Catching Our Breath

It seems like things haven't slowed down since last Wednesday....

Elena had a clinic visit on Friday, September 11th. She left school HAPPY, not upset, thank you Lord! Since Elena's last clinic visit, her doctor had taken her off of the seizure medication, too many negative side effects. Her attitude and outlook are back to normal, more proof that taking her off Keppra was a good thing! She received two different types of chemo in her port and a flu shot. She came back to school happy and ready for a fun Friday night.

Our school was having a Friday night Tailgate Party. It's a fun PTA event. There's food, inflatables, face painting, games and more. After the party, the families can walk across the street to the high school for the Friday night home football game. As a part of National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, our principal asked if we would like to sell lemonade and other drinks as a part of this event. The girls of course said yes! Well, the girls did more playing than selling, but thanks to the wonderful teachers who volunteered to sell lemonade at both the elementary school and the high school during the football game, a lot of money was raised. There was also a Hat Day at school on Friday, with all proceeds going to CURE Childhood Cancer. As a result of all three of these events and the generosity of our school, the high school, faculty, parents, and students, $898.83 was raised!!! WOW!
It is amazing to witness the love and support that keeps growing and growing as we keep fighting this ugly beast, cancer!!

Saturday was a fun stay at home, play with friends, go to the pool day.

Sunday started with church and a very tired, slow moving Elena and ended with a trip to the emergency room for Elena. As the day went on, Elena started running a fever, which for her means a trip to Scottish Rite's ER. After a super speedy check in, labs drawn, and some IV antibiotics, Elena was sent home. Praise God! Her counts were good and she was able to come home rather than be admitted.

Monday, Elena stayed home to recuperate from her fever. The fever never returned after 8pm on Sunday night. We still do not know why she ran a fever or why it only lasted 6 hours with no other symptoms, but we are looking at it a blessing and happily moving on to whatever lies ahead.
Monday night was the first night of dance class for both girls. We are sitting out this soccer season, but sticking with dance. They both love the class at our neighborhood clubhouse and are returning for another year.

Today was a great day back to school for Elena and it seems every day is a great day for Liv, the Miss Happy Go Lucky she is! We ended the night with hamburgers on the grill (YUM!) lots of homework for Elena (glad she is a math whiz!) and "playing school" with Liv reading aloud to all of us (love that expressive voice!). It was a good day indeed!

Thank you for taking time to check in on us!
With much love,
The Tates

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:20