let's send some good vibes Belle Plaine's way

[Lanval]

What a beautiful smile, and lovely young lady. May life's blessings rain down on you and your family.

ML

[Amskeptic]

I realized that it's been a while since I've updated you all about what's happening with Emma, and all of us. Well, no news is good news,
Emma started 1st grade and Brady is in 3rd. The kids are doing pretty good all in all. Keri and I have our struggles on occasions but we're committed to each other. I gather marriage is no cake walk regardless of cancer.

Lets see, this summer we only went camping twice which is a shame but the times that we did camp were really wonderful. Keri and Brady are nature lovers and we took some nice long hikes this year. Old Jack, our 11 year old yellow lab, always lead the way. I'm hoping for Maupin trip next year; I've got it figured out that I'd have the bus shipped to San Leando, Ca and drive up the coast to the DRVWR and then drive home. Fingers crossed.

Glad to hear everybody is doing well.
Eat cake. Walk. There . . . Cake Walk.
Colin
(ship the bus to San Leandro? How?)

[tristessa]

(ship the bus to San Leandro? How?)

Why San Leandro?

[tristessa]

Just saw on FB that the fight goes on -- BellPlaine, Emma & Co. are in New York at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center this week.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmagerman

[BellePlaine]

Yup, still fighting.

Our doctors in Minnesota told us around a week and a half ago that they now believe that Emma still has about an almond sized tumor remaining in her right hip, this is the spot where we finally realized that she had relapsed almost 11 months ago. PET scans, CT scans, MIBG scans, bone marrow biopsies, X-rays, and blood tests are interpreted and subject to judgment. Figuring out what is going on under the skin and inside of the bones of little girls might be more of an art then a science then it would seem to me. And that's why we're in New York now.

We choose to explore treatment at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering because it has a research clinic solely dedicated to finding a cure for neuroblastoma. We can get treatments here that our Children's Hospital can't offer. This week we met a team of doctors and RNs who will be helping us figure out how to get Emma cancer free and keep her that way. Already, we've noticed differences in the way they have scanned and tested Emma's body. Hell yes, we're comfortable and confident and a little anxious about this new direction. And that's really all that I know about anything.

It's our first time in NYC and my impression is that it is a wonderful place filled with caring and interesting people. It has a small town feel. There are so many small and independent shops and restaurants and we've met many locals willing to give directions or strike up a friendly conversation. We've been here since Sunday night and have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for $35 per night. It's only 4 blocks to the hospital and because of the neuroblastoma clinic we've met two other families who can related to our situtation. One of which has been where we are and now coming back for her annual check up. Another is only a step ahead of us. Both families had good words of advice for us and we're grateful for it. Someday, we'll be the one giving the advice of experience.

So we go home the morning to await the results of work-up, tests, and scans and then to be given the next steps, ready to fight again and again.

[Xelmon]

Wow... One hand disappointed to hear.

On the other hand glad to hear that you got top-o-line peeps working this now.

Onwards and upwards! Good vibes!

[sped372]

Best of luck again, thoughts go out to you.

[BellePlaine]

For now, I'll simply share this...

http://belleplaineherald.com/Content/Mo ... -5/-5/4934

[Amskeptic]

For now, I'll simply share this...

http://belleplaineherald.com/Content/Mo ... -5/-5/4934

Totally losing it here in Maine, Chris. What a heart-ache.
I am so grateful for having had a chance to dust it up with Brady and Emma.
I can only say paradoxically enough that this pain is for me proof that there is something much much larger than our lives, it surrounds us, it lets us love helplessly and it makes us mourn with agony, and while I am happy to pay the price, I really really do hate it right now.
Please know that you and Keriann and Brady are in my prayers right now.
Emma, I hate that you had to leave early.
Colin

[tristessa]

I have no words right now; everything that comes to mind feels trite and uncaring. But I also felt I should post some acknowledgement that I've seen the news.

.
.
.

[Jivermo]

My deepest condolences to you and your family, members of this community of good souls.

[hercdriver]

I'm angry and heart broken. I've never met you or Emma, but reading this just now has left me speechless. You and your family are in my heart and thoughts.

[weisswurst]

Belle Plaine, we too have never met but I wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family.
My wife and I have worked many years with St Judes here in Florida helping work and set up their fundraisers and I still couldn't even begin to understand what you are going through.
Please reach out to us if we can offer any type of support or help.
Jeff in Florida

[sped372]

I am so sorry.

[airkooledchris]

it just crushes me that some of the brightest stars in our world can only stay for such a short period of time.
light and love to you and yours.