May 24 - 28, 2010
Alisha had another round of chemotherapy on Tuesday. She was elated that this hospital visit did not include procedural sedation. Overall, her oncologist was pleased with her progress; however, as a parent, her liver enzymes are at the highest ever. Certain indicators from her blood results are a cause for concern. We are crossing our fingers hoping that long-term side effects will not get a hold of her active lifestyle. Alisha was extremely happy that she grew .8 centimeters within the last month. She had not grown since the onset of her illness.
She has always been one of the tallest kids in her classroom, but with the chemotherapy and drugs, her growth has been stunted. Thankfully, we hope the end of the intense treatment in late March will mark the end of no growth. Her grandparents remarked that with her energy level, no one is going to believe that she is undergoing treatment. Alisha played at the park after school and rode her bike for quite a while. She also wishes to go fishing in the near future using her new fishing pole. Unfortunately, the weather hasn't cooperated, but we plan on going soon.
Rest of the week...to be continued.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Family Fun Night
May 17 - 23, 2010
Friday marked Family Fun Night at Alisha's school. After art class, we quickly ate and rushed to the school for various activities. The parents participated in silent auction to support the school, while the children entertained themselves with raffles, play structure, snack stations and movie.
On Saturday, Uncle Craig pulled kid duty and watched three kids as Mom was nominated as Woman of the Month by Real Women United. It was a very inspirational and emotional event as women came together to share their stories, triumphs, resources and encouragements. Afterwards, we went to watch Shrek Forever. Ashley was a little apprehensive at various darker scenes and begged to leave the movie theater. She still prefers the fairytale princess movies.
On Sunday, after Chinese school, we visited a long-time family friend and the girls had a play date with another 5-year old. Our family friend, Esther's brother was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as an adult and was treated in Singapore. He received bone marrow transfusion from his brother and is doing well so far. We discussed about the emotional rollercoaster coping with an ill family member and gave each other hope that the worst is over. While the parents chatted, the girls put on a show with singing and dancing. Alisha resorted to boyish games as she buried her head in handheld video games.
Friday marked Family Fun Night at Alisha's school. After art class, we quickly ate and rushed to the school for various activities. The parents participated in silent auction to support the school, while the children entertained themselves with raffles, play structure, snack stations and movie.
On Saturday, Uncle Craig pulled kid duty and watched three kids as Mom was nominated as Woman of the Month by Real Women United. It was a very inspirational and emotional event as women came together to share their stories, triumphs, resources and encouragements. Afterwards, we went to watch Shrek Forever. Ashley was a little apprehensive at various darker scenes and begged to leave the movie theater. She still prefers the fairytale princess movies.
On Sunday, after Chinese school, we visited a long-time family friend and the girls had a play date with another 5-year old. Our family friend, Esther's brother was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as an adult and was treated in Singapore. He received bone marrow transfusion from his brother and is doing well so far. We discussed about the emotional rollercoaster coping with an ill family member and gave each other hope that the worst is over. While the parents chatted, the girls put on a show with singing and dancing. Alisha resorted to boyish games as she buried her head in handheld video games.
Low Profile
May 10 - 16, 2010
After weeks of busy events, we all took a breather and stayed at home over the weekend. Alisha busily worked on her culture project for school, worked on the Grand Carousel lego set with Ashley and played Wii. On Sunday, we visited a very close family friend from Utah in Anaheim. Annette has been our American Mom when we first emigrated from Taiwan to Utah. She's very loving and warm and we still remember those holiday gatherings and wonderful memories we've shared.
As for school, Alisha was forced to return full-time by the Director of her school district. Talk about absurd! We were informed Monday afternoon as Alisha's in-home schooling teacher's last day of learning at home. Alisha's oncologists were not thrilled that a non-medical professional tried to play doctor and push Alisha back to school full-time. Luckily, the wonderful staff at her school were very supportive and flexible with Alisha's attendance. We were given plenty of time to slowly ease Alisha back to school full-time.
After weeks of busy events, we all took a breather and stayed at home over the weekend. Alisha busily worked on her culture project for school, worked on the Grand Carousel lego set with Ashley and played Wii. On Sunday, we visited a very close family friend from Utah in Anaheim. Annette has been our American Mom when we first emigrated from Taiwan to Utah. She's very loving and warm and we still remember those holiday gatherings and wonderful memories we've shared.
As for school, Alisha was forced to return full-time by the Director of her school district. Talk about absurd! We were informed Monday afternoon as Alisha's in-home schooling teacher's last day of learning at home. Alisha's oncologists were not thrilled that a non-medical professional tried to play doctor and push Alisha back to school full-time. Luckily, the wonderful staff at her school were very supportive and flexible with Alisha's attendance. We were given plenty of time to slowly ease Alisha back to school full-time.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Back to School
May 3 - 9, 2010
This was a busy week for Alisha. She received clearance from her oncologist to attend school on a modified schedule. After the CHOC Child Life Specialist came to talk with her classmates on Monday, Alisha return to school for the first time since her illness for a few hours on Wednesday. Her teacher had arranged for all her classmates to wear a cap on Alisha's first day to welcome her and show their support as she battles for her life. It was very touching to see how caring her teacher, students, parents and staff were. The transition back to school was smooth and we attribute it all to the advance preparation from everyone involved. By the time she was to be picked up from school, she did
not want to leave.
Alisha has been quite restless and begged to return to art class with Ashley to pass time, so she also attended art class on Friday and worked on a detailed drawing of a campsite. Since art/coloring/drawing is one of her passions, she was beyond thrilled to be back in class while working with one of her favorite art teachers, Miss Jenny. Ashley, on the other hand, napped for a few minutes in class and was a nuisance to Alisha - it was a rare incident since Alisha is usually the one who cannot focus in class.
On Saturday, Alisha might have been overwhelmed with what transpired during the week that she started complaining of a massive headache and a dull stomach ache. While celebrating Mother's Day for her Great-Grandmas, Grandma and Mom, she skipped dinner, doubled over in pain and fell asleep at the restaurant. We were all thankful that she slept well and woke up pain free.
On Sunday, Alisha returned to her Chinese class with Tzu Chi Foundation for the first time since the last school year. Coincidentally, Tzu Chi was celebrating Buddha's birthday on Mother's day, so we all witnessed a buddhist ceremony in the school courtyard and came back to the classroom where the moms were all presented with water, a rose and a card from her child.
Alisha's returns to schools and classes were positive and smooth. We are very grateful to all who had Alisha's best interest at heart!
This was a busy week for Alisha. She received clearance from her oncologist to attend school on a modified schedule. After the CHOC Child Life Specialist came to talk with her classmates on Monday, Alisha return to school for the first time since her illness for a few hours on Wednesday. Her teacher had arranged for all her classmates to wear a cap on Alisha's first day to welcome her and show their support as she battles for her life. It was very touching to see how caring her teacher, students, parents and staff were. The transition back to school was smooth and we attribute it all to the advance preparation from everyone involved. By the time she was to be picked up from school, she did
not want to leave.Alisha has been quite restless and begged to return to art class with Ashley to pass time, so she also attended art class on Friday and worked on a detailed drawing of a campsite. Since art/coloring/drawing is one of her passions, she was beyond thrilled to be back in class while working with one of her favorite art teachers, Miss Jenny. Ashley, on the other hand, napped for a few minutes in class and was a nuisance to Alisha - it was a rare incident since Alisha is usually the one who cannot focus in class.
On Saturday, Alisha might have been overwhelmed with what transpired during the week that she started complaining of a massive headache and a dull stomach ache. While celebrating Mother's Day for her Great-Grandmas, Grandma and Mom, she skipped dinner, doubled over in pain and fell asleep at the restaurant. We were all thankful that she slept well and woke up pain free.
On Sunday, Alisha returned to her Chinese class with Tzu Chi Foundation for the first time since the last school year. Coincidentally, Tzu Chi was celebrating Buddha's birthday on Mother's day, so we all witnessed a buddhist ceremony in the school courtyard and came back to the classroom where the moms were all presented with water, a rose and a card from her child.
Alisha's returns to schools and classes were positive and smooth. We are very grateful to all who had Alisha's best interest at heart!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Fishing
April 26 - May 2, 2010
CHOC held the 27th annual fishing event at Irvine Lake this Saturday. Volunteers from Irvine Lake and various fishing clubs joined forces in taking the patients out on a fishing adventure. Alisha woke up at 7am because she did not want to be late, wait and/or miss the boat for fishing. We arrived a few minutes after 8:30am when the event commenced and saw a line at the dock already. We sped through the registration process hoping that we weren't going to end up waiting too long. As we stood in line, a boat carrying about a dozen or so people had already left the dock. When we were gearing up, a fancy boat pulled up on the other side of the dock. We thought one of the two groups in front of us were going to board, but the boater waved for the four of us to board...we got lucky.
After a slow boat ride (speed limit was 5 mph), we stopped near the buoys by the dam and the boat owner, Eric commenced to teach the girls a trick or two about fishing (tying knots, baits and weight on the fishing rods). Fish loves to hide in the trees underwater to ensure a better chance of getting away if it is caught. There were a few times that the fishing hooks were caught in the twigs. After a few fish escaped their demise, Alisha finally caught her first fish - a bass. At Irvine Lake, bass is catch and release fish rather than catch and take home such as catfish and trout. We took several photos while Eric encouraged the girls to feel the teeth (felt like sandpaper) and the crushers of the large-mouth bass. Eric was brave and kissed the fish for good luck and ended up helping the girls catch another two.
On the ride back, Alisha and Ashley got an opportunity to drive the boat to the dock. The Irvine Lake included a play structure and a huge area for kids to run around, so the girls worked up an appetite for barbecue by climbing up and down the play structure. Fishing on the boat whet Alisha's appetite for more, so Uncle Craig attempted to secure a spot on the shoreline to teach the girls more about fishing. We had no idea fishing was such a popular past-time and the shoreline was completely occupied. We walked toward another dock hoping we can hear some miraculous consent of being able to fish off the dock and coincidentally ran into Eric. He kindly offered to take us out onto the boat again after he grabbed a bite.
CHOC presented Irvine Lake and various fishing clubs gigantic thank you cards from the patients for this wonderful event and gave the patients and siblings each a certificate for the event. Photos were taken and we were about to head back for more fishing when Eric privately presented Alisha with a brand new Shimano fishing rod. Alisha was so thrilled to receive her new gift and couldn't wait to use it. Our second trip out on the water was not as eventful as the first until Eric reeled in a 5 lb. 10 oz. mommy bass. We were all elated to see such a big catch, which was about half the length of the girls. Although we were all exhausted from the sun, it was a great adventure and the girls cannot wait for
their next fishing trip!
CHOC held the 27th annual fishing event at Irvine Lake this Saturday. Volunteers from Irvine Lake and various fishing clubs joined forces in taking the patients out on a fishing adventure. Alisha woke up at 7am because she did not want to be late, wait and/or miss the boat for fishing. We arrived a few minutes after 8:30am when the event commenced and saw a line at the dock already. We sped through the registration process hoping that we weren't going to end up waiting too long. As we stood in line, a boat carrying about a dozen or so people had already left the dock. When we were gearing up, a fancy boat pulled up on the other side of the dock. We thought one of the two groups in front of us were going to board, but the boater waved for the four of us to board...we got lucky.
After a slow boat ride (speed limit was 5 mph), we stopped near the buoys by the dam and the boat owner, Eric commenced to teach the girls a trick or two about fishing (tying knots, baits and weight on the fishing rods). Fish loves to hide in the trees underwater to ensure a better chance of getting away if it is caught. There were a few times that the fishing hooks were caught in the twigs. After a few fish escaped their demise, Alisha finally caught her first fish - a bass. At Irvine Lake, bass is catch and release fish rather than catch and take home such as catfish and trout. We took several photos while Eric encouraged the girls to feel the teeth (felt like sandpaper) and the crushers of the large-mouth bass. Eric was brave and kissed the fish for good luck and ended up helping the girls catch another two.
On the ride back, Alisha and Ashley got an opportunity to drive the boat to the dock. The Irvine Lake included a play structure and a huge area for kids to run around, so the girls worked up an appetite for barbecue by climbing up and down the play structure. Fishing on the boat whet Alisha's appetite for more, so Uncle Craig attempted to secure a spot on the shoreline to teach the girls more about fishing. We had no idea fishing was such a popular past-time and the shoreline was completely occupied. We walked toward another dock hoping we can hear some miraculous consent of being able to fish off the dock and coincidentally ran into Eric. He kindly offered to take us out onto the boat again after he grabbed a bite.
CHOC presented Irvine Lake and various fishing clubs gigantic thank you cards from the patients for this wonderful event and gave the patients and siblings each a certificate for the event. Photos were taken and we were about to head back for more fishing when Eric privately presented Alisha with a brand new Shimano fishing rod. Alisha was so thrilled to receive her new gift and couldn't wait to use it. Our second trip out on the water was not as eventful as the first until Eric reeled in a 5 lb. 10 oz. mommy bass. We were all elated to see such a big catch, which was about half the length of the girls. Although we were all exhausted from the sun, it was a great adventure and the girls cannot wait for
their next fishing trip!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
