Well, obviously Cancer research is dear to my heart, as my own daughter Alexa (now 7), has been directly affected. The photo’s above- The one on the right was Christmas 05-less than 2 months before we found out she had Leukemia. She was already “sick” then but we didn’t know just how bad things were. I HATE this photo. Its one that reminds you how you never know what’s around the corner. What tomorrow brings! Oh, also hate it because her hair was just so beautiful. I used to always do something cool with it. She hated when I messed with it. I miss her hair sometimes. Her treatment started Feb. 06, and she has another 1 1/2 years left, provided all goes well. Treatment is about 2 1/2 years long. Boys have 3 years due to the fact that cancer cells hide in the testicles. There have been MANY bumps in the road. But she is doing well. I cannot complain. She is here and for that I am thankful.
The one on the left is Alexa a few weeks ago at Disney. She had so much fun. I love this one because she looks good. Healthy and happy again. Still o hair, but her weight is back up to her pre-cancer weight. At one point during treatment Alexa lost almost 1/2 her body weight, and weighed LESS than her 2 yo sister. That was hard. Now she is back to MY ALEXA here.
Knowledge is power! And it leads to a CURE! I truly believe that one day, NO ONE will ever die from Cancer again! I hope I am around to see that day. They have made great stride’s over the years. As little as 10 years ago, Alexa most likely would have had a death sentence handed to us, with her diagnosis. Now there is HOPE! Hope for a CURE.
She has an excellent prognosis to beat this, and have it NOT return. Her type of cancer Pre-B Cell Leukemia is one of the highest curable forms of cancer there is (thank god). But we are always scared of the WHAT IF factor. There are also contributing factors that make up her prognosis, that YOU hopefully never have to know about.
Age is a huge factor. Adults don’t do as well as children with Leukemia. The fact of the matter is Cancer KILLS. Many people still die from this. BUT now many people BEAT IT! And they move on and LIVE their life. AMAZING!
Back to knowledge is power. Well yet another fact, knowledge is obtained through research. Alexa is on a chemo regimen that is under research. Her protocol is in the “works” of being tested. Many kids/people are under these programs to see “what” works. What happened during this phase and that. Some of that research helped save Alexa’s life in the early stages of treatment. They found certain treatments in kids ONLY with Down Syndrome would KILL them. Sorry, Im not trying to be harsh, this is reality. And this reality KILLS me to have to write about. I don’t want to be a “number”, a statistic of one who LOST anyone, especially my baby to this horrible disease! SO this is reality. This is what we live every day. The statisic! Will we be on the favored end? I sure as hell hope so! I BELIEVE so! I HAVE to!
But I don’t just sit and hope other people will make it happen! I try to do MY part to help. Not just by having Alexa in this trial, but my supporting research! Research cost money. Another cold hard fact. But you can help. The smallest amount adds up! Think how much you spend on coffee a day or some other luxury. If every person even gave $1! Think how much that would be! I know I sound like a telemarketer or something, But its not going into my wallet, its going into resources that are used to saving peoples LIVES. That is priceless! Especially if it were your child, mother, husband, friend-anyone you love. Don’t say it won’t affect me or my family. You never know. TRUST ME on that.
Anyway, there are so many ways you can help!
My friend Tracey is walking for a cure. This is her Relay For Life. PLEASE check it out. She just lost her uncle William “Bill” Mahoney Jr. to Lung cancer April 21st. She also decided to walk in honor of my daughter Alexa’s fight!
I am personally donating my time to our town’s Relay for Life in June 23rd in Concord New Hampshire. I will be doing a project with attendee’s from 7pm-10pm. They are going ALL night to raise money! I am doing my part to give back.
Also in case you didn’t know Missy B Designs, designed a stamp set for Alexa!
ALL procedes from the sale of this set go to pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma research!
Alexa decided what she wanted for images (groovy girls of course), and even has a stamp with her “signature” in it!
Thanks so much for reading my rambles. If you can remember Alexa in your prayers.
84 Responses for "For a Cure!"
I think Alexa is beautiful in BOTH pictures…and you are a beautiful person for doing all that you do. Thank you for letting the stamping community become a part of your family. HUGS!
Alexa is a beautiful little girl. She is so lucky to have a WONDERFUL mother like you.
I lost my father to cancer in June 06. I ditto everything you had to say about this disease. Without the research and giant strides that have been made in cancer research, I probably would have lost my father years ago.
Alexa is in my prayers every day as are you the the rest of your family.
OMG Lauren…my coworkers must be wondering what the heck is going on right now, because my face is all red, and my eyes all teary…I’ve never seen a picture of Alexa before her treatments began…I think both pictures are BEAUTIFUL, but can understand why you feel the way you do. Thank you for mentioning my Uncle, and for posting my fundraising page here, you are amazing…I truly do appreciate it.
I too am hoping for a cure, I’ve seen too many times what this stuff can do to a family. Big hugs to Alexa, and big hugs to you and the family too!
Having never seen Alexa “before”, it was quite a surprise to see the side by side pics of her. I know I’ve said this before but I really take my hat off to you and Jason, I really don’t know how you do it. Alexa is blessed to have such a wonderful family and ardent cheerleader. And you both are blessed to have the miracle that is Alexa!
Lauren, you write so beautifully.
Your cards, your designs, your words, your children are all beautiful.
I’ll be going to Tracey’s site AND getting the Alexa stamp set.
I lost my dad to cancer when my children were small.
Anything to fight this disease.
she started treatment over a year ago and has how long left? is it 1.5 months or years? i can’t imagine ever going through this, she, you, your family, you’re all so brave and strong. you are absolutely in my prayers.
I have that “before” picture saved on my computer from when you first posted it on SCS. So, glad that she is getting stronger and healthier – our prayers are totally lifted for healing every day. Thanks for making us all aware of what we can do for the Cause – for the CURE!
Alexa is a beautiful little girl. She always looks so happy in all her pictures even though she still has another year and a half of treatment…rips my heart out. She she so lucky to have such wonderful support from your family and friends. I am so glad that everything is going so well for her. We send her big hugs!!
You daughter is so beautiful and your words are so touching. You can feel the love you have for your daughter just jumping off the page. I am new to your blog, but am enjoying reading it so much every day.
Lauren, I think I’ve told you before, but we pray for Alexa every night. My heart hurts for you and your family, but I also know that miracles happen everyday, and that God hears and answers our prayers. Your family’s positive outlook, I’m sure, is making such a huge difference in her prognosis. Don’t ever give that up, and we’ll keep praying. 🙂
Hugs to you!
That is the first time I had seen a picture of Alexa before treatments. It is so touching! It’s hard to type when tears are flowing! Alexa is so beautiful and your story has brought an awareness that is helping to save others. Again, Thank you for sharing with us. we love and pray for your family daily! I have to change the “I” to “we” since my family also prays for Alexa!
Jenn, Marc, Bailey, Jordan, Mackenzie and Kennedy
I just want you to know that I have been praying for Alexa and did buy the Alexa stamp set. I do have a dear friend with a 43 year old son who has Down Syndrome and we are real pals. I have been following Alexa for a year now. Alexa is beautiful and you are too. GOD Bless
Lauren, Umm I’m going to short my keyboard out one of these days boohooing. THANK YOU! Thank you for not hiding and keeping your pain to yourself. Thank you for using your family’s struggles to make others aware, and standing up to fight this awful disease.
I too hope and pray for a cure. I lost my mother to leukemia 18 years ago. I hope someday soon no child, parent, brother, sister, spouse, or friend ever has to experience that devastating hollowness.
We’ll continue to pray for Alexa and your family.
Lauren- I don’t often comment, but I read your blog every day. You are such a beautiful person, inside and out. Alexa is a lucky little girl to have you for her mom. I will be praying for your family. Thank you for sharing your life with us. My sisters lost their mom to breast cancer on January 11, 2001. They were 16 and 18. My stepmom battled breast cancer for 18 and a half years. She found the lump while breastfeeding my 6-week old sister. She was part of lots of “research” and new treatments. Thank you for making so many people aware of such a horrible disease. I also hope that one day noone else will suffer from it. God bless.
Lauren, our little Alexa looks so pretty before her treatments too. I can totally relate to no liking the photo. I feel the same of my mom’s before her diagnosis and treatment began. We will continue to be praying for her and for you too.
Thank you for sharing Alexa’s story and also not glossing over the harsh realities. I can only imagine how hard this battle has been for you and your family. I am a pediatric RN and it has taught me several things, one is that life is definitely not fair- it is not fair that this stuff happens to kids, it is not fair that kids get cancer. Another thing it has taught me is that kids are amazing and wonderful and incredibly resilient, and that certain families are amazing and wonderful too, I can tell from your stories that you are one of those amazing mothers. Alexa is in my prayers. I purchased the Alexa set from Missy B several weeks ago and I love it . Stay Strong!
I ALWAYS try to remember Alexa (and the rest of you guys!!) in my thoughts and prayers. It is SO good of you to share it all with everyone tho – the more people know about this awful disease the more they can help!!
And I so feel you on the hair issue – it’s gotta be a mom/girl thing!! I LOVE my girls hair and always want to play and fiddle with it and it drives them nuts. Even something “small” like that can hurt so bad when it’s gone!!
OK I better stop otherwise I’ll be blubbering all over the keyboard!!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Thanks for reminding us of the importance of helping to find a cure. Your Alexa is beautiful in both pictures, Lauren. You are all very strong. You are in my prayers daily.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Prayers to you and your family as your journey continues.
Alexa is a beautiful little girl and I have not yet seen a photo of her without a lovely smile! My thoughts are with you and your family as you all fight this battle for Alexa. I lost a little brother when he was nine to a Wilms Tumour [Kidney cancer] and since then there have been lots of breakthroughs with treatment for this particular cancer.
We must all keep supporting the research into these treatments and cures and every minor part we can play will help.
Stay strong!
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