The Flu

Makenzie started running a fever last Sunday so we went to the ER. They took blood cultures to check for infection. The doctors are very cautious with fever and potential infection. Her portacath is very close to her heart and she has a shunt so they want to catch any infections very quickly. She also went back to the clinic on Monday and Tuesday because she continued to have a fever. On Tuesday they gave her a flu test (long q tips up your nose into your sinus, not fun) and did a CT scan of her sinuses. Turns out she had the flu. So no chemo on Tuesday. She also missed school all week. But she appears to be getting better. Hopefully she will be back in school and back on her treatment schedule this week.

On another note, Terri's sister Ginger, owner of Keepsake Trends scrapbooking store is doing a benefit crop to help with extra expenses that go along with Makenzie's treatments. They are selling raffle tickets for an opportunity to scrapbook with Becky Higgins. Visit the Keepsake Trends website for more details. http://keepsaketrends.com/default.aspx

The Latest MRI

Makenzie got another MRI on Thursday, January 4th. The last MRI was back on August 25th. The last one showed the tiniest bit of tumor progression... a fraction of the tip of a pinky finger. That caused the doctor to switch her chemo medicine from vincristine and carboplatin to vinblastine. The new chemo medicine seems to be doing what we want so far. The latest MRI showed no evidence of tumor progression. They told us not to really expect any shrinkage yet. Vinblastine is a slow acting medication. But, so far so good. Kenzie has felt so much better with this new medication that with the old. She has had more energy and strength and her counts have stayed higher and her immune system is doing well. Keep praying for her!

Makenzie's Christmas/Meeting Pres. Monson

We all went to Logan, Utah for a white Christmas this year. It was a lot of fun. We stayed with Makenzie's Aunt Shelley and her family and Grandma and Grandpa Moore. The kids had fun playing with each other, going on 4-wheeler rides, sledding, ice fishing, going to a Utah State basketball game, and wandering around Temple Square.

During our stay Makenzie got to meet Pres. Thomas S. Monson in Salt Lake City and receive a blessing from him. He spent an hour with Makenzie and her family... talking about the Gospel, telling stories, teaching her to play the first song he learned on the piano, and showing everyone around the board room where the First Presidency meets and his office. Makenzie gave him one of her home made cards and one of our ward's Christmas CDs. He gave Makenzie a signed picture and a box of yummy chocolates. Kenzie's name was also placed on the First Presidency prayer roll. They will pray for her by name each Thursday when they meet for about a month of so. It was an awesome visit.

Here's a message from Makenzie... pres. monson was so so cool . It was a wonderful experience for me . Then we went to look at temple lights. It was so cold i had one jacket, one hood, and one hat. well looks like i have to go. love makenzie.

December... Already?

I can not believe we are right into December and on our way to Christmas. It has gone by so fast. Everyone has been asking for the updates. I have gotten really lazy and just have not had time. We are thrilled to say that Makenzie received her Make a Wish on November 13th. We had a great time. For those of you that do not know about her wish here goes. She asked to meet the Author of the chapter series Junie B. Jones, by Barbra Park. Barbra is dedicating her new book to Makenzie. It is called "Dumb Bunny" and will be out in February. For Makenzie's wish we were picked up in a limo and driven to Girly Girlz. There her and two of her great friends were given the royal treatment and became rock starz. We were then taken to the Phoenician for lunch with Barbra. It was nice to visit with her and get to know her a little bit. She gave Makenzie all of her books and signed them. She got lots of little presents and just had a great time. From there we went to the hospital and Kenzie was able to donate some signed copies of Junie B. books to the hospital. Makenzie really had a great day. Other than that we have just been doing one day at a time. Makenzie's treatments are going pretty well. Our kids can not wait until Santa visits. We hope everyone is doing well and enjoing the Christmas season. We are so greatful to everyone who has taken such good care of our family. We are greatful for your service. Here is a fun pictures from her make a wish at Girly Girlz.

Kenzie Speaks at a News Conference

Makenzie recently spoke at a news conference announcing the expansion of Phoenix Children's Hospital. She spoke along with a nurse who used to be a patient, a young man who is a former patient, Mayor Phil Gordon, Congressman Ed Pastor, and the CEO of the hospital. She did a great job and even made it on the evening news. By the year 2030 (I think) the hospital will nearly double in size.

Youngs Farm

Kenzie ended up w/ treatment on Friday. She has done great this time around. She has felt pretty good. She felt good enough to go to Youngs Farm in Prescott. All the kids had a great time. We met the Phelan's there. They just moved up there and it was great to see them. We took a picnic lunch and rode a few rides. The kids liked riding the horses. It was really crowded towards lunch time. I am really glad we got there early.
The kids had their primary program today and I am so proud they did so good and really CUTE. Both sets of grandparents came and then came over for lunch after church. The kids love their grandparents. Brayden is saying quite a few things. New words are: gotcha, dog sound, cow sound, Kenzie, bubba, dada, mama, money, breakfast, want more, up. I know there is more I just can not think of them.

Kenzie wanted to write: hi how is everyone doing i am doing fine i do not like treament but i am happy that it is going to zap the tomer it is nice to have such a big family and so much care. i get
mail so much just about every day but some days i dont get anything and brayden got a buzz cut. Look at the picture above: isn't he cute! Love Kenzie and family :)

Finally these pictures will post. I have tried and tried. I do not know why today it is working , just happy it is. enjoy :)
THANKS oliva, rachel and nanci

A Princess Room

I have so much to update you on I hope I can remember everything. I am way behind with everything. First of all, Thanks to everyone for meals, helping me clean and taking good care of our family. :) Makenzie had her Wednesday treatment. Everything went well. She is goofy and happy. We LOVE to see that.She was in the ER on Friday night. She had a fever. We can not take chances because of her port and shunt. She hates going there. The only nice thing is you say Tumor and Chemo. They rush you into the back so she is not exposed to the other sick kids. We get check out right away. Thank goodness.Kenzie's most excited these days about her room. A very special friend did a room makeover for her (Olivia Montez). Let me start off by saying: "BEAUTIFUL" It turned out so awesome. I love just going in there to look. I was quite proud of myself because Olivia liked the color we had painted her room. It is a bright pottery barn pink. She got a new bed spread that went w/ the room better than the one I had. They had the furniture sprayed white. Rachel Despain made curtains, round pillow and a chair cover. They hung shelves (David Despain) and a beaded chandelier (SP?). She is so excited to have a canopy at the head of the bed. She thinks it is cool to have different shaped pillows. Nanci Jarman helped them w/ the set up and made a really cute box for organization. To finish it off Olivia gave her the most beautiful hand held mirror. Makenzie shows everyone the mirror first thing. Thanks to everyone who help lift the spirtit of our whole family. Much appreciated.Our fiend Kelli Barkley lives around the corner from us. She has had a brain tumor removed twice. We are walking with her for the National Brain Tumor foundation. Here is a link to donate : http://www.firstgiving.com/kellikbarkleyThe walk will be held on October 14th, 2006.The rest of the family is doing well. Brayden has learned to open our doors this last week. Now the bathrooms are locked and we are trying our best to keep him out of things. Carson dropped a metal stake on his toe and cut it open. We thought we would have to take him to the ER and get a stitch but we took him to a friend dr. and he looked at it. He could have used a stitch but he butterflied it and who cares if he has a scar on his toe. Thank you so much for doing that. We really appreciate it. He probably saved us $500.Today is a half day at school so Makenzie home for the day. Her and Carson have been playing really good together. They play stuffed animals. I have no idea what that is all about or how to play but they have a great time. This still does not totally catch us up but it will have to do for now. :) It will not let me post pictures of her room. I will try tomorrow. :)

Updates

Makenzie is doing well right now. She's been off the steroids for over a month. She is walking better, getter stronger, and has more energy. She's got her sparkle back. And she's talking as much as ever. She's even back in dance lessons. Mom goes with her to help her out. She's doing well in school and staying all day most days. She seems to be tolerating this new chemo they have her on well. She did go to the ER a few Fridays ago for a fever. You have to be really careful with fevers when kids are on chemo and have shunts. But it turned out to be nothing more than an upper respiratory virus along with some congestion and coughing.

Alex and Kenzie delivered the toys they collected to the Phoenix Children's Hospital a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to the work of these girls and the generosity of the Lake Pleasant Ward, the Pleasant Valley Ward, and many others they donated several thousand dollars worth of toys, clothes, and gift cards that will be given to kids at the hospital.

We continue to receive all kinds of support from so many amazing people. We are grateful... more than you can know. Things would be far more difficult for us right now if it were not for so many people helping us in so many ways. Please, keep praying for Makenzie to be healed, for her miracle.

On a lighter note

I took the boys over on Tuesday to a friends house to visit their puppies. (NO! I am not buying a puppy)! Since I deprive my children of having animals I thought they would like to go and visit. Carson has asked if we can bring home a puppy. He just asked me, as I am typing this, if he could have a puppy for his birthday next month. He said, "you can wrap him up so I can open him. It makes me feel bad because the kids really do want one. I feel like having a dog is like having another child. We had a blast and I really did want to take one home. They are so cute when they are little. Brayden was a little unsure but Carson held them like a baby. He LOVED the puppies. It is funny how they get attached to a certain one and that is all they want. He liked Jack. Here are a few pictures I took.

note to Grandma's and Grandpa's : SAY NO TO PUPPIES, SAY NO TO PUPPIES!!!!! :)