Addie is 4

Addie Bean is 4!!!

It was exactly what she wanted... a party at "Blee and Blinda's" and rainbows!!  

What a year it was for my sweet little girl... Her third birthday will forever leave a mark on my heart, I can still remember the sadness that accompanied that special day.  We have all come so far since last summer.  I am just reminded at how each day is a GIFT, a true blessing.  Addie's birthdays will forever be extra special.  First and foremost, because that was the day we welcomed her into this world and secondly, because it will serve as a reminder of the TRUE miracle that she is.  I don't want to rush the clock but I can't wait until that 9th birthday comes and we are 5 years out from treatment and she is deemed CURED.  I pray that day comes and that the years leading up to it are filled with wonderful memories with my perfectly HEALTHY girl.  I pray that her life will be as "normal" as possible but that we will forever give thanks for how truly remarkable her life is and for how unbelievably blessed we are to have her here with us...  Thank you Jesus for this beautiful little girl and for the last year we shared with her.  Please Father let there be 100 more!

This video collage was put together by one of the sweetest ladies in town that I feel so blessed to have become friends with through all of this... Jamie you really captured this last year and the song is just perfect, thank you so much!!!

Tears fell in that video, but thankful that most of them were happy tears.  What a year it was, thank you Jesus that she is HERE after it all.  

Now for the birthday pictures...

Treatment Update... The last round of antibody therapy was intense.  Addie had a day of severe hypotension that forced the medicines to be shut off.  She also dealt with a bad rash, hives, fevers and edema but she made it through!!  We had to modify the protocol due to her blood pressure problems but she was able to get all of the antibody.  We are currently delayed two weeks for the next round due to her kidneys, they took a little hit during the last round but we are praying that they will recover.  I am thankful for the little break but obviously praying that it will not affect her long term outcome.  So thankful for the ICU team and that when the medicine is shut off her body recovers!!  Thank you Jesus for Addie's resiliency and her fighting spirit.  I pray Lord that this cancer has been long gone and will never return.  I pray that her kidneys will recover and she will be able to have the next round of therapy.  I THANK you for this break and for the time we have had together.  Addie has been feeling good, playing again with her sisters and cousins.  She is back at daycare and has been so good.  It is so good to see her feel good.. that SMILE, can't get enough of it!

We will be back in Iowa City the week of July 27 for round 3!!