First off, between Sierra's Facebook post yesterday (which said--"one year cancer free"..... (one year from the surgery to remove the tumor) ), and my blog post, there was some confusion with some people.

There really is no 'new' news with her. Things are pretty much the same, health wise. There haven't been any new appointments or procedures, no growth with the tumor, no hospital visits.

Yesterday was just the day that she had surgery last year. My blog was just processing the year, and describing the contrast between the two years. Last year, she was being prepped for major surgery and this year she was studying for MAP testing.


In other news....today our smallest princess turned two! Had a cute slide show, but for some reason it's not working on here. So, here are a couple pics from her day today and a couple other recent ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year out.....

From my March 8, 2015 blog post.

"Makenley and I are back in Oakland.

First off, We are so incredibly humbled by the love, prayers, and emotional, physical, and financial support we have received by so many. It is overwhelming the amount of support we have received to help us get through this. Quite a few friends have driven over to see Sierra...thank you. All the support has definitely helped keep her spirits high.

Tomorrow morning, our sweet girl will start a battle we never imagined. At 10 am, they will wheel her into a very long and frightening surgery.
We've been trying to be strong, but tonight, there is no sugar coating this. This sucks. My heart feels like it's going to pound right out of my chest. We are terrified, and overwhelmed, and heartbroken, and angry and all of the above. And at the same time, we are feeling hopeful that she will come through okay, and are praying like never before that this is a step towards the end of this chapter of her life, and other than a monthly MRI for a while, that she can put this behind her.

So, tomorrow at 10, please pray for her. For the doctors. For wisdom, and steady hands. For the nurses and all medical staff treating her. For her body to remain strong while it's under strong sedation for so many hours. Pray for pain management after. For no lasting effects on her physical, mental, or emotional health. Pray that this damn tumor is benign, and that there will be no chemo, or radiation needed. And that no more will grow once this one is removed. And pray for her sisters and brothers, they are beyond worried for her.

Thank you. I'm not sure how often I will be able to update tomorrow....but I will when I can.

Love to all of you. "

One year ago tonight, I was trying to slow my brain down enough to sleep, knowing I would need the emotional and physical strength to get me through the next few days. I spent the evening focusing on Sierra's pictures, and watching home videos, trying to remember the tone of her voice, her mannerisms, every look and expression....anything about her that could change after the morning. The next morning, we were wheeling our precious child into surgery. Not just a minor surgery.  A surgery that would take nearly 11 hours to complete, as doctors removed as much of a cancerous tumor from her brain that they could. I spent a lot of time that night in tears and panic in the Family house next to the hospital, praying.....or more like begging....God to spare my child's life. And if he could do that, to please spare her spirit. Her health. Let her be the person she was before we discovered the tumor. Let her be strong, let her faith be stronger. Let her fear be minimal and the pain be less. To steady the doctors hands and give him good rest. Thankfully, God answered most the prayers. Others he changed...most for the better.

One year........ In one breath, it's hard to believe it's already been a year. Though the next breath, it's hard to remember that it's ONLY been one year.

This year has been filled with blessings. It's been filled with a new sense of life....reminders not to take anything about life for granted. It's been filled with lessons. It's been filled with faith strengthening moments, and faith shaking moments. We've watched our precious child battle through debilitating headaches and pains, muscle weakness, cognitive issues, emotional struggles and frustrations. We've watched her grow, mature, love others through it all, and come out on top without hesitation or doubt.

It's been a year where we've had to allow others to come in and help us. We've had to accept that this was a season that wasn't meant to be handled alone......and man, did our tribe impress! People from all over the world so eagerly followed our story and helped in so many different ways. It truly has been surreal.

Sierra is not out of the woods...but currently in the moment, she is doing okay.

Last year tonight she was being prepared for a major surgery. Tonight, she's studying for MAP testing. What a difference a year can make!

Thank you all for the continued support. We couldn't have made it through this year without all of you. Truly.

Love to all of you.