZfzkGh5IfU-v8fa8-KluQLd1xSOE/s1600/jacobandemma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwbHV-8gojOF6-_PPAS1yYMdQg8q5DgZNEVdXGUVYtVIwvh-MXh1CuDyCDy0m9KBEdEptAN-lHi1VC-ZLlfERgHk3x1pNYw145TE0bAzmK9uXHMWZfzkGh5IfU-v8fa8-KluQLd1xSOE/s320/jacobandemma.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob, Emma and Hazel the dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Here is more of Jacob's story and the link to his blog <a href="http://jacoblohner.wordpress.com/">HERE</a><br />
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<div><i><strong>Jacob, age 15, has aplastic anemia. </strong></i></div><div><i><strong> </strong></i></div><i> </i><div><i>On July 6, 2010, Jacob was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a potentially fatal condition in which his body’s bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells. Doctors at UCSF have determined that a bone marrow transplant was critical for Jacob to live a long and healthy life. He has undergone two different types of chemotherapy to wipe out his damaged bone marrow, followed by a transplant. Jacob and his mother are staying San Francisco, near the hospital for six to seven months.</i></div><i> </i><div><i>Jacob lives in Lincoln, California with his mother and sister. Jacob loves fishing, swimming, and skateboarding. One of his true passions is riding dirt bikes and he holds an American Bicycle Association BMX card. When not enjoying these outdoor activities, he plays the violin, trumpet, and flute.</i></div><br />
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Jacob has many months of healing and recovery ahead, and his mom Teresa has had several medical challenges of her own lately. We are so honored to be able to offer some relief, just as Teresa offered it to me that night of February 16, 2011.<br />
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Jacob was admitted back into the hospital for a fever yesterday. We are praying for you Jacob. Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-89153275033242615062011-09-22T12:54:00.000-07:002011-09-22T19:03:09.365-07:00Little Emma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YTKrQt9qdt78SWdDWMc0QxI2TOtkSSmv-GIXImmuMUCj1aHv-8ELsmsexeGqUuKvi4DyoDticRM-GCmU51inSbBWl3-k_PZlg9PXJUn8ntgGWS4UVj6Vts8UTTcO0oIZQW2C2muRf6o/s1600/43293_Cute_Emma_smiling_in_hospital_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YTKrQt9qdt78SWdDWMc0QxI2TOtkSSmv-GIXImmuMUCj1aHv-8ELsmsexeGqUuKvi4DyoDticRM-GCmU51inSbBWl3-k_PZlg9PXJUn8ntgGWS4UVj6Vts8UTTcO0oIZQW2C2muRf6o/s320/43293_Cute_Emma_smiling_in_hospital_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Jaine</td></tr>
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Friends, we'd like you to meet Emma Jaine...or as we refer to her as "Little Emma". We met her family on the evening when we were admitted after hearing that afternoon that Emma Kait had cancer. I blogged about meeting Emma and her family in one of the first postings. You can read about it <a href="http://emmakaitstanphill.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-are-not-alone.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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We have stayed in contact with this family and often run into them at our appointments at the clinic. We've been hospitalized several times at the same time, but unfortunately we've never been able to share a room together.....maybe next time? <br />
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We were so touched by this strong family. Our Emma loves to see Little Emma's name on the sign in sheet at the clinic and laughs at the memory of Little Emma singing at the top of her lungs to the music from Mama Mia from the next door exam room.<br />
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We knew right away that we wanted to help this family with some of the proceeds from Emma's Walk as they have many medical expenses and extra testing to pay for during Little Emma's 3 year journey. <br />
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Here is more about her story and here is a link to her Carepages site: <a href="http://www.carepages.com/">EmmaJaine </a><br />
(you can search for her page with her name EmmaJaine with no spaces)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaLnKIAv0OIuezZ_FcoPHTGoDAkxyXbOboU3Gqjz7SjTGGcPu0MykbQbYd2b3ZxcGQsakaqYi-nyGZsGJRC-2ZDt4T7M8OkV8FX4VXpnfwpTXj6Zpnr_6VjJPuTOy-iFAtj0QJ0BhTug/s1600/Emma+Jaine" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaLnKIAv0OIuezZ_FcoPHTGoDAkxyXbOboU3Gqjz7SjTGGcPu0MykbQbYd2b3ZxcGQsakaqYi-nyGZsGJRC-2ZDt4T7M8OkV8FX4VXpnfwpTXj6Zpnr_6VjJPuTOy-iFAtj0QJ0BhTug/s1600/Emma+Jaine" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Emma Jaine's Story</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>written by Emma Jaine's Mom</i>...<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Emma is an absolutely amazing & perfect little girl who is battling against T-Cell Leukemia. Emma had a cold as many other children get regularly. We noticed that her breating was a little irregular and went to the pediatrician to be checked out. We were sent to the hospital for tests as the pediatrician thought Emma had pnemonia. We there discovered that her white blood cell count was nearly 78,000 with 15,000 being average... and further testing concluded the unfortunate diagnosis of Leukemia. We plan on staying positive and keeping all the faith that we are going to triumph over the disease and watch Emma go to her first day of kindergarten, her first date, graduating high school, getting married, having children and discovering the world in her own way! She is a fighter and will beat this! Emma is such a strong and feisty little girl and is fighting hard against this monster of a disease. She has had two doses of chemo and many, many doses of both steroids and antibiotics and has responded amazingly to them. We have a long & challenging 3 years ahead of us with the first year being the most critical and will destroy over 99% of the white blood cells. Unfortunatly the chemo doesn't simply destroy the nasty bad white blood cells but also kills off the good productive white blood cells as well. This completely wipes out her body's natural defense against infections and we will need to be more than extremely careful to keep germs away from her. We will be as preventitive as we possibly are able to. Emma and the family can use all the prayers we can get! We pray for Emma's body to fight off any possible infection and we pray that she is able to get rid of the immature destructive white cells and create healthy white blood cells. We pray that she responds amazingly to the treatments and help get her little body healthy once again. She is a happy, spunky little girl who DEFINITELY knows what she does and does not like. She is super independent and loves to do things on her own without help from mom and dad. She is also very vociferous and will let us know what wants and what she does not. She loves to color and loves stickers even more. She loves playing with her big sister Chloe and being adored by her big brother Jonah. She loves singing songs, reading books & playing outside. Emma's favorite movies at the moment are Monsters Inc. and Princess & the Frog. Emma's favorite foods are cheetos, pizza & m&m's.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are so excited to be able to share with Emma and her family. You can see why they are so very special to us. We are in this fight together which started on the same day with our beautiful blond daughters with the common name.....EMMA. </span> </div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-89931022325735975452011-09-21T12:37:00.000-07:002011-09-21T12:37:49.898-07:00Giving BackYou know when something doesn't sit quite right in your soul....there is a stirring....a call to action.....a nudging of the Holy Spirit asking you to do something, but you are not quite sure what that something is, but when you finally realize it, your soul is at peace again and the unanswerable questions are solved? <br />
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That's kind of how it's been for me the past few weeks. I've realized that my heart has been hearing it, but my brain has taken a few weeks to catch up. <br />
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The Walking with Emma Kait benefit walk/run is approaching on Oct 1 and there was something about the planning that was not quite finished, I just didn't realize it. Our dear friend Jen, has been working in the background, planning, organizing, asking for volunteers, ordering number badges and t-shirts. She is working tirelessly on our behalf to help in the celebration of Emma's half way point of treatment. Many of you have already signed up to walk or run or serve as a volunteer. We thank you so much for your support. <br />
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There is more that this day needs to stand for.....a giving back.....a paying it forward.....a greater good than our own benefit. This day will be a day to raise money for others in this fight. We have been touched personally and truly felt the weight of what a cancer diagnosis does to kids and their families. We have smiled with, cried with, hugged and waved at many families in the Oncology department at Sutter Memorial hospital and beyond. We would like to take this opportunity, with many generous friends and family, to raise funds to help those families who are on a longer journey than our own, with more hills to climb and harder packs to carry. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We would like to donate the proceeds from the Walk with Emma Kait to some of the families that have been fellow travelers with us, as well as donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for research. This will be an opportunity to share with others and hopefully lift some of their burden as well as help in the fight for more research on treatment and cures for this disease. We have a few families in mind, but would like to get permission to share their stories on our blog. Emma and I are also walking in memory of Max Herlehy at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk on October 22 to help raise money to fight blood cancers. After a 6 ½-year struggle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 9-year-old Max lost his battle with cancer in May. Please visit our team's homepage for more information. <a href="http://pages.lightthenight.org/sac/Sacra11/mercysteammax">Mercy's Team Max</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttbSYOPxW6IMgqXqmHTx8LY7vDyFUfQjP7SHE6IQH5_sN0Bsl3WmWP2lAF5Xkw2OCXXbNM_6WlW5NXwowo7K3A3lttTK0tKL8SVJOi6-48yF6sdN2q54EPSI9X5O3ougQHLmMLwIQ8GM/s1600/MaxHerlehy8-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttbSYOPxW6IMgqXqmHTx8LY7vDyFUfQjP7SHE6IQH5_sN0Bsl3WmWP2lAF5Xkw2OCXXbNM_6WlW5NXwowo7K3A3lttTK0tKL8SVJOi6-48yF6sdN2q54EPSI9X5O3ougQHLmMLwIQ8GM/s200/MaxHerlehy8-11.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max</td></tr>
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We have been so generously blessed by support during Emma's journey. We have been touched by your cards, letters, financial support, gift cards, meals, offers to transport kids.....the list goes on. We would be honored to be able to help others in the same way with the proceeds from Emma's Walk. We don't know how much will be raised, but we can't wait to donate it to others. We thank you a million times over. <br />
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Maybe, just maybe, this can become an annual event.....marking a very hard time in our life......celebrating the good that can come from this kind of a journey......and a rallying of support for others that will be forced to walk in our same shoes in the future, but can be helped along the way. <br />
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Thank you supporters. <br />
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-78624630166504585372011-09-09T11:27:00.000-07:002011-09-09T11:33:04.596-07:00Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHxqI1Z-re5bYZthzN0yZriDwV7Lz6NmW88puGxrOg5A2tYsd9u7b7DHXODIK4XLcl1cZ8d4jI7fjEa_Ivo1VL0d-DBVbuI2zRiezwqD_WJWfvcO0kAKn11CVcK_uoOHLPB_4gOLnAt0/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHxqI1Z-re5bYZthzN0yZriDwV7Lz6NmW88puGxrOg5A2tYsd9u7b7DHXODIK4XLcl1cZ8d4jI7fjEa_Ivo1VL0d-DBVbuI2zRiezwqD_WJWfvcO0kAKn11CVcK_uoOHLPB_4gOLnAt0/s320/IMG_0338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's in the details of life that make a difference...that make us notice.....that change us forever. We are learning at church that a situation or story looks so very different if you zoom in on the pixels...the very minute particles of a painting.....that make up a whole masterpiece. Those details are penned by our Creator and to change them, changes the whole. A complete story cannot be told without the details that happen along the way. I've been noticing those details lately, because it's easier than taking in the entire journey at once. It's how God is showing us his love and care and it's how others are showing their love and support. These are some of the details lately regarding Emma's journey......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxNvtvrsagoOpVXnWJJraeaVbEmBf988k62Ah7C5UKLOM3xMoU7IvPKB6WLec951BDwxIZ3KoUV0SMz9ammmVoN1QUA1xQlT3MG3TiG-DmzflTxuqNUdfmHn1AAYx1rE_En8q6arLvVE/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxNvtvrsagoOpVXnWJJraeaVbEmBf988k62Ah7C5UKLOM3xMoU7IvPKB6WLec951BDwxIZ3KoUV0SMz9ammmVoN1QUA1xQlT3MG3TiG-DmzflTxuqNUdfmHn1AAYx1rE_En8q6arLvVE/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma's 3rd and 4th grade class last year with Mr. Monkey</td></tr>
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*She started 5th grade this week at school. She sits among 23 other students who all accept her and love her and celebrate with her the fact that she has a bit of hair growing back. They smile and laugh and look forward to the days that Emma can't be in class due to Dr. appointments or hospital stays, when Mr. Monkey, a stuffed animal, gets to attend class in her place. They are a group of 10 and 11 year old kids whose hearts are open and are learning every day how to live alongside a person who has cancer and support them.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It's a beautiful thing.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHTFvQb85WEojFBuQSW-jZkSRybVT-WqZrtOWCTSpjaL8hF76tjutq_WKnWzv6IZDt5s3TNAKyJhrWJRk2WMyHrgfjUhcEYJ29iL0OyAj4iCGM-DUhX7UMMUbQEAGagg3e1rodD8cvJ8/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHTFvQb85WEojFBuQSW-jZkSRybVT-WqZrtOWCTSpjaL8hF76tjutq_WKnWzv6IZDt5s3TNAKyJhrWJRk2WMyHrgfjUhcEYJ29iL0OyAj4iCGM-DUhX7UMMUbQEAGagg3e1rodD8cvJ8/s320/IMG_0387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studying with two of her classmates</td></tr>
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*Emma has a new teacher this year. It's his first year at our school. He attends a church who has been supporting and praying for Emma Kait since the beginning of her journey. She listens to an ipod that they sent her along with an amazing gift basket of things to help her find joy in her circumstances. He said to me, ".....I think one of the reasons I'm at this school teaching this year, is because of Emma Kait. I didn't even know her when I took this job, but I'm learning so much because of her. She is a light in the class when I scan the room. "<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It's an awesome thing. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jU3p85lcDYXUKJ7tVr712J6o1Z3epEYZqTipoNC34IcQ5VuVMP0T51YdQDog8WgBmnkbxxnTTpHBPtZSTvyma2Ol7jz-i18emL88mVdzO71gwnsBHNO2ZhHrXik6QLAdZGTrsA6m_QU/s1600/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jU3p85lcDYXUKJ7tVr712J6o1Z3epEYZqTipoNC34IcQ5VuVMP0T51YdQDog8WgBmnkbxxnTTpHBPtZSTvyma2Ol7jz-i18emL88mVdzO71gwnsBHNO2ZhHrXik6QLAdZGTrsA6m_QU/s320/IMG_0403.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before going in to the concert</td></tr>
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*We got a call last Friday from a friend who had tickets to a concert that she'd love to give to Emma Kait. We attended the Taylor Swift concert on Saturday and Emma got to experience an incredible show and sing along with 13,000 other little girls to songs like "Fearless" and I couldn't help but smile when watching her. The seats were incredible and the people who were seated right in front of us were all teachers and immediately celebrated with Emma and gave her a poster and flashlight to help in the concert experience. She enjoyed it so much.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It was an exciting thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nJ90mGxq0QVwYdoNNrGoejYY-NT2IM-_S3UEGyj-i_zAR9aORwNLlfVV1p90CA-JdFJ1R3JS0-5fWAvHMCH3ajYXpwuPhyg-5kOQjI61xGVUrZajwkmO4AY0ugogzbwVGT_JJ-06zAA/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nJ90mGxq0QVwYdoNNrGoejYY-NT2IM-_S3UEGyj-i_zAR9aORwNLlfVV1p90CA-JdFJ1R3JS0-5fWAvHMCH3ajYXpwuPhyg-5kOQjI61xGVUrZajwkmO4AY0ugogzbwVGT_JJ-06zAA/s320/IMG_0382.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of her circle of support celebrating Emma's 11th birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_622801149"></span><span id="goog_622801150"></span></div>*I run into people EVERY DAY who ask about Emma and share with me how they pray for her and their kids pray for her every day....without being asked. I truly believe her journey has gone so smoothly because of the enormous amount of prayer support. People we don't know and people we know are praying for her.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It's a powerful thing.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf-RwOhyphenhyphenNcNADrxAvs6TdY5IfNFog7wzX3xNbxB9zs9lQ3Afm1nhm9nDVCQZ6QJQCSA7wsPs2lWNa0gV75SMBn2H_HkxT-lFt1JuRzVIEBNowO8UD79-VNfnRw5byAezFL7KG6IwXk38/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf-RwOhyphenhyphenNcNADrxAvs6TdY5IfNFog7wzX3xNbxB9zs9lQ3Afm1nhm9nDVCQZ6QJQCSA7wsPs2lWNa0gV75SMBn2H_HkxT-lFt1JuRzVIEBNowO8UD79-VNfnRw5byAezFL7KG6IwXk38/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
*The Fed Ex driver who delivered the package of Face of Faith bracelets today, when I mentioned they were bracelets to support my 11 year old daughter who was fighting cancer, opened up his door again and asked if I wouldn't mind sharing one of the bracelets with him.....he said he'd love to support her in her fight. He drove off with a new pink rubber bracelet around his wrist.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It's a heartwarming thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVTApQEeRTuBGIU8bZYYd1X2fmnUQkP3c6YHZ0lrpVaAOfsITaAHFzwQ7MrOiTPgY9RoU_tBb4uwoVuzdLv1octdmW6WSOncx7lcvcRkWzEvQid3M20SLOKrdIupdTBkhbbXLV9lzmUs/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVTApQEeRTuBGIU8bZYYd1X2fmnUQkP3c6YHZ0lrpVaAOfsITaAHFzwQ7MrOiTPgY9RoU_tBb4uwoVuzdLv1octdmW6WSOncx7lcvcRkWzEvQid3M20SLOKrdIupdTBkhbbXLV9lzmUs/s320/IMG_0394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Kait-11 years old and more beautiful than ever</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">*The upcoming <a href="http://www.jandjsportsproductions.com/walk%20with%20emma.html">Walk with Emma Kait</a> benefit walk/run in the beautiful and majestic Auburn Overlook. Last year, before her diagnosis, I would walk and hike those very trails by myself and God would speak to my heart. I think He was preparing me for the next step of my life which would require strength and bravery in amounts I've never before had to utilize. I love the fact that we are able to attend an event in that very same location, along with our circle of supporters, to celebrate Emma's half way mark of her treatment. God brings us back to places of significance in our life sometimes to help remind us that He's always with us, both in times of peace and in times of struggle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a remarkable thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At then end of this journey, I know we will look back and see it as a huge hurdle, a momentous detour in Emma's life. It will become a story that will fade into her history of childhood. I'm praying we don't forget these details, as they are the things that helped us move forward, get out of bed, smile in the face of fear, and walk each day with a renewed spirit. Thank you for being a part of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI5ZFBoNKwsn0s1busLCVNgRRQDdn9-C7F7qSQAwExrkYJS_M8BqUAZtAxOxRUTGZUdcgmFUoDcN9uVJ-vOz72N5E5HlUFvBKnWrkt1rlQ5eo0I0FkwG9abynREBFvrKQhm7PYKOxHIk/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI5ZFBoNKwsn0s1busLCVNgRRQDdn9-C7F7qSQAwExrkYJS_M8BqUAZtAxOxRUTGZUdcgmFUoDcN9uVJ-vOz72N5E5HlUFvBKnWrkt1rlQ5eo0I0FkwG9abynREBFvrKQhm7PYKOxHIk/s320/IMG_0392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and her dad</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Rebecca</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-24961458629095249822011-08-24T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-09T10:17:25.138-07:00Wonder<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 31:24</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was Emma's 11th birthday last week. She had a week of celebrations and each time we sang "Happy Birthday to You", the words meant so much more to me than ever before. It was a rallying in my spirit, a surge of hope and overcoming, a hint of nostalgia and a bite of fear all wrapped into one little song. Cancer or any other life threatening disease has a way of spotlighting events like birthdays in a way, unnoticed before. It was a celebration for us. Happy Birthday my dear one. I am so proud of you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Her Gramma and Grandpa (Jon's parents) gave her a card that was so perfect and poetic in what is said....I must share those words. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is hard sometimes, crazy, mixed-up, messed up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And there you are, in the middle of it all, </div><div style="text-align: center;">just doing your thing....</div><div style="text-align: center;">being strong and brave and beautiful </div><div style="text-align: center;">like it's no big deal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But let me tell you, girl, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it is!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not everyone can do what you can do. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not everyone can handle things the way you can. </div><div style="text-align: center;">While you wonder sometimes</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you're doing ok.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">the rest of us are just watching in....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wonder. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are watching in wonder...every day, every hour at the strength she has and how her life is touching others. Emma has chemo round #7 this afternoon. We are praying for strength and control of nausea. She has been diligently working on her independent study school work in preparation for classes to start on September 6. We march on toward that unknown date sometime this spring when we can say, chemo is behind us, our life is before us, we can rest, we can relax, we can celebrate! While we wait, and face each round, she continues to fight and be an inspiration to us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Rebecca</div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-74287519161848418242011-08-17T16:34:00.000-07:002011-08-17T16:34:03.434-07:00Walk with Emma KaitMy generous friend, Jen Russell (who helped tremendously with Emma's Bald is Beautiful event and also owns a company who organizes runs) is planninga benefit 5K or 10K run or walk for Emma Kait on October 1, 2011. We are so humbled by this offer and thrilled that Emma wants to try to walk the 5K! We would love to see many of you out there walking (or running) with her. We chose the date, partially due to the fact that it marks the half way point in her chemotherapy treatment schedule. That's a reason to celebrate and get out in beautiful fall weather at the American River canyon overlook in Auburn! Here is a link to the information about the WALK WITH EMMA KAIT. Thank you friends. I will be running that day.....running to support, running as a challenge, with each step farther and farther away from Lymphoma! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jandjsportsproductions.com/walk%20with%20emma.html">Walk with Emma Kait</a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSwytkInw6VhNISco9ilLxwTmt8jF3o6ykCQ9G-L4hz_IbXDcInChtlysRi9gWvB4YKojGNPzENQxlzEVa38exLcO1eFOOHcfUP1OvV8N4YemwMhE_7SjoZfA-wyhMOng20L04aq5Kl8/s640/IMG_0268.jpg" width="478" /></div><br />
-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-69976877843230819682011-08-17T08:41:00.000-07:002011-08-17T08:41:44.982-07:00Summer is fleetingIt's that crunch time of year....anticipation of a new schedule, excitement over seeing school friends again, the familiar yet sometimes constricting rhythms and responsibilities of the fall returning. Ours is mixed with the familiar and the newer familiar of adding, "CBC clinic appt." and "CHEMO" to my google calandar on the same day as "Soccer pictures", "School Orientation" and "Dentist appt."<br />
<br />
<br />
Emma has had a great summer overall, and I will update with pictures soon. I forgot to take the camera to Girl Scout camp, so I have to borrow photos from friends who were with us. We are off to that first day of school orientation that my calendar says we must attend. I think part of my transition to fall is that my brain shuts down a bit in the free thinking arenas and relies on what my calendars states is next...<br />
<br />
She had a clinic appointment yesterday and her counts looked great...1400! She is generally feeling really strong and is excited for school to ramp up. Chemo is scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon. #7 here we come. <br />
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Blessings to you.<br />
<br />
-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-90115926432149699342011-08-02T23:58:00.000-07:002011-08-02T23:58:43.740-07:00Turning Right at Wise<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Kait - August 1, 2011-6 months into her treatment</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">After six months of fighting a horrible disease and understanding the gravity of the situation my little family has been thrust into, I’ve realized that there is still so much to learn and even more to share.<span> </span>Knowing that my amazing wife and best friend, Rebecca, is usually at the helm of this blog, I’ve decided to high-jack it, say hello, and share a little about the journey thus far.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">For those new to the Lymphoma roller coaster our daughter Emma is on, she was diagnosed in February of 2011 with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. <span> </span>Since that day we have learned, lived, cried, and prayed, for her health, our sanity and understanding, and God’s healing hand in this battle for the life of our 10 year old. We created this blog to share the experience. <span> </span>We hope to not only teach others what we’ve learned and what methods that have worked for us, but to learn ourselves from and heal from comments posted by our amazing followers and supporters.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma sleeping and fighting the newly added Methotrexate.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">When Emma was born I had just begun an eleven month attempt to build our first home out in the country.<span> </span>After finishing college, we quickly left San Diego and headed for the hills. Freshly relocated back home, Rebecca and I knew which direction we were headed. I had goals in mind, set my sights, put my head down, and started down the road of being a dad. <span> </span>Every day after work I would drive home using the same path to work on building our home. <span> </span>Life was simple and easy. One kid, one more on the way, why deviate from the way I always drive home. <span> </span>Wind down the valley, across the river, turn right at Wise. Simple.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fast-forward 10 years and life has become everything but simple. Even using the word “simple” doesn’t seem to fit. <span> </span>Stressed. <span> </span>Tired. <span> </span>Frustrated. <span> </span>Worried. <span> </span>Definitely not simple. With Emma’s diagnosis came panic, worry gauged in tons, prayers by the minute, and learning like we had while earning a degree. <span> </span>We began to watch and listen to the other parents in the Oncology center. <span> </span>Each story must be different, right?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oVXIF0tvXvihT0k1Wqmr9ZjwDsGZ5pVg029P5naeKRUzm-78IRY3xxSyZrYF2L67Qd3oZ8xo3S1nhZt8CIL8CvqA_jWoI2dO0HpLqGone-LD1Qk5zp417QTwXuc3jtEq2zbRrK5cdQQ/s1600/IMG00035-20110801-1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oVXIF0tvXvihT0k1Wqmr9ZjwDsGZ5pVg029P5naeKRUzm-78IRY3xxSyZrYF2L67Qd3oZ8xo3S1nhZt8CIL8CvqA_jWoI2dO0HpLqGone-LD1Qk5zp417QTwXuc3jtEq2zbRrK5cdQQ/s320/IMG00035-20110801-1109.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Chemo, Round 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">After regaining our vision from the initial impact of news, we quickly realized how similar the stories of each child and parent or parents really were. <span> </span>So many children. <span> </span>So much heart ache. <span> </span>Such great hope and love. <span></span>We learned volumes from total strangers that would take us in, after noticing the “deer in the headlights” stare we had on our faces, thus giving them a rough idea of where we were in our journey.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two months after Emma’s diagnosis we hit a rhythm and found our step. <span> </span>Rebecca was getting really good at everything Lymphoma related. <span> </span>She knew the steps needed for this, where to go for that, and who to call if a fever popped up again. <span> </span>She’s amazing. So much talent and love. <span> </span>But as we would begin to feel our face in the wind, we would notice that our dreams and direction were cloudy and vague. <span> </span>Nothing could be planned too far off in the future, for fear of a fever spiking up again and a mandatory three to four day hospital visit. <span></span>We felt in limbo. <span> </span>Life was complicated.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, today, we’re still only six months into our treatment plan for Emma Kait, but have started to tease the dreams again. <span> </span>I’ve been catching myself dreaming of Emma’s first car and how I would surprise her with it. <span></span>I’ve dreamed of the day when the actual protocol treatments are over. We’ve dreamed of a family trip to celebrate our crossing the finish line. <span> </span>We’ve contemplated retirement when our kids are all married. <span> </span>I would almost say things are getting easier. <span> </span>I still worry and fear. <span> </span>I still watch our daughter in amazement that she knows the tastes and smells associated with the hospital’s specific floors and can equate them to various drugs being given to her through her port. <span> </span>I still sit in disbelief with each clinic visit, wanting to rub my eyes as I wake from a bad dream. <span> </span>And I still break down and cry as I explain to some stranger that has a daughter, about Emma’s story and why my head is shaved and I’m wearing a bright pink bracelet, all while in the plumbing supply store.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlmsBNleJkwSDExVWod-0o_9Ajdwbi7dAwoW2EklnV88pxln_IzpB0C6UinBhynqTqzTGNIx8py_D9qs8kxtYg5CdpeQIt5bBR8m3gwkkQhIMyxPWIe3bu2TJGlRusN8MwLOZL4rJZdc/s1600/WTT_2011_+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlmsBNleJkwSDExVWod-0o_9Ajdwbi7dAwoW2EklnV88pxln_IzpB0C6UinBhynqTqzTGNIx8py_D9qs8kxtYg5CdpeQIt5bBR8m3gwkkQhIMyxPWIe3bu2TJGlRusN8MwLOZL4rJZdc/s320/WTT_2011_+151.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun during the good cycles of chemo, watching the Sacramento Capitals courtside.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">On August 14, Emma will turn 11. <span> </span>She’s turning into a little lady. <span> </span>She’s been forced to learn so much and grow up so fast. <span> </span>We all have. <span> </span>Life won’t stop. <span> </span>She will grow. <span> </span>We will live. But if I’m to focus on the great things that we’ve found in this journey and pass it along to another worried parent stuck in the eye of a horrible storm, it would be that there is an undeniable amount of endless love from Him, our God, promising that this will pass. <span></span><span></span>It might be that there is an enormous amount of love and support available to you from others passing through the unimaginable. <span> </span>Friends have become great friends. <span> </span>Family will become a family that I can’t describe well enough with written words. <span> </span>Strangers will love and encourage. Wisdom is always available at every intersection, as is anger and fear.<span> </span>Pray for them. <span> </span>Love them. <span> </span>Hold them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8Ry3IMYy7Iy_UsBr4a6pdo7aruNYxcMSH_US0NJIlh4OLUXKoHKmy44XZUUJn65BRX-Nj77Fa20J9L2rPxn1Sq-7AxPsPWAI4p89daWpLDY599z7WVrPpX8953oe3EXLVxFY1UVgpD0/s1600/IMG00031-20110801-1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8Ry3IMYy7Iy_UsBr4a6pdo7aruNYxcMSH_US0NJIlh4OLUXKoHKmy44XZUUJn65BRX-Nj77Fa20J9L2rPxn1Sq-7AxPsPWAI4p89daWpLDY599z7WVrPpX8953oe3EXLVxFY1UVgpD0/s320/IMG00031-20110801-1042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting with Dad in the Oncology clinic, making paper flowers for the doctors, nurses, and patients.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Dad</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-91090681283445133792011-07-18T22:15:00.000-07:002011-07-18T22:15:05.787-07:00The Crazy Lazy Days of SummerThank you for being patient and allowing us the freedom to enjoy summer for all it has to offer. More choices, less schedules, less computer, more outside, later nights, later mornings....ahh summer. <br />
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Last Monday was another milestone in Emma's treatment. Chemo infusion # 5. 1/3 of her treatment is behind us.....10 more to go. She had one day of feeling pretty crummy, but then improved and has had a great week since. We visited the clinic today for her weekly blood test and her counts were great...1700, her hair is starting to come back and starting next round, she won't get the "big guns" chemo called Doxyrubicin anymore as she has reached the critical limit that her body can take. They will switch it to Methotrexate for the remainder of her regimen. That should improve the nausea she fights and will be a pretty "mild" dose of that medication....all reasons to celebrate. <br />
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We've had many days of summer fun mixed with clinic visits and one hospital stay. Not bad. Here are some photographic depictions of some of the crazy and some of the lazy. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRv5gfOcZqD6QMIUQweosGZfKICvJqlD1vG-TSdAJGd9kWFg86JZnd5nDzItWyYOVENvuywQNNPwa5Hto50d2-wH-zTNPjSpk7ComHdND3MNa1AauWBSrflTdNvV_XlxkM80I3CRvgVo/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRv5gfOcZqD6QMIUQweosGZfKICvJqlD1vG-TSdAJGd9kWFg86JZnd5nDzItWyYOVENvuywQNNPwa5Hto50d2-wH-zTNPjSpk7ComHdND3MNa1AauWBSrflTdNvV_XlxkM80I3CRvgVo/s320/IMG_6694.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Scout Sleepover-water balloon filling station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJVObqfoUp1P7Hh1kibZfhhMap05ap9FPPRr7kAJSQ4iRI6kptILurPFV2PgNUGveD2SPh8bktJoA46IBVIk2rFFrUkinc96pr5P8SnkjhyphenhyphendvDhLHKnLb0KOz_Ei7FBZ0VdYeb5ajhDc/s1600/IMG_6723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJVObqfoUp1P7Hh1kibZfhhMap05ap9FPPRr7kAJSQ4iRI6kptILurPFV2PgNUGveD2SPh8bktJoA46IBVIk2rFFrUkinc96pr5P8SnkjhyphenhyphendvDhLHKnLb0KOz_Ei7FBZ0VdYeb5ajhDc/s320/IMG_6723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Scout cuties</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXTbWkHYElLhoOutJEeu7qEtqWGqqcpaHyP6eBgR_o5YoxRtrJX4fOk-VFuPjppvJWdWcvbzGYyS3GbaMk18Ab2ZOm27hpxEYjDz2H42pzhjAE6V5kbZdJlvxDBuXmN4S1w_YG0-DWdM/s1600/Santa_Cruz_2011_+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXTbWkHYElLhoOutJEeu7qEtqWGqqcpaHyP6eBgR_o5YoxRtrJX4fOk-VFuPjppvJWdWcvbzGYyS3GbaMk18Ab2ZOm27hpxEYjDz2H42pzhjAE6V5kbZdJlvxDBuXmN4S1w_YG0-DWdM/s320/Santa_Cruz_2011_+047.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl on the beach loving every minute</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwc_OeFDDra_n4e3Y0VeivE3R8mZ3ARLwM8vL6JqXW3zumqoxMauFvWoy2QvuttlS8SVdouubAPpybdfu-Wz92NbTyfEjKNoqxd4ue_SBfL439DKkeGG75XvBZghtcshX9V2pxT4ykZU/s1600/Santa_Cruz_2011_+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwc_OeFDDra_n4e3Y0VeivE3R8mZ3ARLwM8vL6JqXW3zumqoxMauFvWoy2QvuttlS8SVdouubAPpybdfu-Wz92NbTyfEjKNoqxd4ue_SBfL439DKkeGG75XvBZghtcshX9V2pxT4ykZU/s320/Santa_Cruz_2011_+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy is painting toes on the beach! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5Wb8XTQn9OrxwP_lYUiUnQu-YEseTnzfBm8RSgk86RUqTj0QtqtPlTtQtme8H0RsBXTi8g0PClaxMtuMDgaOnnJGQOCzywxuYGGhyphenhyphenUVRn_CVtStMrd2z3GeZLK_5w3hUgvK4UCjHzQI/s1600/Santa_Cruz_2011_+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5Wb8XTQn9OrxwP_lYUiUnQu-YEseTnzfBm8RSgk86RUqTj0QtqtPlTtQtme8H0RsBXTi8g0PClaxMtuMDgaOnnJGQOCzywxuYGGhyphenhyphenUVRn_CVtStMrd2z3GeZLK_5w3hUgvK4UCjHzQI/s320/Santa_Cruz_2011_+129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy Santa Cruz days</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YemaU-bvxpx6wX4_jDyKsTobG-pHV_OVjSO5RpzmJCJ0XL2TkWLfke7aucB77BKostpEYhyphenhyphenK3mWGaszE12Wvy_2FkIU5r625hNBZxIhA_4nMTmQk7U_-eFuc1IXV4ZkXwSyJXgD7wDk/s1600/Santa_Cruz_2011_+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YemaU-bvxpx6wX4_jDyKsTobG-pHV_OVjSO5RpzmJCJ0XL2TkWLfke7aucB77BKostpEYhyphenhyphenK3mWGaszE12Wvy_2FkIU5r625hNBZxIhA_4nMTmQk7U_-eFuc1IXV4ZkXwSyJXgD7wDk/s320/Santa_Cruz_2011_+183.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky80GUJh_EgShr45t2kl0mKexKSUnxte369wDCiQcfoFTRHz9CgbpmSaLAodCehZfj46lSDMJybrHbpiA8ENOhmMgaw3FsFwR9Lapmoe6UnjPlznVmwMnQWwzaCzdK7mhpW8Af10UMoM/s1600/IMG_7305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky80GUJh_EgShr45t2kl0mKexKSUnxte369wDCiQcfoFTRHz9CgbpmSaLAodCehZfj46lSDMJybrHbpiA8ENOhmMgaw3FsFwR9Lapmoe6UnjPlznVmwMnQWwzaCzdK7mhpW8Af10UMoM/s320/IMG_7305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding at home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOvMfNND2GQ4U9G-e12hmhmqIO7-h86EBg1CR3HFOHSrZ8OjlhHmzESsK9L1uz-CRLv4z5PvqpuSPfF_x0NilFlVylnthKtV_NueAxopvQ9zzxhtAUi8jUe7mcmwqvt7LElY6RDBt05k/s1600/IMG_7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOvMfNND2GQ4U9G-e12hmhmqIO7-h86EBg1CR3HFOHSrZ8OjlhHmzESsK9L1uz-CRLv4z5PvqpuSPfF_x0NilFlVylnthKtV_NueAxopvQ9zzxhtAUi8jUe7mcmwqvt7LElY6RDBt05k/s320/IMG_7340.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca being lazy and loving it!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGKWmIWzS87ocdNrLejF5K2cxSfuSAkEOndlJdJnhAi3-IJ8LrqK5hOt0I9PuoMtIkgzP68VKIj2xY7bHt75aOyRzcSWvLmpWF_xABrnKmrUSGXJpAA5D79oJL96czUx1XEyH4BbQ3AA/s1600/June_+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGKWmIWzS87ocdNrLejF5K2cxSfuSAkEOndlJdJnhAi3-IJ8LrqK5hOt0I9PuoMtIkgzP68VKIj2xY7bHt75aOyRzcSWvLmpWF_xABrnKmrUSGXJpAA5D79oJL96czUx1XEyH4BbQ3AA/s320/June_+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the crazy face of a girl who does not like the smell, taste or association she has with the clinic. I don't blame her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3FgkS7K-Wqk4xrxOvWZt_VoFTcL2aOeXeEpSwLdGXzFIb0eNJDw4gI27JpZQkChGHjbyHGbz27NzshwOq4Z_Ex6-6oS_12hEBemlw371NTtWFysA670Dt0OOUfhvapnb8kNoYXGxf4/s1600/June_+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3FgkS7K-Wqk4xrxOvWZt_VoFTcL2aOeXeEpSwLdGXzFIb0eNJDw4gI27JpZQkChGHjbyHGbz27NzshwOq4Z_Ex6-6oS_12hEBemlw371NTtWFysA670Dt0OOUfhvapnb8kNoYXGxf4/s320/June_+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accessed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRyIUgLUmVaZ60ETYvrut0UPw9IA9_y46-644dNsfm-5w6vlw8wUKT519NyPtnwudixgZaeqiwxtDnJfwJSD7murEu7zGss3HQuCRyzRZnbzexJo7st_kRP0PdtKm7mypd-EPsEhKGJA/s1600/June_+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRyIUgLUmVaZ60ETYvrut0UPw9IA9_y46-644dNsfm-5w6vlw8wUKT519NyPtnwudixgZaeqiwxtDnJfwJSD7murEu7zGss3HQuCRyzRZnbzexJo7st_kRP0PdtKm7mypd-EPsEhKGJA/s320/June_+084.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy x-ray of her port seen in her chest film</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxLPIwI2Bnia_YgpUROCzwvCcsbyoto2-WSa7pD9UnjiRVXbQPKY4DRDpdSViBUdv_EWR-gG7eX2YVcPRgvvH9wAT6zayuctmlIn3dXgHy3K_qyk6w_Huj8vB7Z4xh3zqc6ypy4uc70/s1600/June_+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxLPIwI2Bnia_YgpUROCzwvCcsbyoto2-WSa7pD9UnjiRVXbQPKY4DRDpdSViBUdv_EWR-gG7eX2YVcPRgvvH9wAT6zayuctmlIn3dXgHy3K_qyk6w_Huj8vB7Z4xh3zqc6ypy4uc70/s320/June_+097.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folsom Lake </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKtFnEWP6TXPZl8iQveCd4B0dXwgVQqrURFrOdk_NNYCbK0Ovi6ML75MUGT05NDQz47YDMzhqsuRpK1LNCQpq1K9ycEoU1gRGn4E-QpAMoDoi1kKvJyodKuGGE5LfkqVzOrzF7AKtDxA/s1600/Misc_+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKtFnEWP6TXPZl8iQveCd4B0dXwgVQqrURFrOdk_NNYCbK0Ovi6ML75MUGT05NDQz47YDMzhqsuRpK1LNCQpq1K9ycEoU1gRGn4E-QpAMoDoi1kKvJyodKuGGE5LfkqVzOrzF7AKtDxA/s320/Misc_+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family BBQ and gathering at our house. Cousins from LA visited and we got to meet our newest baby niece Grace. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax8_11hQ5dX8h3l7mP8JAEWrQVGgqv9psJ269Mcih_rlJd8hsuDq3xRRvKAztWn4B-34piFImZxEh4L0h6kn8NEx6E6MMkkTlodbI_H3wGUweqMSZbhIxY0MLlsWdUsCJNUgTBvyLw_o/s1600/IMG_7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax8_11hQ5dX8h3l7mP8JAEWrQVGgqv9psJ269Mcih_rlJd8hsuDq3xRRvKAztWn4B-34piFImZxEh4L0h6kn8NEx6E6MMkkTlodbI_H3wGUweqMSZbhIxY0MLlsWdUsCJNUgTBvyLw_o/s320/IMG_7350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our crazy goat checking out the construction project. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XUwXNpIU0KiWrgptRJ4SZIUEW8XWtAvHfpz9z7Dh5jU0hdoof5Qq2-m5hRxP0E5sZrqkpH8HwVQ328OtqPETNacbSXVDVjANdBQx0zgkR2TeLe8fGtk8OfoGoVYnWBWnWrefvlORN4Q/s1600/Misc_+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XUwXNpIU0KiWrgptRJ4SZIUEW8XWtAvHfpz9z7Dh5jU0hdoof5Qq2-m5hRxP0E5sZrqkpH8HwVQ328OtqPETNacbSXVDVjANdBQx0zgkR2TeLe8fGtk8OfoGoVYnWBWnWrefvlORN4Q/s320/Misc_+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7tuCxMJJOJhvrkvcck17DdkJ007XymfU0qqv6T5twTwIBpuOCINEAoKQ2PJkHjuiQnDgK4E0UMWvy96j8LuABGb0Z8jKkev7P9yRsse1ZGkbk5L0VCJAA3aB8ZCK75JcMvUq52LC6Q/s1600/Misc_+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7tuCxMJJOJhvrkvcck17DdkJ007XymfU0qqv6T5twTwIBpuOCINEAoKQ2PJkHjuiQnDgK4E0UMWvy96j8LuABGb0Z8jKkev7P9yRsse1ZGkbk5L0VCJAA3aB8ZCK75JcMvUq52LC6Q/s320/Misc_+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bon fire in the back yard by the apple trees with cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu3uCrh0Ffe3CTzVx4zSkaMHBSBlzGa6lScrQdZabyLu_wzmnqFmGeJyu7a4YUueg9hy7pQp2FXeQrwPKP6RNdbBEj4QDsaiW04DAiOLY_Z0N3KfrwJhtnSj9fWfCv6ugBxaCW7rRI6k/s1600/work_+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu3uCrh0Ffe3CTzVx4zSkaMHBSBlzGa6lScrQdZabyLu_wzmnqFmGeJyu7a4YUueg9hy7pQp2FXeQrwPKP6RNdbBEj4QDsaiW04DAiOLY_Z0N3KfrwJhtnSj9fWfCv6ugBxaCW7rRI6k/s320/work_+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy dogs and a happy girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We continue to be blessed with dinners from family and friends that arrive on Monday evenings after our clinic days and we are always so thankful. We are praising God for his protection over Emma's body and the energy and health she has experienced so far this summer. We march on. Every day is a new day and we are taking notice of the details. <br />
<br />
-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-79293258101172474302011-06-22T20:10:00.000-07:002011-06-22T21:09:25.790-07:00I've been waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbglkXwIv2LSfKL6Sbdd1sfryTWZh1ZBEwlE4yyhXKv1GAAjysk55lnqDp9v-1cNkFcF6T5-wqXeI_ru-76O8nLvBHcWmLbKO8E3pWjAggk7SnmitziAP7ibe-ilxtdTgIIC8EwGpwdR4/s1600/IMG_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbglkXwIv2LSfKL6Sbdd1sfryTWZh1ZBEwlE4yyhXKv1GAAjysk55lnqDp9v-1cNkFcF6T5-wqXeI_ru-76O8nLvBHcWmLbKO8E3pWjAggk7SnmitziAP7ibe-ilxtdTgIIC8EwGpwdR4/s400/IMG_1092.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been several months since Emma's diagnosis of Stage 3 </div>Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. I still can hardly believe it and sometimes it feels like a story I am hearing secondhand and not a story I am living in my own home on a daily basis. I see her photo in the church newsletter in the section of people that need prayer, and we continue to receive mail addressed to her and cards of love and support, but it continues to catch me off guard that it's my daughter, my own flesh and blood, my sweet 10 year old girl, our Emma Kait. How did we get here?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yC84617BP3cdhLhPMebB9Fa17tLdLhv4Uk6aQKK3xKZytYMPayJpOxdZajf3igYWyLZd4mkJR-MJ9JUpJuO-3QAfeEx8VCHb0MM8WG-tzq2gGHxqAwy4CJ1vgCMREXtYkvAj1eMiixQ/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yC84617BP3cdhLhPMebB9Fa17tLdLhv4Uk6aQKK3xKZytYMPayJpOxdZajf3igYWyLZd4mkJR-MJ9JUpJuO-3QAfeEx8VCHb0MM8WG-tzq2gGHxqAwy4CJ1vgCMREXtYkvAj1eMiixQ/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0FcSnC7eFp3XZzp_aHEIymQzX3hDnwwKmXBEa8HHqU40axyrn9Uky0lN2WohGPDq6RBmnulQU9eMqR6hXf5FiqVjmqsGG12znpynXmCdPwLvsu4Dhuf_QR95fUaxk0sNhVEN6VUDf18/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0FcSnC7eFp3XZzp_aHEIymQzX3hDnwwKmXBEa8HHqU40axyrn9Uky0lN2WohGPDq6RBmnulQU9eMqR6hXf5FiqVjmqsGG12znpynXmCdPwLvsu4Dhuf_QR95fUaxk0sNhVEN6VUDf18/s320/IMG_1075.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiHYqj_Uwo0s2FMdSWlc3XvpICVNRC_LvkGVbtyzvnxDiOuL_7jcK1dlIt6rXMJRuTus9Lvy2_FfytRgD3AWQKA7CBMy_yYrexHX9CaVUBGGtfV1nHWFUCKsmT6StezTygDZkdjhEf9g/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiHYqj_Uwo0s2FMdSWlc3XvpICVNRC_LvkGVbtyzvnxDiOuL_7jcK1dlIt6rXMJRuTus9Lvy2_FfytRgD3AWQKA7CBMy_yYrexHX9CaVUBGGtfV1nHWFUCKsmT6StezTygDZkdjhEf9g/s320/IMG_1074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We spent 5 days in the hospital last week instead of on the family camping trip that we had planned with a group of great friends. I had trouble packing for the trip and somehow I think I knew it would not workout like we thought....it's kind of been the theme of our year so far......plan B, or C, or....H??? <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyUZ-fW2okLeYDi4kwEHGCf0kjg2OQ69mMgCg68PNHaAde73i5UtqM8xyZn2bdxlBjytr1Z2xOwk7vbFxlZRN2VMIyt2OHN3ZHbL796gZZmi2l_CEGD90yJO8ChTnQgmUr_RmTfIzc9A/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyUZ-fW2okLeYDi4kwEHGCf0kjg2OQ69mMgCg68PNHaAde73i5UtqM8xyZn2bdxlBjytr1Z2xOwk7vbFxlZRN2VMIyt2OHN3ZHbL796gZZmi2l_CEGD90yJO8ChTnQgmUr_RmTfIzc9A/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtxZCPOkX5pA5skw579xoO2BDLDJCTb7fxrc8hJMOhCCC_Cxjb88XionSQRR2CZBmpvpSf18HwRyYxpD-N7CuAuGC1aj1kQXwVvznX4HQyy9ANQ3fe819C70-07VvTjsaPAG_FaAEIt8/s1600/IMG_1056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtxZCPOkX5pA5skw579xoO2BDLDJCTb7fxrc8hJMOhCCC_Cxjb88XionSQRR2CZBmpvpSf18HwRyYxpD-N7CuAuGC1aj1kQXwVvznX4HQyy9ANQ3fe819C70-07VvTjsaPAG_FaAEIt8/s320/IMG_1056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yC84617BP3cdhLhPMebB9Fa17tLdLhv4Uk6aQKK3xKZytYMPayJpOxdZajf3igYWyLZd4mkJR-MJ9JUpJuO-3QAfeEx8VCHb0MM8WG-tzq2gGHxqAwy4CJ1vgCMREXtYkvAj1eMiixQ/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yC84617BP3cdhLhPMebB9Fa17tLdLhv4Uk6aQKK3xKZytYMPayJpOxdZajf3igYWyLZd4mkJR-MJ9JUpJuO-3QAfeEx8VCHb0MM8WG-tzq2gGHxqAwy4CJ1vgCMREXtYkvAj1eMiixQ/s320/IMG_1039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdmYfj1CN64WOPSt2A5GzJA4C-Sx-BR21jGPJn0aYisM-ntCvhaZOx3-9swqP4FRxMrdRyDE_bqm0xq5q9QQjOE_mPLoa3C4VpiRzKUPuNR5HRPrcatZnNgezidXZ2tKKPQWtBHcgbmo/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdmYfj1CN64WOPSt2A5GzJA4C-Sx-BR21jGPJn0aYisM-ntCvhaZOx3-9swqP4FRxMrdRyDE_bqm0xq5q9QQjOE_mPLoa3C4VpiRzKUPuNR5HRPrcatZnNgezidXZ2tKKPQWtBHcgbmo/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" width="320" /></a> Emma developed a fever and was neutropenic and so was checked into the hospital straight from her clinic appointment to check counts on Tuesday. Jon took the boys to the camping trip and they had a fun, albeit "not quite the same" family trip without us girls along. I feel like I should have been more disappointed in the fact that we were missing the trip, but the undercurrent of all the twists and turns of our journey is that we are just riding along, we are not in the driver's seat. It's unsettling sometimes because I don't know which direction we are turning next, but it's also a little bit peaceful, in the same way a child feels in the back seat of the car when a parent is in charge of the journey....they can relax, look out the window, daydream and even fall asleep because their loving parent has the map, the route information, has checked the tire pressure, filled the gas tank and even packed snacks. They know and trust intrinsically that their parent will see that they arrive at their destination safe and secure. I am that child. A child of God. He is in charge and loves me and is the "driver" of this journey. We will be delivered. Praise Jesus.<br />
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I heard a song not long after Emma's diagnosis that spoke to my heart like no other. "Blessings" by Laura Story. I've been waiting for it to be released onto Playlist.com, so we could have it on her blog. I feel like it's the theme of her journey. Please allow me to print the lyrics and forgive me for having it play as the background music to her blog. (Scroll to the end of her blog page and press play if it doesn't load automatically).<br />
It speaks to me.....it helps me to have perspective.....it quiets my soul. I've been waiting for it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Blessings</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laura Story </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<blockquote class="lyrics">We pray for blessings<br />
We pray for peace<br />
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep<br />
We pray for healing, for prosperity<br />
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering<br />
All the while, You hear each spoken need<br />
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights <br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise<br />
<br />
We pray for wisdom<br />
Your voice to hear<br />
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near<br />
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love<br />
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough<br />
All the while, You hear each desperate plea<br />
And long that we'd have faith to believe<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights <br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise<br />
<br />
When friends betray us<br />
When darkness seems to win<br />
We know the pain reminds this heart<br />
That this is not, this is not our home<br />
It's not our home<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
And what if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
What if my greatest disappointments<br />
Or the aching of this life<br />
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy<br />
And what if trials of this life<br />
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights<br />
Are Your mercies in disguise</blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div><blockquote class="lyrics"><br />
</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R4bzi-VSFA1OLA5LR5gAN7_Tn52yvxGyKaru-O93W5d3YF0HlLCUVGUTymsIUY8zOvB0Nzq3qGkEoKCDZyJANVP6EfHt8QBIsmwBdyhUoqKNgbVuocuBYNayCtzyupJ-1I1mMtlk-oc/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R4bzi-VSFA1OLA5LR5gAN7_Tn52yvxGyKaru-O93W5d3YF0HlLCUVGUTymsIUY8zOvB0Nzq3qGkEoKCDZyJANVP6EfHt8QBIsmwBdyhUoqKNgbVuocuBYNayCtzyupJ-1I1mMtlk-oc/s640/IMG_1077.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-59387499500278146532011-06-14T22:34:00.000-07:002011-06-14T22:34:18.433-07:00Finding Joy in the Journey....or at least trying to.We are unfortunately in the hospital (Emma and I) while our boys are on the camping trip we were all supposed to be on this week. Emma developed a fever overnight after her appointment yesterday at the clinic when her ANC was at 700. With a fever of 102 this morning, they wanted us to come back in for blood cultures and to check her ANC again, which was down to 500 and her fevers continued, so we were sent straight up to the hospital to check in for at least three days. She is so disappointed but is holding up better than I would be. Her fever reached a new high of 103.8 this evening, but is being managed now with Tylenol. Praying for her fevers to go away, her ANC to go up and for us to be released quickly. We continue to be thankful that we have been home and healthy for the majority of her treatment so far. We saw one of our previous roommates today who has been here for 14 weeks now. Certainly puts our three day stints into perspective. <br />
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-24874951263154256882011-06-10T19:23:00.000-07:002011-06-10T19:23:06.390-07:00We are here, we are here, we are here!I've been absent for a few weeks from blogging...I apologize. We have been completely wrapped up in the "lasts" of the season. Last full day of school (aka last day of packing lunches for mom!) last day of school, last books to turn in, last backpack full of papers....all times three kids. It's been a blessing that Emma has been able to experience and participate in all of it due to feeling great and high blood counts. We are praising God that He allowed such a "normal" end of the school year for her. Today we went to an all school swim day and BBQ at the local park. She did not skip a beat when she pulled off her sun hat, handed me her glasses and jumped into the pool with her fuzzy white head. I loved seeing that nobody from our little school community even blinked an eye at her either. Ahhh, the comfort of a safe and secure environment for our brave Emma girl. <br />
<br />
We are celebrating summer being here with a family dinner, fire pit s'mores in the backyard and cousins from Los Angeles sleep over in the tent. We are here! It's a relief to have a break from the regular schedule and committments. We are intentionally going to be casual about planning things this summer and might be a little less "plugged in" to the internet. Please know that if there is anything drastic or concerning with Emma and her health, I will certainly put the word out and ask for prayer......but if you don't see anything new for a few days or weeks, please celebrate with us in the fact that we are taking a much needed break, hanging out as a family, relaxing, appreciating the good days and being thankful that God is directing each step in this journey. <br />
<br />
Emma still continues to have chemo every 21 days and we will be at the clinic each week to check her blood counts and be monitored. We crossed a huge milestone at last week's chemo treatment in that it was her last scheduled spinal tap until the end of her entire protocol, which will be next spring. <br />
<br />
As I slathered sunscreen on her back this morning and noticed the two neat circular scars on her back from her bone marrow biopsy, I thanked God that He has been here with us since the beginning of this ordeal. He knows the future, He knows our family and He knows and loves this girl. I can try from the outside to protect her skin from the sun's harmful rays, but it's just a token of protection in comparison from the protection He is lending her every single day from the inside of her body all the way out. I am so grateful her life is so secure in His loving hands. Praise to Him alone. <br />
<br />
Enjoy your summer days. We are treasuring each one even more this year. Thank you for your continued love and support. <br />
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-Rebecca Stanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-72713871026532099602011-05-25T18:11:00.000-07:002011-05-26T08:53:44.557-07:00Hovering<div style="text-align: center;">"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 41:10</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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It's a strange place to have one foot in regular life and normal routines and the other foot in a foreign land with unfamiliar paths and unknown landmarks. That's what's it's felt like recently. There have been days of normalcy. Emma has had a great few weeks since her last round of chemotherapy. She attended school almost every day except when she had clinic appointments. A friend asked her over for a playdate, out to dinner and then to a musical. She went to Joseph's soccer games, participated in the Relay for Life and walked this year as a survivor, and went to church.<br />
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I could "almost" relax as I dropped her off at her friend's house and I "almost" felt like she would be fine. Twinges of worry were there. Those never go away. I had the thoughts, "What if she gets a fever? What if she gets overtired and doesn't realize it and has an emotional crash? What if some other unknown complication hits her body and I'm not there to witness it or help?" Irrational maybe, but those thoughts run through my mind each time she is away from me. It's like she's a toddler again and I'm a hovering mother. It feels out of control. It's uncomfortable and exhausting. I don't like it.<br />
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We've raised our kids to be self sufficient. We believe responsibility given at a young age will foster independent and capable kids. (it's our theory anyway) They put away their own laundry....even if it gets stuffed into the drawers sometimes. They empty the dishwasher....even if the teaspoons and tablespoons sometimes end up in the wrong section of the silverware organizer. They feed the animals, they ride motorcycles, they shoot airsoft and paintball guns....all with proper instruction beforehand and warnings to be responsible. Sometimes they are good at following the rules, sometimes they push the limits and break the boundries. (some of our kids are guilty of this more than others.....ahem.....Joseph!) We may let our kids do more than some parents are comfortable with, but it's risks we have been willing to take (within reason and with proper safety gear). They are kids and they are growing, maturing and learning. We don't really hover. We experience joy as we see them learning to be responsible and maturing young people.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz8_eWPSBZBwL-otq1p3z49nSXbq8loU8HRr3uYoZYNY3ytrXOGBq5X2sDIXRefJqVtbXdrwdkpN_llGQSJ36tpllBxj1MrNDfy80NVS8qIMhCx7hyRkzSg24LHF5mFCjtZsQwlg2ntI/s1600/May_2010_+%2528553%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz8_eWPSBZBwL-otq1p3z49nSXbq8loU8HRr3uYoZYNY3ytrXOGBq5X2sDIXRefJqVtbXdrwdkpN_llGQSJ36tpllBxj1MrNDfy80NVS8qIMhCx7hyRkzSg24LHF5mFCjtZsQwlg2ntI/s400/May_2010_+%2528553%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy7dTaomgxk4_9wmVGm2ui4FiSS6w6P9kIx8DA-PgVCOQBU77ERilAQW8suSvXOjWvMWQGYGplJbfAvhneovtVBWIKAfwA14LIkR2Gfn39-ycR3FST4cIEDY_PgLdt_4BCNOKPlqXuSg/s1600/May_2010_+%2528576%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy7dTaomgxk4_9wmVGm2ui4FiSS6w6P9kIx8DA-PgVCOQBU77ERilAQW8suSvXOjWvMWQGYGplJbfAvhneovtVBWIKAfwA14LIkR2Gfn39-ycR3FST4cIEDY_PgLdt_4BCNOKPlqXuSg/s400/May_2010_+%2528576%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Now, we have a daughter who is by far the most naturally responsible and mature of our three children whom we can't allow to experience the freedom and carefree life that she was once accustomed to. We have to say no when she wants to ride the dirt bike.....she could injure herself or her port which is placed within her chest wall and feeds right into her superior vena cava....her heart. We have to say no when she wants to spend the night at her friend's house....she could spike a fever and need immediate treatment. We can't sign her up for vacation bible school or Girl Scout camp without reminding her that her attendance to those events will be based on her blood counts that very week. Possible disappointments lay ahead. We hover over the possibilities for her....hoping they will work out, but realistic that they might not. <br />
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Today we are hovering with a fever. Emma has had a low grade temperature for the last 24 hours. We kept her home from school today to keep tabs on it and to call the Dr. if it reached over the important 100.5 degree mark. 100.3, 99.8, 100.7. 100.0, 98.9, 100.9 were temps throughout her day. We finally called the Dr.'s office when one thermometer read 100.3 and one read 100.7. Tylenol dose and appointment tomorrow is the plan for now.....unless she spikes higher tonight. I'm hovering in my mind. I don't know which way it will go. I'm not planning ahead and I'm not going to be disappointed if it turns out that we have to be admitted.....well, not too disappointed. It's never fun. It's always worrisome and it's just what we have to do.<br />
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Someday, we might have our feet on the ground a bit more....more secure....able to feel the earth more predictably under our feet. But, for now, we hover, being held silently and securely with the hands of God. We are learning to relax and let go. The less we fight against the invisible forces pushing us around in the air, the more we can feel the gentle, caring, protective hands of our Father carrying us and guiding us where we need to go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKtfnTLb8h47I7w6kyLtmX4Ezld9VAuA9HgTaJRaPFSb20MqDTX1OMo_lvJymwGDPOLq7XcbKJ115wYIk-MTPloJD-vWrr7AcF6tjPqOF8mwqMYU2qNVA-je3hWGKIUPHT_qL9RWziIE/s1600/July_2010_+%2528786%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKtfnTLb8h47I7w6kyLtmX4Ezld9VAuA9HgTaJRaPFSb20MqDTX1OMo_lvJymwGDPOLq7XcbKJ115wYIk-MTPloJD-vWrr7AcF6tjPqOF8mwqMYU2qNVA-je3hWGKIUPHT_qL9RWziIE/s400/July_2010_+%2528786%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Learning to let go......<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Joshua 1:9</div><br />
-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627235574200332178.post-73490970307180661012011-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:002011-05-18T16:50:35.570-07:00Emotional Weight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznLDz5087NYAsENUhvt5y2HMajHBuILeB6j9CwUnnpeiivY5YiWIilTiw3r3vuj6HcdxNGEMeg2TRB-D3YcuSTzno7MvRFgsH0KsqX_wfd-xvqcK5nYzX1JqOtFFtRgWmkSDEwwbULLY/s1600/110222_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznLDz5087NYAsENUhvt5y2HMajHBuILeB6j9CwUnnpeiivY5YiWIilTiw3r3vuj6HcdxNGEMeg2TRB-D3YcuSTzno7MvRFgsH0KsqX_wfd-xvqcK5nYzX1JqOtFFtRgWmkSDEwwbULLY/s400/110222_2809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This has been a hard week for us emotionally. The new "normal" is sinking in and taking hold. It's hard to breath sometimes under the weight of it all. It's hard to function and it's especially hard to plan. We are trying to live in the moment, but those moments can be scary and raw and hurtful. They can test your patience and resolve. They challenge my mothering skills to the core and unfortunately those skills crumble and fail more times than I want. I listened to the sermon from our pastor on Sunday which described so vividly how I've been feeling lately. Please listen if you would like.<br />
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<a href="http://t.co/b2BCdLs">Sermon "Chaos" by Nathan Oates, Emmaus Church Community</a><br />
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I find comfort in the fact that I am walking each moment with a Savior who knows my pain and knows the end of the journey. I am but an untrained, out of shape athlete who has just been thrust into the marathon of her life and I'm just at mile 2 and I have so much left to run. Praying for strength, resolve and grit.<br />
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-RebeccaStanphill Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08477637702087489502noreply@blogger.com9