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beautiful Ashtyn
My good friend, Lisa Harbertson Photography, took these photos of Ashtyn soon after we were released from the hospital following her bone marrow transplant. We knew Ashtyn’s hair would grow back and we wanted to capture her as she was at that moment. I am so grateful for these photos of my brave girl. If you…
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Bootcamp
I am amazed as I look back on the past week. Saturday and Sunday I asked for anyone who could to fast and pray. We wanted Ashtyn’s rash to go away, her throat to feel better, and her white blood cell count to go up. When I woke up Monday morning why was I disappointed…
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Getting Ready to Get Out of Here
I knew the first week Ashtyn was diagnosed with cancer that it was going to be a long road. I also knew that there would be bad days, good days, scary days, peaceful days, unpleasant days, enjoyable days, dark days, and fun days. Today was a good, peaceful, enjoyable, and fun day. Nothing spectacular happened……
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Consider the Blessings
Ashtyn looks so much better than a week ago. She isn’t nearly as sick, however she still feels crummy. Of course she does. I have no idea what it feels like to have no white blood cells, low platelets, and have a body that is recovering from chemo. Her throat and mouth continue to hurt. Swallowing is…
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Ashtyn’s Army
Ms. Fricker, one of Ashtyn’s teachers at Canyonview Elementary school, commented “Know the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child?’ Well, it takes an army to kick cancer’s butt out of that village. Help show Ashtyn she has an amazing army behind her. She is a tough little girl and is fighting one…
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Getting Back to “Normal”
The doctors came to Ashtyn’s room this morning, as they always do, to discuss the plan of the day. What are the concerns? How is her status? What changes need to be made? Everyone was pleased with how well she is doing and noticed her huge improvement. No changes were made. Stay the course. For…
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The Routine
I suppose Ashtyn and I are getting into a routine, though it is an unpredictable, unplanned routine that we take minute by minute. Nausea and pain is constantly on our minds. “Where’s the barf bag?” is a question she commonly asks. It’s like her security blanket, whether she is going to throw up into it…
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Life Is Good
Wednesday night was awful. Ashtyn went to bed around midnight. I turned the lights off close to 2:30 am, and at 4:30 am Ashtyn woke up and the only thing she could whisper was, “Mom, lay with me.” Sometimes she likes me to lay in her bed and other times she doesn’t I asked her, as…
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There is No Such Thing as a Bad Day
At the hospital there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between the day and night. Ashtyn is constantly being woken up every few hours, there are meds to be given at all hours of the day and night, and she has to go to the restroom every 3 hours no matter what time it is. This…
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Fortifying and Gathering Reinforcements
OK Ashtyn’s Army, we are all fortifying our battlefields and preparing for war! I can feel it! Ashtyn’s Army is increasing in number, strengthening in faith, and rallying in service. Comments are being heard, prayers are being offered, hearts are being touched, love is being poured out, visits are adding strength, efforts are gathering, children are…