Mia is rockin out her last chemo treatment this week. In October we go back to Mayo for another MRI and to have her port removed. The port was place in her chest to make blood work and IV's less cumbersome and painful. I am pleased to let you all know that my little girl is cancer free and her doctors feel she is cured - but it will take 5 years for them to actual proclaim it. MRI's over the next 5 years is to keep on eye things for precaution.

Our family has been through a seriously intense test of our character, faith, and resolve. When I think back to a year ago, I was definitely a borderline basket case; and I was afraid of all that I could not control. I've learned over the last 14th months that I don't need to control anything ever again.

I'm very happy to call many of you in here my friends, and I appreciate the prayers and love sent our way through this journey.

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That's great. Does that mean she's in the clear and completely ... oh I just read you said she is cured. That's really good news, very happy for you and your family and especially her.

As for being in intense test of character, faith and resolve, I believe God doesn't put us through anything we can not overcome. I'm glad she (and you an yours) were able to overcome this successfully.

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/cheer

Too bad about the scheduling of her port removal.. My wife got me 2 tickets to the Vikings/Packers game at the Dump for our anniversary this year. I guess I'll have to try to find someone else to take.

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HINT: Take your wife.

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She's last resort if my dad can't.

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What's her email address?

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That's great news, Dakota! I don't pray, but the two of you have been in my thoughts often. Give her a hug for me!

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I am very happy for this news. I know what a struggle it was for our family with Dad going through these treatments. It has to be much more difficult for you and the family.

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It isn't even that the chemo is difficult, it's that it is so drawn out. The surgery and radiation last summer was the difficult part of this process. You could physically see the ass kicking effects on her. Chemo is a whole different process. It kind of nucs all the bad stuff but then also kills the good in the process. What I know is that we are ready to celebrate as a family that Mia is going to be OK. We have no choice but to extract whatever good came of all this, and move on. I think we are much better people for going through this and we plan on helping others in like situations. We will encourage Mia to speak to other children with cancer when she is ready.

But as a parent, sitting there watching tube after tube hooked up to your child - it will toughen you up quickly. There are many types of struggles in life - this one here, I'll take for the team and hope that none of you ever need to know what I know and feel what I've felt.

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First.. I am ecstatic that the journey is nearing an end for you, Mia and your entire family. Much like Since69... you and your family are often in my thoughts... but prayers as well.




Granted I was much older.. but I would highly recommend this in Mia's future. It was healing to reach out and talk about your experiences and sharing that you can recover from it. I only spoke a couple times in front of groups.. but spoke many a time in a one on one setting or with families in the Green Bay area. Of course my experience was much different than Mia's and my focus was more on a physical injury nature than a whole consuming disease. IMO, it would be much harder in Mia's case to reach out and talk.. but just the same it is about 2 years of experience that helped me just as much as it helped those I came in contact with.

Again.. awesome and give that young lady a high five.. don't forget her sisters as well.. their journey was trying through this all as well I would imagine.

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