Well, Mia and I are back in the hospital today through Wednesday for her seventh round of chemo. This is getting about as old and stale as a VR cliche' or joke. One thing new to report is that she is making progress physically. Julie and I have noticed quite a difference in her physical strength and flexibility. My wife has this annoying tendency to baby Mia to the point that Grace and Hannah comment on it, but I suppose she has that right.

Julie and Mia have a trip to Mayo at the end of the month for an MRI and checkup with her whole team of surgeons, oncologists, and neurologists. Mia seems to get a littl pissy everytime we check in for these chemo rounds - but she's a pretty good girl and handles this stuff pretty well.

Anybody have any ideas about what I can buy this child as a reward for making it through this incredible ordeal? I'd love to just turn the clock back and give her back this last year, but that's not happening. This last year has been so surreal that it's hard to imagine it is winding down and we are going to make it through - and she can still have a normal life. She might not be a good canditate for athletics, but everything else should be attainable for her.

We've done a lot of soul searching this past year and have really been tested with our spirituality and with our character. There's no doubt in my mind that the 5 of us are better people today then we were a year ago. Last August when someone would tell me that God only gives you what you can handle, I would have felt like punching them. Today, I take that as a compliment, but I will admit that watching your child suffer is no way to test your character. It is brutal, and I have spent more time crying with deep reflection than ever in my life.

I really do want to thank all of you that encouraged me to keep my head and stay strong. This was a tough one to get through and really has been my biggest challenge in life to date.

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Dakota,
I strongly believe that people who say "those who die with the most toys win" are out of it. Over the years, I've learned material possessions are empty. Of course, get what you need. If you're heavily into bikes, get a good bike. If you're a musician, you deserve to have quality instruments. But over here, the yuppies with the big screen tv's and the his and her suburban assault vehicles (otherwise called penis envy wagons) and 3000 square feet houses that live on a lot the size of a postage stamp are miserable people. Downright miserable.

However, the people who get it are the ones who believe that you're supposed to experience life. Really experience it. The happiest people I know are the ones who travel.

So consider instead of getting her a material object, let her choose a destination. A vacation for the family. Her choice.

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What Zombie said--something that will build memories. Taking the entire family along, your other girls can participate/enjoy the experience, too.

Memories are WAY more important! They last a life time! As was said, let her pick a place to go to!

Here's something to keep in mind.....my cousin's child went through the whole cancer thing. Her Mom babied her so much that the kid grew up to be a selfish brat. She EXPECTS everyone to cater to her. You do NOT want that to be Mia's life. I DO understand how hard it is to come so close to losing someone so special. But for her own good, treat her as "normal" as possible. It will help her more as she grows into a woman.
MUCH LOVE to you and your family, Dakota!!!

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DakotaT, I told my dad about Mia (and about our escapades) and just want to let you know that her, along with your whole family, are in his thoughts and prayers. He was physically relieved when I told him she'll be almost perfectly fine and has been trucking along well. Even in his ordeal, he couldn't imagine going through what you are.

If you and the family are in the TC area, email/PM me if you wanna grab some food. So you are warned, don't expect a hug from me. Just a punch in the arm.

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T...



As I am posting from Orlando.. plan a trip to the magic kingdom if you haven't been here before.. she will absolutely treasure the experience along with the entire family.

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As someone who has been to both Disneyland and Disneyworld, the latter blows the former away.

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I think the others have said it pretty well. Give her time and love. She will value you it the most. Of curse the other girls will get some too. A trip can be to Disney or it can be camping in the woods. Time together is the best.

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Dakota.....check your PM.

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You guys have given some pretty good advice. But we've been to Disneyworld and the "Make a Wish" Foundation is going to pick up the tab for a family vacation for Mia. She chose swimming with the dolphins as her choice - which will land us in Florida again. Don't ever go to Florida in June through September. Talk about a cess pool. I really thought going to the Super Bowl last year would have been a much more practical choice but Mia is heavily influence by her mother.

I just feel I need to do something real special for her cause she's been through so much. We're hoping for some of her hair to come back by Christmas. I think being bald is really wearing on her, cause she feels ostracized from her friends and she feels the looks from people in places like church or in a crowded gym.

Her biggest battle is really still ahead of her in regaining her physical strength. That chemo really wipes the kid out. Seems like the transfusions are a little more regular now, and prior to getting one, she is really weak. One good sign though is that her strength in the legs is still more than adequate - she's just going to have to really work on the muscles in the upper back and neck. I'm going to have a huge battle with Julie over proper motivation, as mommy really babies Mia. Her balance is a little off too, but I'm sure the surgery for removing the tumor caused a lot of trama to that area of the brain.

Anyway, through it all, we continue to feel very lucky. If you have ever been to Mayo and seen all the various cancer patients, you'd understand more of what I'm saying. We sidestepped a major land mine here and although it has really been a soul searching ordeal, we understand our good fortune and will never take that for granted. We also understand that the future is still widely unknown, but this last year has really battle tested this family and we feel pretty comfortable moving forward to face anything.

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