Originally Posted By virgojmk My best friend's family have had a very difficult 18 mos, ever since then 2 year old Stephanie was diagnoised with AML (a very rare leukemia in children). There were several rounds of chemo, radiation, bone marrow transplant(luckily big brother was a match), long hospital stays and 3 month stay at the Ronald McDonald House and then home, but in isolation. Now 3 1/2 years old, with a full head of curly hair, Stephanie is doing much better, and has been granted a wish thru Make a Wish. They left this morning in a limo and will be enjoying DL and DCA on Fri and Sat and Knotts on Sun. Can't thank Make a Wish enough, it was so nice to see big smiling faces after all the tears!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo How fantastic! I hope they have a wonderful time. I have had the pleasure of sending a number of ill kids to DL/WDW/DLP. Unfortunately, many of them are no longer with us, but their experiences and memories of their trips were magical. To me this is what makes Disney great - the magic. I really hope everything goes well for them and they have the best trip ever!
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Oh, how wonderful! It's great to hear that she's doing so much better. I hope they all have a wonderful time at DL.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Man, when I got APL (an even rarer form of leukemia) I didn't get to go to Disneyland, either time I got it. I was robbed! LOL, just kidding(not about the leukemia though). Make A Wish is such a great charity. I hope she has a blast!
Originally Posted By 1Gee1 It is so heartwarming to hear that your friends are headed for a happy respite after going through the past year and a half of uncertainty and worry. They'll be exhausted after all that fun, but will have such cherished memories always! Thanks for sharing their story.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 That's wonderful! Please be sure to come back and tell us about their trip if you can. =)
Originally Posted By virgojmk They had a great time, they decided to skip Knotts and do DL an extra day, since Steph was having such a good time. She loved the parades, characters, Dumbo and Small World. Unfortunately, 2 hrs after returning home her dr called to say her blood work was "off". After keeping an eye on it for 2 weeks, the dr felt they needed to do a bone marrow aspiration, which was done last Monday (the 3rd). Her dr called Monday night to tell them that Steph has relapsed. Mind you she is still running around like a normal 3 year old, no fever, no runny nose, or bruising at all, just a cough that will not go away. We never would have known she was sick, except for the blood work. We are still waiting to hear if it is the same strain of leukemia or a different one. And what the % of leukemia cells there are. Yesterday, Lisa's SIL's mom called in some favors and managed to arrange a baptized for today, she looked adorable in her dress. And was busy sucking her thumb on Mommy's lap during most of the ceremony. She is going in for her central line this Friday and chemo begins Sunday.
Originally Posted By momof4boys I am so glad they had a good time but I am so sorry to hear about the relapse. I will keep her and her family in my prayers. Thanks for the update.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 What a bittersweet message. Of course we will be praying for this little girl and her family. My cousin's son had Batten's disease and was granted a wish trip to WDW. We lost him at Christmastime two years ago but that trip remains among the family's most treasured memories. They still have the picture of him with the characters on their mantel.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker Looks like they went to DL just at the right time. Prayers here too.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'm glad that they had a good time at such a special place. Stephanie and her family will be in my thoughts.
