December 24, 2008 - Evan and Shelby getting ready to open presents.




WELCOME TO SHELBY'S WEB PAGE!
Shelby was diagnosed with Pre-B ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) on January 16, 2004.
Shelby completed her treatment in March, 2006.

Visit Shelby's Quilt of Love...http://quiltsoflove.com/quilt_2004/shelby_NS/shelby.html

This journal is being done to help keep people updated about Shelby and our family.

In journal entries, we will refer to her blood counts.

HgB: Hemoglobin: If less than 7.0, a blood transfusion will need to be done
WBC: White blood Cells (Normal 5.0-15.0)
RBC: Red Blood Cells (Normal 3.92-5.23)
NEUT: Neutrophil Count: this provides an indication of Shelby's ability to fight infection.(normal 2.5-7.4) Anything above 1.0 she can go to school.
PLT - Platelets (normal 150-450)


Diagnosis Story: See March 24, 2004 Journal Entry

Treatment Protocol: See 3-3-05 Journal Entry

OFFICIAL TREATMENT END DATE: 3-12-06...ENJOYING REMISSION/SURVIVORSHIP SINCE 3-12-06..

Journal

Friday, December 26, 2008 5:34 PM CST

Merry Christmas to everyone and I apologize for not doing any updates sooner. The only excuse I have is that it has been busier than ever. The kids are in so many activities, my work is busy and there just aren't enough hours in the day--but somehow it all gets done.

Health Update..Shelby is doing great. She saw her oncologist this past week for her normal check up and everything is great. She continues to grow like a weed and is always in great spirits.

She is doing great in school. They did end up having a snow day their last day before the xmas break..so they missed their class parties which they weren't too happy about. Shelby did really good and entered the PTA Reflections contest with a picture that she had painted at summer camp this past summer. She got 2nd place in her category and now it will go on to the state competition (and also the Rochester Schools district competition). She was very excited and it was fun to see her surprise when she saw that the top two winners moved on. She then did a very touching 3rd grade music performance at her school. Each child had to select a hero. She selected Dr. Main, her oncologist and wrote a nice letter to him telling him why he was her hero--of course that brought tears to our eyes. Then they sang a song to their heroes which was another tearjerker. That's our Shelby....the dramatic one!

She continues to take her jazz classes on Monday night and is loving them. She will get ready for her recital in June. She is still involved with Brownies too.

Evan continues taking guitar lessons and just finished karate. He will start basketball second week of January and then get ready for soccer in the spring.

We have had tons of snow lately and winter really just started. The kids have really enjoyed playing in the snow and Evan got a new snowboard for Christmas and both of the kids enjoy playing on that...although the forecast for tomorrow is 58 degrees. Only in Michigan!!!!

Tom continues to keep busy with his handyman business. He putters around and our home projects fall further down that puttering list...some day we'll get that downstairs bathroom done.

I'm getting ready to kick into high gear again with the Camp season for 2009. Second week of January the applications for campers and companions will be posted--then we wait. We are starting a big marketing blitz and have some new posters and we will have some new giveaway bags for the clinics to give to kids to build awareness of our programs. I have a sneaky feeling we are going to fill up pretty fast this year with campers and companions. Then I will have to turn some people away (hate to do that!)

As always, thanks for checking in with us. Shelby is really looking forward to turning NINE YEARS OLD! Can't believe it! I continue to remember that it was five years ago right around now that she first experienced some symptoms that lead to her diagnosis in January. You would never know it now looking at her but to those who do, they see what a strong, brave girl she is.

Take care and I'll try to update more often!!!! (I did put a new picture at the top of the page...only 2 days after it was taken...that is a record!!!)

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: 5th Floor South Tower Pediatrics

William Beaumont - Royal Oak
Rose Cancer Center
Royal Oak, Michigan
248-551-5000

Links:

E-mail Author: julie.stimpson@sbcglobal.net