May was a very exciting & emotional month (but all in a good way). Her monthly appointment blood work came back perfect & she’s been doing great. She graduated from VPK which was very exciting yet sad too. Her preschool has gone above and beyond with being understanding, accommodating & we will miss the sweet teachers there immensely. There were a few days I wondered if we’d ever see her in the blue cap & gown so it felt very surreal to watch her bounce across the stage with her ponytail swinging side to side. She also performed in her dance recital & I couldn't of been more proud of her. Her personality, independence, and just overall love of life beams through her smile & she’s come so far even in just the past 6 months.
May 28th marked the three year mark of our life forever changing. McKinleys diagnosis date. It’s a date we have to say every appointment & on all paperwork. It’s a date I hold very heavy on my heart. This year though, I really tried to stay busy & focus on the positive of this date. Thankful that she was diagnosed on May 28th & not later so that she was able to remain in the standard risk category. Thankful that we had the diagnosing oncologist that we did as I have grown to adore, trust and respect her. But most importantly, thankful that she is here. Another 48 hours and they said it very well could’ve been a different story. This disease is so aggressive & fast spreading its terrifying. And to think she really wasn’t appearing “that” sick.
Please keep another local girl in your prayers as she began her 2.5-3 year journey in treatment this past week. My husband & the mom’s husband work together as well as us having a lot of mutual friends.
Lastly, we are gearing up for the 4th annual Love McKinley charity dinner & golf tournament on July 13th (dinner)& July 14th (golf). We’d love to see your support & faces! Lovemckinley.org for registration, sponsorships or to sign up to join us!
Thank you as always for your continued support & prayers.
xoxo, Karen
McKinley is doing really great. She's loving school, LOVING dance & enjoying being off chemo meds. It really is amazing how much she's grown, how much she's developed & how much more personality she has since she's stopped chemo. All things are looking great which is wonderful news. We've been very busy with advocating & promoting childhood cancer awareness month & attending a lot of events. We did have one scare at this months appointment but all was confirmed negative with an ultrasound. Myself, a few other "cancer moms" & McKinleys oncologist were all concerned about a vein by where her port was placed especially since she had a clot in the past. But all was confirmed ok with a quick ultrasound (Thank God). I'm not sure I'll ever be able to take a deep breath but I do try too. We are praying for a Halloween at home this year (last year we spent 8 days in the hospital fighting a nasty virus over Halloween). And although the nurses & staff came by her hospital room to trick or treat, I'm actually looking forward to sweating & fighting bugs on Halloween night this year. It's the little things 😉 Thank You as always for keeping McKinley in your thoughts & prayers.
xoxox,
Karen
MCKINLEY'S CORNER