Sunday, December 4, 2011

food / blood / marrow

We have been asked by TONS of people if they can bring us food, to make this a simpler process my friend Christy set up this site to keep it organized!

http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=RDIA2421

We also will be updating this site with information about a blood drive that our friend Heather is putting together. Our darling girl had to have a blood transfusion the day after her surgery and we are very thankful for whoever gave our little girl their blood. We just want to encourage everyone to donate! If everyone that has supported us this far donates there blood then they will be donating to parents, siblings, grandparents and children of other families and children like Mallory. (and we promise to keep the vampires away)

Ryan and I also added ourselves to the The National Marrow Donor Program. We are going through a lot right now but we are determined to make a difference in the future! We want to raise awarness for childhood cancer and cancer research.

We are so thankful for all of our friends, family and the complete strangers that have helped us out. You guys mean the world to us.

-Ashley

Easy like Sunday morning

Mallory is a champion.

This little girl is acting like normal. She isn't acting like she just had major abdominal surgery; she isn't acting like there is still a tumor inside of her. She's happy and carefree. She's a bright light when times are tough. I know this sounds funny, but Mallory is making this experience a lot easier on Ashley and I.

Today was a rest and relaxation day, here at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. No tests, no reports today.

We got to see our *almost* two-year old daughter Jillian today! That was very refreshing. She likes the revolving doors in the lobby! We miss her so much!

 Tomorrow is supposed to be the earliest that we can get the pathology report back. The wait is draining me; I just want to know the exact level of what Mallory is facing. On top of that, I'm trying to figure out when to go back to work. Family does come first, and providing for my family is part of a huge part of taking care of my family. Having a crystal ball would be really nice right now!



On a completely unrelated note; I just signed up to be a potential bone marrow donor! The National Marrow Donor Program runs the "Be the Match" registry. You sign up, they will send you some swabs for your mouth and you send them back. It's that easy!

If they ever match you up with a someone who needs bone marrow, they will contact you for further information. You don't have to even leave your house to register and it's free. And someday you could save the life of a little cute kid. So why not do it?

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM, DO IT NOW!



Thanks for love and support everyone!

-Ryan & Ash

PS: We have received many requests for a way to send donations. Please read this for more information.

Roller Coaster

Mallory was totally kidnapped by the nurses here, I think all 3 girls have some serious baby fever and wanted to cuddle her all night. So Ry and I finally got 8 hours of sleep. (some how it just isn't enough to bring me out of zombie state).

I had a breakdown last night. They changed Mallory's dressing on her broviac yesterday and it took 3 of us to do it, she was crying the entire time and we had to cover her face with a mask as well to keep her from breathing on it. They want to prepare us for taking care of everything when we get discharged. We have to change dressings, clean end caps, and flush the lines as well. I don't know what happens but every time they talk about this stuff I get the feeling in my stomach like I am going on a roller coaster and I am stuck falling and my heart is just on fire. I know I am strong enough to get it eventually its just right now I am so overwhelmed. Not even a week ago my daughter was diagnosed with cancer and there already pushing to prepare us for when we go home. I still want to curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out.

We are staying strong for our little girl. I know some days are going to be worse than others, yesterday was probably just one of those days for me.
-ash

Nurses

Our nurses totally stole our baby, and refuse to give her back until we get some sleep!

(okay, they didn't really steal her, they begged to watch her!)

Nighty night.

-Ry & Ash