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Wednesday, July 25, 2007 5:48 PM CDT

Sorry for the delay in updates, time seems to fly so quickly. We had clinic on Monday and we were kinda nervous going in. Last week, Libby's counts were really low due to effect of 6MP. Her hemoglobin was 4!!! So Dr. Blatt hooked her up with a transfusion and said that she wanted to do a bone marrow to investigate cell density in the marrow. Of course, when Miranda hears "bone marrow", she immediately freaks out and thinks that something is wrong. Not the case.

Instead, I spoke to Dr. Blatt and asked her if we could come Monday, check the counts and see how they progress. Then, if she's not satisfied, we'd come back on Tuesday and she can do the BM. Needless to say, the counts are recovering nicely, so there was no need to do the BM. The plates were up from 96 to 137. Hemoglobin was about 9.5. Anc was ~800 and WBC was 1.7 or so. So that was really good.

Libby will be starting 50% chemo at home on Friday and we'll visit clinic next Wednesday to check counts again. Thanks for stopping by and check Wednesday for another update.

Merv

Sunday, May 13, 2007 2:48 PM CDT

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Today should be a reminder to all the Mom's who do so much for our children, how special they are and how much they have to go through to take care for their families every day of every week of every month of every year, without a vacation.

Just a quick update, Libby's doing fine and we've had a fairly uneventful weekend. Her birthday is next Sunday and she'll be 7!!!!!! Half her life she's been fighting this, she's so amazing and the toughest little cookie you ever met.

I'll update on Wednesday after clinic.

Happy Mother's Day.

Merv

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 9:13 PM CDT

Sorry for the delay in updates, this is Libby's dad filling in.

I realize it's been about 2 months and a half, so you'd think there's a lot to cover. Well, there's not :), which everyone knows is a good thing.

Libby went through a 3 week period, six weeks post-radiation, where she had the sleeping-syndrome. She only got out of bed to go to clinic and otherwise slept the entire three weeks. The doctors said it's normal, but it was a bummer to watch her. She wasn't sick, just had no energy. Then, one day she just snapped out of it. It was pretty crazy. Her counts took forever to recover and the radiation was a huge hit to her physiologically. Since finishing with radiation, she's gotten a few chemos at clinic (cytoxan and methotrexate), plus we've given her some 6MP at home too.

We just had clinic today and Libby's ANC is down to 200. She got chemo two weeks ago at clinic and nothing since, so it appears as though even a little is bringing her counts down. The other counts look decent, 136 platelets, ~10.5 hemoglobin and .2 monos, which means the counts should be coming up. She's feeling great and her hair is finally starting to grow back.

Also, we just came back from Mile of Hope this weekend at Atlantic Beach!!!! We would like to thank UNC's Social Workers for taking care of the paperwork and a big thank you to the Moore's (Ed and his wife whose name I cannot remember, I think it was Sally, SHAME ON ME!! She was the sweetest lady) who arrange the trip every year for families like us. We stayed at the Amerisuites and got to do many fun activities including a free trip to the newly renovated Aquarium! It was great fun and the kids enjoyed, as did the wife and I. There's lots more to talk about, but I don't want to drag this entry on. Anyhoo, thanks to everyone who made it possible.

As for the boys, Mikey is almost finished with second grade, which is hard to believe. He's doing well in school which it great. Amir turned 3 and he's still has a hangover from the terrible twos. They're all growing so fast, you almost want to tell them to slow down.

So that's pretty much that, I'll probably give the wife a break in terms of updating and I'll try to update frequently. Thank you to everyone who comes to check on our Libby.

Merv

Monday, February 26, 2007 12:20 AM CST

Hello.....I know it's been a while but things have not quite gotten back to normal. Libby is finished with her radiation, with the only side effect being so far is cramping in her back. We have started maintenance for 1 month until Libby's counts come up then we will go back into hard chemo. Then hopefully back into maintenance. Thank you all for checking on Libby and please pray that the side effects will not be that severe from the radiation.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, January 29, 2007 3:24 PM CST

I am so sorry I have not updated in a while. Libby started radiation today. It was very scary for both of us. We will be going everyday for 12 days except Saturday and Sunday. I have to cut this short, she is already having bad headaches....
LOve,
Miranda

Friday, December 29, 2006 3:31 PM CST

Sorry I have not updated. We all had a wonderful Christmas. It is so much fun watching the kids open everything. We are in the hopsital right now for Libby's HD chemo, we found out she will start radiation on January 16th. Right now we are taking it one day at a time. We are just happy all of our family could be together on Christmas. We are hopefully coming home tomorrow. I hope everyone has a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Thank you so much for the Christmas presents. Everything was wonderful.

Love,
Miranda

Sunday, December 17, 2006 8:03 PM CST

Hi,

I am so sorry that I have not updated. I really have no excuses.... Everyone is doing O.K, We are going to clinic on Thursday to see if we can be admitted for High Dose chemo. Hopefully we will be back for Christmas. I will update after clinic. Merry Christmas!!

Love,
Miranda

Monday, November 20, 2006 3:04 PM CST

We are home!!! We got out of the hospital Saturday night. We went in on Wednesday for HD methotrexate. We are so glad to be home. We actually got the week off from chemo so Libby could enjoy Thanksgiving. Everyone is doing great, so I really do not have much to update. THANK GOD! I hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 3:02 PM CST

SPINAL FLUID IS CLEAR!!!! Her counts were up so hopefully next Wednesday when we go inpatient for HD methotrexate they will not have dropped too much.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, November 6, 2006 9:44 AM CST

HI,

Well I am trying to update three times a week. We went to clinic this past Wednesday and Libby's counts were GREAT from the GCSF shots. Her counts will drop because the effects of the GCSF shota only last for a couple of days. Libby is feeling very good and Halloween was a blast. The kids had so much fun and all had tummys filled with candy when they went to bed. We will be going to clinic tomorrow so Libby's oncologist can check her spinal fluid and put three different chemos in there. Please pray that Libby's spinal fluid is free of all leukemia cells. I am a very stressed out mom right now. I get this way right before she gets her spinals, I was not worried at all until I got the phone call last year on November 15th saying my daughter had relapsed in her CNS. I will update tomorrow and as aoon as I can get the Halloween pictures developed I will post them. Yes, I know I am probably the only person in the world that does not have a digital camera.
Love,
Miranda

Friday, October 27, 2006 11:05 AM CDT

Hello,

Just a quick update... We went to clinic on Wednesday to check Libby's counts. All of her counts were down and she had to get a platelet transfusion. Tuesday morning Libby got a fever so we went back to clinic, by the time we got there her fever was gone so we made a deal with her onc. if she gets a fever while she was there or last night we were going to be admitted. Libby got an IV antibiotic yesterday and THANKS GOD no fever last night but we went back to clinic today for more antibiotics and found out her anc is 0 and her white count is .3. We are still giving her GCSF shots and we are hoping and praying that they kick in soon. She if feeling very yucky and I feel very bad for her especially since there is nothing I can do but cuddle up and put my arms around her. Please say a prayer for Libby.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, October 23, 2006 7:33 PM CDT

HI,
There is not really much to update, which is a good thing. Amir has been very sick so he has been keeping me very busy. Libby is O.K, she tires very easy and sometimes does not get out of bed but we are still home-schooling, she is doing so well. Mikey is good, he can't until Halloween. Which by the way Libby is going to be Pocahontas, Mikey is going to be a scary skeleton and Amir is going as Mr. Incredible. I am going to take lots of pictures and I WILL post them.
Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:43 AM CDT

Hi,
I am updating from the hospital, we were admitted on Monday for chemo. We are leaving today after she gets her chemo in her legs. Yesterday we went to meet with the radiation oncologist, I learned a lot more about radiation than I ever wanted to know. When it came time for Libby to make her face mold(mask) she freaked so we have decided to wait and do everything under anesthesia. It was very traumatic for both of us. Originally we were planning on starting the radiation in about a month but now its up to Dr.Blatt when she would like to start. OK, So I have made a commitment to myself to update a least three times a week. So please keep checking on Libby, we love to read the guestbook.
Love,
Miranda

Thursday, October 12, 2006 2:00 PM CDT

We are home. We are still playing the waiting game with Libby's counts. We are going to try again next Monday, hopefully this time her counts will be up. We are praying, she does not need any delays.
Love,
Miranda

Sunday, October 1, 2006 11:00 AM CDT

Hi,

I know I am behind... I can take a hint Penny;) We are scheduled for our next inpatient stay tomorrow for HD ARA-C. I am pretty sure her counts are not going to be ready. We had an unexpected visit to clinic last week for platelets and I am betting she will need blood tomorrow. Libby has been doing so well in kindergarten, I am so proud of her. She is like a little sponge soaking up the info she is getting and then wanting more as soon as she is through. Mikey is in 2nd grade this year and he loves it. His homework comes so easy for him now. Amir is wild, we are right in the middle of terrible twos, at least I hope that is what they are. My Birthday was yesterday and my wonderful family took me out and made me feel very special. I know I say I will update after clinic but it will probably be a couple of days or until Penny starts her subtle hints. Until then....

Love,
Miranda

Monday, September 18, 2006 9:58 AM CDT

We are home!!! We left yesterday afternoon, everything is going good so far. We are back at clinic on Wednesday for a long day of chemo. So please pray that everything goes well. Libby had her first day of Kindergarten at the hospital on Friday, her teacher was very impressed and I was very proud. Her teacher will start coming over today. It will be twice a week for a hour and a half each time. Libby is very excited. I will update after clnic.
Love,
Miranda

Saturday, September 16, 2006 12:42 AM CDT

OK, So I meant to update on Wednesday but totally forgot. Libby's counts were finally good!!!!! We are waiting at clinic ready to be admitted when Dr. Blatt comes in and tells us there are NO BEDS. We ended up being admitted on Thursday and as of right now we are just waiting for her methotrexate level to be normal so we can leave. Dr. Blatt thinks maybe tomorrow but possibly Monday. Libby is doing well thanks to a benadryl, phenergren mix. I will try to update tomorrow.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, September 11, 2006 9:28 AM CDT

SO...
Since I updated last we have tried twice to be admitted for the HD methotrexate. Libby's counts will not move. We go back to clinic this Wednesday to try again and if her counts are not up by then Dr. Blatt wants to check her bone marrow the following Tuesday. Pray that her counts will be super good and we can be admitted on Wednesday. Other than that everything has been quiet. I will update after clinic on Wednesday. Thank you for checking on Lib it means so much to us.
Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:03 PM CDT

Hi,

I know I should have updated sooner but It really gets harder and harder to find the words to express how I feel. We got out of the hospital last Thursday with Libby still having an anc. of .1 but Dr. Blatt said it looked like her counts were coming up so she let us go. Yesterday Libby had her triple IT spinal and THANKS GOD her spinal fluid was clear. Her counts had really shot up from the G-shots so we got to stop those.YES!! Next Wednesday we are admitted again this time for the HD methotrexate. Please pray that Libby will come through this fine. Yesterday Mikey turned 8 years old!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY!! Where does the time go?
Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 10:34 AM CDT

Hi,

I am updating from the hospital. Libby was admitted yesterday with a fever and an anc. of 0. We are praying that those GCSF shots will kick in soon. Libby is feeling great considering we are here and she has not had a fever since last night. KNOCK ON WOOD! Dr. Blatt will be making her rounds soon and I am going to try to negotiate with her. Mikey starts school on Friday and its very important to me that I am there. Amir and Mikey are both with their grandparents, being spoiled, Im sure. Please pray for no more fevers and a quick hospital stay.
Love,
Miranda

Saturday, August 12, 2006 9:55 PM CDT

Hi,
We went to clinic on Friday and had Libby's blood drawn to see where her counts are. Everything is ok, but her platelets are low so they want us to come back on Monday to see if they have dropped and if they have then she will need platelets. Libby has been getting her GCSF shots since Monday night. She has been handling them very well, THANK GOD! I will update on Monday.
Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, August 8, 2006 11:25 AM CDT

WE ARE HOME!!!

We got out of the hospital on Saturday afternoon. Libby is feeling very tired and just blah! I mean she does not even want to go shopping. We go back to clinic on Friday to check counts and to see if we are going to need to give those awful shots to her every night to boost her immune system. Mikey is home from the beach, So I have all of my family together. Mikey starts school on the 18th and I have not even started to get his school supplies yet. I will update after clinic on Friday.

Love,
Miranda

Friday, August 4, 2006 5:37 PM CDT

Yesterday was a very loooong day for us. Merv dropped Libby and I off at clinic around 9:00a.m. We were told that there would be a bed for us in a little while. We finally got checked into the hopsital around 5:00. Libby got her first round of chemo at 6:30 and every 12 hours after that for 4 doses so we should be out of here tomorrow morning after she gets the dreadful peg shots in both legs. We are supposed to start the GCSF shots Sunday night until her counts come up. Please pray that Libby handles everything o.k. She is such a strong little girl.
Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, August 1, 2006 10:00 AM CDT

Hi,
Sorry I meant to update after clinic last Wednesday. Libby counts have been very good due to the steroids that she is off of as of last Wednesday(THANK GOD). We are scheduled to start Delayed Intensification #2 tomorrow, which means if her counts are good then we will be admitted for 3 days for HD Ara-c. YUCK!!! For the next four months we will be alternating 2 different HD chemos along with other chemos in the middle. To say I am stressed is putting it mildly. But as my wonderful husband says we just take it one day at a time and deal with things as they are thrown at us. I tend to get very overwhelmed. Mikey is at the beach with my mother having a wonderful time and Amir makes me laugh constantly. He does not know that he will be staying with the grandparents for a couple of days. I hope its not too stressful for him as he is a homebody and sometimes gets very stressed when he is not with us. Please pray that everyhing goes well.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, July 20, 2006 11:11 AM CDT

Hi,

All went well at clinic, Libby has one more week of HD steroids. She is doing very well this time with the steroids and the daunorubicin, her counts are very high due to the steroids. Next Wednesday we go back to clinic for a push of chemo then we wait and see what her counts due and then we are moving on to another phase of treatment. This is a very hard phase and I am not sure of all the details yet. We are scheduled to start radiation around Christmas if all goes as planned, but I am not looking that far ahead.
Thanks for continuing to check on Libby we check her guestbook everyday.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, July 6, 2006 1:38 PM CDT

Just a quick update to let you know that Libby started her next round of chemo yesterday even though her counts were not high enough her oncologist is convinced they are on their way up. Libby will be in High Dose sterouids for a month and every week we will go to clinic to get 2 chemos for one month. I refuse to think about the next phase because it will be extremely hard. Thanks for checking on Libby.

Jennifer,
I updated mine, how about yours?

Miranda

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 6:15 PM CDT

We are back from clinic. Libby's counts are still low so we are delayed a week to start her next phase of chemo. Libby did get her echo done and her heart looks great. THANK GOD!! We will go back to clinic next Wednesday to try again. Hopefully her counts will be up so we can start this chemo. Libby is doing O.K, she is very excited about decorating her new room. Amir and Mikey are both great. Mikey is taking swimming lessons and I am very proud of him. Amir is growing more and more, and his vocabulary is expanding everyday. Some of his words are not the words I would like to hear but.....

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:05 AM CDT

Hi,

I have been super busy with moving and trying to keep the kids happy. Not an easy job. We had clinic Tuesday so they could check her spinal fluid and put three different chemos in her spine. THANK GOD her spinal fluid is clear! We go back to clinic next Wednesday to check her counts and also she has to get an ultrasound done on her heart because the next phase of treatment can be really hard on her heart and she has had this chemo so many times they have to monitor her heart carefully. So I will update when we get home from clinic on Wedenesday.
Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:17 AM CDT

Just a quick update to let everyone know we got out of the hospital on Friday. Libby has not been sick at all this time. THANK GOD! She does have a mouth sore but it does not seem to bother her that much. We go back to clinic tomorrow for more chemo. We have decided to move this Saturday instead of next week so I have been super busy this week. I had forgotten how much I hate moving...

Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 4:33 PM CDT

Libby's counts are good so we are inpatient for our 4th and final dose of HD methotrexate. Please pray that everything goes well and we will be out of here by Saturday.
Love,
Miranda

Sunday, June 4, 2006 10:37 AM CDT

Hi,
Sorry about the delay in an update. We did get out of the hospital last Friday, Libby's counts were still very low but Dr. Blatt said we could leave as long as we brought her back if she got a fever. Thankfully she is feeling much better and is catching up on her eating and drinking. Mikey and Amir on the other hand have been sick. Mikey has had a stomach virus for a week and Amir has had roseola. Both of these viruses started while we were in the hospital so we were able to miss the contagious first days. Both of the boys are feeling 100% and back to the bundles of energy they normally are.

We go back to clinic on Tuesday to check Libby's counts and hopefully she will be high enough that we can get admmitted for the fourth and final dose of High Dose methotrexate. We have a very busy month with Libby getting chemo every week and we are moving June 24th. I am getting more and more stressed out as the day draws near. And by the way, Merv and I will be married a full year on June 25th. I can't believe it has already been a year.
Where does the time go.?

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, May 25, 2006 11:28 AM CDT

Hi,
I just wanted to give you a quick update, we have been in the hospital since Monday. Libby has been feeling very sick. Monday evening she spiked a fever and since her counts are very low we were admitted. She has not had a fever since Tuesday morning but they could not get her potassium level up. Today she is feeling much better and her potassium level is finally normal, unfortunately her counts fell even more so we are not getting out of here until her counts come up a little.

Love,
Miranda

Friday, May 19, 2006 5:53 PM CDT

***HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY LIBBY!!!!****

Tomorrow is Libby's Birthday, I wanted to make it special for her but for the last two weeks Libby has been feeling very sick. We had to rush to clinic today for fluids and we found out her potassium is low and she has a slight inflammation of her pancreas. We have to keep her very well hydrated and if she vomits again we have to be admitted. Please Pray that this will pass quickly and Libby will feel well on her Birthday. All she wants to do is sleep. All I want her to do is get up and play.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, May 8, 2006 4:23 PM CDT

Hi,
Sorry I have not updated sooner but Libby has been feeling well and we have just been enjoying ourselves. We are in the hospital right now getting her 3rd dose of high dose methotrexate. We are hoping that we can get out of here by Thursday. We could really use your prayers the next few days, this chemo really makes Libby sick. Thank you for continuing to come by and check on Libby. We really appreciate the kind messages.

Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, April 19, 2006 6:27 AM CDT

***SPINAL FLUID IS CLEAR***

I can't believe it has already been two weeks since I updated. Let me try to catch everyone up. We went to clinic last Wednesday for more chemo, it made Libby really sick and she did not feel well for several days. Thanks GOD she is feeling a little better now. Yesterday was spinal tap and 3 chemos that are put in Libby's spine, she did so well and we talked to the onc. last night and so far Libby's spinal fluid is clear, they still have to do more tests but it looks good so far. I am so relieved. We go back next Wednesday to be admitted for another dose of High Dose methotrexate and it starts all over again. Libby continues to be her wonderful self and is a joy to us everyday. Mikey and Amir are both doing very well. I have 3 of the most wondedrful children in the world.

Love,
Miranda

Sunday, April 9, 2006 8:53 AM CDT

WE ARE HOME!!!

We got home last night, very tired but happy to be home. We go back to clinic on Wednesday for more chemo. Please pray that Libby starts to feel better, the nausea is making her miserable.

Love,
Miranda

Friday, April 7, 2006 7:41 AM CDT

I am updating from our 3rd day in the hospital. Libby got her 24 hours of high dose methotrexate that ended last night around 7:30. Today she will be getting a rescue drug called leucovorin. And as soon as her methotrexate levels come down we can leave. Maybe tomorrow....
They are giving her a mixture of benadryl and reglan sp? every six hours for nausea. It has helped but she sleeps all the time. Libby got her IPOD nano yesterday from Merv's friends and as soon as we get out of here we are going to get her an IPOD robot that plays the music and dances. Its so cute. I will update tomorrow.

Love,
Miranda

Libby told me that when she gets better all she wants to do is pick flowers for me. The sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 11:12 AM CDT

Libby's ANC is up just enough to be able to be admitted. Her ANC is 700 which is close enough to the required 750 to come in. Actually, Dr. Blatt was ready to send us home and we reminded her that last time Libby was at 700 and she admitted her, so we kinda "convinced" her.

Her other counts are up as well and she's feeling really good. We took the kids to see Ice Age 2 last night and Libby was so excited, she could hardly contain herself. The movie is really good, so if you haven't already seen it, you should.

Right now, we're waiting for her pee pH level to be were it needs to be so that they can start the chemo. Last time, it took 10 hours to get started, so hopefully we can get started much earlier this time. We should be out by Saturday, so pray all goes well!

Love,
Miranda

Sunday, April 2, 2006 3:38 PM CDT

Sorry for the late update, Libby's counts were still too low on Wednesday, so we got bumped another week. Actually, only her ANC is low at 0.2, but all the other counts were up from last week. Hopefully, on Wednesday, the ANC will be up. Last time we were bumped three times before she got in, so this appears to be a normal thing.

Major bummer update: Libby's hair was falling out like crazy, so we shaved her head last Sunday. Libby's was kinda sad at first, but now she doesn't even care. She's so strong!

I'd like to thank Merv's friends again for the fundraiser which was very successful. We are very thankful for all the kindness and generosity they have shown us.

I'll update on Wednesday, hopefully from the hospital.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, March 23, 2006 10:13 PM CST

Kinda late updating, but on Tuesday Libby's counts were too low, so we had to push inpatient stay until next Wednesday. Her ANC was 0.3 and she needs to be at 0.750, hopefully counts will be up!

Her hemoglobin was low as well @ 6, but her oncologist felt like Libby's counts were on the upswing, so she opted not to transfuse her. Despite her low levels, she's been super bouncy and feeling pretty good. This is great, b/c usually low blood levels subdue her, but this has not been the case, thank God!

Libby's hair is starting to fall out again and she was really upset about it today, so we took the kids to get their pictures done (which got Libby very excited). She looked so beautiful and her brothers were looking very handsome as well :).

I would like to thank Merv's friends (especially MJ) from the internet forum of which he is a member, for sponsoring an online charity event for Libby! We are very thankful for everything they have done for us, thanks so much!!

Love,
Miranda
**Please go by Hunter's page and leave some encouraging word for. Hunter recently relapsed in her CNS after being off treatment for a few months. **


THANK YOU!!!!

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:18 AM CST

LIBBY'S SPINAL FLUID IS CLEAR!!!!

I can finally breathe!!! Libby's blood counts have bottomed out and she is very tired and just wants to cuddle in bed all day. We are scheduled to go inpatient on Tuesday for another round of the high dose methotrexate if her counts come up enough.

Amir and Mikey are both doing great. Mikey lost another tooth, he was very upset that the tooth fairy did not leave him as much money this time. When did kids start getting upset about money for a tooth?

Amir turned two on March 7th but since Libby was not feeling well we had dinner at home with a small cake. This past Sunday we had a belated birthday dinner at a japanese restaurant with our family and it was a lot of fun. Our friend Penny got Amir a cake with his picture on it, it was so cute. Thank you Penny.

I will update again on Tuesday.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, March 9, 2006 2:08 PM CST

HI,

It has been a very stressful three days. On Tuesday we had clinic, Libby got a chemo that she never had before called etopiside and then she got her cytoxan. In between those two chemos she got a rescue drug called mesna. Libby got very sick and slept through the whole clinic visit. When we got home that night she started running a fever so I called the on call doctor and he told me that since her counts were good we could wait and come into clinic in the morning and get an antibiotic. We got to clinic got her antibiotic running and got her counts checked again, found out that they were still the same but her hemoglobin was very low. NO MORE FEVERS!!! We had to go to clinic early this morning for a transfusion and another antibiotic. Libby is feeling a little better but she is not 100% yet. WE go back to clinic on Tuesday for a spinal tap and three chemos that are put into her spinal fluid. Please pray that Libby's spinal fluid is clear. I will update on Tuesday.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, March 6, 2006 12:16 AM CST

Sorry, I meant to update earlier but we have been busy and Libby has been feeling very sick. We got out of the hospital on Friday morning. we are so happy to be home. It is so nice to have all my family in the same house. I missed my boys so much. Libby has more chemotherapy in the morning and she already feels so bad I am worried how this chemo will affect her. It is going to be a very long day at clinic, so I will try to update when we get home. Amir will be 2 years old tomorrow, where has the time gone?
Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:22 PM CST

Hi,
We are still in the hospital and probably will be for a couple more days. Libby finished her chemo last night at 9:30 and now she is not feeling well. She got sick twice last night and again today so they are giving her zofran and ativan so she is feeling a litle loopy. I'm hoping once the chemo clears out of her system she will be feeling better. I HATE CANCER!!!!!!!

Monday, February 27, 2006 11:58 AM CST

Libby's counts are up enough that we were finally able to come into the hospital. We're pretty relieved to continue treatment considering she was bumped the previous three times due to low counts.

She should be getting her high dose IV methotrexate in a few hours, which is a 24 hour continuous infusion. They'll make sure her system flushes it out afterwards, so hopefully we'll only be in for a few days.

Libby's feeling pretty good and she's all excited b/c the new Princess Peach video game comes out tomorrow for the Nintendo DS! Right now we're watching Strawberry Shortcake and eating gourmet cafeteria food, while we settle in.

Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 10:03 AM CST

Another week of low counts and no chemo, It has been a month since her last chemotherapy and I am getting worried so we go to clinic today so Libby's onc. could check her bone marrow fluid for any signs of cancer. On our way home this morning from clinic Dr. Blatt called and said that everything looked good!!! So we are going to try again next Monday to go inpatient, hopefully Libby will be able to get her chemo and I can keep my sanity.
Libby is sleeping beside me now so I am going to go and put my arms around my beautiful baby and sleep.
Miranda

***NEW PHOTOS ***
Click on View Photos

Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:42 AM CST

Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:38 AM CST

I thought I would add some pics of our trip to Charleston S.C last year.

http://tinypic.com/view/?pic=nx0qxu

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:55 AM CST

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

We got delayed again! You really would not think that we would want to go in the hospital for chemo, but since Libby relapsed I want no delays in her therapy. We are going to try again next Monday and just pray that her counts are GREAT!!

I will update later this week, Libby is not feeling well today so I am going to go cuddle with my Valentine.

Love,
Miranda

Saturday, February 11, 2006 8:04 AM CST

I have been meaning to update, really I have, but things have been crazy. Libby was not able to take her kindergarten screening test because she was not feeling well so I think the game plan is to see if one of the teachers from Mikey's school might be able to come over and home school her. I hope we can get something worked out before the next school year begins, I think if her protocol goes the way it should she will be starting radiation around that time.
We got a letter from Mikey's school on Monday stating that he may have been exposed to the chicken pox so of course I started freaking out calling all of our oncs and nurses and of course I had to call Audra(thankyou)because she has been through it. We finally came to the conclusion to send Mikey over to my Moms for a week to see if anything develops. Mikey is very happy about this because he gets to play with all of his friends.
Amir is sick with a runny nose and a fever but the doctor said it was nothing but a virus.
We were supposed to go inpatient on Thursday for HD methotrexate but Libby's counts were too low so we are going to try again on Monday. Please pray that her counts have come up so she can get the chemo she needs.

Audra,
Anytime you need me call, its "nice" to know we are going through the same thing and we are going to do it together.

Libby and Keegan are very strong and will overcome this just as they have everything else.
Love,
Miranda


PLEASE SIGN LIBBY'S GUESTBOOK!!!!!

Sunday, January 22, 2006 4:36 PM CST

We are home! We got home yesterday from the hospital, her counts were borderline so we were admitted for the chemo on Thursday and when we got out her counts had already bottomed out. We have to start the shots again tonight and then we go back to clinic on Thursday for counts. Libby is feeling o.k, right now she and Mikey are playing ball and running around the living room. It makes me so happy to hear their laughter. This relapse has been so tough on all of us and at the time we were told about the relapse I thought that we would never be happy. I have to keep telling myself that WE WILL BEAT THIS STUPID CANCER! Keep positive! That is what everyone loves to tell me but its not that I'm not positive its just when you are told that the cancer has come back after 22 months of hard treatment it makes you think about everything. I absolutely hate seeing my beautiful little princess have to go through this all over again. She is so strong and seems to take all this crap that is thrown at her in stride.

Thank you so much for checking on Libby. It means so much to us.
A special Thank you to Penny for blowing Libby's hug button up;)

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:44 AM CST

HI!!

We went to clinic yesterday for counts and to be admitted for high dose chemo but when her counts came back we found out she is too low for her chemo so we got delayed a week. We will go back next Wednesday to try again, hopefully her counts will be high enough, it scares me when her chemo is delayed.
Libby is feeling well and has been playing and she has been her normal wonderful self. Libby will be going for her kindergarten screening test January 27th. If she is able to be in school she will be going to the same private school as Mikey. I am not sure where we will be at in treatment when school starts. I know soon we will be starting radiation. If she is unable to be in class we will hire a home school teacher for her. Mikey and Amir are both doing great. They are both growing everyday and are such a joy.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. This is such a hard time for us and knowing that people are praying for us helps so much.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, January 5, 2006 9:00 AM CST

WE ARE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!!!!

Libby's counts came up some so the oncs let us go home!! We are so happy to be home, and Libby has been playing and eating since we arrived. We have clinic on Friday to recheck her counts and again next Wednesday and if her counts are high enough we will go back in the hospital for three days of high dose chemo. I will update when we get home from clinic.

Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 6:56 PM CST

HI!!
Greetings from our suite at the Childrens Hospital, yes we are still here and have no idea when we are getting out. Libby has had no more fevers:) I am thankful for that and her cultures remain negative which means no bacterial infections, but her ANC remains at 0 and her WBC is slowly rising.

Libby is feeling a lot better and seems to be getting stronger everyday. We are trying to get her counts up because we have another inpatient chemo stay on the 11th and we don't want any delays in treatment.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Love,
Miranda

Saturday, December 31, 2005 5:24 PM CST

I know it has been a while since I updated but we got out of the hospital the day before Christmas Eve and we had a wonderful Christmas at home with family. We have been giving Libby GCSF shots at home every night to boost her white count and she is tolerating them fairly well. Poor thing screams the whole time, its killing us but if it helps... We had clinic yesterday and found out all of Libby's counts have dropped and she had to get platelets. Libby woke up this morning feeling great and around 12:30 she felt hot so I took her temp and she had a fever so we are in the hospital until her counts come up which we hope is very soon. This is the third New Years that we have spent in the hospital since Libby was dx on January 2nd 2004. Please pray that this fever is just viral and nothing serious.

Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 12:44 AM CST

Hi,

We just got checked into the hospital until Saturday for High Dose ARA-C. Libby has been feeling a lot better since she stopped the steroids and pray that she will continue to feel well so she may enjoy her Christmas. Dr.Blatt said Mikey is a match for Libby if we decide on transplant. We are definitely going the chemo route but it is nice to know that we have that option.
Thank you for continuing to check on Libby and for your messages in her guestbook.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love,
Miranda

Saturday, December 10, 2005 11:33 AM CST

***LIBBY IS IN REMISSION***

That is the best news we have gotten lately. Libby's oncologist is very happy with the results and we have only 3 more days of steroids.WHEW!! We found out last Tuesday that we will be inpatient for chemo from the 22nd til Christmas Eve uless she gets a fever:( Since she will be getting high dose chemo in the hospital she will probably not feel like doing much when we get out so we plan on doing Christmas with my mom next Saturday. We just want to stay home on Christmas and enjoy our family and not have to go out.
Libby is still not feeling well and she does not want to play at all, she either wants to stay in the bed or on the couch and is in alot of pain from the steroids. I am hoping when she gets off the steroids everything will get better.

PLEASE PRAY THAT LIBBY STAYS IN REMISSION.

PLEASE PRAY THAT WE ARE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, December 1, 2005 7:31 AM CST

Hi,
Sorry about the delay in updates but I wanted to wait until I found out the results of Tuesdays spinal tap. I spoke to Libby's onc this morning and Libby has 1 cell in her spinal fluid and a couple of blasts but they only saw the blasts when the fluid was spun down so.... what that means is we are exactly where we want to be right now.

Libby continues to feel very crummy and because of the steroids she is going through every emotion possible all at one time. We found out Tuesday that Libby's counts are dropping very rapidly and will continue to drop. We expect to be in the hospital anyday. I pray that we don't have to but if we do it will not be anything serious.

I am trying to get through everyday but it seems like everyday gets harder, I think I was in shock for the first two weeks and then this past Tuesday I realized what she was going to have to go through and the consequences of radiation.

Mikey and Amir are very well. We will be taking Mikey with us to clinic next Tuesday to get his blood drawn to see if he is a match for Libby in case we decide to go the trasnsplant route, which I am strongly against right now.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They mean so much to us.
Thank you Katie for checking on Libby everyday and being so supportive even though you are going through your own **** right now. www.caringbridge.org/ma/hunter

Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 5:52 PM CST

Hi,
Well it has been a nightmare since I found out Libby relapsed. We went to clinic last Friday to start her relapse protocol. We have to go every week for intense chemo and Libby is also on steroids for a month, she is not feeling well and has really not gotten off the couch since her surgery on Thursday. I really can't think straight at all right now so I will try to update as soon as I can get my thoughts together.

Please pray for us.
Love,
Miranda

Thursday, November 17, 2005 8:07 PM CST

Hi,
We just got home from Chapel Hill, Libby's surgery to put her port in went very well. She is very sore and scared but still manages to find humor in the situation. Dr. Blatt called while Libby was still in surgery and told us Libby's Bone Marrow is clear. THANK GOD!!! I really don't know where we go from here but I do know we go back to clinic in the morning to start her on some heavy duty chemo.

I am so scared and overwhelmed. I feel so helpless, mothers are supposed to be able to make all the hurt go away. I don't understand why I can't make this better.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Love,
Miranda

Tuesday, November 15, 2005 12:37 AM CST

We went to clinic this morning for some chemo and a spinal and the doctor called a little while ago and informed us that Libby relapsed in her CNS. We don't know the status of the bone marrow, we will find out on Thursday, which is when she'll be getting a port put in. I'm a extremely overwhelmed and shocked and will update again when we know something.

Miranda

Saturday, November 5, 2005 1:05 PM CST

***WE ARE HOME***

We just got home a couple of hours ago and we are all exhausted so this wil be an extremely short update. Libby's counts are still down and she is still sick but the oncologist let us go home anyway with the instructions that if she gets another fever we have to come back in.

I will update more later.
Love,
Miranda

Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:46 AM CST

Hi,

We have been in the hospital since Monday night. Libby had a fever and her counts are VERY low so we will be here until her counts start to come up. Luckily she has not had a fever since Monday night but she does have a bad cough. Libby is having a very hard time this hospital stay with terrible nightmares, I am trying to take her mind off of things but it is hard considering...
Please pray that her counts will start to come.
Love,
Miranda

Monday, October 31, 2005 2:37 PM CST

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

I just thought I would update quickly before I start getting the kids ready. Mikey, Libby and Amir are VERY excited to go trick or treating. This Halloween will be the first that Amir will dress up and trick or treat, he is dressing as Blue from Blue's Clues. He is so adorable!! Mikey is going as The Thing from Fantastic Four and Libby is going to be a Fairy. I am going to take LOTS of pics tonight and our friend Penny is letting us use her digital camera so we can post the pics ASAP.

Libby is doing OK, she is very moody and her energy level is up and down constantly but overall everything is fine. On November 22nd is when they will be testing her spinal fluid again. Please pray for her spinal fluid to be clear of all leukemia.

Mikey was sick all last week with an ear infection,cough and runny nose. We had lots of fun things planned for last weekend but did not get to do any of them because Mikey was feeling so lousy. Thankfully he is feeling a lot better today.

Amir is doing very well. He is talking so much and he even learned to count to three. He is still eating everything in site, mostly fruits and veggies, which is very good!

I almost forgot the most important news!!

LIBBY LOST HER FIRST TWO TEETH LAST WEEK!! She looks absolutely adorable.

Thanks for stopping by!
Love,
Miranda

Thursday, October 13, 2005 11:48 AM CDT

Hi,
I meant to update yesterday but clinic was a disaster and we were emotionally drained.
Libby is doing a litle better, her counts are O.K but she is still having headaches and is very sensitive to the sunlight. I try to open the blinds during the day and she says the light hurts her eyes so we spend most of the day with the blinds closed.
Mikey and Amir are both doing very well and all three of the kids are already getting their lists ready for Santa.
I had an interesting conversation with Dr. Blatt yesterday, a couple of months ago Libby had those "suspicious" cells in her spinal fluid but I never got a chance to talk face to face with Dr. Blatt about it, she informed me that those cells could be one of three things,
1. The cells could have been leukemia blasts but the methotrexate that they put in her spine could have gotten rid of them.
2. The cells may have not been blasts at all but just viral.
3. Libby may have relapsed

We will not know for sure until next months spinal. We are praying that there will be no leukemia in her spinal fluid.
The positive thing is Dr. Blatt said that Libby looked wonderful and that she is not overly concerned.

Love,
Miranda(a very stressed out mom)

**PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUESTBOOK**

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 2:45 PM CDT

Hello,

We went to clinic today for a recheck of Libby's counts, they are back down so they took her off her chemo until they come back up. We are going back to clinic next Wednesday to check her counts again and hopefully they will be back up so she can start her chemo again.

Libby is very tired and cranky so I will update again soon.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL GUESTBOOK MESSAGES!!!

Love,
Miranda

Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:48 PM CDT

Hello,

I just wanted to do a quick update to let everyone know how Libby is doing. We had clinic yesterday for chemo and to check her blood counts, her counts have came down a little but Dr. Blatt still upped her dosing of chemo. Libby is still feeling good not eating as much but I'm sure that will change considering she is on her five day pulse of steroids.
Saturday we will be attending a Bowl-A-Thon, all of the money raised will be going to UNC Cancer Clinic. We are looking forward to a great time for a great cause.

Love,
Miranda

**PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUESTBOOK!!!**

Thursday, September 1, 2005 12:11 AM CDT

Hi,
I thought I would start with a fresh journal entry today and with all those nasty guestbook messages deleted.
For those who did not get a chance to read the journal yesterday Libby got the all clear from Dr. Blatt yesterday, which means no cancer cells in her spinal fluid or her bone marrow. It is like a big weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. Libby has been doing great, she is eating and playing and of course fighting with her big brother and picking on her little brother.
Mikey started back school last Friday and he loves it. Last year we had some problems with his teacher and her not wanting to cut Mikey any slack when we were in the hospital but I met his teacher for this year and she is very understanding. THANK GOD!
Amir is talking so much now, it amazes me how fast he is growing.
I thought I would write a little about our Make-A-Wish trip we went on last month, now that I feel like it:)
We went to Charleston, South Carolina. Libby just wanted to go the beach and since she is still on treatment we did not want to go too far away and Disney World does not interest her. Charleston is the most beautiful city. We went on horse and carriage rides, ghost tours, shopped, we went to the aquarium and of course the beach. We took lots of pics and as soon as I get them developed I will post them. It was very nice and relaxing and Libby has decided she wants to move there. I would not mind considering the shopping is phenomenal. The history of this city just blows my mind. We went by lots of the old houses rumored to be haunted and we went by the Battery Carriage Inn. If you don't know about this Inn it has been on the Travel Channel many times, there are two rooms in the Inn that are haunted. SPOOKY!! I would not mind staying in one of those rooms just for the night;) It was a wonderful trip and we will be ever thankful to Make-A-Wish.

**PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUESTBOOK!!!**
Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 11:53 AM CDT

**I put this entry up today after I got the most relieving news. I check Libby's guestbook expecting to find happy messages and instead I find one of the most hateful messages. I do not understand what I ever did to this person or what my wonderful daughter Libby did but please stop. I purposely did not delete these hateful messages because I wanted everyone to see what you are writing. I did not leave your name or your e-mail address because I did not want people to write hateful things to you. My feelings are very hurt and as I have stated before if you really want to know contact Libby's doctor Dr. Julie Blatt at UNC Hospital

GOOD NEWS! Libby's doctor just called and informed us that everything looks good! I am so relieved, as I have been barely able to do anything but wait beside the phone...

We went to clinic yesterday and Libby had her bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap. We got the results from the bone marrow test yesterday and everything was clear. We had to wait til today for the results of her spinal tap. I was so worried. THANK GOD EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. Dr.Blatt said the cells were more than likely viral.

I want to take this time to address the guestbook issue. Libby's guestbook is there for support and encouragement. People who wish to sign are free to do so, as long as the messages are positive and are FOR LIBBY. I will not have any more soap opera drama taking place. Pam has been very nice to our family and has been very good to our kids. She's asked for nothing in return. Period. If you have something to say towards Pam, then do it elsewhere and quit polluting the guestbook with this pseudo-drama that no one else cares about besides yourself.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN LIBBY'S GUESTBOOK!!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers,
Miranda

Wednesday, August 17, 2005 11:31 AM CDT

SEE BELOW!!!!
****AUGUST 22****
HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY MIKEY!!!!!
You are my funny amazing little boy who is growing up so quick. We love you so much!!! We are going to make today so wonderful for you!!!
Love,
Mommy, Merv, Libby, and Amir
Hi,
Sorry I have not updated sooner but last Tuesday when we went to clinic Libby's counts were still down and the Oncologist decided to wait and see how she was this Tuesday. We went to clinic yesterday and after a VERY nervous hour wait for her labs to come back the Dr. said she was up and we could proceed to do the spinal tap and her chemo. We were so relieved. This morning I got a call from the Oncologist, she said there were some "suspicious" cells in Libby's spinal fluid and she could not tell if they were leukemia cells or if they were from the virus that Libby just got over, and because Libby just got meds in her spine she can't recheck her spinal fluid for a couple of weeks. I AM FREAKING OUT!!!!! We now have to wait and see what happens.
PLEASE PRAY FOR LIBBY!!!

Love,
Miranda


Friday Update:
Apparently, someone is e-mailing me claiming that Libby is not really sick. I accidentally deleted her e-mail, but I have provided the response I sent to her. I am posting it here for all to read.

Dear Lady,

This e-mail is in response to the outlandish accusations that my daughter Libby is in fact, not sick. Firstly, I am aware that you have your own problems to deal with. I'm surprised that you have enough spare time to go around and accuse other people of fabricating stories about their sick children. Let me be the first to tell you that I wish it was fake. I wish my daughter wasn't diagnosed with cancer on January 2, 2004. I wish the hospital stays, sleepless nights filled with anxiety, constant fear and poisons that are pumped into Libby's body were nothing more than a bad dream. Unfortunately, it is real, very real.

Considering the accumulating stress that never goes away, it is of no help when an inconsiderate person such as yourself intrudes in our lives and claims that Libby's condition is made up. I ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH. You harass our friends as well with your insensitivity. You send me an e-mail asking for information so that you can verify the validity of Libby's condition. Well I won't provide it to you. I refuse to encourage your laziness. If you're so interested, why don't you research this information your damn self, since it's provided on Libby's page. That can be a new little project for you, okay? Since you'd rather focus on the wrong things, this should keep you busy for a little while. Once you find out who her oncologist is, make sure you call her when she's really busy, she'll really appreciate you wasting her time.

Isn't it ironic that every week parents of sick kids who are friends with Libby through clinic, sign Libby's guestbook providing their e-mail address, and talk about seeing Libby at clinic and wish her well? I suppose all of the messages are fabrications as well.

Your next correspondence with me better be a sincere apology for your behavior or I wish to never here from you again.

Sincerely,
Miranda

P.S. I am posting this e-mail for everyone to read and ridicule you on Libby's website. Come by and see it while your working on your little project.

Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:14 AM CDT

HI,

I had the intentions of writing about our wonderful trip but I just can't focus right now. We went to clinic on Tuesday to recheck Libby's counts expecting them to be up a little instead we find out they are lower than they were when we left the hospital. Her Oncologist wants us to come in next Tuesday to recheck the counts and if they are still down she wants to check Libby's bone marrow to rule out the r word. This has happened to us several times but Libby comes up right before going in for the BMA. Please pray that Libby's counts come up and that everything is o.k.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUESTBOOK!!!!!!

Love,
Miranda

Friday, July 29, 2005 8:15 AM CDT

WE ARE HOME!!!!!!!

Yesterday evening the doctor came in and told us we could go home as long as we understood that if she gets another fever we are going to be right back in the hospital. Libby's counts came up a little but she is still neutropenic so we are going to be keeping her on lockdown until next Tuesday when we go back to clinic. We are so happy to be home!!

Monday I am going to write about our Make-A-Wish trip we just took this past week, it was so wonderful!!

Love,
Miranda

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 10:12 AM CDT

Hi,
We are in the hospital, Libby had a fever yesterday so we came in and had her counts checked. Her counts were low so they admitted us, her counts are lower today than yesteday but no fevers. Please pray that Libby's counts will come up, and its only a small virus. Thank you for stopping by.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUESTBOOK!!!!!!!!

LOVE,
Miranda

Monday, June 27, 2005 6:55 PM CDT

Hi,
Saturday Merv and I had our Wedding Ceremony in the Church. It was absolutely beautiful. Mikey walked me down the aisle and Libby was my Flower Girl, and my sweet Amir looked like a miniature Orville Redenbacher. It was the most wonderful day. LIBBY LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Libby is feeling O.K, she just finished her five day pulse of steroids so she has been a little nuts, but thats O.K I like it better when she is bouncing off the walls.
I am going to try to post these pictures, Thank you Penny for bringing the wedding cd over and for chasing after Amir on Saturday. Thanks Miss Pam for coming on Saturday even though I know you were in pain.
Love,
Miranda
***I JUST ADDED THESE PICTURES FROM THE WEDDING!!!! CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PAGE ALSO!!!

Look how BEAUTIFUL my babies are!!!

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