History

Journal History

Saturday, April 4, 2009 9:51 AM EST

The kids have left the dogs and I for a week of spring break with their dad... it's quiet here - but a good time to rest and take a little break - recharge.

They will be home next Saturday just in time for Easter!

Delaney has her annual scans on May 19th - I will let you know what I learn - please join me in praying for "Clear Scans!"

Peace!

Renée

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Great news! The third antibiotic seems to have cleared up the infection in Delaney's mastoid and there is no need for the mastoidectomy at this time!

I am so happy - not only to avoid invasive surgery, but also because she is feeling so much better and is finally pain-free!

The kids are off to spend President's Day weekend with their father in Ohio... it's just three days - just enough for a break and some house cleaning... and maybe a nap or two!

Hope all is well with you and yours and THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your prayers!

Renďż˝e and the "Three Little Diggs'!"

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Delaney is doing relatively well... she is still having quite a bit of pain in the bone. Her ENT has decided that if she still has the pain at the end of this cycle of antibiotics, she will have the mastoidectomy. He has suggested an MRI to rule out tumor (the CT would not have shown that) but I sincerely do not believe this is tumor - because it happened in conjunction with a sinus infection and she just had her last MRI in January which was clear of signs of tumor activity.

Still, if she has to have the surgery we will likely do an MRI to start...

Keeping my fingers crossed - and holding my breath. Does it ever end?

Peace...

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs'

PS - Ask me about our MySpace page by emailing me at teamdelaney@att.net!

January 15, 2009

Hello all!

The CT results are back and it appears that Delaney does indeed have an infection in both of the mastoid bones (mastoiditis - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoiditis)

This condition in and of itself is usually caused by ear infections that go untreated, though the doctor said hers is more likely attributed to the damage to the mastoid process from the radiation during her cancer treatment. It can cause infection and osteomyelitis if it goes unchecked.
It seems the right side, where she is having the pain, is the worse of the two.

The plan at this point is to put her on a very strong oral antibiotic and see how that goes. She will be seen on 1/27 after the end of the meds to see if the pain has dissipated or if the sinuses/ears are cleared up. If not, they will do a surgical procedure under general anesthesia that involves cutting behind the ear from the top to the bottom of the crease to open up the area and inspect it for the necrosis or breakdown of the bone which is already sclerotic. (The doctor said the scarring is minimal, hidden in the crease – they should only have to do one side.)

Should the otolaryngologist feel the need to do this procedure, it will allow him to culture the infection to see what it grows and, therefore, what antibiotic or anti-fungal to treat it with.

If this medication doesn’t work, they will do that procedure and then install a PICC line so that I can give her intravenous medication at home rather than her receiving them in a hospital setting.

For now, were just going to sit tight and see what happens.
Thank you for all your prayers!

Renée

Tuesday, January 16, 2009

1/16/2008

Delaney has been suffering from an ear infection for the past 3 weeks. While she was with her father over Christmas she there was some pain around the bone behind the ear which seemed to be getting worse even though she on Omnicef.

When she came home from her Dad’s after Christmas break last Sunday, I took her to see her ENT, who was concerned but decided to change her antibiotic and see if that cleared up the infection. Yesterday, after 7 of 10 days on Augmentin, we returned to the ENT and learned that while her sinuses and inner ear look much better, the bone pain indicates something much more serious. There are three possibilities with regard to her temporal bone:

1. Infection in the bone itself (osteomyelitis)
2. Necrosis of the bone from radiation (bone death)
3. Recurrence of cancer

Needless to say, none of these options are good.

After we left the ENT we went to her psychologist’s office (Dr. Urban), we left St. Vincent and headed to Clarian for an urgent CT scan, then had to return to St. Vincent to drop off the images. I will learn today exactly what is happening and how they plan to deal with it, so I will keep you posted. The less she knows the better.

Please keep Delaney in your thoughts/prayers…

Thanks!

Renée

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Here we are ... mid-term in the school year and all are happy and healthy (Praise God!)

Joshua is happily ensconced in the fifth grade – but a bit overwhelmed by the multiple teachers and homework to organize… he has joined the choir and met several new friends both at school and in his YMCA after-school program. He also just started fifth grade religious education classes at the church and has expressed an interest in becoming an alter boy.

Emilie is a new Freshman an a joiner it turns out… she is now on the Student Council, a member of the Film and Spanish Club, and is interviewing sometime this week to be a “Best Buddy.” This last club takes a junior and senior classman and pairs them up with a special needs student as a friend, mentor and companion for special club events designed to introduce their “Buddy” to the school’s social possibilities.

She is also helping me to teach a third grade Catechism class at our church and has volunteered to accompany Delaney to her religious education activities and events in the Junior High program. Amazing to watch her take all of this on and still be able to organize her time and grades to ensure she stays on top of things at school!

Delaney is doing relatively well – her grades are good, mostly A’s and B’s – only one C! She is working hard but the stress of being in school full time is really quite difficult as she gets older. It is hard for her to focus for long periods on time and the decrease in her processing speed makes classes like math and science a bit more tedious than most.

She has been working hard with her new parapro – Katy – to assimilate into the Junior High School community, but it is not an easy transition for someone at Delaney’s maturity level. The school has been very forthcoming about their interest in seeing her succeed and I have high hopes for her success this year. More than anything, it is her inability to control her moods and emotions secondary to the radiation that I worry about and that seems to cause her the most trouble. Her biggest hurdle at this time is overcoming the urge to run away from situations – literally – when she feels stressed or upset. This has become an issue at both the JHS as well as her YMCA latchkey program, where there are simply not enough adults available to run after her and provide the requisite supervision for those children left in the room.

If anyone has read any great books or has ideas about coping skills and how to teach children with executive dysfunction how to make better choices – I would love the reference!

As for me, I’m crazy busy at work on a very interesting but time-consuming project. I also joined the church choir recently and am enjoying having just a little bit of “Mom” time for me. I also received word that my marriage to the children’s father was officially “Annulled” in the Catholic Church. The verbiage was interesting: “…your attempted marriage” has been nullified. It makes it sound like I was trying to get away with something!

Still, it was good to finally have closure to that part of my life and while I am definitely not looking to “seek out another contract of marriage in accordance with the Laws and Cannons of the Catholic Church” I just may join the singles group and try to integrate better into our new home here in Indiana and meet some other adults. For some reason, I did not feel like it was right to do that when I was divorced, but with an annulment I feel as though I somehow have a new start in my personal life.

Thanks so much for keeping up with us… it’s a busy life with my teen and pre-teens, but I will continue to post when I am able!

Peace!

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs

Updated: September 18, 2008

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The kids have been in school for two weeks now... Joshua and Emilie are easily assimilating into the 5th and 9th grade. It is so weird to have a high school-aged child! When did that happen!?

She spent the summer reading "Great Expectations" and volunteering at the Junior High School for a few weeks before school started. I am so proud to hear from the secretaries that they could not have gotten ready for the school year without her... she is growing so fast and such a big help to me too!

She is thinking now of running for office or for student council at her new high school. She wants to join film club and Spanish club... I think it's all great. I want her to try new things - see what she likes and doesn't care for - it will help her to grow as a person.

Joshua is excited to be in the intermediate school with only fifth and sixth graders. I think the pace is a bit faster than what he's used to but so far he seems to really enjoy it. He's going to join the choir and cross country team so that will be fun to watch him start to join in with other kids his age doing things he likes.

Delaney has had a more difficult transition. Going from the intermediate school to the junior high has been a difficult transition for her. She is fatigued - as she always seems to be at the start of the school year - and it is hard for her to get used to being at school for a full day.

That being said, the teachers and staff are learning about her as well, so it is difficult for them to know when she is using fatigue as a coping mechanism, an attempt to avoid work that is difficult or "boring" to her, or if she really is tired.

I'm in a quandary too - I am learning about her at much the same pace as she grows and experiences new situations - I cannot definitively say - even as her mother - where the actual difficulties end and the manipulation/coping begins.

The impulse control issues are causing problems for Delaney and for her teachers who do not take kindly to her abruptly running out of the classroom in anger or distress. This is new to them and I am not sure how we will mitigate it. She needs to be in school - she is smart enough if not mature enough - but it seems quite overwhelming for her to go at the junior high pace for a full day. I am going to be speaking with the school about the possibility of her spending three years at this two-year level rather than just two. That will give her the opportunity for two resource periods which may make her day easier to tolerate. We shall see.

Please pray with me as she goes into her third week - I can only hope that somehow she becomes more accepting of the level of work she is expected to accomplish and more open to the idea of learning things that have no interest for her.

Thanks for keeping up with us!

Renée

Monday, June 16, 2008

Such a quiet house! Too darned quiet for me!

This weekend started the kids four weeks of summer with Dad and step mom Teresa in Columbus, OH. On Saturday I drove into town with the kids to attend the "Flying Horse Farms" picnic and met the chaperones who took Delaney to Connecticut on Sunday morning to attend Paul Newman's "Camp Hole in the Wall Gang" for the week.

I had NO idea I would be such a basket case letting her go! We got to the airport on Sunday and she was already fast friends with Robyn and Emily - two girls around her age that she'd met at the picnic the day before. The thing I noted most of all was the immediate acceptance the children had for each other. No curious glances at semi-bald heads or peculiar behaviors - they all come from the same place and have learned that life is not always fair, and that each of them have differences related to treatment. But they welcomed each other with smiles intent on putting all of it aside to focus on a week of fun.

It occurred to me as she screamed "Bye Mom I LOVE YOU!!!" before crossing into security at the airport that this will be the first time she will be away from me where I have NO contact with her at all. (They discourage the kids from calling home to limit homesickness.) She's gone for an entire week!!!

Needless to say, I am holding my breath until the plane lands next Saturday and she calls to tell me - as I know she will - that she had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back.

Emilie and Josh and I had breakfast this morning before I headed back to Indiana and my puppies - who will no doubt keep me sane during this next month without the kids. I miss them already!

It's funny, as much as it's nice to have a break once in a while - a week is long enough - a month is an eternity! Thanks for listening and remember to say a prayer for a mom in withdrawal!

Renée

PS - Will we see any of you at King's Island on the "Adventures for Wish Kids" event July 8th? I certainly hope so!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 11:56 PM EDT

Finally! Five years off treatment and yesterday Delaney had clear scans!!! We will start annual checkups rather than every six months… I can’t believe it!

She will be seeing the endocrinologist every four months though to monitor growth hormone (her bone age is 11), thyroid, and cortisol levels (panhypopituitarism due to radiation). She is also starting Premarin to help her body transition in to puberty since it is not happening on its own (she just turned 12).

Amazing day, really. We are now at St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. They have a brain tumor clinic twice a year and everything was set up.

* 10:30 Registration
* 11:00 MRI – No wait!
* 12-1 Lunch
* 1pm Oncologist – no wait AND scans had already been read by ENT, Neurology, Neurology, the Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist
* 1:30 pm Endocrinologist in the same office
* Home by 3pm!

I am absolute amazed- this should be what we all see for follow-up! Now we just have to get her through another sinus scraping – but the scary part is over!

Peace!

Renée

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I know, I know... it's been forever since I've updated. Things have been crazy around here lately, to say the least!

Delaney is doing fairly well - I spent a great deal of time with Neuro-psychologists and her IEP team at Fall Creek to work on a transition plan to the Junior High School next year. This will be a major transition for her and I am praying that she is up to the challenge. Delaney remains bright and intelligent, but her maturity level is not increasing with her age. It seems, at times, the radiation has left her a permanent six year old in terms of dealing with stress and frustration. There are no calls from friends to come over to play and her invitations to the girls she has lunch with are politely declined. This is so hard for her emotionally, because she really doesn't understand why...

There are children who are kind to her at school- help her, sit with her at lunch. But Delaney, at the end of her sixth grade year is not equipped to deal with so many challenges and resorts to crawling under her desk or running out of the room when she is upset. I believe the other children see this and don't know what to make of the little bald girl in the bandana who can be witty and on track one moment, and reduced to tears or a fit of temper the next.

She remains relatively happy overall, but has become depressed and lonely over the past few months. Mostly due to the obvious and growing differences between her and her peers. My heart is heavy as I look to her future with uncertainty - wondering how she will meet the challenges ahead and whether it is wise to push her down the diploma path in High School. I haven't given up on her and I won't let her give up on herself. Still, school is so frustrating for her- the bandwidth of attention and work effort she has doesn't seem to make it through the course of a school day. I wonder how, with the increasing levels of responsibility she will keep up?

For those of you who have similar challenges, I appreciate your feedback... have you been in this place? What have you learned? How do I serve her best, as a mother - when I am the one who approved the treatment that has brought her to this place? Quality of survival was always the most important to me - but I see that quality is diminishing - damage appearing that I had not known could continue...

Please keep Delaney in your prayers.

Emilie is doing fabulously...she is a teenager now (14) and has a very teen outlook on life, but she is very responsible and is ready to meet the challenges High School will bring in the fall. Yesterday she was inducted into the 2012 National Junior Honor Society and I could not have been more pleased and amazed as I thought back over the past several years and the choices she has made to live her life in a productive and positive manner.

Joshua is going to Fall Creek next year- he is making strides in math and reading and spelling and I am very proud of his accomplishments as well. He joined the Durbin track team at the end of the year and recently ran in his first track meet. How fast he has grown!

Well, that's about all for now - I hope that each of you is preparing to enjoy the summer months ahead - Delaney will be attending Paul Newman's Camp Hole in the Wall Gang in Connecticut this June and is really looking forward to her first summer oncology patient/survivor camp (courtesy of Flying Horse Farms in Ohio.) It's going to be hard to put her on a plane for a week... but knowing Delaney it may be just what she needs to bring a smile back to her face.

Peace!

Renée

P.S. Joshua's elementary school principal, Ms. Treinen, has a son who has been battling cancer for the second time after coming out of remission this January. The school district and community bonded together to raise money for a bone marrow transplant for Michael but we were sad to learn he lost the battle this past Sunday. Michael was a well-loved member of his family, his church and his community and will be dearly missed. Please keep the Treinen's in your prayers.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaeltreinen

Read more about Michael: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/LOCAL0104/805280405/1115/LOCAL0104

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Promise to update this weekend!

Renée

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 @ 15:46 PM EST

Good news from Delaney's new Oncologist at St. Vincent's "Peyton Manning Children's Hospital"...

Delaney's scans are stable, the two things they noted do appear to be cysts that have in fact been showing up on the scans for the past two years with only one showing a slightly larger appearance.

We are not going to move to one year scans at this time, she will be seen again in April for MRI and re-evaluated at that time.

Hooray!

Thanks for thinking of us while we awaited this great news!

Renée

Monday, October 1, 2007 3:58 PM EST

Delaney was experiencing headaches last week, so we took her in for an MRI... they told me then that she her sinuses were quite congested, so the pediatrician started an antibiotic and she seems to be feeling much better. I was surprised then when I got the MRI report today from the Neurologist... it states:

"There are 2 abnormal areas of signal intensity in the right frontal lobe white matter. These lesions have increased signal intensity on T2 and decreased signal intensity on T1. These lesions appear cystic, and are most likely benign neuroepithelial cysts, however, the occurrence of malignancy can not be excluded."

Need to focus on this right now, but I promise I'll let you know what I find out...

Renée

Friday, September 7, 2007

Hello all! I have no idea if anyone is actually visiting this website anymore... so I haven't been too on-task with the updates. Recently, though, I've gotten some emails asking about Delaney - as well as Emilie and Joshua, so I thought I'd at least make a quick update in case anyone is still paying attention... lol

As the last journal entry indicates, we moved to Fishers, Indiana just north of Indianapolis back in April. I took a position with Sallie Mae in their IT department and the kids left Michigan after their spring break.

This has turned out to be a good move for all of us... though we miss our friends back at St. Thomas a' Beckett in Canton and the children are missing kids from school. We have been up to visit several times as well as to Columbus once or twice and have tried to stay in touch as much as possible.

The kids started school here on August 15th, really very early for most schools in the US. They attend Hamilton Southeastern Schools which I have found to be remarkable in the services and quality of education they strive to provide.

Josh is attending 4th grade in a K-4 school and will move to Delaney's Intermediate 5-6 school next year, when Delaney moves to Emilie's 7-8 junior high school and Emilie - gulp! - starts high school next year.

For now, the 4th, 6th and 8th graders are doing well, making friends, and working hard on homework and the like.

Finding new specialists for Delaney has not been an easy task. She is split between some at Riley Children's Hospital and some at St. Vincent's Children's Hospital. Overall, we've made some good contacts and I am confident that she will be well taken care of here in Indy.

I hope everyone has had a great summer - it's been so hot here and I know in Michigan and Ohio as well... we are all looking forward to fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving... such wonderful seasonal family fun... we're hoping winters here in Indy are mild, but we've yet to experience one so we'll have to let you know.

I will try to start posting monthly updates again for those of you who have been teasing me... I suppose the good news is that all has been quiet on the medical front... in April of 2008 Delaney will be a "Five year survivor!!!" That's the milestone I've been holding my breathy for... it's supposed to be a magic number you know!

Take care!

Renée

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Wow... six months lapse, hmmm? I've been a busy mommy! lol

The kids are all doing very well, quite busy and happy - they visit their father in Columbus one weekend a month and are planning on spending the upcoming Spring break with him. Actually, Josh and Delaney are - Emilie is going to help me move.

I have accepted a job in Indianapolis doing exactly what I love to do in the computing world. It is a great move for me - the best schools in the state for the kids, lower cost of living, and I will only be seven miles from work as opposed to the 40 each way I drive now.

Our email will likely change, and I'll update after that - all of you who can reach me at ESARC feel freet to send messages there... I'll let you know when it's over!

Take care and Have a Blessed Easter!

Renée

Monday, October 16, 2006

Wow! - Thank you Ms. Beasley of Powell, OH for pointing out how remiss I've been! I didn't realize I haven't updated in so long until you posted your guestbook entry - I think there are times when there are no notes there that I assume no one is reading anymore - but I suppose there are still a few who continue their interest in Delaney and her siblings. Thank you for the continued thoughts and prayers - they are always appreciated!

It's been a while, partially due to work being so busy, some late effect issues with Delaney, a lot of stress with regard to dealing with post-divorce visitation and transportation issues... all will work out fine in the end.

In the short run, the above picture was taken last week and you can see the kids are all beautiful and happy at the moment...

Emilie is a huge help around the house, coming into her own as a pre-teen with lots of questions and some very bright ideas. I am enjoying her more than I ever imagined possible and after the things that occurred last Christmas with her desire to live with her father... let's just say I am delighted to have her home so that I can enjoy watching her turn into the beautiful young woman she is becoming!

Joshua is working hard at school, still has a Speech and Reading IEP and is striving toward a successful school year despite his challenges. He is a math whiz! He likes to help Delaney with her 5th grade homework (even though he's in third)... he just seems to have a good grasp on drawing the conclusions to new math processes.

Delaney is doing well, growing bit by bit on the growth hormone - about an inch a quarter since she started last December. If all goes well, we will show a three inch total come her appointment this month. She has had some very severe and painful sinus infections but is complying with the regimen of nasal irrigation and antibiotic pills and injections when needed. She really is as tolerant as she can be given the circumstances.

I am attending IEP (individual education plans) for both Delaney and Joshua this week - I will let you know how all of that turns out.

Also, I applied for a Mentee spot for the Lance Armstrong Foundation-sponsored “Mentor/Mentee” program associated with the Biennial Cancer Survivorship Conference held in Washington D.C. This conference is put on by the National Cancer Institute's "Office of Cancer Survivorship."

I was thrilled to be chosen by competitive application process to attend and I have much to share with regard to what I learned in the area of managing life and health care after diagnosis and treatment.

Having dealt with advocacy issues with Delaney both in the return to school and health care forums, I am striving to become an advocate within the community for others facing the same challenges. What I learned is that although these issues are being addressed they are still working with what they know of adults and their struggles and haven't yet started the research to become aware of the issues facing our children as they attempt to move forward in life.

My main objective at this point is to advocate for return to school issues in children being give as much focus as return to work and employment issues in adults.

After all, without a proper education and every opportunity to strive in the elementary and teen years, how can I children hope to avoid the inevitability of employment and employability issues in the future?

Must go for now but I will catch up with you soon - so much to tell you!

Take care and God Bless!

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs'!"

Monday, July 3, 2006

Tomorrow the kids will be coming home for two weeks to spend some time with Mom... they've been in Columbus for the past two weeks with their father Tim and step-Mother Teresa and I have missed them like you wouldn't believe!

I had a trip to Chicago with Jeff last weekend, and spent July 1 & 2 in Cleveland with their Nonna - tomorrow I'm ready for a cookout and some fun with the little ones.

It sounds as though a break from school has been great for all of them, they've enjoyed swimming and movies and reading with Dad and Teresa and are ready to come back - the only thing I've noted from conversations is how frustrated both Emilie and Joshua are with Delaney and her inability to control her emotions.

This is going to be a hard summer for them, I think. The damage Delaney has suffered is becoming more apparent. Although it is clear that she is very intelligent, insightful, creative and interesting, the damage to the frontal lobe is not easy to overlook. Her emotions go zero to sixty in any given direction and she has great difficulty controlling her impulses.

I need to somehow explain to Josh and Emilie the changes in Delaney, get them to understand this is not her fault, she didn't ask for or choose what is happening to her.

How do I explain all of this to them?!

Very good question - if you have any answers, please feel free to email!

Have a safe and healthy 4th of July - God bless you and yours - and me and mine!

Fondly,

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs' "

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Well, it's been an entire month since our last update, I thought I should take a moment to update those of you who come to check on Delaney and the kids...

The rest of the school year really seemed to fly by - with Joshua's first Communion on Mother's Day, Delaney in her fourth grade music program (singing a solo nonetheless!), Field Days, year-end picnics... It was June 16th before I knew it!

We spend this past weekend in Steubenville, Ohio for the annual Greek festival with the Riley family - friends of ours from Children's Hospital in Columbus. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter last year and it was so good to finally meet Miss Sophia Irene - she is the most laid back and sweet child I may have ever met!

So the festival was amazing as always - incredible food, great music, kind people... we had not been in two years so the kids and I were thrilled to visit!

On Sunday, driving home, I stopped midway to meet the children's dad and his wife Teresa - they are taking the children for the first two weeks of summer and then we will go back and forth that way through August. It's MUCH nicer than having the children gone for six weeks as we did when he lived in Texas, but I still miss them after only a few days. Maybe the house is just too quiet?

For now, the status quo is good and things are moving along quite nicely... plans for the summer and for next year have begun and it feels a bit "normal" around the house.

I like it... I like it a lot!

Be well!

Renée

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Delaney's results are in - no new cancer! However, there is obviously a neurogenic component to the on/off again pain in her right arm and we will be following up with the neuro-oncologist to get to the bottom of it.

She is back to school and feeling much better now - so we're onto "our normal life" again - whatever that is!

Last weekend, on Mother's Day... Joshua's first communion - it was beautiful and celebrated after mass at St. Thomas a' Becket Catholic Church here at home with a 1st Communion/Mother's Day brunch including Joshua's dad and his wife, Grandma and Grandpa Diggs, Joshua's godparents Carol (Nonna) Sutherland and son Jeff, Jeff's wife Becky and two year old Jack, Jeff, the kids, our Jeff and I.

The celebration was wonderful and the family successfully put the past aside to gather together to celebrate Joshua's steps with Christ. I hope to do more of this for the kids!

Emilie's progress report came home yesterday - 4 A's and one B!!! She is doing so well since her return to Michigan and the time I spend with her is truly enjoyable. She seems happy and thoughtful and full of plans and idea's - a far cry from the angry girl that left here in December so tired of fighting the fight since the divorce and Delaney's cancer five years ago.

Her time with her father and Teresa allowed her some one-on-one attention and focus and a break from her growing frustrations and anger - and she is a much happier young woman now that she is back - ready to be part of the family again with a better outlook and new resolve.

Yesterday we spent the day at the Canton Relay for Life - it was a bittersweet and joyeous event combined - memories of friends still fighting - those in remisssion - some we have lost. All to raise money for cancer research. The day's events culminated in Delaney singing "You Raise Me" up by Josh Groban. It was sweet and lovely and started the silent walk during the luminary ceremony where over a thousand people silently moved around the lake, in silent reflection of those who's battles with cancer have touched our lives.

Thank God for my Three Little Diggs’ - today I think especially of Delaney, now three years in remission despite the challenges she faces still one of my three precious Diggs -- whatever would I do without them?

Fondly,

Renée

Sunday, May 7, 2006

Things are crazy around here as normal, but I'm going to write a quick update for those who have been asking...

we are going through a few things with Delaney and her IEP (all good will write more later) and more importantly with some new pain in the right arm. (read on)

Emilie is back from Houston and doing quite well - trying hard to be "all that she can be"... her grades are up and she's growing so quickly - it's amazing! Her attitude is good and her disposition normally sunny - she's working through all of the teenage angst that life brings but really is quite a joy to be around.

Joshua is growing like a weed and negotiating sudden high-dose injections of testosterone - new stuff for both of us but he's just a normal boy in need of a father figure - we're working it out. I've been dating for the first time since my divorce in 2001, a man named Jeff who is 45 and works for Detroit Diesel as a mechanical engineer. Josh enjoys rough-housing with him and it's fun to see them playing together

He has a sixteen year old daughter of his own and is from Westland. We've been together since last summer and seem to compliment each other quite well. He enjoys spending time with the kids and knows his limits - takes his "breaks" when he needs to. It's a very comfortable situation for us both.

Delaney is in the midst of testing - MRI's to determine the cause pain in her right arm. The last one was done of her cervical spine on Friday night and I'm waiting and praying that the cancer has not returned. I shoud know on Monday/Tuesday at the latest.

Say a prayer...

Hope all is well!

Renée

Sunday, May 7, 2006

Monday, April 10, 2006

Wow - it HAS been a while, hasn't it? Almost three months from my last post...

Well, it's time to get everyone up to speed - and that's not going to be an easy task so hang on...

Let's save Delaney for last this time...

First, Emilie's father made the decision to relocate from Houston, Texas back to Columbus, Ohio in the past month. He has taken a new job with Nationwide Insurance which he started today, so he and Teresa now have the grueling task of determining where they might like to settle in the surrounding suburbs.

With that unexpected turn of events, I must say I am quite happy to report that Emilie has returned back to Michigan and to East Middle School to complete her sixth grade year. She seems very well-rested and though a bit tentative, excited to return to her friends and family here in southwest MI.

Emilie really enjoyed being with her father and Teresa over the past three months. It gave her a chance to get to know her father close up again and I think she received some much-needed attention on a one-on-one basis - something I haven't been able to give any of the three as a single mom. I see a new maturity in her and a conscious desire to make good choices - evidenced by her all A's and B's report card and newfound interest in things all familiar to the pre-teen girl: reading, clothes, skin-care and cooking. Thank goodness boys don't seem to be in that equation yet - I don't think I'm ready!

She has grown three inches and matured in looks and form more than I imagined possible in the short three months she was away. Since she recently spent her Spring Break here with me, I wasn't as shocked as I could have been when she moved her things back in and help me to once again rearrange the room she and Delaney share. We went together and bought some new sheets and a strand of colorful flower lights to compliment (but not exactly match) Delaney’s new sets of each. The girls are growing up and they definitely have their very own senses of style and fashion!

After three hours of work, both girls are quite happy with their new room and everyone is ready to get to start a routine that includes a family membership at Lifetime fitness, where Emi and I can work out while Josh and Delaney enjoy the kids gym. THAT is definitely going to be a positive change for all of us and a great way to spend some family fun time - especially with the indoor/outdoor swim pools for winter/summer.

Onto Joshua… one of the tallest kids in his class he is often mistaken for Delaney’s “big” brother – much to her dismay… Delaney recently entered a contest to win a very nice portable basketball hoop during March Madness at Lou LaRiche Chevrolet in Plymouth, Michigan. She was extremely excited when I took her and brother Josh up to hear the news (the staff and owners of the dealership were so incredibly sweet to her!)

To tease Joshua, we put the net up to its highest point and he just kept making baskets! What a kid! He really is becoming quite adept at different sporting activities and I’m thrilled to see it… I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do those things a father does and get him involved in and interested in these things – but testosterone and his friends at school (not to mention a bit of help from my friend Jeff) seem to be doing the trick. This year he wants to try basketball and I can’t wait to find a place to let him loose!

Joshua is also working hard to meet his speech and reading IEP goals at school. He isn’t quite as far along as I’d hoped he’d be, but according to his teachers it is amazing the speed at which he is gaining momentum and catching up with his peers. With a strong summer reading program and continued efforts, he will move on to a strong start with the rest of the class to the third grade in the fall and more assistance in all the language arts areas. He is really excelling in the areas of mathematics and is constantly trying to trick me with story problems and factor games.

Now… onto Delaney.

Let’s see… we last left our heroine in December, starting growth hormone and ready to embark on the life of a basketball star. With her new hoop that adjusts down to the 4’ level, she might just be in luck sooner than she thinks! Actually, we have good news to share in that her endocrinologist show her growing a whole inch over the first quarter of the year – this is the first inch she has grown since she was diagnosed back in June of 2002 and puts her at almost four foot one! To many of you that may not seem like much – to us it is worth shouting about. The endocrinologist predicted a 4” growth over the first year on this medication, and it looks to be right on target with the 1” over 3months.

Unfortunately, we take the good with the bad these days. The radiation that saved her life caused some issues we’ve discussed here previously. Basically, her pituitary gland is shrinking and as a result she has been taking the growth hormone as well as cortisol for hormone replacement therapy. For the past six months I have been begging the doctors she sees to check her thyroid – she has been so fatigued and I was told this would likely be the next hormone failure to occur. Apparently, in February when she saw the Oncologist, her thyroid function was tested and found to be too low and therefore ready to be treated. This information, like the cortisol and the growth hormone, was not relayed to us until months later… this time it was two months and thank God we had an Endo appointment scheduled. This is one of the most frustrating parts of working within the University of Michigan Health Care System. If you ORDER the tests, shouldn’t you be responsible fore relaying any abnormalities to the patient – or the patients mother in this case?

Poor Delaney has suffered the past several months of fatigue at school which has caused her to need frequent naps and has not assisted the frontal lobe dysfunction issues and has further caused her frustration and inability to refrain from becoming intensely emotional to worsen. It has been unfair to her, to her teacher, her paraprofessional, and to the children and adults who come in contact with her on a daily basis.

QUALITY OF SURVIVAL! I find myself repeating this phrase over and over and I am hoping that it will be echoed somewhere in the form of caregivers who have signed up for the idea rather than those who just have to keep a chart on her because they are supposed to.

Delaney also had her neuro-psychological testing redone several weeks ago. The results are pending and the preliminary results do not look good. I know as a parent there are deficits that were not there two years ago and though the need to know is great, I am almost afraid to hear what the final consensus is with regard to her current diagnosis and prognoses.

Her MRI was completed in March:

1. Signal alteration involving the marrow in the frontal bone as well as the [post-operative] (post-radiation?) change involving the anterior skull base are again seen with mucosal thickening in the right greater than left ethmoid sinus. Deformity of the right lamina papyracea is redemonstrated although no definite evidence for intraorbital extension is noted. Mild frontal dural enhancement is present. These changes are all stable and could represent post-therapeutic changes from patient’s know Ewing’s Sarcoma.
2. Stable right mastoid and middle ear opacification is present.
3. Stable white matter signal alterations and encephalomalacia (softening of the brain tissue after radiation) are also unchanged.
4. No new intracranial mass, signal alteration, or pathologic enhancement is present. The brain volume and the size and appearance of the ventricles is stable.

This coupled with metro-psychic testing will at least result in information they that will the school system and me better understand accommodate her changing needs both at home and in the educational environment she faces every day.

Sometimes I feel as though I am losing parts of here each time we visit the doctor… but I thank God every day she is still here every day, with a smile on her face, her clever little wit and her faith in God. Please pray for her as we await more information – as always you remain in our prayers as well!

Thank you!

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Greetings and salutations! Happy New Year!

Here we are two weeks - MORE! - into 2006 and things are starting to brighten up around our home...

Yes, it has been difficult with Emilie gone, but the reports coming from her are that she is happy and making friends - a very wise acquaintance from my life in Powell, OH wrote with a thought I want to share with you. Basically, she reminded me of all Emilie has endured from my illness in 2000, divorce in 2001, Delaney's diagnosis in 2002 and treatment throughout 2003 with her father's relocation to Texas and unexpected remarriage, our subsequent relocation to Michigan to be nearer their paternal grandparents and my own sister...

New schools, new churches, different personalities, sharing one mother who is trying to spread herself fairly with three children? After all of that does it surprise you that she is acting out at the age of 11 years old? An age where she is coming into her own feelings as a young woman... the desire for control in her life and for attention she feels she has been so long denied?

The letter was comforting to me - reinstilling my belief that down in Texas with her father and stepmother is where she needs to be for now - with the parental focus on her as - more or less - an only child in an environment that allows her to erase mistakes and start over fresh?

It's painful, I will admit - she is my child and I never believed I'd be without her until she reached the age of maturity - but I also know that something needed to change for the sake of everyone in the household - not just Emilie.

Joshua, Delaney, and I miss her very much but by the same token, our household has a different feel to it... and that has had a positive affect on the two kids and on my own temperament. We look forward to the next few months and we look forward to welcoming Emilie home when the children return from their own summer visit in Houston with her in tow.

Joshua is doing well in school - his confidence level, reading and writing skills are all becoming stronger as understanding seems to breed desire for more with him. He loves soccer clinic and although we are currently taking a break during this eight week session, he wants to go back when the next begins in February.

Delaney is also still in school and working... but the constant fatigue she feels is not helping her frontal lobe dysfunction and her concentration loss and mood swings are becoming more prevalent.

She, having panhypopituitarism, takes steriod replacement for the things her body no longer makes on its own... the pituitary is shrinking and her TSH levels aren't working to keep her T4 count up... already on Cortef for the adrenal insufficiency, and growth hormone since Christmas break, it looks like thyroid function will be our next concern - we will deal with it when we get there. I have always found, however, that knowing what is coming next and being prepared makes me a much more confident parent and caregiver.

On a good note, she has completed both cataract removal/lens replacement surgeries and Dr. Erika Levin of the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan is to be thanked for restoring her distance vision to near perfect! She will soon be getting progressive lenses so that she can adjust to the minimal distance prescription and have the lower focal adjusted for her reading vision.

Overall, she was quite a trooper with the whole thing and we feel we owe Dr. Levin a debt of gratitude - she is a fabulous ophthalmologist, physician, and woman!

Also, we spent the weekend in Cleveland with the kids godmother "Nonna Carol" and we all had a nice relaxing time - thank you Nonna - we love you!

Here's hoping you stay warm and healthy during the coming weeks of traditionally cold weather here in Michigan - as well as other parts of the country and world!

Thank you for visiting!

Fondly,

Renée A. La Forest
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs' "

Friday, December 23, 2005

This will be a short entry due to lack of enthusiasm on my part. I finally met with Emilie and her father yesterday at her psychologist's office regarding the Houston issue.

I have decided to let Emilie spend the remainder of the school year there in an effort to let her see for herself what living with her dad and his wife will be like. This has been the single most painful decision I have ever made regarding my daughter. She is so certain that living with him will solve all of the problems she is having at home and in school. I know the years since the divorce in 2001 and Delaney's diagnosis in 2002 have been difficult for her - they have been hard for us all. Still for Emilie, the grass seems greener in Houston... and I love her enough to let her see for herself.

This has been emotionally exhausting for me, and I am not up to the spirit of the festivities of the season, so I decided it best to let the children spend Christmas once again with their father while I try to regroup and focus on the true meaning of this holiday - and what the next year holds for us all.

May you and yours share the happiest of holidays! God Bless!

Best wishes,

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs'

Monday, December 5, 2005

Just a quick update...

Thanksgiving came and went so quickly, didn't it? It was nice to see family and friends that we haven't in quite some time. The kids and I did our own small Thanksgiving on Sunday with a capon and all the traditional recipes passed down from my grandmothers through my mom - all three fabulous cooks I might add! The leftovers are always the best part for some reason... perhaps because the next day you don't have to work so hard to enjoy!?

We are all preparing for the coming of Christmas... it's so close already! The children are all three in the church choir and will sing during the Christmas Eve mass. This will be the first year since the divorce that I will spend the holiday with them, rather than deferring to Tim and his family. I know it's a bit selfish but he will be here in Detroit for the weeks before and after and I want the children to enjoy Christmas Eve and the morning in their own home for a change... I've been so lonely the past two years without them on that day. So far I've planned a small celebration with the kids, my friend Jeff, his 15 year-old daughter, and my sister Linda and her son (Frank) as well as the latest addition to the La Forest clan, fiancé Andy. This will be Linda and Andy's last Christmas celebrated as singles, with the coming of their wedding planned for January first at sunset on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii. It will be nice to revisit and remind the children of our own Christmas traditions, like baking the birthday cake for the big day!

Emilie has been pushing hard to move to Texas to see what living with her father would be like. It's painful for me to think of being without any one of the kids, but with her age it is inevitable that the grass be greener in her mind. She is expected to meet certain expectations regarding respect of those caring for her and responsibilities to her home, school and church obligations, but will be allowed to spend the second half of the school year there is she meets those criteria. The way I see it, living there is Utopia in her mind until she actually experiences it, and it's difficult to parent a child who is certain you are holding them up from a better life.

Emilie still hasn't gotten over the divorce and her sister being ill and gleaning all of that "attention" during her illness and subsequent setbacks. She has a hard time seeing all that her little sister has had to deal with and is somewhat blinded by her own sadness and loss in the bigger picture. Although entitled to her feelings, I have been working in counseling with Emilie and trying to assist her in choosing a path and making more responsible decisions. Some of those she has made at the young age of eleven have me quite concerned - I am hoping to nip this in the bud now by giving her some clarity in the living situations in both households.

She will return at the end of July with her siblings after their summer visit and is expected to begin school here in Michigan at the beginning of her seventh grade year. I will miss her terribly during her absence, but believe it is imperative that she get a clear picture of what each household is like in order to commit to following the rules that are expected of her. I fear if I don't rein her in now, it will be too late to do it soon, so I'm "nipping it in the bud" if at all possible.

Joshua broke his finger in gym class on Friday (12/2) - such a sad thing... he was REALLY hurt! He has a crush fracture to his right index finger (yes, the hand he writes with) and is going to need to see an orthopod in the hand clinic in order to ensure he heals properly and regains normal use.

Delaney is healing nicely from the eye surgeries... she sees much better distance - I will know on 12/12 how much better - and she is using the reading glasses in class, at home and on the go with great success. Dr. Erika Levin has been phenomenal with her and I feel so very thankful that she was able to repair Delaney's sight... we will give you full recover stats in the next few weeks.

She is also finally approved to receive growth hormone after her two GH stimulations tests revealed a peak of just 1.5 in the time the levels were checked after chemical stimulation. She will not grow on her own and after careful discussion with me has made the decision to handle the daily shots and hope that she is able to increase her height with the synthetic hormone. At the moment, she still stands 47 3/4" tall - just under four feet - the same as she has since before diagnosis in June of 2002 at age six and three months.

Her attitude is hopeful and she seems ready to take on whatever comes her way - always the optimist! She is also finally getting the IEP team to tailor her education plan closer to the understanding of her frontal lobe dysfunction rather than the idea of willful misbehavior in the classroom. It is my hope that her needs be met in a way that will allow her to learn ways to cope with frustration in the classroom and other school settings and situations through the use of a good behavioral plan and compassion and understanding of those who care for her while in the course of her normal school day.

As always, we move forward "one day at a time, with lots of prayers!"

Here's hoping your preparations for the coming religious holidays and joyful winter season abound with blessings and joy in your own homes!

Fondly,

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs!

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

First, I have to tell you that it was so very disappointing to learn that our favorite hockey player Tyler Wright (pictured above with Delaney) has been traded to the "Mighty Ducks." When the children were told the looks on their faces said it all. We have been waiting for the Columbus Blue Jackets to come to play the Red Wings in December. We were all hoping to see and visit with Tyler then.

We wish you luck on your new team, Tyler, but you will always be one of our "Blue Jackets!"

NOW...

Delaney did undergo surgery last week for the second time in four weeks. This time it was the cataract removal and lens replacement in the RIGHT eye. At the same time, the tear ducts on the lower lid of BOTH eyes were cauterized to allow more fluid to stay in her eyes, which have remained painfully dry since the radiation in 2002 (21 or 28 treatments were directly through her eyes, as it was the only way to get to the tumor.)

The first few days after surgery were very difficult for Delaney... she could not see well out of the left eye and her left was covered with bandages.

On the up side, the first surgery on the right eye has improved her previously decreasing visual acuity from 20/80 to 20/25 and although she cannot read with the new lenses, she can wear reading glasses with a 3 diopter.

Although she will always need reading glasses to see up close, it is our hope that the second eye is corrected as significantly as the first and that her distance vision will once again be restored.

Her spirits are great, and when asked the other day how she is handling "all of this" she responded:

"Mom, when I wake up from surgery and all that junk is on my eyes and my throat hurts I feel like I'm falling to pieces. But then I just tell myself, "Delaney, it's not like you're dying, just deal with it."

Suddenly one remembers how the strength to keep up the fight comes from... or shall I say whom?

This Thanksgiving, when people ask me what I have to be grateful for... I will simply smile and remember her words.

Here's hoping your blessings are many!

In Jesus name I pray... Amen.

Renée
Mom to The Three Little Diggs'

Monday, November 14, 2005 @ 11:00 AM EST

Hello all! I hope this entry finds you well and looking forward to the peace, serenity and joy found in the holiday season to come... there is a radio station that has been playing Holiday music since Nov. 1st here in Detroit, not quite my thoughts on the subject, but I fondly remember the first Christmas music going on in our family home when we all sat down to Thanksgiving Dinner. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner.... voila!

Tomorrow, November 15th, Delaney will undergo the second of two eye surgeries just one month after the first. The left eye is healing well from the cataract surgery/lens replacement… Delaney cannot, however, see to read out of that eye due to the fact the replacement lens is for distance only. Now, the eye that has 20/70 vision will be operated on and covered for a period of time while it heals. I know that in December Delaney will need new eyeglasses for corrected distance vision and close up reading. Dr. Levin says she will always need bifocals and not likely the ones with the “invisible line.” I’m not sure how she’ll react to that, but I DO know that since she will be unable to read or see well during the next month, ANYTHING that is an improvement should be welcome when the time comes to get the new pair!

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Tuesday, October 25, 2005 10:00 AM EST

Hooray!!!

Delaney's primary pediatrician and Oncologist have both called to say that her MRI last week shows NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE (NED!!!)...

This is the fabulous news we've been waiting for and I have to say that if my Delaney and I agree on one thing, it's the fact that these late effects can be overwhelming - but in the absence of new disease? We will keep moving forward one day at a time with LOTS of prayers!

Emilie is now in Jackson, Michigan taking part in "Sixth Grade Camp" - a three day learning field trip that the school district makes a part of every fall experience for this grade level. Delaney, Josh & I sure miss her and hope she's having a fabulous time (she's sleeping in an unheated cabin though, and it was only 43 degrees when we woke up this morning so...)

Joshua is working hard with his speech and reading teachers and the improvements are starting to show. His favorite activity lately has been soccer clinic on Saturday mornings - this weekend will be the last of eight - so you can bet he'll be in the next skills clinic that follows!

I turned 40 (not a bad thing at all!) on the 18th of October and the kids grandparents and aunts (Pam & Karen) took me out to dinner at P.F. Chang's with the kids and a friend of mine. It was a fabulous meal with great company and I felt so blessed to be with people who care for my little family and me! For this birthday, I decided to do something for me - something that won't take time away from the kids, that they may be able to enjoy at some point, that will serve as a new challenge in my life - I started guitar lessons last night! I have always wanted to do this so I am looking forward to the grueling practice I can see it is going to take to teach my hands to function properly. Wish me luck!

Delaney is happy to report the cataract surgery on her left eye went quite well - she now only wears the metal shield at night to keep the eye safe, and although the focus is still only 20/50 at this time, she should be around 20/30 by Nov 15 (which is when the other eye will be operated on.)

The only bad thing is that the eye itched so much about five days out that she really dug her knuckle in and rubbed it, causing an astigmatism that "wrinkled" the exterior lining of the eye - if it does not correct itself, Dr. Levin said she might have to remove the stitches that are normally left in place.

Still, she is recovering quite nicely and once the second operation is complete, she will have new lenses and vision corrected to around 20/30-20/40 if all goes well. She is corrected for distance only, so she will need bifocals, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it!

Here's hoping you and yours are living a peaceful existence, safe in the arms of those you love, and with continued faith in all He does for us!

Be well!

Renée

PS - Delaney was absolutely THRILLED at the various notes in her guestbook - so many thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to write a little something! (Tonya and Bonnie - the whole Spherion group - you touched our hearts in a big way - thank you so very much!!!)

PPS - Happy Birthday to Brian Hill from Emilie, Delaney, Joshua and I! Hope you have an incredible day!

PPPS - Please pray for the children's grandmother, Patricia Diggs - she is undergoing surgery on her knee for severe rheumatory arthritis today - we are wishing for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

Thursday, October 13, 2005 @ 12:00PM EST

Hello to all and thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes over the pat few days!

I am happy to say that Delaney came through her surgery quite well - though she was more frightened than I'd ever seen her at the onset. She just couldn't get past the idea of her eye being operated on and kept voicing her fear that when the bandages were removed her eye would fall out! Can you imagine being nine and feeling certain that would be the case?

Emilie and Joshua sprang into action; suddenly being very attentive, helpful, and empathetic - tying her shoes, folding her clothes... it's beautiful to see how they are when they know it really counts!

The surgery fell short of two hours and Dr. Levin was able to suck out the old lens and replace it with a new synthetic one, while removing 98f the plaque buildup. She said that - barring the unforeseen, of course - she is hopeful that Delaney will regain 20/30-40 eyesight in that eye. Although she will always need bi-focals, (the new lens corrects only distance vision) she will be able to see with correcting unless there is further neurological deterioration.

In addition, she will have a good working eye to function with when the second surgery in done in December to correct the other eye. Right now, she is very, very tired and having to use just the one eye seems to be straining her energies quite a bit. Today, she was sleepy but ready to go to school and get back to her normal life with classmates and homework (well, maybe notsomuch the homework!)

The hardest part of the whole ordeal had to do with the anesthesia. For some reason, her records do not have a "standing order" indicating that I am allowed to be by her side in recovery after the staff has ensured there are no airway problems. She always has a hard time coming out of the anesthesia - she is very disconcerted, vocal, not really awake or assimilated and tends to scream out and thrash about and cry unconsolably. It is very distressing to observe and the staff tends to try to correct her "behavior" as they are unaware of her frontal lobe dysfunction because of the radiation.

In the end, I always DO wind up at her bedside talking soothingly to her and working her through one of the stress management techniques of visualization, which her mind is always very ready to accept and go with. Yesterday I put her in a nice grassy field with a babbling brook lying on a soft blanket with the sun warming her face and the breezing blowing gently on her skin. I told her that Jesus was holding her and that he would keep her safe there, sleeping, until she was ready to come back to me. When she awakened she told me all about her conversation with Jesus. I believe her - every word.

Today, we are in a bit of a quandry over her tape allergy - it seems the hospital never seems to know what to do about it and once again, her skin is torn up from the tape used to keep the shield affixed to her sensitive facial skin. I called around and found the name of a durable medical equipment (DME) supply store that works with Aetna - from now on I will have that taken care of BEFORE any procedures are done - not after the fact!

Well, I need to wrap this up for now - please' please, please sign the guestbook, as Delaney has been asking if anyone has written her any notes since the surgery and there only a few there - she really DOES read the entries (for now I read them to her) and it makes her day when friends and family stop to say hello - especially those who we haven't heard from in a while!

May God bless you and yours - and me and mine...
"One day at a time with LOTS of prayers!"

Fondly,

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs'

Thursday, October 6, 2005 @ 14:01 EST

Admittedly, I have been remiss - I have no excuse!

When the kids came home the first week of August from Houston I was so happy to see them home that I didn't know what to do first... though we quickly settled back in as a family the familiar tasks of readying for the first day of a new school year required immediate attention.

There were physicals to be had, new clothes to buy, school supplies to sort and pack into the new backpacks their dad and stepmother (Tim and Teresa) provided, not to mention the fact that I was in the middle of interviews and eventually (YES!) the hiring process!

The kids started school the week before Labor Day and the following week I started a job with Flagstar Bank - the 10th largest mortgage company in the US. The position is Programmer/Analyst working in Oracle and Crystal Reports. It is a fabulous opportunity and, while the financial losses and hits to my credit report almost cost me this position, the HR department was kind enough to look past the report at the struggles the kids and I have endured and move forward with scheduling my first day and orientation.

The kids are doing well, Joshua is in the speech and reading assistance programs he worked in last year and is building his skill set with confidence, slowly but steadily.

Emilie is adjusting to the rigors of middle school with six teachers to please instead of one - and potentially six different homework assignments per night.

Delaney is quite happy with her new teacher, Mr. Puzzouli, is a very kind and gentle man with a firm hand and many years in the teaching profession. He is truly working to help Delaney acclimate to the classroom and making learning process adjustment as needed to ensure she gets the most out of the class.

Next week, Delaney will be having surgery on Tuesday on her left eye. We learned during her physical in August that she is still rapidly losing her visual acuity, something that still points primarily to the cataracts she developed in the spring - now worsened by her need to be on the prescription drug Cortef for her adrenal insufficiency.

She will need two surgeries (one on Tuesday and one in December) in order to remove and replace the lens on each eye. At the moment, her corrected vision is only 20/70 and 20/80 and since the cataracts are behind the lens as well as in front, the "bag" surrounding the rest of the eye will need to be opened and some of the inner-eye gel removed to adjust the pressures for the new lenses.

She is quite nervous and will, of course, appreciate your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes this invasive but not terribly difficult surgery. I believe recovery will be the hardest, since those of you who know her will find it inconceivable (as I do) that she will not run, bend at the waist, or pick up anything heavy over the next 4-6 weeks while she is healing.

Still... "One day at a time..... with lots of prayers!" - That’s our motto and God, as usual, will find His way in helping us to meet our challenges with grace and appreciation for the distance we've already traveled since her diagnosis in June of 2002!

May God be with you and yours, and me, and mine!

Renée
Mom to Team Delaney!

Tuesday, July 5, 2005 @ 6:00PM EST

So sorry! I've been getting email and letters indicating that you are all waiting for updates - unfortunately, I don't have any at the moment.

The children are spending some visitation time down in Texas with their father Tim and his wife Teresa - I talk to them often and they tell me they are having a good time.

Joshua is growing and becomming quite tan from all the time at the pool - Emilie is enjoying the new Yorkshire Terrier that Teresa adopted last year.

Delaney is suffering few headaches but the tantrums, screaming and moodiness from the frontal lobe damage continue. I am looking forward to her return and her first visit to her new Oncologist, who has previously been working in the Late Effects clinic and will be bringing all that knowledge back to those in treatment and just out of it.

The days are moving very slowly for me - as you know I moved to Michigan at the end of last summer for Delaney's medical care and to be near their fathers parents - Ben and Pat Diggs.

I don't really have any friends here in the area - when would I have had time to meet them? It seems that being a single mother puts me out of the "circle" of the women with children I have met.

The money I saved after paying off most of the bills while working Jan-Apr has been spent on May, June and July rent - August will be my last month to pull through before I am left with no savings again.

I have signed on with many consulting firms, I am getting false starts on interview opportunities and no reponse from many applications I put in. For the most part, I am spending my days and evenings alone and have never felt more lonely than I do now.

I miss the kids and can't wait for them to come back - I think I've realized that since the divorce, the kids ARE WHAT I DO! And life here is very sad without them!

Hopefully, I will be able to use this time to find work and I have to tell you - when the kids come home I will gladly welcome the chaos raising three children on my own can bring! It's worth every moment - well... almost every moment! lol

Hope you are all doing well!

Renée

Friday, May 27, 2005 @ 4:45 PM EST

Hello and thank you for your patience while awaiting an update - it has been frustrating on this end as well - as I'm sure you can guess...

Things finally seem to be stable with Delaney. After all of the chaos and doctors and specialists and missed diagnoses, and misguided theories - she is no longer experiencing the headaches or seizures.

Three days after she was put on Cefzil to clear up a then obvious draining "green" sinus infection, the symptoms cleared up... first the seizures stopped on day two, and then the headaches on day three.

Her specialists at the University of Michigan maintain that there was no intracranial infection, and she has since been diagnosed with migraines and put on preventive and break-thru treatment for these. She has never experienced headaches like this before diagnosis, during treatment, or after until now. They stopped with the addition of the Cefzil for sinus - and now she is on migraine medication.

It's hard as a parent not to second-guess the doctors. My gut tells me, and I have decided to, hold back on the preventive migraine medication unless the headaches return. It is my gut instinct that - just as the 4/13 MRI of her skull suggested checking for "intracranial infection" (Twice!) and holes in the sinus cavity - the infection was sinus and possibly spread to areas it should not have been - without being diagnosed for whatever reason.

Despite the headaches for a week, accompanied by "seizures" in both hands and arms (without losing consciousness), three emergency room visits, three days on the neurology ward at Mott Children’s... Despite it all, I do not feel Delaney is experiencing migraines. If I'm wrong? If the headaches come back - then I will restart and keep her on the medication until her next Oncology appointment in August.

If I'm right? We need to watch her symptoms and treat for sinus as they suggested we would need to for the remainder of her life. That I can accept. Not knowing? Wondering from day to day if anyone is even LISTENING to me as her mother, as her advocate? THAT I will never learn to live with.

At this point in time, there is a five-year gap between children with cancer who finish treatment and the "late effects" clinics that they enter into to be followed for life. However long or whatever quality of life that represents.

It is a terrible, unspeakable thing to lose your child to cancer. It is also unforgivable to stop treating the patient as a whole person forever changed by the cancer, the treatment, and the late effects of it all.

Children have only in the past two decades begun living through cancer - the present survival rate is measured at 5years post treatment.

Immediately after treatment, parents follow-up with oncologists to determine if the cancer has returned. It is left to the diligence of the parent, the primary care (pediatrician) and the Oncologist to identify issues prior to the "late effects" stage of five years.

A parent, who is unaware, may not learn that her child has "panhypopit" (panhypopituitarism) and needs hormone replacement just to live and may never grow without synthetic treatment to assist her - unless they ask WHY their child is not growing or more directly for an "endocrinology" workup. They may not learn why their child is still nauseated and vomiting months or years after treatment unless they ask why? Or further request a "gastrointestinal" workup.

The primary care physician is there to treat colds and flu’s and ear infections and other childhood ailments - for preventive care and for immunizations and yearly physicals. Unless we as parents are educated - made aware of the questions we need to ask - our children may suffer because NO ONE ORDERED THE TEST - or because we did not put a significant amount of concern when the time came for a physical on pain or growth or other issues.

I don't know how to move forward with these concerns - but I know I must. There are surely already other parents who have discovered that NO ONE KNOWS what the treatment late effects will be - it's new medicine - we are lucky some of our children are living through the cancer.

A doctor from the late effects clinic may have expedited the appointments for Delaney's headaches and seizures - maybe not. But for a child at the age of 9 years old to suffer headaches so bad for the period of a month that focal seizures of the arms are happening - with no pain remedy offered - even upon request - because no one KNEW WHAT IT WAS????

This is unacceptable. Please email me if you have similar experiences - if you want to share them or have ideas how to address this issue. It may not be the last time this happens with Delaney - I'm sure it won't be the last time it happens to a child. With only 20 or so late effects clinics in the US today - how do we ensure our children are being seen as cancer survivors - with ailments that may not be of concern to parents lucky enough to have healthy children - like my Emilie and Joshua who don't need this type of medical attention.

For those of you that I have not responded to or acknowledged by phone or email or guestbook entry during this time, I apologize... please accept that - I have wracked my brains trying to determine what was causing her pain, and now I am just happy that things seem to be getting back to "normal"... whatever that is.

The outlook for summer is very optimistic - with the children going to spend the first six weeks in Houston with their father Tim and his wife Teresa. I am already looking forward to welcoming them back home the first week of August!

My consulting job - the Microsoft Access Development assignment with Borders HRS - ended on April 22, so I am once again seeking employment either full-time or as a consultant.

I hope that this type of peace finds it's way into your hearts and homes as well - those of you facing similar situations in your home and family.

May God Bless You and Yours and Me and Mine for a summer full of potential, peace and health!

In Jesus name I pray...

Amen

Renée

Monday, May 9, 2005 @ 11:15 PM EST

Hello all... I've been too busy to write lately, but things are quite chaotic at the moment - I need your prayers and good thoughts for Delaney now, so I'll be brief...

In April, we found out that she has panhypopituitarism... not good. The hospital (University of Michigan) knew back in December, but no one called US to share that info. We have since realized we've been dropped through some major cracks. Her first six month MRI was done in April - it took three weeks to find an Onc who would SEE her and read the films (her ONC moved to Arizona in January and her care was not officially transferred).

She has been having terrible headaches for the past two weeks, five days into it she started having tics in her right hand and arm. ER sent her home, no pain med, no explanation. Five days later headaches are worse, arm is displaying "focal seizures"... "what would you like us to DO for your daughter Ms. La Forest"...

The next day her headache is splitting and BOTH arms are shaking like she's a little old man with Parkinson's... she is admitted for three days, they can't figure out what's happening so they send her home, normal routine, back to school.

Friday AND today I had to pick her up from school? Why? Headache and seizures, dizziness and nausea/vomiting...

They don't know.

She will see a peds neuro-onc next Tuesday... the Chief of Oncology thinks
it's brain radionecrosis...

PLEASE THINK OF US! Pray if you pray... this is SO scary and I have to keep it together for these kids!!!

Thanks so much - love to all of you!!!!

Tuesday, May 3, 2005 @ 4:09 PM EST

I'm sorry I haven't been posting - things have been hectic since April 13th - it seems the coordination of Delaney's care was not happening effectively - we got endocrinology results that came back in December last year back on 4/15 and there was no case manager for her scans assigned after Dr. William's left for Arizona in January.

I have been trying to get her in to see specialist with some degree of difficult and no cross-communication.

Last night, she was admitted to the neurology service of UofM's Motts Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.

I will let you know what is happening as I know more.

Thank you for your prayers!

Renée

Updates on Delaney coming soon - this is SCAN MONTH!!!

Coming...

April 13
...MRI & CT under general anesthesia

April 15
...endocrinology - Delaney has not grown even a centimeter since her treatment started June 26th, 2003. The subject of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and whether or not to pursue it with the chance that any new or residual cancer could grow as well. Delaney says she "Doesn't want to be a midget but she doesn't want her cancer to come back either." Please email if you have had experience with these issues as a patient, parent of a patient or as a Medical Expert in the field!

Mid-month:
...Chest Xray
...PET scan of her entire body with 3D spec of the skull under general anesthesia

...opthamology - check up on Delaney's cataracts and eye degeneration issues (end of April)

I will update as soon as the results have come back and I've had time to digest the information...

We are hoping for CLEAR SCANSSSSSS!!!

May God Bless You and Yours!
(& me and Mine!)

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs' "

Thursday, April 7, 2005 @ 10:52 PM EST

Please read the site of Benjamin Michael Jones, a sweet and brave eight year old boy who died this morning at 8:20am.

www.caringbridge.org/oh/benjaminj

According to his mother Anne and father Brian, last night he slipped into a coma and early this morning he slipped away very peacefully.

May Jesus carry him to heaven to meet Our Father and may his family find peace through their grief, in the knowledge that he left this world in peace and without pain as they have prayed.

May God help his family through the challenges they must now face.

Sincerely,

Renée
Delaney's Mom
Just one of the Three Little Diggs

Sunday, March 27, 2005 @ 11:02 AM EST

Just a quick update on my way to church with the kids - things have been busy and crazy and I'll explain more during the week.

I would prefer the focus not be on us this weekend anyway...

Please instead, go to www.caringbridge.org/oh/benjaminj

Read about Ben Jones and his family... pray for them in this most difficult time. Leave a message for Benjamin and his family - give them the support you've given us.

I promise to update on our family this week...

May God bless you and yours on this day!!!

Love,

Renée & the Three Little Diggs

Friday, February 18, 2005 @ 11:45 AM EST

Just a quick note to say the children's second period report cards came home recently and they are all working hard to master their challenges. Emilie's grades are INCREDIBLE - the best she's ever had! She really seems to be enjoying working hard and reveling in the fruits of her labor. I am SO PROUD of her!

Delaney is meeting her challenges slowly but surely. She is still battling the continuing radiation changes and is working with a psychologist now to teach her coping skills for her uneven temperament as well as methods to keep her on-task when doing class work or assignments at home. She is striving to improve, and her team at school and at home are all cheering her on!

Joshua has come a long way since this year. His problems with speech and phonics were identified and his speech teacher is one smart cookie! She has worked diligently with Joshua, a willing student, and found tools that "link" everything together in a way he understands. It is likely he will not be where the rest of the children are at the end of first grade, but he should move forward with his peers. Any gaps will be filled in as needed with reading assistance and his newfound self-esteem will take him far. Joshua is learning that he is the little engine that CAN!

As for me? Still doing consulting work in Ann Arbor and enjoying it quite a bit. With this and the SLCST we are catching up on past due bills and such, bringing ourselves closer to a permanent debt fix for the damage done over the past three years.

I fear I will never find the time to work housekeeping back into my schedule between work and home with the kids. But who cares!? It will all work itself out... no bacteria growing yet - but I'm in the mood to take a trash bag or two and throw out EVERYTHING! lol

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

PLEASE READ:

I hope this missive finds you all well - there are new pictures on the photo page and special thoughts going out to Benjamin Jones and his family... please visit their website at http://www3.caringbridge.org/oh/benjaminj/.

Benjamin was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002 and was treated at Children's Hospital during Delaney's treatment time - they started and ended around the same dates. His mother had just given birth to his little brother.

Benjamin has been a ferocious fighter now for almost four years, despite his relapsed May 2004 when his parents were told he had only 3-4 months to live. Now, nine months later, Mom is expecting her third child all the while facing the unspeakable.

This boy is an incredible joy to everyone he meets - very pragmatic and clever as well as sensitive and loving. The family is going through a great deal of pain now and reading about his gradually deteriorate at am increasing pace, has been difficult to imagine for me as a mother.

Still, every day they share with him they are grateful to God despite their pain in the knowledge of what is happening.

Mom somehow manages to keep the updates upbeat and positive, despite the very sudden and quick changes that are occurring weekly now. Please add this family and their son to your prayer list and pray to God through Jesus his son to them strength to make it through the challenges they are facing now and have yet to face.

Many thanks!

Renée

Saturday, January 15, 2005 @ 8:00 PM EST

My family has been receiving direct blessings from God in the past month, there is no other explanation for it!

First of all, Delaney:

Second,Christmas:

When I think of all the families that reached out in one way or another to bring cheer to our lives this past holiday season, prayers, gas or grocery cards, or gifts of toys and clothing for the children, it warms my heart. I have to thank the Carter, Barman, Dunn, Faunce-Jones, Hulett, Weiser, and the Trost families, not to mention St. Thomas a Becket, the Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul.

The children were delighted to return from spending the holidays with their father and his wife, and their grandparents in Redford. They missed mom, and they wanted to be home again! But they had NO idea there would be Christmas waiting for them here at home - with all the trimmings thanks to you and those who made anonymous contributions to the family. I can only hope that the joy of the Christmas was felt as strongly in your own homes as it was in mine this holiday season... in fact - it is still here with us and I hope it stays that way all year round!

Third - A NEW JOB FOR MOM!

The Tuesday before Christmas I received a call from OTS, a technical recruiter/consulting firm. They found my résumé on Monster.com while searching for an MS Access/MS Excel/PeopleSoft/VB developer for one of their larger clients - my exact skill set!

Within 24-hours I was hired making an excellent hourly rate to work in the HR Department of a Fortune 500 retail organization. My assignment involves rewriting the Microsoft Access database and it's Visual Basic Code used for calculating bonus payouts to the field management team.

I LOVE this position! It's challenging (but I LOVE a good challenge!), the dress policy is VERY CASUAL (even jeans!), the hours flex around my personal schedule (even Delaney's appointments!) The company seems very family-oriented - the women I work for and with have children, one woman who has survived cancer herself. They were not at all fazed when I explained my time away from corporate America since Delaney became ill and I chose to leave the workforce... they focused instead on what I could bring to their organization, as it should be!

It has been an incredible gift from God and it is TIME! It is a three month hourly assignment for now, no benefits, but in April if this works out Borders has indicated they will consider hiring me full time.

In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be back at work after two and a half years off - so excited really! It's just that I'm not used to getting up at 5:30am to be at work by 7:30... when I come home at night, I go to bed with the kids!

lol

Good stress, bad stress, it's all stress... but I will find a way to manage the good and be grateful that IT IS FINALLY GOOD! I will never forget the gifts of perspective and the way my faith has been challenged over the past few years. It has served a purpose - to point out where my focus must remain going forward, the importance of family, and reinforced my faith, hope and love in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Our saving grace.

Don't worry, I still pray early and often for those of you getting your lives back together, and those still fighting... I've always looked at all of you as a "family" of sorts... and you will remain in my thoughts always.

With the warmest regards for a blessed and bright new year!.

Renée A. La Forest, OTS Consultant
(And even more important!)
Mom, to "The THREE Little Diggs'!"

Saturday, December 18, 2004 @ 9:45 AM EST

The following was sent by me today as a "Letter to the Editor" of the local Plymouth & Canton Observer newspapers. I am including it here in case it is for some reason not printed in the paper this week... Renée

* * * * *

An impossible "Thank You!"

What an astounding place our new home - here in the Plymouth/Canton area of Michigan. With the advent of Brad Kadrich's articles published regarding Delaney and our family in the Canton and Plymouth Observers so many blessings have come our way it is impossible to count!

It is true that I have not yet found a job, but I have received suggestions and information that I will follow in the first weeks of January that may indeed lead to the work and self-sustaining income our family needs to move forward - and I crave for my personal sanity! (Oh to use my brain again in the workforce… it makes me smile just to think of it!)

There are about 10 families over the past two weeks, and one organization that have come forward with timely assistance for the holidays - yes Delaney, there IS a Santa Claus. What I thought would be a very modest and humble celebration will now be a lovely and traditional Christmas with not only a celebration of the birth of Jesus but also toys and clothing for the children I was not able to provide on my own. I cannot thank the wonderful people who have gifted us with such blessings in recent days!

First, there was the woman up the street - Holly, who my children have spoken with on the way home from school in the afternoons. Holly appeared at my doorstep and insisted that she and her family and some friends were intent on ensuring that we had a traditional Thanksgiving, and brought a turkey as well as other staples of the meal to ensure just that occurred!

We ended up celebrating with my ex-in-laws and the kids were thrilled to enjoy our "normal" meal complete with all the favorites with my nephew Frank, his mom (my sister) Linda, their Grandpa Diggs, Aunt Pam and her beau Tom.

The meal was lovely, the company fabulous and the occasion was marred only by the illness of Grandma Diggs who was unable to make it to the festivities.

The day after Thanksgiving, Delaney received an invitation from Santa Claus himself to help him in Kellogg Park in Plymouth by flipping the switch that turns on the lights to the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving! What a site it was when Santa rode into town with Mrs. Claus and addressed the crowds of families present that night to welcome him! The Major presented him with the key to the hearts of the children in the City of Plymouth and surrounding areas and Emilie, Delaney and Joshua were called to the stage to help him complete the task of lighting that beautiful tree! Afterward, they were thrilled to sit on Santa's lap, to ask him for a gift they did not believe would be possible this year. Sweet Delaney was told she could be first, but insisted her little brother Joshua go ahead, "because he's smaller."

Then there came Diana and her family - who brought enough paper supplies and school snacks to get us through the month and who, along with another family from church (thank you Miss Cathy), have "adopted" the children for the holidays - planning gifts of toys and clothing for them to open during the holidays.

While volunteering at St. Thomas, I met a woman who was so touched by Delaney and the news story she and her family donated fuel cards to assist us in purchasing gas to get us to the hospital and around town on various appointments, interviews or (hopefully) temp jobs. There at church I also found not one but two opportunities for consulting work fixing computers in need of repair! Yet another unexpected "blessing"!

There were two "anonymous donations" sent to the newspaper, one to the church, one sent directly to my home and two to Field Elementary - all on our behalf. I know now that a turkey and generous donation from one of the Field families came from a child in Delaney's class who learned of her illness and wished to help in the most sincere and heart warming way. Suffice it to say Delaney will have a playmate for after school dates in the coming year and she is overjoyed to learn of it!

Speaking of peers and playmates - a second grader class from Byrd Elementary in the Plymouth/Canton School District decided to put together a food basket and a few goodies together for my children. They included healthy snacks and many staples that I am fortunate enough to have in stock - but rest assured what we could not use went to another family in need to use for their holiday meals. Such a gracious gift from a group of the children's peers - so thoughtful and so innocent a gesture - but an amazing gift nonetheless.

All in all it's been overwhelming! The assistance has allowed me to pay up to date car payments, car and renter’s insurance, utility bills as well as repair and change the oil in my car. I purchased warm winter jackets, scarves, hats and gloves for the children and there is $300 in the bank (including an anonymous $50 deposit made directly into the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund sometime in the past two weeks - effectively reopening an account that has been without funds since June!) as we speak - I can't remember the last time we HAD a bank balance after the monthly bills were paid with the child support and my small military pension.

Through my church in Canton - St. Thomas a' Becket - I received the anonymous gift of assistance with groceries to supplement my food stamps over the period of the next year - enough now to buy not only food but paper supplies, cleaners and sponges/mops/etc., school supplies, personal items and such that food stamps will not pay for. I don’t know who the family is that donated the Kroger certificates – I wish I did – I’d love to have them for dinner – to meet these amazing and kind people!

Imagine! I may even have enough to begin inviting some of the wonderful people I've been meeting over to my home for a meal to share and the adult conversation I've longed for since moving here in June.

While all of this was happening, the social worker I deal with through the Comprehensive Cancer in Ann Arbor contacted a charity in South Lyon for assistance on my behalf. They interviewed me, met my children, visited my home and have graciously offered me assistance with my "monthlies" to allow me to restructure our families needs and put a month or so of “back-up” in the bank while I search for a job. This amazing group has been more than generous – allotting me as well enough assistance in the process to attain a lawyer and file the medical bankruptcy I've been needing to - which in the past simply cost too much at @ $800 to proceed with before now.

January we will start out the year caught up with our monthly expenses, with a month of back up in the bank and hopes for a new job. We will be $45,000 in debt - but I will finally be able to file bankruptcy and our credit will slowly but surely begin to heal, if not improve.

The children are covered under their father Tim’s health insurance from his work organization (AIG in Houston, Texas) and due to our low income Delaney also has Children's Special Health to cover what the Aetna does not of her ongoing bills from the U of M Cancer Center and Mott's Children's Hospital.

On Sunday, December 19th, Tim and his new wife Teresa flew in from Houston to gather up Emilie, Delaney and Joshua to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Diggs this week - they will return the Sunday evening after Christmas.

Before you even think to feel sorry for me, please don't! Consider that while I may be alone during this week and the actual Christmas holiday, I feel surrounded by new friends, spiritual inspiration and great hopes for the coming year. I will use the time to put up a Christmas tree, decorate the house, bake holiday cookies and reflect on all that has happened and the blessings we have received through God and through our new community.

It has now been 20 months since Delaney's last chemotherapy treatment. Yes, there have been many appointments, infections, side and late effects - yet she remains cancer free to date - no relapse! My blessings are too great to count this holiday season!

May God bless all of you who have stepped forward to assist my family – to share your good fortune, your prayers, or a kind word or thought with us or in our name during these difficult times. You have touched my heart and renewed my strength to move ahead - as our small family’s mottos states "One day at a time - with lots of prayers."

May God truly bless you and yours during this most joyous event of the celebration of the birth of Christ our Savior! This is truly shaping up to be yet another season of Christmas miracles!

With love and prayers for you and yours!

Renée A. La Forest &
"The Three Little Diggs'!"

Wednesday, December 1, 2004 @ 10:41 PM EST

Hello friends! I trust your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours - with friends and family present and a great deal to be thankful for? We give a special thanks to The Barman and Dunn families and friends for making ours extra special!

Delaney is scheduled to be at Mott Children's Hospital, a part of the University of Michigan Medical Center, at 12:30 today.

She is scheduled to have her sinuses scraped, cleaned and rinsed to assist in clearing up the infection she's had there since an ear infection started in early October.

Additionally, her ENT (Dr. Passimani) plans on cutting through and removing scars that have grown again, further blocking her damaged sinus passages and, in essence, trapping the infection inside where oral antibiotics can not reach the source.

The procedure should take approximately 2 hours and it is my prayer that she have no ill effects from the anesthesia and surgery as she did last February. (Due to swelling in the brain after this procedure, Delaney did not communicate with me until four days after the surgery had passed, even then, it took a full week to bring her about to her "normal" self.

Delaney has assured me that she is not scared, after all, she's "done this before, Mom"... lol So much bravery in a young child! She and so many others like her who just plod on through without complaint - it is truly amazing!

I will update tomorrow night - if only briefly - so that you all know she is out of the woods and mingling with the "new friends" she's sure she will meet at Mott.

Emilie and Joshua will be cared for by their father's parents, Ben & Pat Diggs, which works out well, since Grandpa Ben has his first scheduled "chaperoning" volunteer job taking Emilie's fifth grade class to COSI on Friday... wish HIM luck too, would you?

May God bless you and yours, and me and mine!

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs' "

STARTING OVER! How to help?!!!

If you are interested in assisting Delaney's family with their monthly household needs, please do so by direct Deposit at any Bank One Branch or by mailing your donation to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund:

Bank One, NA
Columbus, OH 43215
Beneficiary: Delaney R. Diggs
Routing #: 044000037
Acct # 638322479

Sunday, November 21, 2004 @ 7:27pm

KEEPING UP THE FIGHT: Canton girl, mom battle cancer on different fronts:

By Brad Kadrich
Staff Writer
Plymouth Observer/Canton Observer
Front Page - dtd 11/21/2004

"The words were always familiar to Renee LaForest.

Cancer. Tumor. Malignant.

What she never really registered, and what was hammered home to her with startling ferocity in the spring of 2002 when doctors told her about the tumor they found in the skull of her then-6-year-old daughter, Delaney Diggs, was that the words were synonymous.

"They called us in, and then they told 'Laney, 'Why don't you go in this room and color,'" recalled LaForest, now a Canton resident and the mother of three. "When they told me to call my pediatrician, I knew something was wrong. It was right then I learned tumors and cancer were the same thing.

"First I found out it was a brain tumor, then I found out it was malignant," she added. "There is no feeling like being told your child has a tumor, and five minutes later being told, 'Oh, yeah, it's malignant, too.'"

For the first few months after Delaney started showing symptoms, doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. That might not be surprising when you consider this particular cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, is, generally speaking, found in boys, and the peak age is 10-20.

Statistical anomaly

Further confounding doctors was the cancer is usually found in the trunk of the body. Delaney's was found in her frontal lobe, wrapped around her optic chasm.

"Her chances of having this were minimal," said LaForest, who lived at the time with her family in Ohio.

But she did have it, and the statistics meant nothing. The cancer made life for a family already going through personal problems because of a divorce that much harder.

First and foremost, obviously, was getting Delaney started on treatment. Located where it was attached to her frontal lobe, the tumor was inoperable, leaving radiation as the only viable means of reducing it.

Doctors put Delaney on a course of 28 radiation treatments, 21 of which were administered through the little girl's eyes. Complicating matters was the damage done to her sinus cavity and her ability to ward off illness.

"The tumor was shrinking, but at a terrible price," said Dr. Mark Ranalli, a doctor at Columbus (Ohio) Children's Hospital, who made a public service announcement video about Delaney's illness. "It destroyed her ability to fight even the most common infections."

Scared, but brave

Painful blood-glucose shots and numerous surgical procedures to clean out her sinuses followed, but through it all, the 6-year-old Delaney rarely wavered. She took the chemotherapy and the shots and the illnesses, determined to beat the disease.

"I was scared," Delaney said. "But I was brave."

She had to be, as did her mother. LaForest lost one job while doctors were still trying to figure out what was wrong with Delaney, then lost a second job because she had to be in the hospital so much with her daughter once the cancer was diagnosed.

LaForest, experienced in program management, corporate training and information technology, hasn't worked since. With Delaney's father having moved to Texas, LaForest has been the sole source of support for Delaney. The amount of time her daughter has spent in the hospital "has totally incapacitated me from working," LaForest said.

The family - including 10-year-old Emilie and 6-year-old Josh - has lived largely on money LaForest had originally planned on putting into a house and the generosity of the people in their church, St. Joan of Arc in Powell, Ohio.

"They sent out meals when I couldn't cook for the kids, they did 'penny wars' for us," LaForest said. "They were always there, not just with monetary help, but with their prayers."

Family brought LaForest and her children to Canton. She's got a sister who lives in Canton and her former in-laws, who live in Redford and with whom she's still close, helped her get into the Canton house she's renting.

Moving on

The kids' godmother, Carol Sutherland, who recently moved to Cleveland after 14 years in Plymouth, put LaForest in touch with a realtor.

"I think Renee is doing an outstanding job, bearing in mind she's doing it alone," Sutherland said. "She has a terrific head on her shoulders. She has done a good job keeping them together. It's been difficult for her, but she's terrific at persevering."

Officials in Plymouth-Canton Schools - all three kids are at Field Elementary - have put together a specialized learning program for Delaney, something the school district in Ohio refused to do and one of the reasons LaForest chose Plymouth-Canton.

Unfortunately, things aren't getting any easier. LaForest is trapped in an employment Catch-22, unable to get jobs for which she's qualified because she's been out of the workforce for two years, and unable to get lower-paying jobs because she's over-qualified.

With Delaney's tumor shrunk, all three children are in school full-time now, leaving LaForest with plenty of time - if not opportunity - to go back to work.

"A job would pretty much solve everything," LaForest laments. "If I could find a job, everything would be much better."

Meanwhile, pennies are being pinched. It got so bad at one point she sought the help of the Plymouth Salvation Army, which allowed her to come in and stock her pantry when it had about hit bare.

"I was down to no food at all," LaForest said. "(The Salvation Army) let me get the canned fruit and vegetables, the cereals and other things I needed."

The family, meanwhile, has persevered. Delaney just found out she'll need another surgery next week to clean up a sinus infection, but it hasn't dampened her spirits any. She's been sick, but it hasn't stopped her.

Zest for life

For instance, she has dropped the puck at a minor league hockey game, sung the National Anthem and, last year, got a chance to record music with her favorite singer, Carole King.

"You would never know what's going on with her," said Sutherland, the kids' godmother. "You'd never have any idea what she's been through. She has not one time dwelled on the fact she is ill or that she is challenged in any way. She has a great zest for life."

That zest has even helped her mother get through the tough times. When she was at her sickest, Delaney found a way to boost LaForest's spirits. She asked her mom if she was going to die, and LaForest assured her she wouldn't die unless her body just couldn't fight any more.

"I told her if her body couldn't fight anymore, Jesus would come and take her to Heaven," LaForest recalled. "Ever since, when she's been sick, she'd take my hand and say, "Don't worry, Mom, I still have lots of fight." "

End
Brad Kadrich
(bkadrich@oe.homecomm.net)

STARTING OVER! How to help?!!!

If you are interested in assisting Delaney's family with their monthly household needs, please do so by direct Deposit at any Bank One Branch or by mailing your donation to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund:

Bank One, NA
Columbus, OH 43215
Beneficiary: Delaney R. Diggs
Routing #: 044000037
Acct # 638322479

Learn more about Delaney Diggs at www.caringbridge.org/oh/teamdelaney

Thank you, Brad Kadrich, for the wonderful article published in the local Plymouth Observer - (Canton version as well! What a wonderful tribute to my precious Delaney! May God bless you and yours.

Renée A. La Forest

Friday, August 20, 2004 @ 5:35 PM EST

Please accept my most sincere apologies!

Not only have I been enjoying my children since their return from Texas, but I've been busy feeding them! Each seems to have grown so much - though Delaney more in bulk than in height - so much better than the 35lb 7 year old I remember last year in treatment!

When I tried to approach updating the journal, I realized that I needed to update the entire webpage - so much of the information regarding the scans is rewritten in the above paragraphs - bringing the status of her condition up to date.

Please read the above and catch up on us to date, and then continue here to read the rest!

With no signs of the cancer returning at the present time, the main issues to date are:

- the damage to her sinus structures

- the bone growth in her skull which is becoming a challenge to her brittle sinus structure

- the continued neuropsychological changes marked by mood swings and loss of short term memory capability. There is an additional decrease in the ability to combine cognitive thinking skills with motor visual skills at the same time

- and the sudden decrease in her vision and hearing. Quite marked from her tests six month ago.

We are currently seeking a new team of doctors at the University of Michigan. The process has been slow, so I am grateful Columbus Children's Hospital was able to complete her 15 month scans and her oncologist Dr. Ranalli and ENT Dr. Willet were able to see her as well. Delaney also saw Dr. Cass in the Psychology clinic and a new neuro-psych evaluation was completed - the results should be coming soon (it takes some time to complete them).

We have joined a new Parish here - St. Thomas a' Becket. It apprears to be a large and thriving parish with a great deal of community involvement, but we still feel as though we are standing on the outside looking in. Soon, perhaps, with the start of the Religious Education Program and choir ministries, we will feel a bit more included and involved.

This move has been good for the children as far as school, living near their grandparents and other family (my sister Linda lives three miles from our new home!) It's been a bit lonely for me - missing my friends in Columbus. Soon, with my job search resulting in a new work assignment, I will be too busy to be lonely!

I'll be back within the next two weeks or sooner if anything monumental changes... trying to get ready for the start of school August 30th - I just love registration papers in TRIPLICATE!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs'!"

Saturday, July 10, 2004 @ 11:30 AM EST

After weeks of a grueling packing session by myself, the idiot movers who put all the boxes in the wrong rooms (Master bedroom = basement, kitchen = basement) I finally have my furniture places, kitchen put away... etc.

Yesterday, I got phone, Internet, and cable! They have one "package deal" here that was half as expensive as before! My ISP is slower than the last - but I'm paying less! AND I can call these dreaded toll calls without charge and anywhere in the US free any time of day - now that's a deal!

Still, there is so much more unpacking to do and still so unbelievably slow going. But there is a difference here. Unpacking into a small home with a nice little backyard - is somehow soothing. There is room in the basement and garage for storage and the kitchen is inviting to guests and to Chef Me! I so love to cook and haven't really done much in the past three years.

I have two more weeks before the children come home. They will fly to Columbus on July 23rd after 7 weeks away! I'm so grateful to have been busy as I miss them so terribly much - but I have been busy making a transition for us all that they shouldn't have been party to. They will come home to the house here in Michigan all ready for them to begin new lives.

First, of course, are the "every three month scans!"

Mon - July 26 - Bone scan (early am to noon)
Tues - July 27 - Neuropsychological testing (1-4)
Wed - July 28 - MRI & Chest CT (early am to noon)
Thu - July 29 - AM appt with Dr. Ranalli and scan results
Thu - July 29 - Neuropsychological testing part II (1-4)
Fri - July 30 - Visit with friends and then drive home to Michigan

I need to facilitate places for Joshua and Emilie to be while I am at the hospital with Delaney M-W am and all day TH and will be calling friends down in Columbus about that - I am hoping I can stay in the Ronald McDonald house, so I'll have to call them as well! All of you who have been missing the kids - this is your chance! (smiling)

Next will come the transfer care to University of Michigan. We'll need a new Oncologist, ENT, Ophthalmologist, and Psychologist for Delaney as well as a pediatrician for the children, and a neurologist for Emilie's migraines. I am hoping the psychologist we find for Delaney will be able to see Emilie as well and do some "family counseling" to help us move past "the treatment years."

I've talked with the survivor's clinic who informed me that Delaney will need to be many, many years out of treatment before they transfer her care there. That's ok, just Mom being hopeful! What startled me was that when I explained her history and said she was 15 months in remission, they corrected me. Apparently, she is 15 months out of treatment. She will not be considered "in remission" until she no longer needs anything more than yearly physical and scans. Drat. Semantics! Still, it was a rude awakening, to say the least! I say she's survived so far and that makes her a champion in my book!

When we return to Michigan, I'll have until August 30 here with the children until school starts! Of course, they can't wait to see their father's parents - Grandma & Grandpa Diggs and Aunt Pam... they've been dying to get a trip in up to the Lake with them (hopefully me too - I'm not ready to give them up for a while!)

Then there are my Aunts and Uncles and my sister Linda (who lives only 3.5 miles away! We are wonderful commiserates!)

Finally, I hope to start work the day after Labor Day - possibly at the new school district as a Special Ed Para Professional - but we'll see what my choices are at that time!

Thinking of all of you and hoping you are experiencing a peaceful summer and enjoying your own families!

Renée
Mom to Emilie, Delaney & Joshua
Starting over!

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 @ 5:30 PM EST

Hello all!

A special hello to my precious cargo down in Houston - yes YOU! Emilie, Delaney and Joshua! Only two and a half weeks before I see your smiling faces and wrap my arms around you! I simply cannot wait for you to see our nice new home all put away and ready for us to start a new life together!

To everyone who's been wondering where we'd disappeared to with no update for weeks... the kids are happily spending time in Houston with their father and his wife Teresa, and I am unpacking and trying to put the home together for the children's return.

Jazper, the dog, has had quite a fun time running and galloping about the new backyard area - he isn't used to that type of freedom and is enjoying himself quite a bit!

With no phone, no cable and no Internet access this has been easier than I expected (to say the least!) (No distractions!)

Today, I found the computer lab at the fabulous Canton Library just two miles from our home - it is huge with state of the art resources and a magnificent children's library off to one side of the building - it will be perfect for after church trips with the kids.

I attended mass at St. Thomas a' Beckett this past Sunday. There were many differences from what we're used to at St. Joan of Arc - I suppose I tend to be a traditionalist when it comes to Christianity. The new church favors chairs over regular pews and so there is no kneeling during the appropriate time of mass, they also don't ring the bells during the blessing of Christ's body and blood.

What I noticed that I did enjoy was quite a sense of family and community in those that attended church that day and though I only briefly met the Pastor and the office admin, they both seemed very friendly and outgoing.

I hope this will turn out to be as wonderful a parish as we've just left when all is said and done - besides, I never read books by their cover!

I still don't have a phone here in Michigan - just the cell phone from Ohio for those of you who have the number - for the rest of you all feel free to write me at the address below or simply sign the guest book and say hello! I'd love to hear from you!

Take care and know that we miss you all so much already!

May God bless you, yours, me and mine!

Renée
Mom to Emilie, Delaney & Joshua

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 @ 9:30 PM EST

After weeks of prayers, today I received a call from Pat Stokes, my real estate agent friend in Plymouth, Michgan. It's finally happened! She has worked her magic and the owners have agreed to rent a 1350SF house in Canton to us... I'm so grateful to have this chance to move forward abd begin anew with the children that I could burst.

Of course, I'm quickly learning that even though I had the credit to build a home on my own two years ago, things have changed over the past two years.

In order to move into the home on June 30, the owners are requesting:

$ The first months rent, of course.
$ One and one half months rent as a security deposit.
$ One months rent in advance to keep me paid ahead by one month during the course of the two-year lease.

Delaney's father's parents, Ben and Pat, have graciously agreed to front the money for this move to happen - making the relocation a reality rather than a dream. Tim and I are working on a plan of repayment together.

If you are interested in donating to the medical relief fund, please feel free to send your check with "Team Delaney" written in the memo section to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Please feel free to contact:

Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc (614-761-0301) if you have any questions about the family's needs. I wish to thank you all for your prayers and support - they are both greatly needed, and highly appreciated!

May God bless you and yours (and me, mine and ours!) ALWAYS!

Sincerely,

Renée
Mom to Delaney (8), Emilie (10), & Joshua (6)

Saturday, June 19, 2004 @ 5:30 PM EST

I miss my children!!!

Whew! That felt good... (smiling)

It's been two weeks tomorrow since they left - but I keep telling myself only four until they return... they all seem to be enjoying their time in Houston with no school and plenty of swimming and other activities in their schedule. I expect they'll come home brown as beans!

As for the homefront? Things are getting a bit concerning. I found a home in Michigan to rent the weekend after the children left. It's about 500 square feet smaller than where we are living now, but with a full basement that means putting some furniture in the basement to store - at least we don't have to sell it!

The 1350SF home was built in 1978, is very clean and tidy and will cost $1300 a month for the two-year lease I've proposed through Pat Stokes, a family friend and very successful real estate agent in the Plymouth-Canton area the kids and I are relocating to.

Exactly what I was searching for: clean, safe, in a nice neighborhood with other children and in a great school district for both academic advancement as well as special ed to the extent Delaney will need it as she grows and continues her education.

The problem is, we have come to issue on this on more than one occassion. I have supplied letters from previous employers (before Delaney's illness) as well as personal references from the church, the Action for Children contact I've been giving the stress management classes for as a consultant.

Even the Oncologist who wrote the letter indicating I would be unable to work while Delaney was undergoing these two years of treatment wrote a new one saying now that she is a year in remission I can move forward and return to the work force full time save her routine visits to the doctor - perhaps a few more than the other children, but that's what time off is for when you are a single parent.

The problem is that my income is only $2000 a month at the moment, and they need to know how I'll make the rent. To be honest? Cleaning toilets if I have to! But I haven't moved yet so I haven't found a job.

They are willing to rent the house at this point but want 3 MONTHS RENT upon signing! That's one month for July, one month for August and one month for a security deposit. In other words, they want me to stay one month in advance of the rent to be sure it will be paid on time. $3900!!! How to find that without working months to put it away?!

I feel so close and yet so far from what we're trying to accomplish. There is no family support here in Columbus and I am weary from doing this alone for so long without enjoying the company of those we love. My sister is only two miles from where we are moving, the children's father's parents are about 10 and I have Aunts and Uncles and Cousins scattered around the Detroit area.

I'm not moving for financial support - I've been through this and I will get through ANYTHING! But the transition with what has happened to my credit in the past two years is nearly impossible!

I am going out on a limb here and asking for assistance in this move and the monies necessary to transact it. Please, please understand that this is the start over my children and I need to begin a life after cancer - and near family, friends and a great "after treatment" hospital program for Delaney. If I can get through this and relocate the children, we will have a chance at a new life, a better education for the children, and managed care for Delaney!

Prayers are always accepted - we need all we can get! For now, I'm asking that your financial assistance - however small - be sent by check with "Team Delaney" written in the memo section to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Please feel free to contact:

Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc (614-761-0301) if you have any questions about the family's needs. I wish to thank you all for your prayers and support - they are both greatly needed, and highly appreciated!

May God bless you and yours (and me, mine and ours!) ALWAYS!

Sincerely,

Renée
Mom to Delaney (8), Emilie (10), & Joshua (6)

Saturday, June 5, 2004 @ 10:03 AM EST

The children left yesterday with their father to fly back to Houston - it was very emotional for Emilie, Joshua and I - but Miss Delaney hopped right out of my car into his rental without a peep and more than ready to start her summer adventure! (Those of you who know her know that she is the most positive child in the world and has NO time for negative emotions when there is fun to be had with those who love her!) At least she did remember to give me a quick hug and "I'll miss you/I love you!"

(smiling)

Their father had a big surprise for them, as it turns out he and Theresa were married in their backyard last week - they all seem to be taking the news just fine and are going to be spending a great deal of time with their new "stepmother" this summer!

I believe they were all surprised (but not I) when Delaney puttered downstairs with Josh behind her to flip on "Nickelodeon" this morning at 5:30 Houston time! I wasn't - she has almost always awakened here in Columbus at 6:30 when the sun pops in. I gave Tim the drill about setting out cereal, bowls, spoons and milk in a pourable container - the two of these children get along famously and as long as there is food and a TV with Nick Jr. on, life is good and he'll be able to sleep until the late hour of oh, 7am on Saturdays! (lol)

As for me - last night was strange, but I busied myself with friends and spent some time at the Memorial Tournament and after party - great band, good food, wonderful company... all good.

In a moment I'll head up to Michigan to celebrate my cousin Danielle's high school graduation (Uncle Paul's daughter). Sunday and Monday I'll be with Pat Stokes looking at rental homes in the Plymouth/Canton area. I hope to find a place this weekend that I can rent and move forward with to go directly from here to there... it will save trying to come up with the $800 in storage the moving company wants to keep the things 30 days or less. Plus, if I move directly, I'll unpack at night and find a job during the day to try to rebuild a month of rent ahead before the kids come home.

With regard to the move, I have to be out of the apartment by June 15th, and plan to be in Detroit shortly after to begin my search for a rental. Since the apartments the size I need are going for $1500-2000, I've decided to try to find a rental home, which will require first and last months rent upon move-in but cost closer to $1300 a month. Detroit is expensive but I believe the proximity of family - from both sides (Tim and my own) will .

If you are able and would like to make a small donation to assist the family in moving back to Michigan this summer, please, please do so.

To be perfectly honest, it isn't going to be easy to raise the monies needed and the church fundraiser at Fuddrucker's netted a total of $310 - ($138 from sales + the $180 from the jar at the entrance.) But that wasn't for naught - it brought in $310 of the $2000 goal!

Thank you so much all that attended and especial the women who planned it: my choir minister, Judy Custodio and Natalie Hutchinson, my own personal guardian angel! Well-done ladies!

Donations can be sent by check with "Team Delaney" written in the memo section to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Please feel free to contact:

Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc (614-761-0301) if you have any questions about the family's needs. I wish to thank you all for your prayers and support - they are both greatly needed, and highly appreciated!

The children will be returning July 23 to Columbus, though we will be in Michigan by then. It will be scan time for Delaney and we will need to do them here at Children’s in Columbus rather than quick trying to find new doctors in Michigan on such short notice.

Hopefully, we will be able to stay at the Ronald MacDonald house during that week. We hope to visit those of you we missed before the children’s last day of school trip!

May God bless you and yours (and me, mine and ours!) ALWAYS!

Sincerely,

Renée
Mom to Delaney (8), Emilie (10), & Joshua (6)

Saturday, June 5, 2004 @ 12:25 PM EST

Today is Wednesday, and on Friday at noon the children's father, Tim, will fly in to take them to Houston until July 23rd. I acknowledge that I need a bit of a break after being the only available parent since his move last year.

But six weeks! That seems like so long! I remember last February and March when Delaney had two months straight in the hospital - but I still got to SEE Emilie and Joshua - Delaney I've never been away from more than a week!

It's as though they are so much a part of me that it physically hurts to let them go - and then I tell myself I need the break, I have to get ready to move our things, then move them, then try to find a place to rent in Michigan all before they come back in July...

SURELY the six weeks will fly? Right?

With regard to the move, I have to be out of the apartment by June 15th, and plan to be in Detroit shortly after to begin my search for a rental. Since the apartments the size I need are going for $1500-2000, I've decided to try to find a rental home, which will require first and last months rent upon move-in.

If you would like to make a small donation to assist the family in moving back to Michigan and family this summer, please feel free to send a check with "Team Delaney" written in the memo section to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Please feel free to contact:

Patty Bulcher or Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc (614-761-0301) if you have any questions.
Thank you for your prayers and support - they are both greatly needed, and highly appreciated!

May God bless you and yours (and me, mine and ours!) ALWAYS!

Sincerely,

Renée A. La Forest

P.S. The First Communion was beautiful! More pictures will follow soon (problems with MSN software and awaiting replacement) and I cannot wait to send copies to the wonderful women in my mother's quilting group who sent nine items to be considered for Delaney to cover her still-bald head with for the ceremony.

I wish many blessings to the women who took the time to make these items. You will be receiving pictures (soon!) of her with each of the creations and all the items not used will be available to other young girls facing cancer during this critical time in their Catholic and Christian upbringing.

(I am waiting for a replacement disk from MSN – it’s been on order since two weeks past the communion and still is not in receipt. I need this disk to fix an issue with my computer – thank you for being patient – the pictures will be coming as soon as I am able to the women who made the items as well as on the website).

Thank you!

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 @ 3:30PM EST

I am sorry it has taken so long for me to write... it has been a busy time getting ready for the move and dealing with the end of the school year and SUCCESSFUL scans for Delaney at her one year in remission mark.

Yes, just Monday the last of Delaney's one year post-treatment scans came back and she is now one year in remission with no evidence of returned disease at the present time. We will move forward with scans every three months going forward.

The First Communion was beautiful! Pictures will follow soon (problems with MSN software and awaiting replacement) and I cannot wait to send copies to the wonderful women in my mother's quilting group who sent nine items to be considered for Delaney to cover her still-bald head with for the ceremony.

It was difficult to choose which one she would wear, in fact, I stayed out of the decision entirely and in the end wore one that made her look like every other little girl taking that step with God on that special day. It was a gift that she and I deemed to important for words... for her wish was to "just look normal" on that day.

Many blessings to the women who took the time to make these items. You will be receiving pictures (soon!) of her with each of the creations and all the items not used will be available to other young girls facing cancer during this critical time in their Catholic and Christian upbringing.

Now we look toward the end of the school year...

Not only would I like to again thank the parishioners at St. Joan of Arc for your continued attempts at support over the past two years, I would like to than Natalie Hutchinson, Judy Custodio and the St. Joan of Arc Music Ministry on their recent fundraising event at Fuddruckers. It is unknown what the final outcome of the event will be, but at nights end it neared $200 in cash donations alone! Thank you so much to all that attended to show their support.

It is will complete honesty I tell you we would never have survived this time without your assistance.

Prior to the Fuddruckers event the balance of the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund has been at zero for some time. It has been quite a strain on us as we have juggle the funds to make ends meet each month. We are trying right now to raise monies to assist in our move to Michigan (the move itself, first and last months deposit in a new apartment or (hopefully) a small rental home alone are expected to cost approximately $5000 and Tim's father as well as our family in Michigan is promising and working to assist as well).

The cost of living there seems to be around $200-$330 more for less space we hope to raise enough for to subsidize our living expenses through the end of August - will (God willing) a bit in reserve as we do not have the luxury of holding now. The last few months have found us juggling quite nervously after the rent, car/insurance and basic utility payments are made. We are left with $200 a month for groceries, fuel, medical co-pays, prescriptions and "incidentals" - $92 of which is in Food Stamps!)

We have really come full circle since Delaney's diagnosis two years ago - we now face financial devastation and it will not be easy for the children and I to recover from the bankruptcy, regain credit, and rebuild a bit of a comfort zone over the next few years.

HOWEVER - we are also now left with not two but THREE reasonably healthy children now that Delaney is a full year in remission to boot! It has been worth the experience and you can imagine I am looking forward to rebuilding our "new normal" life nearer to our family in Michigan.

This is a chance for us to begin our lives again after this terrible ordeal and it is not without great through and humility that am contacting you now. I would deeply appreciate any consideration to this end.

In September, I will seek full time employment once again in with Delaney safely in remission and all three children back in school full time (Joshua will be out of kindergarten and starting first grade already!)

I understand, of course, that you may wish to contact the parish to gain further information with regard to this request. Please feel free to do so!

Your tax-deductible donation can be made payable to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society

(Please write "Team Delaney" in the memo section) and sent to:

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer, SVDP
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Please feel free to contact:

Patty Bulcher or Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc (614-761-0301) if you have any questions.
Thank you for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated.

May God bless you and yours (and me, mine and ours!) ALWAYS!

Sincerely,

Renée A. La Forest

Monday, April 19, 2004 @ 10:01 PM EST

We've been very busy preparing Delaney's first communion - so sorry we haven't been updating. The ceremony will take place this Saturday at 10am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell, OH.

Two years ago Delaney attended her sister's First Communion - I remember her being sad and crying - seemingly for no reason. We all know the reason now -- and despite everything she is still here, ready to take her place as a child of God with the rest of her class.

Please pray for her and the others on this very special day.

Thank you and God Bless!

Renée

Saturday, April 10, 2004 @ 12:16 PM EST

I hope this message finds you at peace and eagerly awaiting spring the way my three little chicks are... we are going to spend Easter with my dear friend Nancy down near Dayton and the kids could not possibly be more excited!

April finds us in scan month once again... Delaneys Bone Scan, MRI and chest CT are scheduled for April 27th and 29th with sedation scheduled for both days. If the scans are clear, we will have reached one year in remission and the scans should lessen to every six months if all is well!

The kids have been busy at school and I am "spring cleaning" to get rid of all the clutter that would otherwise make for a difficult move over the summer... to be honest, it feels good to open the windows and work on this particular project!

On Monday, I'll catch you up on the Delaney and the families recent excursions and activities, but I would like to leave you with a story I recently came across, author unknown. I don't know if it's true or not, I like to believe it is... for me, it speaks of the true meaning of Easter and of our lives as Christians... I hope it touches you in the same way!

May God bless you and yours (and me and mine!) Special prayers to Tia and Tru, Anne and Brittany, Teresa and Coleman, and the members of the Esarc list.)

Renée
Mother to the "Three Little Diggs"
Emilie, Delaney & Joshua

* * * * *
THE SON:

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare
works of art. They had everything in their collection,
from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art" The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.

"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted,"We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one"

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." (Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.)

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry They didn't want
the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy
investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once,
twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry,the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the
cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message
today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets
everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON,THAT WHOSOEVER
BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE.

Monday, March 22, 2004 @ 12:45 PM EST

New Plan...

April 15th will mark the one-year date of Delaney's last chemotherapy regimen. God willing, it will also find her one year in remission.

With that, comes Joshua's entry to first grade and in the opportunity, with the three of them in school come fall, to return to the work force. Hopefully, a fresh start for the four of us is in order!

That being said...

After much thought and careful consideration I have decided that it will be in the best interest of our little family to move back to Michigan at the end of the school year. My sister, some aunts and uncles, and Tim's parents and family all live there.

We have been blessed to have the support of our friends, neighbors, and parishioners here in Columbus... Big Bear Farms, St. Joan of Arc Parish, those of you in Dublin and Powell and around Columbus who have touched our lives and help me to move this little family along one month at a time during the past two years.

With Delaney a year out of treatment it is the perfect time to relocate her care to Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We will take a deep breath, hold tight our faith in God, and rejoin the family we left when Tim and I moved here with the children back in 1997.

It's been seven years - but I've already gotten the feeling we well be welcome back with open arms... now we just have to figure out how to get there!

The same way we got here, I imagine... one day at a time, with lots of prayers.

May God bless you and yours and me and mine!

Renée
Mom to Emilie, Delaney & Joshua - "The Three Little Diggs'"

Friday, March 13, 2004 @ 1:00 AM EST

I remember a time, that doesn't seem so long ago, when I feared my barely six year-old daughter would not see her seventh birthday... is it possible this struggle is almost two years old now?

June 20, 2002 - that was then...

Today, but for the grace of God, Emilie, Joshua, and I will spend celebrating the end of her eighth year of life, and the start of her ninth.

God is good! - isn't He?

Delaney Renée - this means "The Challenger Reborn"

Please, today of all days, take a moment to sign the guestbook, and help me to wish Delaney a very happy day - with many, many years to come!

May God bless you and yours...

"One day at a time, with lots of prayers!"

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs!"

Monday, March 8, 2004 @ 8:45 AM EST

Since the surgery last month, Delaney is often in the middle of a conversation when something catches her eye and she ends of staring and no longer listening. She tells me she knows this is happening, and she trys to stop staring and turn back to listen, but its very hard.

Last week, I spoke with her Oncologist about this... he checked the EEG she had done when she was having the focal tics again. Apparently, the EEG report shows that there is some "slowing" in the brain with regard to reaction time to various stimuli. I am told this is "expected" after the cancer damage and subsequent radiation she had.

It seems I am getting used to hearing these things, one at a time as they come - yet another of the long list of "expected side effects, late effects, after effects" of the treatment I authorized for her.

I know each choice was made after careful consideration and prayer, but it worries me to see the long list of issues that will continue to challenge and plague her in the years to come.

For now, based on the EEG, the most important aspect will be asking the school to conduct an MFE for Delaney. It is imperative an IEP be started immediately if she is to learn to cope with retention, cognitive thinking and motor skill issues in the future.

Aside from all of that, we had a great weekend! It was fun to spend some down time together without obligations to meet and to catch up with friends at church during the "Welcome" reception of new members after mass on Sunday.

Focus back to the children now as with Delaney next Saturday, the birthdays begin!

Delaney will (by the grace of God!) turn 8 on 3/13, Emilie 10 on 3/27 and Joshua 6 on 4/29. Time to hone the cooking skills as each will expect their favorite meal and dessert care of "Chef Mom." (NOt complaining really, it's one of my favorite traditions!)

Also, Delaney will be making her First Holy Communion in the coming weeks - so much to celebrate!

I hope this finds you all well and anxiously awaiting spring! Less than two weeks and we're there!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

Friday, February 27, 2004 @ 10:30 AM EST

Delaney has attended school all week this week, slowly returning to her “normal” self after the lack of focus that segued into major mood swings and finally calm with a just a few “distraction” issues that plague her. She asked me the other day if I ever find myself listening to someone, or talking to someone and then just “stare off into space” forgetting who I am talking to. Let’s just say we’ll keep a close eye on her – after all, mine is due to senility and age, – she doesn’t have a good excuse at seven! Lol

Emilie is doing quite well in school and has begun walking to school on the warmer days with a few kids her age from the neighborhood – it’s been wonderful watching her come out of her shell and become more “social.”

Joshua finally has an IEP for speech and is working hard with Mrs. Louk to improve his deficit – I see many improvements coming, slowly but surely, and hope this will help to build his confidence as well. Both kids were deeply concerned last week when Delaney’s surgery became an extended hospital stay, but they are back on track and concentrating on school, the puppy, playing outside and the obligatory homework. I think they’re doing a great job just being kids!

On the work front, I had an opportunity to work part-time during the month of March locally but was unable to find someone who could help with Joshua that one hour during the day collecting him from Scottish corners at 11:30, feeding him lunch, and delivering him to Dublin Montessori in Powell at 12:30. Thank you to those who were able to volunteer certain days – unfortunately, it was a M-F gig and non-negotiable in hours or days worked.

It looks as if the original plan of putting the kids in summer camp and returning to work then will have to be good enough for now – so we move forward, one day at a time, with lots of prayers. It’s only three more months, after all…

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 @ 5:00 PM EST

We are going to celebrate "Mardi Gras" tonight with the good news I have to report!

I spoke with Delaney's Oncologist a few minutes ago and Dr. Ranalli reported that although there are atypical changes due to radiation damage in Delaney's sinus cavity, there are NO CANCER CELLS NOTED!!!

The pathology is clear and our little fighter is back to school and back on track - the next scans for recurrence will be in April... until then we live one day at a time with lots of prayers!

I have an opportunity to work part-time during the month of March locally in Dublin. It's not exactly my dream job, but it pays $8.50 and hour and I can work five days from 10:45 to 4:45 M-F for the entire month, except days the children have appointments.

I am looking for someone - or a couple someone’s - to help collect Joshua from Scottish corners at 11:30 with his packed lunch and deliver him to Dublin Montessori in Powell at 12:30. If you are able to assist, please contact me at 614-793-2341 or 614-404-7556.

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

P.S. Please send prayers to Bradford - a.k.a. "Super Boy" and his family in Canada. Bradford has been fighting this terrible disease even longer than Delaney and now, at five years of age, he has gone home from the Canuck House to be home with his family during this very special time. Thank you and God bless!

Friday, February 20, 2004 @ 12:20 PM EST

Delaney is still having problems. For the most part she is very self-enclosed preferring not to deal with the kids and me at all, but rather staring off into space, the TV... when I can get her attention, she converses, but pulls back to withdraw into her own little world. It's difficult to describe to the doctor that she isn't "just being a kid" because the truth is, she isn't being MY KID - this is not Delaney. Slowly, it seems to get better, but she isn't here.

Joshua just got home from school and she threw a terrible tantrum when he went up to bring her a piece of candy he was given at school. She slammed the door and screamed "get out of my sight." So you can imagine I'm still very worried and waiting on the pathology... cultures are still growing... it's been such a surreal week or two! I will update the journal as things change or if I learn more from the doctors.

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs

P.S. Today, I received a check from one of my E-Sarc friends who lost her son Jon to this horrible disease only six months ago. I can't thank her enough - I ask you to say a prayer for Linda's healing - Jon would have been 21 this coming Monday, February 23 - you would have been blessed to know him.

* * * * *

PLEASE READ HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS FAMILY WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION!

* * * * *

Thank you to those who have sent donations in an effort to bring our bills current. We now need only $900 in assistance to catch up on January/February's deficit and return to our regularly scheduled budget once again. This is the first time we've fallen behind like this since Delaney became ill, but if we catch up, our restructure should allow us to go forward status quo until I start work in the summer - the children will be staying in Houston with their father for the first half of the summer break.

It will be very emotionally difficult without them here, but will also allow me to work and catch up on the bills, and relocate once again to a smaller apartment to take advantage of lower rent rates.

Any assistance you can provide, however small, will be incredibly helpful to the day-to-day workings of this family. For your convenience, tax-deductible donations can be sent via the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joan of Arc Parish and will be deposited in the "Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund"

Please make your donation payable to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society (remember to write "Team Delaney" in the memo section)

And mail to:

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer, St. Vincent De Paul Society
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

For verification of this child's illness and family needs, please contact:

Patty Bulcher or Natalie Hutchinson at St. Joan of Arc: 614-761-0301 (corrected!)

or you may call

Faye Bullio, Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH: 614-722-2000

(Please let us know if you wish to have your donation remain anonymous.)

Thursday, February 19, 2004 @ 9:30 AM EST

I'm sorry I haven't been able to send an update - I have had limited long distance access and no computer access until now.

Delaney had a difficult time "coming out" of surgery. We stayed the night as she was quite sleepy, but the next morning she remained the same... almost catatonic as she stared off into space, ignoring those of us who tried to talk with her... her "focal tics" came back and it was all rather scary.

She was seen by a Neurologist and underwent a repeat CT scan and an EEG... no one could determine the issue. Gradually though, during the end of the second and beginning of the third day, there was progress. She was finally released and is home with me now - still off in her own world, but able to come back if you try hard enough to get through.

Talking to one of the Oncologists, I believe there is swelling at the surgery site and it is gradually lessening. She cannot have anti-inflammatory medication so I will be calling on a daily basis to report her progress.

This has been a difficult week or so, to be honest, but I wanted to take a minute to thank those who provided support to me and the children from home this week:

The Carey Family
The Ewing's Sarcoma Family
The Hutchinson Family
The Kramer Family
The Sargeant Family
The Ulrey Family
The Wilson Family
Wendy & Cat

Delaney's surgery went reasonably well... she was in for about two hours and then the ENT came out and explained that he'd encountered quite a bit of pus and infection in the sphenoid sinus that was cleaned, scraped/rinsed.

He is confident that the mass was indeed a cyst, though he sent it to the pathology lab to ensure there were no cancer cells involved. I am reasonably confident that there will be no new Ewing's cells found, but will rest easiest when the full path report is in.

The cultures that were sent off are already growing aerobic bacteria (which indicates that air is getting back to those passages, since this type cannot grow without it). She is out of school for the week for now and will be re-evaluated.

Thank you so much for your prayers, good thoughts, and concern!

Renée
Mom to the "Three Little Diggs'"

* * * * *

HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS FAMILY:

Any assistance you can provide, however small, will be incredibly helpful to the day-to-day workings of this family. For your convenience, tax-deductible donations can be sent via the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joan of Arc Parish and will be deposited in the "Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund."

Please make your donation payable to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society (remember to write "Team Delaney" in the memo section)

And mailing to:

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer, St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. JOA
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

For verification of this fund please contact Patty or Natalie at St. Joan of Arc: 614-791-0301

(Please let us know if you wish to have your donation remain anonymous.)

* * * * *

ABOUT RENÉE & THE KIDS:

In June of 2002 when Delaney was diagnosed Renée found it necessary to quit her Information Technology job to focus on the needs at hand. While Delaney was in the hospital, and through a process of teamwork and a mutual love for the children, the “shared parenting” agreement was set aside.

Tim cared for Emilie and Joshua at home, Renée remained with her Delaney during hospital stays, chemo treatments, radiation, and illness. The childcare costs were split between the parents over the summer to allow Tim to work and continue to provide child support. The home being built by the recently divorced mother was taken out of contract and the down payment was put aside for living expenses. Renée and the children moved into a small townhouse to wait out the result of the fight.

In between hospitalizations, the children stayed with mom resumed her role as full-time mom to the three and learned to function as well in the capacity of Delaney’s homecare provider, learning to give intravenous nutrition and medications and monitor her for signs of fever or infection. … Emilie and Joshua were not immune to the trauma of having a sibling with cancer and soon each of them began to feel left out, less loved, less cared for… it soon became apparent that returning to work was not an option for the time being.

Financially, things are very difficult for the family. As a disabled vet she receives a small monthly military pension that is supplemented by the requisite child support payments from Houston, TX where the children’s father moved last summer for employment purposes.

Renée is striving once again to rejoin the work force this summer. She has owned an IT Consulting Business in the past and would like to start once again in that capacity, working instead for home-based client and businesses who cannot afford to pay expense rates for these services.

Once up and running the business will offer everything from part-time consulting for small business owners as well as those who simply want to know how to get there email, write a résumé or use the internet. She builds computers, as well as repairing and upgrading them and intends to build a client base of those who wish to be taught the basic and not so basic software programs needed to get by in the 21st century, to those who wish work to be completed such as writing databases for everything from contact lists for mass mailings to inventory of goods. While working from home she will be able to remain flexible and work on her timetable as well as diffuse the rising costs of childcare ($1600 per month for the summer for three children - a much greater challenge than one would think.)

Renée explains: “The truth is, we want for no material things. We are frugal but happy on a very small budget yet after rent, car, and auto/renters insurance are paid each month there is $500 left for utilities, auto fuel, groceries, and the unexpected.

The unexpected incidentals are what hit the hardest (co-pays for doctors and prescriptions, the rise in gas prices, school needs, clothing needs as the kids grow, car repairs, (not one but TWO flat tires in the past six months) etc.) are hurting us tremendously!

Make no mistake! I would much rather be working and bringing the necessary income into the home myself than asking for or accepting donations, but the focus for the moment must be on the children’s health and needs – not wants.”

With no family to assist in the Columbus area, the children's mother is happy at the moment to provide the guidance, nurturing, childcare, and transportation services for the children's never-ending appointments. With Joshua in only half-day kindergarten, there seems to be no other choice for the moment. It is a daily ritual that is necessary and an act of love, but love and dedication do not pay the bills - it remains a struggle.

It is not without the help of an occasional donation from the members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell and various members of the community, which the family has managed to stay afloat after the savings account and monies from the down payment on the home Renée stopped building were depleted.

Special thanks from the children's mother:

"To those of your who already pray for us, have sent a donation in the past, supplied care to the children, prepared a meal for our family, or said a kind word in passing… please know that you are special in our eyes and greatly appreciated. I wish I could thank every one of you individually and tell you personally just how much!

The fact is with your directed prayers it has been easy to keep afloat spiritually, and without your kind assistance impossible to do so financially. Though I can never repay you monetarily please know that you will remain in my thoughts, in my prayers and in my heart forever. I hope you never experience the illness of a child, and the havoc it can wreak on the lives of those involve. In this case, an otherwise successful single mother, and three young children."

May God bless you and yours.

Sincerely,

Renée A. La Forest
Mother to Emilie (9), Delaney (7), and Joshua (5)

Monday, February 16, 2004 @ 10:00 PM EST

Delaney came out of surgery around 8pm - she was admitted to room 5310 on the Heme-Onc ward for overnight. SHe is very groggy - has not awakened to talk much...

Word from the ENT is that there was a great deal of pus/infection in the sphenoid - samples were sent to pathology and cultures were sent to the lab to identify the infection - this will take around a week for path, two to three for cultures and sensitivities. She is on an antibiotic now and will return home tomorrow and remain out of school this week recovering - will let you know more tomorrow - I'm going back to my baby girl!

May God bless you all!

Renée
Mom to the Three Little Diggs!

* * * * *

HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS FAMILY IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE!

Any assistance you can provide, however small, will be incredibly helpful to the day-to-day workings of this family. For your convenience, tax-deductible donations can be sent via the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joan of Arc Parish and will be deposited in the "Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund."

Please make your donation payable to:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society (remember to write "Team Delaney" in the memo section)

And mailing to:

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
c/o Patty Bulcher, Treasurer, St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. JOA
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

For verification of this fund please contact Patty or Natalie at St. Joan of Arc: 614-791-0301

(Please let us know if you wish to have your donation remain anonymous.)

* * * * *

ABOUT RENÉE & THE KIDS:

In June of 2002 when Delaney was diagnosed Renée found it necessary to quit her Information Technology job to focus on the needs at hand. While Delaney was in the hospital, and through a process of teamwork and a mutual love for the children, the “shared parenting” agreement was set aside.

Tim cared for Emilie and Joshua at home, Renée remained with her Delaney during hospital stays, chemo treatments, radiation, and illness. The childcare costs were split between the parents over the summer to allow Tim to work and continue to provide child support. The home being built by the recently divorced mother was taken out of contract and the down payment was put aside for living expenses. Renée and the children moved into a small townhouse to wait out the result of the fight.

In between hospitalizations, the children stayed with mom resumed her role as full-time mom to the three and learned to function as well in the capacity of Delaney’s homecare provider, learning to give intravenous nutrition and medications and monitor her for signs of fever or infection. … Emilie and Joshua were not immune to the trauma of having a sibling with cancer and soon each of them began to feel left out, less loved, less cared for… it soon became apparent that returning to work was not an option for the time being.

Financially, things are very difficult for the family. As a disabled vet she receives a small monthly military pension that is supplemented by the requisite child support payments from Houston, TX where the children’s father moved last summer for employment purposes.

Renée is striving once again to rejoin the work force this summer. She has owned an IT Consulting Business in the past and would like to start once again in that capacity, working instead for home-based client and businesses who cannot afford to pay expense rates for these services.

Once up and running the business will offer everything from part-time consulting for small business owners as well as those who simply want to know how to get there email, write a résumé or use the internet. She builds computers, as well as repairing and upgrading them and intends to build a client base of those who wish to be taught the basic and not so basic software programs needed to get by in the 21st century, to those who wish work to be completed such as writing databases for everything from contact lists for mass mailings to inventory of goods. While working from home she will be able to remain flexible and work on her timetable as well as diffuse the rising costs of childcare ($1600 per month for the summer for three children - a much greater challenge than one would think.)

Renée explains: “The truth is, we want for no material things. We are frugal but happy on a very small budget yet after rent, car, and auto/renters insurance are paid each month there is $500 left for utilities, auto fuel, groceries, and the unexpected.

The unexpected incidentals are what hit the hardest (co-pays for doctors and prescriptions, the rise in gas prices, school needs, clothing needs as the kids grow, car repairs, (not one but TWO flat tires in the past six months) etc.) are hurting us tremendously!

Make no mistake! I would much rather be working and bringing the necessary income into the home myself than asking for or accepting donations, but the focus for the moment must be on the children’s health and needs – not wants.”

With no family to assist in the Columbus area, the children's mother is happy at the moment to provide the guidance, nurturing, childcare, and transportation services for the children's never-ending appointments. With Joshua in only half-day kindergarten, there seems to be no other choice for the moment. It is a daily ritual that is necessary and an act of love, but love and dedication do not pay the bills - it remains a struggle.

It is not without the help of an occasional donation from the members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell and various members of the community, which the family has managed to stay afloat after the savings account and monies from the down payment on the home Renée stopped building were depleted.

Special thanks from the children's mother:

"To those of your who already pray for us, have sent a donation in the past, supplied care to the children, prepared a meal for our family, or said a kind word in passing… please know that you are special in our eyes and greatly appreciated. I wish I could thank every one of you individually and tell you personally just how much!

The fact is with your directed prayers it has been easy to keep afloat spiritually, and without your kind assistance impossible to do so financially. Though I can never repay you monetarily please know that you will remain in my thoughts, in my prayers and in my heart forever. I hope you never experience the illness of a child, and the havoc it can wreak on the lives of those involve. In this case, an otherwise successful single mother, and three young children."

May God bless you and yours.

Sincerely,

Renée A. La Forest
Mother to Emilie (9), Delaney (7), and Joshua (5)

Monday, February 16, 2004 @ 10:00 AM

Notes from 2/10

Delaney's scans revealed a "mass" in her sphenoid sinus (the one behind the eyes near the optic chasm, carotid artery, and skull base). She will have special surgery this week with "Stealth Technology." This cutting edge technique will allow a CT scan to be available to guide them during surgery while they cleaning the sinuses and working in this particular area. I am worried about the potential issues going into this sensitive area, as it has been made clear to me that if her brittle skull wall is further damaged in any way it will result in a spinal leak that will not seal.

Hopefully, we are dealing with a large "piece of snot" as the Doctor put it... I will let you know more, as I am made aware. Please keep her in your prayers.

(Notes from 2/11)

After reading the Stealth CT scans, the ENT surgeon, and Delaney's Onc have changed what they are calling her pending operation... it is no longer to clean out her sinus alone - it is also a biopsy of the "large cyst-like" mass in her sphenoid. They are being cautious, calling it a cyst - but I know what that equates to: an "unknown mass.” The biopsy will happen as soon as they can find a large enough space to book the operating room at Children's in Columbus Ohio... they want to be sure she is there in case "something happens."

What, my friends could possibly go wrong? I'm still praying for boogers and snot!

Notes from 2/12

I just called the ENT surgery scheduler to find out about Delaney. They are telling me that they can't get her in until March! Then, I got the "don't know what to tell you" speech because the operating rooms are booked that far for the type of surgery she must have (1 hour prep IN OR).

I calmly but insistently informed her that if they CANNOT tell me it's not a tumor or rule out the recurrence of Ewing's we have a large problem. I asked her make sure our surgeon new of the delay as Dr. Willet - who we love and trust a great deal - knows that this delay is much too long as this cancer can double in size every three to four days, she is having horrendous headaches, AND as the cavity is full of this "cystic mass", she doesn't seem to have room for this to happen.

2/12 @ 11:24 am

FINALLY - the surgery is scheduled and Delaney will be on stand by all day Monday and we will sit there and wait all day even if it happens at 9-10 at night, but we will have this surgery NOW, in FEB, NOT MARCH! (THANK YOU DR. WILLET!)

May God bless you, yours - and mine too! One day at a time, with lots of prayers.

INSANE IN OHIO!

Renée
"Delaney's mom"

Believe that there is a reason you were brought here... I hope you find Christmas and God Himself in this message...

Miss
Delaney Renée Diggs, Age 7

Cancer Survivor

When
translated, her name means:

The
“Challenger Reborn”

“I
know now, in my heart and in my soul, that she will not die
an unlived life.. for her purpose, and mine, are unto the
Lord..."

Renée
A. La Forest

*
* *

Friends:

Believe
that there is a reason you were brought here... I hope you find
Christmas and God Himself in this message...

*
* *

For
Christmas 2003 I have been privileged received a very special
revelation, along with many other wonderful gifts...My
obligation and wish is to share that gift with you as well...
Firstly, I received a phone call from a wonderful ballerina by
the name of Sara Rifkin on Sunday evening (12/22). She
befriended Delaney and I after we saw her dance in The Ballet
Met's "The Nutcracker" last Christmas."

To
make a long story short, Delaney will be back stage this Monday
night, watching from behind the scenes and possibly going in
costume on stage to mill around during the party scene. What
wonderful opportunities her bright spirit have brought forth
her!

*
* *

About
Delaney:

Seven-year-old
Delaney was diagnosed on 06/26/02 with localized Ewing's
Sarcoma/PNET that started in her left maxillary sinus and grew
undetected until the 6cm X 7cm X 7 cm began to distort her face,
it had grown up through her sinuses into the cribriform plate
and facial bones surrounding her eyes. It was wrapped, in it's
entirety around optic chasm, leaving surgery out of the
question. The morbidity rate was simply too high due to the
involvement of the central nervous system and her eyes.

Treated
on the standard 14-treatment protocol for ESFT/PNET, she had no
metastases but was hospitalized for 7 five-day chemo treatments,
5 three-day chemo, and two overnights. Not to mention the many
times she was hospitalized to low ANC, major infection, or
sepsis. She was administered 28 days of radiation to the face
and frontal lobe, 21 directly through eyes for a total of
approximately 500 cGy (pronounced C-Gray).

Happily,
she is now in remission and recently returned from a six-day
vacation to “Give Kid’s the World” in Orlando, Florida,
compliments of wonderful team of fundraisers in the Central Ohio
and Kentucky offices of Make-A-Wish International.

We
recently learned the wish was sponsored financially by a local
BMW affiliate, inspired to do so after learning a bit about
Delaney and her incredible spirit. Thank you to both entities -
what kind and giving souls you all are!

Through
the grace of God, she is holding her own and we expect the next
set of scans (Chest CT, Head CT, MRI, full-body bone scan and
possibly pet scan) to be scheduled for mid-January 2004. These
scans are re-run every three months to keep her medical team
apprised of her status and monitor whether the cancer is
returning. But for the grace of God go I...

* * *

Preface:

Before
you read forward, I would like to take this time to share some
things with you – a culmination, if you will, of events our
family has experienced over the past two years. It may help you
to understand a bit more about how our lives have been lived and
where we find ourselves now. Initially, it may sound
disheartening, but I assure you that despite everything I have
to tell you, it is indeed an uplifting story I hope you will
feel inspired to share with others, and so I begin:

Dear
Friends in Christ…

The
week before Christmas 2003, I retained an attorney and started
bankruptcy proceedings, it will actually be filed shortly
although I feel it’s been started and so it’s been done. The
debts were not all medical in nature and in fact most were from
the debt I was assigned during the course of my untimely divorce
with the children’s father. I was paid to date on all
commitments, except my divorce attorney and had been extended
the credit and building a home in Scioto Reserve of Powell.

I
had already paid off many bills, but still had some to work on.
The first year of my divorce, the entire child support and
alimony checks I received at the time went toward keeping the
kids in Montessori School, where they would be safe and secure
in a familiar environment. It also paid for Emilie who attended
Dublin Latch Key while I was seeking employment and finally,
working for a time.

When
Delaney became ill, it coincided with the end of my year of
alimony. No longer working. It was not fault or responsibility
of my ex-husband, Tim. He had paid in full based on our mutual
disillusion agreement. Still, I continued, with the help of
others, to make arrangements with my two unsecured creditors and
was paid to date until the donations had stopped and my bank
account was depleted. Emilie remained in Latch Key, Tim cared
for the children while Delaney was sick and I manned the
hospital position.

Mrs.
Roshon at Dublin Montessori did not charge me through the summer
for the keeping Joshua safe and secure in a familiar
environment. Even this year, as he finishes his Kindergarten
classes there, she has assisted with payments Tim is making
(without obligation) to the same end.

This
year, Joshua attends public kindergarten where his sisters
attend school at Dublin’s Scottish Corners. In the afternoons,
he attends Dublin Montessori where he will graduate in May with
his peers. He was started to show great progress in learning,
but his speech is still difficult at times. Montessori is
helping him focus and this, and Scottish Corners had a meeting
Friday (which I completely forgot about in the chaos of the past
through days.

He
will be starting an IEP for speech in January. Thank you, both
schools, for assisting. I make no excuses for the spending
habits I had prior to my divorce and Delaney’s illness. I was
naďve, immature and inefficient with my funds. I have learned
over the past two years to be extremely frugal and have learned
to manage a household as efficiently as possible with the a
budget of $2062.03 we are lucky to net each month (made possible
through the children’s father paying child support and my
VA/Navy Retirement pension.)

If
we’ve given a small gift, enjoyed a meal out or splurged at
the grocery store, it was possible because of people like you
who gave us gift cards we chose to use for that purpose. I
haven’t always been as frugal as possible, but I’m learning.
Renée

*
* *

A
Moment of Clarity…

Since
I’ve been having a “moment of clarity” it seems fitting
that I be very clear about everything I’m telling you. I’ve
tried my best to do so. I am not a saint; I don’t pretend to
be one. I make hasty decisions, am unkind without intent, and
have sinned many times. I am, like this missive, a work in
progress. Aren’t we all?

As
I finish this writing, which has taken a week to complete, I
realize that there has been purpose behind the past nights
I’ve stayed up writing and rewriting this down to share with
you. Some of you have already read parts of this in full because
I’ve emailed them to you before, not understanding at the time
it was really a “work in progress.”

I
thank God for using his loving guidance with me in this project.
I have felt the Holy Spirit inside of me the entire time and
know that you have sent me to deliver this proof of you
existence, this very special missive to share with the world.
I’ve decided that in preparation for next Christmas, I really
am going to try to use this inspiration to write a book
detailing our story.

With
Carole King’s permission, it will be entitled: “Love Makes
the World… - The story of Team Delaney – Home of Renée and
the three little Diggs’.”

Renée

*
* *

I
already know my dedications… in this continued “moment of
clarity that I pray never ends, they came easy to me…:

Dedication
to my parents:

Mom
and Dad…I may not have been the most wonderful child to
bring up. I was stubborn and manipulative and difficult at
times, and often felt angered while I learned through my
experiences and your loving though not always patient
guidance. I realize now that I was a child and it was your
job to teach me to cope and become someone that could be
loved and respected in this world. Without your firm hand
and continued efforts to push me forward and not allow me to
feel sorry for myself, I would never have made it through
these trying times. I love you both, and for the gifts
you’ve given me I am eternally grateful.

I
love you both so very much!

Your
devoted daughter,

Renée
Ann

*
* *

And
especially for my three amazing Children:

I
pray that you are privileged in life to find your own
"Tapestries" are woven of the finest threads of the
faith, hope and love that surrounds you this joyous Holiday
season…

Mommy
loves you, all three, to the Moon & Back!

Child
of God, Mother, Daughter, Granddaughter, Descendant, Sister,
Friend, Neighbor, Co-worker, Computer Hack, Trainer, Docent,
Public Speaker & Future Author?

*
* *

Team
Delaney Progress and Update:

I
wanted to share with you the news that the bankruptcy was
finally filed this week. WAIT! Don't delete me yet please…
This is not an impassioned plea for monetary assistance or
request for canned goods and blankets.

Quite
the opposite!

The
kindness of friends, family and strangers has allowed me to
provide a bit of Christmas for Emilie, Delaney and Joshua at a
time when I thought the celebration of the season and the joy of
being with family and friends, would be all I could offer them.
(Not to mention a soothing calmness as we slowly but steadily
move toward both physical and emotional healing in our home)

Lately,
good luck has been brought to our doorstep in masses offering
clothing to keep the kids warm through the coming winter months,
food for our celebration and even toys to fuel the children’s
imagination. Some have even included unexpected and small gifts
or tokens for me.

To
be frank, the bankruptcy has been a long time coming. Though I
waited as long as I could to file the time had come to accept
the fact that the bills totaling $40,000 that were racked up
prior to the children’s father being able to provide complete
insurance coverage in July of this year would never be paid to
date.

As
we move forward, my damaged credit rating will be left to
gradually heal and us four are presented with a life that
appears to be creating it’s own patterns and traditions. It
is a fresh, clean start and, if you will, a “new norm” for
us. I’m not trying to turn this into self-profiting website (www.savekaryn.com).

Although
I know already He will help me as I proceed with this calling.
Besides, being saved by the Holy Trinity is pretty much all I
need, right? I realize things will never be the same as
they were before my daughter’s cancer diagnosis yet reflecting
on that now, I believe this to be a wondrous gift – one of
perspective that was not necessarily clear to me until just
recently.

As
we near the start of 2004 the children and I find ourselves
filing for recently bankrupt, yes, but living comfortably in a
small but adequate rented town home - “Home” being the
operative word. We are out of harm's way with friendly neighbors
and an exemplary school system and soon to be free from credit
card debit or credit cards at all. Not a problem as I not relied
on them in over two years – I plan to remain free of those
demons forever.

Now
we have only rent, a car payment, renters and auto insurance
along with utility, fuel and grocery bills to budget for each
month and they are covered by the child support I receive from
their father as well as the small pension I was awarded when I
became a disabled American veteran of the US Navy in 1989.

Simply
and not ungratefully put, our wants will have to wait for now,
and it’s okay, because our needs are being met. I will remain
home this spring, possibly taking a few classes to bring my
skill set current and, if my prayers become reality, April 2004
will find Delaney at the one-year anniversary of her
remission.

That
being the case, I will then be able to return to the job force
and provide a more solid padding of security for us all and
eventually, to frugally address a few of those wants each of my
children dream of… and someday soon in the not too distant
future, a few of my own!

I
hope to build upon and eventually use my skill set and I know
that I will be working toward starting a Charitable Foundation
called:

“Random
Acts of Kindness

Dedicated
to Supporting the Fight Against Ewing’s Sarcoma...

One
Day at a Time… with lots of prayers!

I
hope to be instrumental, in bringing happiness, if only
temporary, to other deserving children and their families.
Although I am fittingly humbled by the necessity of my financial
planning strategies, I am not at all ashamed.

These
actions were warranted by a situation I could not control and I
am thankful that after losing my job and the home I was building
for my children and I to live in last year, we are entering into
this without any property or assets left to lose. (Dear God! At
least I believe that to be the case!)

Christmas
is around the corner and I have planned a penny-wise yet
plentiful surprise of much needed clothing and a much desired
toy or two for each of the children to unwrap while, surrounded
by family and friends, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
with a humble and satisfying traditional Christmas.

Despite
the financial crisis we are in, my little family's perspective
is that this will be the absolute best Christmas ever!

Think
about it... Delaney is five months in remission now. It is true
that perhaps the health problems are not completely gone but she
is alive and happy and has spent eighteen months with me now
since the day I learned that she was dying of cancer.

I
could have easily lost her then, she was so ill in the
beginning, but her doctors and the treatment protocol they
decided upon changed all of that. For now and whatever hours,
days, years, or decades we have left on earth, I will cherish
each day that the children and I spend together.

Emilie
has finally turned a corner and is learning to cope with her
personal challenges one day at a time – and I feel at peace
and guided by the hand of God to help her achieve a more
peaceful existence. Joshua remains a sweet little man who
appears securely ensconced in the arms of his mother and sisters
who love him.

I
reflect on the cultural events Delaney and her siblings, ages
nine and five, have been given the opportunity to attend…
productions they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to
experienced but in my opinion will help them to be more
well-rounded individuals in the future.

To
give you an idea of what I mean, they attended such productions
as:

Mozart’s
Magic Flute

Ballet
Met’s traditional Nutcracker 2002 & 2003 (Delaney had
an impromptu walk-on part!

CATS!
- In which we were assigned front row seats by opera
Columbus.

The
three have also attended with me, at various times, fund-raisers
where Delaney used her sincere and upbeat personality – not to
mention her voice in song – to help in a small way to open the
hearts of supporters who in turn bid on silent auction items of
donated funds to help the Central Ohio and Kentucky
“Make-a-Wish” and “Adventures for Wish Kids” programs
continue to grant wishes and provide morale-building activities
to other children who, like her, have been faced with greater
challenges than many twice or even several times their age.

My
children’s eager young minds have been afforded the
opportunity to meet amazing people, the likes of Carole King and
Tyler Wright of the Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey team, whose
personal charity is the Hats for Heroes program for which he
earned the first CBJ Community Service award at the “Meet the
Players” luncheon the start of this season. Delaney and
another childhood cancer survivor, pre-teen Jessie Crowe,
presented this award to Tyler at the meet-and-greet event while
her mother Rita and I proudly witnessing the heartwarming
proceedings.

If I may digress, the CBJ Foundation sponsors
Tyler and the Hats for Heroes charity to benefit pediatric
cancer research at the Columbus Children’s Hospital and its
mission is also aimed at fostering self-esteem and brighter
outlooks, however temporary, for so many children and their
siblings who are dealing with various life-threatening
illnesses.

This is all accomplished through team visits at the
hospital, hockey games they are given the opportunity to attend,
and other events and programs now in effect or in the planning
stages for the future. Last week she had a photo shoot with
Tyler and there will be a poster of the two in the Nationwide
Arena Hockey store. It will be the point of sale for the
Hats for Heroes ball caps and the Third Jersey.

It is obvious
that Tyler Wright, Wendy Patterson Bradshaw and the entire
Columbus Blue Jackets Team and Foundation are passing it
forward…

What is the Foundation's Mission?: The Columbus Blue Jackets
established the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation in March 2000.
This grant-making, 501(c) 3, public charity was formed to
utilize the unique resources of its professional athletes,
coaches and staff to help improve the quality of life throughout
the community.

The Foundation donates time, resources, and
financial support to organizations committed to meeting the
educational, cultural, health and wellness needs of people
throughout Central Ohio. A primary focus of the Foundation is
the "Stick with Kids" initiative from which a
percentage of the annual proceeds are designated to the
development of youth hockey.

The proceeds raised annually by the Columbus Blue Jackets
Foundation benefit

75 Grant recipients throughout the community

25Youth hockey development

2002– 2003 Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Board of
Directors:

John H. McConnell, Chairman

John P. McConnell

Jim Clark

Jill MacLean

Cathy Mayne Lyttle

Since its inception in March 2000, the Foundation has granted
over $400,000 in grants, sponsorships and autographed
merchandise in support of local non-profits. The board meets
quarterly to review the applications for funding. All grants are
due for review by January 31st and a formal announcement is made
at the end of the hockey season. For a grant application, please
click here. For additional information, please call 614/246-4259
or e-mail them by clicking
here.

*
* *

In Closing:

I have to say I really didn’t set out to write the entire
novel here, but there was so much I wanted to share with you
that have occurred since November and they have brought forth a
turning point for me.

The birth of a new and positive
perspective on what I thought was disorder and chaos has
revealed itself to be a disorganized yet impassioned (and so far
successful) rebuilding of my life and the lives of my children.

The
point I am trying to share and can’t seem to put into the
right words despite my attempts here, is that as a family we
realize we have indeed been blessed this year with the loving
support of family, friends, doctors, counselors, nurses,
volunteers and even other parents experiencing similar
challenges and tragedies.

Each one, from the smallest child
that dropped a penny in the collection jar at the children's
catechism program to the anonymous people who have made deposits
into Delaney's relief fund and helped me to provide for the kids
- one step at a time, another day, another week, another month
– without immediate critical financial worry.

Graciously, we
were left instead to focus on our immediate health and wellness
needs, the goal of getting Delaney through her treatments,
maintaining a consistent if-not-normal routine of school,
homework, church and bible study all to assist the three in
feeling secure we would pull through this as a family.

Each
time we have been in true need, somehow God has provided through
the workings of these people, just as my faith has taught me to
believe he would if I bear my cross without complaint and ask
Him to show me the path and help me to make the right choices in
doing so.

Every person who has uttered a kind word or prepared a meal or
said a prayer has been sent for a reason; for each of you and
them we are truly grateful. So many groups in our community like
the residents of Big Bear Farms – a subdivision in Powell
where we used to live - whose families who were surely faced
with their own personal challenges joined together where we used
to live and created a fall harvest party.

Over the past two
years raised nearly $3000 in donations to help support our
families needs and even some wants during the most trying times
of Delaney’s illness. They were responsible, along with
others, for making last year’s Christmas possible, when it was
still painfully uncertain if it would be her last celebration
with her father Tim, her brother and sister and me. Laura Carey,
Chris Garverick, Debbie Fisher, Pam Blaine and even their
husbands, along with so many others that spearheaded this
project.

They assured me that next year they would be repeating
their efforts. It is my wish that they do just that.
However the next time, I want to be helping to make it happen
and then watch with my children as they assist someone else, a
different family in need, or possibly several families in crisis
as mine grows stronger and continues to heal. May the cycle
continue!

I know right now of a family who used to attend the same
Montessori as my children. The littlest child is 29 months, he
was born with Spinal Bifida and recent events have become aware
he will not be with them very long.

His brother is 6-years-old.
He will live the same nightmare as Joshua and Emilie, and I pray
that as the sibling of a sick child he will be guided by God’s
Hand.

I never used to pray for God to cure Delaney. I don’t
believe he gave her the disease. Instead, I would pray often
without words, believing He knew my heart and would hear… He
has. I asked that the Virgin Mary remind me to carry my
cross without complaint. I prayed to Him –

“Please guide me in my challenges each day. Help we to have
the wisdom to make it through even though I’m not certain how
to proceed. Allow me to guide my children through these waters
and do not my will, but Yours. Delaney is, as Emilie and
Delaney, not my child.”

She is a gift from you for
her father and me to love,
protect and cherish until You decide it is the proper time. Keep
me mindful of this and give me the strength to rebuke Satan when
he brings me temptation.

To be certain, I prayed in the way I
was taught by the church, In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
from who all good things come. As a result, the power of prayer
has touched me intensely…

I recently bought a book regarding pain and the private parent
“The Power of a Parent’s Prayer”… My children have a
profound one they pray just before bed, perhaps you have a child
in your life that would take an interest in it as well?

Over the
past the last eighteen months I received from (and did my best
in turn to give) support to other families enduring their
child’s illness… too many to name but I will try:

Lisa
Cornwell: This woman, another single mom comes immediately to
mind. Her son, Bradley Wilson, was diagnosed around the same
time as Delaney with Osteogenic Sarcoma. He is a six-month
survivor today, but lost his leg at the hip to that monster at
only nine years old.

Angela and Shayne Thomas:
Their five-year-old daughter Christi was diagnosed on the
one-year anniversary of 9/11 with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. So
severe his her diagnosis and prognosis that they have had to
make the decision not once but many times whether to allow her
life to end as comfortably as possible or move forward with
painful and toxic treatments with no guarantee of a cure. Maybe,
they were told, the best they could hope for was that her life
would be prolonged another 10 or 5 or 2 years… or even the
fifteen months they have had already.

Too short a time for
a young family’s The Thomas family and their community have
prayed while these parents earned each agonizing month of step
of the disease courageous Christi continues to fight, fueled by
the child’s own decision not to stop. She is truly the bravest
of the children I’ve met, matching Delaney’s appealing
charm, intelligence and desire to win this battle.

After both
leaving their jobs to focus on Christi’s medical issues and
her younger sister Shayla’s education and well-being. Her
parents will spend this Christmas in yet another hospital in
Philadelphia this time, after living nearly a year in New York
City, away from their home, family and friends in Tiffin, OH.

During those long months the four of them moved back and forth
between Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital and a small room at
the amazing but crowded Ronald MacDonald house there in NYC.
(More of her story can be found at Christi's Spirit
Club.)

Even more amazing yet here are two families that continued to
build lasting friendships with us four despite their tragic
outcomes:

Christy Eagle: is yet another single mother of four daughters
(Kayla, Katie, Kassidy and Kirsten). She was attending nursing
school and fought the good fight alongside her youngest
daughter. Somehow, with the help of her family and community
support, she cared for her children without complaint through it
all. Still, they lost Kirsten on January 20th of last year to
the same illness that continued to threatened Delaney’s life
and others.

The Riley/Maestros family:
from Steubenville,
OH who traveled - too many times - the 3 hour route to Columbus
with their precious son Robert – even as roads were being
closed to due blustery winter storms.

This sweet little
Irish/Greek boy’s cancer was even more tragic a story.
Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney with metastases – at diagnosis
his parents, Mike and Paula, were told there was no cure for the
disease that would later take their son after many painful
months of clinical trials, just five days after his second
birthday.

Even in their grief these dear people continued to
encourage us to remain steadfast – which was both
heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. By God,
Delaney and I would continue to fight!

SO MANY OTHERS!

God Will Provide…

There are many who provided assistance in
our time of need – her are only a few…Joan of Arc Catholic
Church in so many ways, I’ll recount some of the blessings
here:

In a “penny drive” led by the amazing Natalie
Hutchinson whose personal challenges were many and difficult as
well. Still she relentlessly gathered parishioners, even young
children in catechism classes and made certain they were aware
of family among them in need.

When it seemed we’d
been forgotten over the summer months, Natalie raised the alert
again in the fall. The funds they raised in support of Emilie,
Delaney, Joshua and I have been the most significant monetary
contribution of all. It didn’t build a savings account or
allow us to live carelessly, it wasn’t meant to.

Along with the
St. Vincent de Paul Society, In the end, it often made the
difference many times between the rent and the car payment being
made. SVDP joined forces with them and for a time paid our
grocery bills when I was unable to do so in the first months of
this tragedy.

Local businesses and larger corporations – only some of
several I remember off the top of my head:

v Carnal/Kokosing
Construction

v CiCi’s Pizzav Columbus’ City Center
Mall

v Dawson Personnel

v Donato’s

v Joel’s Stride
Rite

v Mid-Ohio Cardiology

v Penn Traffic’s Big Bear Grocery stores now sadly
experiencing their own bankruptcy filing and the aftermath’s

Most of the above and many more donated silent auction items to
assist the families at Big Bear Farms in making such a success
of the fund-raising event this past fall that I mentioned
earlier:

y
Swan Cleaners

v The Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

v Tria Restaurant in Powell whose owners, the Constantinides
brothers and their wonderful family have been almost like family
to the children and I

v Trim Systems

v Vory’s, Sater, Seymour &
Pease

v Wendy’s International
through their “Championship for Children ~ held at Tartan
Fields Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio this past summer.

Local and Not-So-Local Schools:

v Dublin Montessori Academy: Whose directress, Mary Jill Roshon,
kindly assisted us both last year and this to allow Joshua to
complete the three year Montessori education his sisters were
privileged to receive while their father and I were married.

v Northmor High School’s Jog Program in Galion, OH. While
planning to take part in the 2003 USA Weekend-sponsored “Make
a Difference Day” their teacher, Ellie Donahue told them of a
news story that brought to her attention our family’s
struggle. They decided to make us their project and worked
earnestly to collect canned goods and raise funds in excess of
$500 all to move our family toward our goal.

They even arranged
for Emilie, Delaney and Joshua each to receive a
specially-selected “hearts desire” Christmas gift that I
know will make their hearts happy and faces beam with delight.
(I can’t tell you what the three gifts... it's a secret.

v
Scottish Corners of the Dublin School District, where my kids
attend school. So many staff members and teachers working
together toward re-acclimating the children to our “new norm.

Individuals, Medical Professionals, Columbus Children’s
Hospital & It’s Staff

v Dr. Mark Ranalli : Delaney’s main
Oncologist

v Mr. M. L.: An incredible young man (unnamed for
privacy) who ran the New York Marathon and had the foresight to
make it a fundraiser. He did not win the marathon, but he
finished it and was awarded with all who did a “Winners”
medal from the City of New York. He also explained what his
motivation was, and was given the same medal to give to Delaney
as well. He had family and friends sponsor him and presented
Team Delaney with a $500. In my opinion – he IS indeed a
winner! In truth, there are simply too many people to thank –
I haven’t forgotten them – I am simply overwhelmed with the
outpour of support we have been given by these very special
groups and individuals.

v Stacey Whiteside: Delaney’s Nurse
Practitioner

v The nurses, staff, and PCA’s of J5, and so many
other areas of the hospital, especially:

y
Chrissy Quinn Wilson,
Delaney’s favorite nurse, who accepted her as a young sister,
inviting her to be a flower girl when she married Chad Wilson
– that wedding day we were witness to a – a turning point in
their lives – a gift of God.

About Renée La Forest:

I ramble on and on, you’re probably wondering who I am? Well,
I’m learning a great deal about that now… I will take a
chance at rebuke and call myself an “undaunted realist…
because I know better now than I did before. Adolph Hitler, of
all people was heard to say:

"A meeting between two beings
who complete one another, who are made for each other, borders
already, in my opinion, on a miracle." How profound
for such a misguided man full of hate, cruelty and dispair. So
much like the Saddaam Hussein's and Osama Bin Ladens of today.

If I met my “soul mate” I believe he would find me to be an
intelligent, down-to-earth, easy-going woman. I am honest,
logical, and witty - love to make people laugh and have a great
sense of humor and desire to listen. I love to cook and enjoy
doing so with a partner who shares my passion - it is
imperative, however, that you like to eat! I love new
adventures. I imagine my "soul mate" to be a a
bit of an enigma...

I can appreciate this. He will be an
optimist and cheerful but won’t share too much, too fast. can
be charming and outgoing at times, quiet and introspective when
necessary… always intelligent and secure with a silent
strength of character.

He would enjoy many of the same things I
do - and have preferences that come from his own life
experiences. It is my hope he would be willing to
share some of these with me. In time, I would want to close, to
feel comfortable enough with each other to talk openly about who
we are and what is important to us in life.

He will be curious
about my thoughts on the matter as well. He sees the "big
picture" and holds a vision of what he needs want to
accomplish in life, but he will be practical and down-to-earth.

Patient and kind. Slow to anger, quick to smile. I believe
I’ve been blessed with a healthy and pragmatic sense of humor
– I need someone that fires back! I would want him to have
both a romantic side and a passionate side - with no fear of
letting the two meet in the same room, at the same moment, when
the time is right.

Romance and passion, just like relationships
and communication, must exist and play well together! In the
end, it's all about the chemistry isn't it? I very clearly now
have the understanding to see and believe that when you marry
who you SHOULD.“… man and woman are one flesh by Divine law
and

‘What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but
whoremongers and adulterers, God will judge to their utter
destruction. (Heb. 13:4)

I enjoy weekend trips – will he take them with me? Sometimes
with and others without his/mine & ours… hikes, bike
rides, barbecues, good red wine, art museums, theater, live
music, getting together with good friends, a great football or
hockey game enjoying life! The way I see it, life is short! Why
not try something new when the norm becomes mundane?

He
MUST LOVE CHILDREN! Those who believe children fall in to the
"baggage" category should stop reading now, as I am 38
years old and blessed with three children, 5, 7 & 9 and they
are very important in my life.

There is the part of me that is
all "mom" and which is enhanced by being a vibrant,
positive woman with a great sense of humor and a desire to enjoy
life in both roles. I believe it is both healthy and possible to
have a relationship with the right man and care for my family at
the same time.

However, I do not believe it is good for the kids
to meet and become familiar with men I date unless the time
comes when WE BOTH feel it is pertinent. To put it clearly, my
initial focus is on meeting and enjoying an adult relationship
with a partner. Though he should bear witness to the Song of
Solomon and understand its intent and expectations while living
a Christian life as man and woman. What happens after that? Your
guess is as good as mine - let's say we leave it to God?

Journal

Last Update: Monday, December 22, 2003 10:24:20 AM

Back to our family and Christmas... only days away. We are at
peace and content... We count our blessings and are filled with
the joy this year at the coming of Christmas day. It isn’t
about unwrapping gifts or sampling delicious holiday treats –
instead we plan to focus on the time spent with each other and
with family and friends in celebration of the birth of Jesus
Christ.

Now... I must ask you to forgive me for I did not intend
at the start to write you a novel! So many were the
thoughts I wanted to share with you and now that I have reread
what I’ve shared I realize it looks more like I am writing the
script for a real-life drama for the “Lifetime for Women Movie
of the Week!” Oprah – here I come.

I’ll be in your book of
the month club. Besides, I believe that I have gone on more than
enough for you to surmise that what I’m trying to tell you is
that “my cup runneth over.” In closing, I have to say that
between the trip to California and the Give Kids the
World/Disney/ Universal/Sea World Trip we went on in November
for Delaney's Make-a-Wish, I’ve been so busy it was just last
night that I posted my first Journal Entry on the Team Delaney
website in THREE WEEKS! Sadly remiss, aren't I?

Thanks to you and others who have graced our life over the past
two years the sincere joy I am feeling these days is apparent in
the words I chose - the update is refreshing and positive – a
wonderful story for this time of year. In fact, in reviewing
what I’ve written I recall so many “thank you” cards I was
told not to worry about, not to send… I’ve been bothered
that this has never happened.

Here is where I stop. I’ve
rewritten and proof read it one hundred times to make sure I
added everything that my heart has been storing up over these
many months. If there are mistakes, so be it. I’ve looked at
it too many times to see it clearly anymore. It is sincere and
from the heart so I know that typos and grammatical errors
won’t make it any less so.

One more thing…Please sign the
Guest book! It will only take you a moment, but will share with
me your thoughts regarding this Website you’ve taken the time
to read tonight. My guess is that you are already full of the
Christmas spirit and have a smile on your face and in your
heart. If he used me to give that to you than we are both
blessed… and I’d love to hear about it! I wish you and yours
a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

May you always get what
you deserve… after all, it is true that we reap what we sow…
I believe with all my heart tonight that spring will bring us a
fabulous harvest, wouldn’t you agree?

May God bless you and
yours, Your sister in Christ – Renée

P.S. I leave you now,
with the word of God to consider as you reflect on these pages:

*
* * * *

Psalms
34:8 :

Taste
and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in
Him. The Lord is encouraging everybody to taste and to see His
goodness. He is good and all that He has are good. (James 1:17)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting
shadows.

If
we are looking for something good, then He is all that we need.
All the goodness of himself and all the goodness that He has are
all available for every one to taste and see. How can we really
taste Him that we might see His goodness? Taste means take - so
take Him for whatever need you have. If you are lost, then take
Him as your savior.

If
you are in bondage, then take Him as your deliverer. If you are
sick, then take Him as your healer. If you are worried and
fearful, then take Him as your peace and security. And if you
are sad and lonely, then take Him as your comforter.

He
is all that you need because He is everything to you and He has
everything that you need. Just taste Him and take Him and you
will surely see that He is good.

*
* *

Thursday, December 18, 2003 @ 9:30:18 PM EST

From the desk of TEAM DELANEY!

Please bear with me because this is a long one - some of you may have already received it by email, but I don't want to miss anyone! Be it directly or indirectly, by simply visiting this website and feeling compassion for Delaney and our family, you have been a source of support to us during Delaney’s cancer treatments this past two years.

Below I am attaching below the text of a similar message to one you received yesterday. This one was revised and message sent to Lorna Guess – she is Carole King’s manager and one of the people we met on our trip to meet the singer/songwriter et al. When you finish reading it, you will completely understand how it pertains to you… I thought you might like a copy as it took me a long time and quite of bit of thought to get into words more than just one “thank you” I have not been able to relay to so many over the long months now past.

To some of you, it may seem "flakey" or "over the top" but I will try to assure you here that I am not a religious zealot and am pretty darn certain I'm not having a nervous breakdown. (Picture me smiling and knocking on wood at the same time!)

I put it mildly, this year and probably for the first time in my life I what some might call an epiphany. To me, it is a new understanding of what the true meaning of Christmas really is.

My wish is to thank those who have helped my family and me over the past twos. It is also intended to be a humble attempt to share the spirit of the holiday season with the rest of the "Team Delaney" members - if you're reading this, THAT MEANS YOU!

Please feel free to ignore, take to heart or "pass it forward" as you see fit, because I have a feeling it just might be a higher authority that is prompting me to send this message on to you... I know this, because I've never written anything with such a presence of mind and heart that encompassed so much that can not usually be put into words.

My God bless you and yours!

Renée & "The Three Little Diggs'!"

* * * *

The “LETTER”

Preface to Lorna Guest, Manager, Carol King Productions

As I do not have an email address to send this to, and because this letter involved you as well, I am asking that you read and then forward on this communiqué to Ms King, your husband Rudy, and Bonnie.

You will see the pertinence as you read, but I will warn you now that what started out to be a short and heartfelt “thank you” has turned into a bit of a diatribe… I have so much news from the home front to share with you that I needed every word to express my thoughts.

* * * *

Hello Once Again Ms Lorna Guess!

This is Delaney Diggs’ mother and yes, I know, after the month of days that have passed I imagine you thought you’d never hear from me again? (I find myself laughing softly now.) I offer you greetings from Ohio, where the kids and I are joyfully preparing for the much-anticipated celebration of the Christmas season.

Firstly and the worst of it all I wanted to share with you the news that the bankruptcy was finally filed this week. WAIT! Don't delete me yet please… this is not an impassioned plea for monetary assistance or request for canned goods and blankets. The generous $500 check I recently received from the initially unrecognized “Carole K. Klein Foundation” was quite unexpected and unbelievably timely! It has allowed me to provide a bit of Christmas for Emilie, Delaney and Joshua at a time when I thought the celebration of the season and the joy of being with family and friends, would be all I could offer them. (Not to mention a soothing calmness as we slowly but steadily move toward both physical and emotional healing in our home)

This is all, I assure, more than I could possible wish for… ABSOLUTELY! Though I’m sure you realize the same cannot be expected from the hearts and minds of three small children who believe in Santa Claus. Ever since the CKK Foundation check arrived others have come forward like a landslide offering clothing to keep the kids warm through the coming winter months, food for our celebration and even toys to fuel the children’s imagination. Some have even included unexpected and small gifts or tokens for me.

To be frank, the bankruptcy has been a long time coming. Though I waited as long as I could to file the time had come to accept the fact that the bills totaling $40,000 that were racked up prior to the children’s father being able to provide complete insurance coverage in July of this year would never be paid in full. As we move forward, my damaged credit rating will be left to gradually heal and us four are presented with a life that appears to be creating it’s own patterns and traditions. It is a fresh, clean start and, if you will, a “new norm” for us. I realize things will never be the same as they were before my daughter’s cancer diagnosis yet reflecting on that now, I believe this to be a wondrous gift – one of perspective that was not necessarily clear to me until just recently.

As we near the start of 2004 the children and I find ourselves recently bankrupt, yes, but living comfortably in a small but adequate rented town home - “Home” being the operative word. We are out of harm's way with friendly neighbors and an exemplary school system and soon to be free from credit card debit or credit cards at all. Not a problem as I not relied on them in over two years – I plan to remain free of those demons forever. Now we have only rent, a car payment, renters and auto insurance along with utility, fuel and grocery bills to budget for each month and they are covered by the child support I receive from their father as well as the small pension I was awarded when I became a disabled American veteran of the US Navy in 1989.

Simply and not ungratefully put, our wants will have to wait for now, and it’s okay, because our needs are being met. I will remain home this spring, possibly taking a few classes to bring my skill set current and, if my prayers become reality, April 2004 will find Delaney at the one-year anniversary of her remission. I will then be able to return to the job force and provide a more solid padding of security for us all and eventually, to frugally address a few of those wants each of my children dream of… and someday soon in the not too distant future, a few of my own! I hope to build upon and eventually use my skill set to join one of the fund-raising organizations, such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, in bringing happiness, if only temporary, to other deserving children and their families.

Although I am fittingly humbled by the necessity of my financial planning strategies, I am not at all ashamed. These actions were warranted by a situation I could not control and I am thankful that after losing my job and the home I was building for my children and I to live in last year, we are entering into this without any property or assets left to lose. (Dear God! At least I believe that to be the case!)

Christmas is around the corner and with Carole’s thoughtful donation I have planned a penny-wise yet plentiful surprise of much needed clothing and a much desired toy or two for each of the children to unwrap while, surrounded by family and friends, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a humble and satisfying traditional Christmas.

Despite the financial crisis we are in, my little family's perspective is that this will be the absolute best Christmas ever! Think about it... Delaney is five months in remission now. It is true that perhaps the health problems are not completely gone but she is alive and happy and has spent eighteen months with me now since the day I learned that she was dying of cancer. I could have easily lost her then, she was so ill in the beginning, but her doctors and the treatment protocol they decided upon changed all of that. For now and whatever hours, days, years, or decades we have left on earth, I will cherish each day that the children and I spend together. Emilie has finally turned a corner and is learning to cope with her personal challenges one day at a time – and I feel at peace and guided by the hand of God to help her achieve a more peaceful existence. Joshua remains a sweet little man who appears securely ensconced in the arms of his mother and sisters who love him.

I reflect on the cultural events Delaney and her siblings, ages nine and five, have been given the opportunity to attend… productions they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to experienced but in my opinion will help them to be more well-rounded individuals in the future. To give you an idea of what I mean, they attended such productions as

v v Mozart’s Magic Flute

v v Ballet Met’s traditional Nutcracker, and

v v a fabulous production of CATS in which we were given front row seats by opera Columbus.

The three have also attended with me, at various times, fund-raisers where Delaney used her sincere and upbeat personality – not to mention her voice in song – to help in a small way to open the hearts of supporters who in turn bid on silent auction items of donated funds to help the Central Ohio and Kentucky “Make-a-Wish” and “Adventures for Wish Kids” programs continue to grant wishes and provide morale-building activities to other children who, like her, have been faced with greater challenges than many twice or even several times their age.

My children’s eager young minds have been afforded the opportunity to meet amazing people, the likes of – you guessed it - Carole King and Tyler Wright of the Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey team, whose personal charity is the Hats for Heroes program for which he earned the first CBJ Community Service award at the “Meet the Players” luncheon the start of this season. Delaney and another childhood cancer survivor, pre-teen Jessie Crowe, presented this award to Tyler at the meet-and-greet event while her mother Rita and I proudly witnessing the heartwarming proceedings.

If I may digress, the CBJ Foundation sponsors Tyler and the Hats for Heroes charity to benefit pediatric cancer research at the Columbus Children’s Hospital and its mission is also aimed at fostering self-esteem and brighter outlooks, however temporary, for so many children and their siblings who are dealing with various life-threatening illnesses. This is all accomplished through team visits at the hospital, hockey games they are given the opportunity to attend, and other events and programs now in effect or in the planning stages for the future.

I have to say I really didn’t set out to write a novel here, but there was so much I wanted to share with you and Carole about our lives over the past two years. Things I didn’t have the presence of mind to relate while, like a silly schoolgirl in the presence of an idol, I spoke with Ms King that day. Some of these things have actually occurred since our November 16th meeting, which was truly a turning point for me. The birth of a new and positive perspective on what I thought was disorder and chaos has revealed itself to be a disorganized yet impassioned (and so far successful) rebuilding of my life and the lives of my children.

The point I am trying to share and can’t seem to put into the right words despite my attempts here, is that as a family we realize we have indeed been blessed this year with the loving support of family, friends, doctors, counselors, nurses, volunteers and even other parents experiencing similar challenges and tragedies. Each one, from the smallest child that dropped a penny in the collection jar at the children's catechism program to the anonymous people who have made deposits into Delaney's relief fund and helped me to provide for the kids - one step at a time, another day, another week, another month – without immediate critical financial worry.

Graciously, we were left instead to focus on our immediate health and wellness needs, the goal of getting Delaney through her treatments, maintaining a consistent if-not-normal routine of school, homework, church and bible study all to assist the three in feeling secure we would pull through this as a family. Each time we have been in true need, somehow God has provided through the workings of these people, just as my faith has taught me to believe he would if I bear my cross without complaint and ask Him to show me the path and help me to make the right choices in doing so.

Every person who has uttered a kind word or prepared a meal or said a prayer has been sent for a reason; for each of you and them we are truly grateful. So many groups in our community like the residents of Big Bear Farms – a subdivision in Powell where we used to live - whose families who were surely faced with their own personal challenges joined together where we used to live and created a fall harvest party. Over the past two years raised nearly $3000 in donations to help support our families needs and even some wants during the most trying times of Delaney’s illness. They were responsible, along with others, for making last year’s Christmas possible, when it was still painfully uncertain if it would be her last celebration with her father Tim, her brother and sister and me. Laura Carey - who along with so many others that spearheaded this project - assured me that next year they would be repeating their efforts. It is my wish that they do just that. However the next time, I want to be helping to make it happen and then watch with my children as they assist someone else, a different family in need, or possibly several families in crisis as mine grows stronger and continues to heal. May the cycle continue!

During the last eighteen months I received from (and did my best in turn to give) support to other families enduring their child’s illness… too many to name but I will try:

v v Another single mom, Lisa Cornwell, comes immediately to mind. Her son, Bradley Wilson, was diagnosed around the same time as Delaney with Osteogenic Sarcoma. He is a six-month survivor today, but lost his leg at the hip to that monster at only nine years old.

v v Angela and Shayne Thomas, whose five-year-old daughter Christi was diagnosed on the one-year anniversary of 9/11 with Stage Four neuroblastoma. So severe his her diagnosis and prognosis that they have had to make the decision not once but many times whether to allow her life to end as comfortably as possible or move forward with painful and toxic treatments with no guarantee of a cure. Maybe, they were told, the best they could hope for was that her life would be prolonged another 10 or 5 or 2 years… or even the fifteen months they have had already. Too short a time for a young family.

v v

v v The Thomas family and their community have prayed while these parents earned each agonizing month of step of the disease courageous Christi continues to fight, fueled by the child’s own decision not to stone. She is truly the bravest of the children I’ve met, matching Delaney’s appealing charm, intelligence and desire to win this battle. After both leaving their jobs to focus on Christi’s medical issues and her younger sister Shayla’s education and well-being. Her parents will spend this Christmas in yet another hospital in Philadelphia this time, after living nearly a year in New York City, away from their home, family and friends in Tiffin, OH. During those long months the four of them moved back and forth between Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital and a small room at the amazing but crowded Ronald MacDonald house there in NYC. (More of her story can be found at www.christithomas.com.) I wish to share Angela’s most recent update regarding Christi:

“…What's Next? EXCELLENT QUESTION!!!!!! There appears to be a bit of an "issue" of whether we are officially on or off of the Phase I clinical trial. We were told we had violated the study and we were "off" so we recently contacted MSKCC asking to head back to NYC hopefully on Monday - including the CHOP docs in the email. Now CHOP believes that we are officially ON this study we were kicked off of due to the refusal of the stem cells infusion. NYC could start immediate treatment for Christi which is what Shayne and I would possibly like to move ahead with (2 rounds high dose chemo followed by antibodies and Accutane); however, if CHOP won't release her we're sort of stuck in limbo land - exactly where we did not want to be, ever with this disease at bay and no treatment being endured. PRAYER REQUESTS: That Christi's blood counts miraculously recover (and fast!) on their own without the need of her stem cells and that CHOP realizes that they removed us from the study and they need to let us go elsewhere to seek consultation and possible treatment from other doctors to make the best of decisions for Christi. Lord, hear our prayers.”

I pray that He does.

To continue…

More amazing yet here are two families that continued to build lasting friendships with us four despite their tragic outcomes:

v v Christy Eagle is another single mother of four daughters (Kayla, Katie, Kassidy and Kirsten). She was attending nursing school and fought the good fight alongside her youngest daughter. Somehow, with the help of her family and community support, she cared for her children without complaint through it all. Still, they lost Kirsten on January 20th of last year to the same illness that continued to threatened Delaney’s life and others.

v v The Riley/Maestros family from Steubenville, OH who traveled - too many times - the 3 hour route to Columbus with their precious son Robert – even as roads were being closed to due blustery winter storms. This sweet little Greek boy’s cancer was even more tragic a story. Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney with metastases – at diagnosis his parents, Mike and Paula, were told there was no cure for the disease that would later take their son after many painful months of clinical trials, just five days after his second birthday.

Even in their grief these dear people continued to encourage us to remain steadfast – which was both heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. By God, Delaney and I would continue to fight!

There are others:

v v Joan of Arc Catholic Church in a drive led by the amazing Natalie Hutchinson whose personal challenges were many and difficult as well. Still she relentlessly gathered parishioners, even young children in catechism classes and made certain they were aware of family among them in need. When it seemed we’d been forgotten over the summer months, Natalie raised the alert again in the fall. The funds they raised in support of Emilie, Delaney, Joshua and I have been the most significant monetary contribution of all. It didn’t build a savings account or allow us to live carelessly, it wasn’t meant to. IN the end, it often made the difference many times between the rent and the car payment being made. St. Vincent de Paul joined forces with them and for a time paid our grocery bills when I was unable to do so in the first months of this tragedy.

And still more - local businesses and larger corporations:

v v Donato’s

v v Stride Rite

v v City Center

v v The Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

v v Swan Cleaners

v v Tria Restaurant in Powell whose owners, the Constantinides brothers and their wonderful family have been almost like family the children and I.

v v Trim Systems

v v Carnal/Kokosing Construction

v v Mid-Ohio Cardiology

v v A BMW dealership here in Dublin who sponsored her Make-a-Wish trip to “Give Kids the World”/Disney/Sea World & Universal Studios which the kids and I returned home from just last week.

v v Penn Traffic’s Big Bear Grocery stores now sadly experiencing their own bankruptcy filing and the aftermath.

Most of the above and many more donated silent auction items to assist the families at Big Bear Farms in making such a success of the fund-raising event this past fall that I mentioned before.

v v Dublin Montessori Academy: Whose directress, Mary Jill Roshon, kindly assisted us both last year and this to allow Joshua to complete the three year Montessori education his sisters were privileged to receive while there father and I were married.

v v Scottish Corners of the Dublin School District, where my kids attend school. So many staff members and teachers working together toward re-acclimating the children to our “new norm.”

v v Northmor High School’s Jog Program in Galion, OH. While planning to take part in the 2003 USA Weekend-sponsored “Make a Difference Day” their teacher, Ellie Donahue told them of a news story that brought to her attention our family’s struggle. They decided to make us their project and worked earnestly to collect canned goods and raise funds in excess of $500 all to move our family toward our goal. They even arranged for Emilie, Delaney and Joshua each to receive a specially-selected “hearts desire” Christmas gift that I know will make their hearts happy and faces beam with delight. (I can’t tell you what the three gifts are… it’s a secret!)

In truth, there are simply too many people to thank – I haven’t forgotten them – I am simply overwhelmed with the outpour of support we have been given by these very special groups and individuals. We count our blessings and are filled with the joy this year at the coming of Christmas day. It isn’t about unwrapping gifts or sampling delicious holiday treats – instead we plan to focus on the time spent with each other and with family and friends in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Now... I must ask you to forgive me for I did not intend at the start to write you a novel! So many were the thoughts I wanted to share with you and now that I have reread what I’ve shared I realize it looks more like I am writing the script for a real-life drama for the “Lifetime for Women Movie of the Week!” Besides, I believe that I have gone on more than enough for you to surmise that what I’m trying to tell you is that “my cup runneth over” and that you and Ms King played a major role in bringing my children and me to this point.

In closing, I have to say that between the trip to California and the Give Kids the World/Disney/ Universal/Sea World Trip we went on in November for Delaney's Make-a-Wish, I’ve been so busy it was just last night that I posted my first Journal Entry on the Team Delaney website in THREE WEEKS! Sadly remiss, aren't I? The subject focuses on the trip to Los Angeles and the events of our meeting with you, Carole, Rudy, Bonnie and Nance (not to mention the dogs! – Laney STILL raves about the dogs!)

(Please read the copy of this journal entry that follows this letter.)

The update comes as close in words as possible to being able to express my gratitude to Nance, Carole and all of you who made the visit and wonderful memories possible this past November. Thanks to you and others who have graced our life over the past two years the sincere joy I am feeling these days is apparent in the words I chose - the update is refreshing and positive – a wonderful story for this time of year. In fact, in reviewing what I’ve written I recall so many “thank you” cards I was told not to worry about, not to send… I’ve been bothered that this has never happened. Suddenly it occurs to me that I have, in a roundabout way, taken a letter of gratitude to Ms King and somehow managed to acknowledge all of these people. I hope that all you don’t mind that I share this outpouring of emotion and gratitude with others? I couldn’t undertake writing such a piece again!

Here is where I stop. I’ve rewritten and proof read it one hundred times to make sure I added everything that my heart has been storing up over these many months. If there are mistakes, so be it. I’ve looked at it too many times to see it clearly anymore. It is sincere and from the heart so I know that typos and grammatical errors won’t make it any less so.

Lorna… May each of you and yours find joy and peace in your hearts during this wondrous season of renewal! God knows I have.

Love truly does make the world go round… doesn’t it?

Fondly,

Renée

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

From the Website of Team Delaney

Home of Renée &

The “Three Little Diggs’!”

Journal

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 @ 4:30 AM EST

It has been three weeks since my last entry and as I've seen the number of hits on this website I must tell you I am truly sorry that I've taken so long to share again with you... You see, after such concentrated determination in the past year and a half, even a fabulous November spent making treasured memories is extremely stressful! (In a GOOD way!)

There is so much to tell, so many unexpected joys brought to us this past month... and so I lay my fingers to keyboard in the wee hours of this morning to share with you the amazing story of our trip to Los Angeles. Firstly, I must tell you it was only a week prior to the trip when I first learned of the events leading up to Delaney’s incredible face-to-face meeting with one of our favorite voices… the truly inspirational singer, songwriter and so much more, Carole King.

To Nance, the fabulous woman behind this tale… Had I been granted a wish I could not possibly have imagined what has become such an uplifting memory to be cherished. You dreamed this dream and brought it to life and with the help of Carole, Rudy, Lorna, Bonnie and the Lord knows who else and it all came together – perfectly. Your joy and elation in the unraveling of this story was as evident as if you she were your very own.

Delaney’s "Fairy Godmother" - my dear newfound friend - I will never forget how your heart and mine were one that day as our tiny "Cinderella" was able, for a time, to be free life's burdens and let her young, carefree spirit and the imaginings of her heart out to play. I cannot express to you, Nance, Jeff, Kandis and Ciara my very deep and sincere appreciation for all you have done.

To Carole… meeting you alone was a great honor. Discovering that you truly are the embodiment of the woman I imagine you to be when hearing the lyrics you set to music as I go through life is immeasurably significant to me. You are warm, down-to-earth, engaging and sincere - I must tell you there is a light of understanding, strength and spirit shining from your eyes that simply cannot be defined. I realize now that I’ve heard it’s echo in so many of your impassioned songs of love, friendship, heartache, promise, hope, folly, courage, dreams and memories.

You made such sweet music that day with my daughter and unlike you I could never put to words what it all has meant to me. Simply put, I thank you – for more than you know.

I feel a slight sadness for those who recognize Ms King only from her amazing "Tapestry" release. These unfortunates are merely standing on the edge - missing out on one of the most insightful and noteworthy talents of not just one but several generations - and certainly many more to come.

Delaney is a perfect example of the impact Carole’s music can make on ones soul. Long nights in the hospital listening to her songs and finding comfort in the soothing lyrics that she not only committed to memory, but took to heart as well.

The little one told me that her time spent with Miss King will "stay in her heart forever." I thoroughly understand because when you I heard them sing the title track off the most recent CD - “Love Makes the World…” – the sound was so precious I was brought to tears.

I suddenly recalled listening to the song with Delaney for the first time. It was then she told me, "Mommy, this reminds me of how you took care of me when I was sick.” Can you imagine how her words touched me as a mother?

There was trouble in my mind tonight
Somethin' inside didn't feel quite right
Then I saw your face in the moonlight
And I was right beside U
Don't need words that we seta use
It goes deeper than the words we choose
Can't lose - I wanna spread the news
you've a got love inside U

I can’t stop believin’
Love makes the world go round
As long as I'm a part of you
Nothings gonna take you down

Gonna make it happen together
We are strong now
Watch us fly!

For each of my children, Emilie, Delaney and Joshua I pray that you are privileged in life to have find your own "Tapestries" woven of the finest threads of faith, hope and the love that surround you. May God bless you Nance, Ms Carole King, et al for these precious memories that will last a lifetime…

Renée

1 Corinthians 13

"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am still saved by faith alone. And now these three gifts remain: faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love."

Thursday, December 18, 2003 @ 9:30:18 PM EST

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 @ 4:30 AM EST

It has been three weeks since my last entry and as I've seen the number of hits on this website I must tell you I am truly sorry that I've taken so long to share again with you... You see, after such concentrated determination in the past year and a half, even a fabulous November spent making treasured memories is extremely stressful! (In a GOOD way!)

There is so much to tell, so many unexpected joys brought to us this past month... and so I lay my fingers to keyboard in the wee hours of this morning to share with you the amazing story of our trip to Los Angeles. Firstly, I must tell you it was only a week prior to the trip when I first learned of the events leading up to Delaney’s incredible face-to-face meeting with one of our favorite voices… the truly inspirational singer, songwriter and so much more, Carole King.

To Nance, the fabulous woman behind this tale… Had I been granted a wish I could not possibly have imagined what has become such an uplifting memory to be cherished. You dreamed this dream and brought it to life and with the help of Carole, Rudy, Lorna, Bonnie and the Lord knows who else and it all came together – perfectly. Your joy and elation in the unraveling of this story was as evident as if you she were your very own.

Delaney’s "Fairy Godmother" - my dear newfound friend - I will never forget how your heart and mine were one that day as our tiny "Cinderella" was able, for a time, to be free life's burde s and let her young, carefree spirit and the imaginings of her heart out to play. I cannot express to you,Nance, Jeff, Kandis and Ciara my very deep and sincere appreciation for all you have done.

To Carole… meeting you alone was a great honor. Discovering that you truly are the embodiment of the woman I imagine you to be when hearing the lyrics you set to music as I go through life is immeasurably significant to me. You are warm, down-to-earth, engaging and sincere - I must tell you there is a light of understanding, strength and spirit shining from your eyes that simply cannot be defined. I realize now that I’ve heard it’s echo in so many of your impassioned songs of love, friendship, heartache, promise, hope, folly, courage, dreams and memories.

You made such sweet music that day with my daughter and unlike you, I could never put to words what it all has meant to me. Simply put, I thank you – for more than you know.

I feel a slight sadness for those who recognize Ms King only from her amazing "Tapestry" release. These unfortunates are merely standing on the edge - missing out on one of the most insightful and noteworthy talents of not just one but several generations - and certainly many more to come.

Delaney is a perfect example of the impact Carole’s music can make on ones soul. Long nights in the hospital listening to her songs and finding comfort in the soothing lyrics that she not only committed to memory, but took to heart as well.

The little one told me that her time spent with Miss King will "stay in her heart forever." I thoroughly understand because when you I heard them sing the title track off the most recent CD - “Love Makes the World…” – the sound was so precious I was brought to tears.

I suddenly recalled listening to the song with Delaney for the first time. It was then she told me, "Mommy, this reminds me of how you took care of me when I was sick.” Can you imagine how her words touched me as a mother?:

There was trouble in my mind tonight
Somethin' inside didn't feel quite right
Then I saw your face in the moonlight
And I was right beside U
Don't need words that we useta use
It goes deeper than the words we choose
Can't lose - I wanna spread the news
you've a got love inside U

I can’t stop believin’
Love makes the world go round
As long as I'm a part of you
Nothings gonna take you down

Gonna make it happen together
We are strong now
Watch us fly!

For each of my children, Emilie, Delaney and Joshua I pray that you are privileged in life to have have your own "Tapestries" woven of the finest threads of faith, hope and the love that surround you. May God bless you Nance, Ms Carole King, et al for these precious memories that will last a lifetime…

Renée

1 Corinthians 13

"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am still saved by faith alone. And now these three gifts remain: faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love."

Wednesday, November 26, 2003 @ 3:30PM EST

Ok, ok... I KNOW you are all waiting to hear about the trip to LA, the FABULOUS visit with Ms Carole King & crew, Bonnie from Sugarbeats and the rest...

Truth be told, we were literally BROKEN for three days after we returned... even Nance was down for the count trying to digest, relive and recover from the fabulous experience!

We had Delaney's Make-a-Wish going away party with Bill & Sandy (her MAW sponsors/fairy Godparents) as well as a trip this past weekend to have dinner with Nonna and the Sutherland clan and now are packing to leave for "Give Kids the World" (www.gktw.com) for her Make-a-Wish trip to Disney World.

Needless to say, we've been swamped and the fun just keeps coming - but I will promise you this... by December 10th I will detail the report of the trips to LA and to FL with pics to go with...

Thanks so much for prayers and thoughts and good wishes...

The kids are enjoying a bit of fun this month and I am enjoying watching them do it... as for December? To quote a very famous Southerner... "I'll worry about it tomorrow!"

Love to you all - and remember that we are Thankful for Each of You this wonderful holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Renée & The Three Little Diggs'

Wednesday, November 12, 2003 @ 10:15 AM EST

Two and one-half weeks have passed - it seems like only days! Time flies when your being a parent, doesn't it? (smiling)

Our household is slowly becoming a bit calmer, a bit more focused after the events of October. Emilie is finding a bit of peace, though the angry depression continues... sometimes it is a great challenge to soothe her wounded spirit and help to rebuild her self esteem. Clearly, it took the events of the past two years to bring her to this point and it will take time to undo the damage and bring her to a new understanding. One day at a time, lots of prayers.

Delaney is doing well in school - she still has the mood swings from time to time, but Mrs. Woodruff has been working with her to help "diffuse" these before they become incontrollable. Delaney is lucky indeed to have a teacher!

Joshua is doing a bang up job as well... enjoying both public school and kindergarten at the Montessori Academy is something he seems to be getting a great deal of self-esteem from. After months of wondering why he was not getting speech assistance at his public school, I finally received information indicating that they would like to test him for speech acuity. This is great news, really, because after all: How can you learn to read if you can't recognize and pronounce the letters of the alphabet?

Delaney, as I've mentioned before, has been singing her heart out for Make-A-Wish, Adventures for Wish Kids charity events, and was even granted an opportunity to sing at church recently for the PSR Opening Liturgy. Her favorite song is Amazing Grace, but she does others remarkably well for her age. Mrs. Bowman, her music teacher at Scottish Corners said Delaney has "Exceptional Voice Quality." As a mom? I just enjoy hearing her sing.

Apparently, others do as well. We received a series of phone calls over the weekend regarding this issue. It seems Delaney has been invited to LA this coming weekend to meet with none other than the wonderfully talented Carole King to record some music.

I know, surreal isn't it? I was so surprised it took me about 24 hours to realize that I GET TO MEET HER TOO! lol

Ms. King has always been among my favorite female artists - both for her singing and songwriting abilities among other things. While in the hospital, Delaney and I often listened to her Tapestry cd as a way to calm ourselves and ready for sleep. It's a funny thing to hear your then-six year old singing "It's Too Late" or "So Far Away." This will truly be a treat for both of us!

I'd like to offer a special thank you for Nance for making this happen - she is sponsoring us on the trip herself and we are deeply appreciative. We never would have been able to afford this on our own and it was amazing of you to take the time to make this happen! How will we ever repay you?

Emilie and Joshua are going to Michigan to stay with Grandma & Grandpa Diggs and their Aunt Pam. It seems a 5-hour plane ride doesn't strike them as fun vacation time. lol

I'm still a little sketchy on the details or what to expect at this point but I promise a full trip report when we return on Monday.

May God bless you and yours!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Friday, October 24, 2003 @ 12:00 PM EST

Things are very, very busy around here lately. Many doctors’ appointments, counseling appointments and meetings at the children's school...

Emilie was released from the hospital after five nights. It appears that her original diagnosis of ODD with depression was indeed the correct diagnosis. When it was inaccurately changed ADHD with borderline bipolar tendencies, the medication that was prescribed caused her to have a psychotic breakdown through no fault of her own. Through this, we learned that Concerta is contraindicated in children with depression. She is now back on more appropriate meds (Zyprexa and Strattera) and is recovering slowly and for now her days are very unpredictable. Thankfully, her teacher, counselors and I are working very hard at helping her to adjust and be successful in the undertaking of her daily activities.

I went on a field trip with Joshua this morning to the new Glacier Metro park - it was cold, but great fun working with the group on a "nature scavenger hunt." It amazed me how much it meant to Josh that I was there with him. He was so proud and beamed from ear to ear as he introduced me as his "mom" to all who'd listen.

Delaney had her six months scans on Wednesday and they are clear again!!! Such good news! There is on spot on the right side of her head - the bump we found last month. There was a bit up uptake of the radioactive material in that area, but Dr. Ranalli is not concerned. Me? I'd be much happier if it went away - I know I'll be keeping an eye on it regardless.

Next for Delaney comes the treatment of her recurrent sinus infections, further testing of vision and hearing, and it's time to check the function of her pituitary gland and hypothalamus - all in the radiation field during treatment. She has not grown since she began her treatment for this cancer.

Tim, Grandma and Grandpa Diggs, and Tim's sister (Aunt Karen) were in town this past weekend to visit with the kids. Delaney was asked by Adventures for Wish Kids to sing at their annual silent auction - she agreed and we were treated by AFWK to a limo ride - even Grandpa Diggs came along. Delaney and I dressed in our best formals for the black tie occasion and it was such fun to be involved with this exciting event. Mid-way through the evening, Delaney took center stage and sang the first verse of Amazing Grace, a capella, in front of 700 or more people. I was so proud of her - she brought me and several others to tears with her sincere presentation and then to laughter when she added another twist and decided to curtsey while people clapped.

The proceeds of this event go to AFWK to aid in their support of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Special thanks to Jeff Damron and Jon Petz for inviting us, to all the volunteers to made the evening possible, and to those who specifically ensured Delaney had a wonderful time - there are too many to count. We offer thanks and congratulations to Bob and Harriett Lamontagne who together won the AFWK Volunteer of the Year award.

I hope this finds you and yours healthy and well and ready for the coming cold weather – may your homes and hearts be warmed by the friendship and love that surrounds you.

God bless!

Renée
Emilie, Delaney and Joshua's mom

Monday, October 13, 2003 @ 11:30 AM EST

No updates for the past week really... Joshua is happy as can be, taking a walking trip to the fire station this week with his Kindergarten class.

Delaney has been plugging away at school and the bump on the side of her head does not appear to have grown since Dr. Ranalli took x-rays a few weeks ago. Her scans will finally be run 10/22 (next Wednesday and I am eagerly awaiting confirmation that the new lump is not something to be concerned about - NED (no evidence of disease) is the report we are looking for! We'll see Dr. R on the 23 - the next day, for scan results.

I haven't written much, since Emilie has still been having problems and the focus has been on her and her day-to-day choices. Last weekend she finally saw a psychiatrist who judged her to be ADHD with mood disorder, and prescribed Concerta and Zyprexa which she has been taking now for one week.

She also met with a new psychologist, as the one she was seeing for the past five years is no longer covered by our insurance. She seems to like him a great deal and is looking forward to her next visit this Friday.

This weekend was not a good weekend for any of us, quite a bit of chaos and disorder. Emilie will not be in school for the time being as a result. (The rest of this is of a serious and sensitive nature, so would those of you who need additional information, please call me or contact me via my personal email?)

Please join me in prayer while Emilie faces this crisis - she is clearly crying out for help and she needs understanding, love, support and the healing powers of God to move forward productively and with a happy heart.

May God bless you and yours - and mine.

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, October 5, 2003 @ 9:45 AM EST

Just a quick note - I'm off to church in a few minutes with the kids...

The last week with Emilie has been very difficult - her behavior still quite out of control. I am pleased to report, however, that while as children we often heard our parents say, "I brought you into this world and I can take you out!"... Emilie is still alive and well and living with us here at the townhouse.

God bless her! This has been a rough road for her too, as the findings regarding Oppositional Defiant Disorder indicate the children "...while adults often believe the child is being willful and misbehaves on purpose, the child in many cases can not control themselves."

Her appointment with the psychiatrist is tomorrow and I pray that he can do her some good.

Delaney is doing well as far to day to day... no nausea; vomiting or violent mood swings this past week. The lump on the side of her head seems slightly larger at this point and there is still no firm scan date yet. The date of Oct 9 and then 15 were changed as they've finally agreed to sedate her with propophol, which is administered by an anesthesiologist during the entire procedure and who's effects are gone when the medicine stops flowing. This should help her substantially as the other meds brought on violent and uncontrollable mood swings for the next 24 hours.

Joshua is doing wonderfully well - still enjoying going to "2 schools"... his bus driver is still trying to con him out of his U of M windbreaker in favor of a nice "red and gray one"... lol

Josh LOVES this jacket, but after yesterday's game against Iowa... maybe we'll select a different one? He'll still wear it, he says he just loves his team whether they win or lose. Sportsman-like conduct - 10 pts!

Yesterday was the Big Bear Farms 2nd Annual Hay Ride... which for the second year has been in support of the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund... there was a fire truck for the kids to view, firemen and police officers were there showing their community involvement, the hayrides went wonderfully, as well as the pony rides... there wasn't a child there who didn't spend an hour or so in the "jumpy machine!'

Joshua, Delaney and Emilie had a wonderful time and so did I - it was wonderful to see so many of you after so much time - and with Delaney in tow!

I want to thank a few people here on the website - first of all:

- The corporate sponsors who donated to make the event a success,

- All of the families who were there in support of the event, donating the cost of attendance to the Team Delaney fund,

- And in particular the families who worked to bring it all together - I won't name you individually, because I wouldn't want to miss a single soul - but you know who you are and I am humbled by your efforts and success.

I must tell you, after the presentation of the check, the kids asked about it... when I explained, they each joined me in utter amazement and Delaney said it best... "Do you mean they did all that for us?" Indeed you did... and we are so very grateful!

May God bless you and yours!

Love,

Renée, Emilie, Joshua and especially Delaney

Friday, September 26, 2003 @ 12:00 PM EST

Hello to everyone - welcome to the Fall 2003 season... I hope this finds you all well and ready to enjoy the spectacular colors that tend to surround us this time of year - my personal favorite!

The last week as been very hectic... big sister Emilie (9), who was diagnosed with ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) around age five, has been having a very difficult time coping with her feelings as of late and it is my hope that finding a new counselor who can work with us both see her safely through this very difficult time. Thankfully, we were finally able to make an appointment for her to see someone on October 6 - only 10 days away. The goal is to keep things calm and even around the house until she is able to meet her new counselor.

Delaney remains "symptomatic" - intermittent headaches, an ear infection, nausea that begins in the am and is gone by noon, or after she vomits... she came home sick from school again this week due to this complaint.

The most alarming new addition happened just two days ago when I found a new bump on her head. It is a raised area of about 1.5" X 1" just above her right ear. Yesterday, we saw Dr. Ranalli - her oncologist - and after taking several x-ray views, he reported that it does not "look like Ewing's at this point." He said it could be swelling of the mandibular or the start of the uneven bone remodeling we spoke of before. I am to watch for rapid growth in the area her scans are in 13 days.

* If there is anyone available to pick up Josh and feed him the lunch I’ll pack after his Scottish Corners Kindergarten class ends at 11:30 and deliver him to his afternoon class in Powell at 12:30, please contact me… Thank you!

Speaking of Joshua, he remains cool and calm, taking things in stride and loving his am class with Mrs. Sparks at Scottish Corners as much as his afternoon class with Mrs. Blaesing and Ms. Kinney - he often boasts with pride: "I go to TWO schools now - 'cause I'm a big kid." The hour I spend with him each day between classes has been wonderful time for both of us - I just wish I had the time to do it with all three on a weekly basis.

I remain as always, taking "one day at a time, with lots of prayers!"

God bless you all!

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

P.S. Thank you to St. Joan of Arc parish for the Pizza Kit fundraiser you sponsored over the last month for Team Delaney, between your efforts, and the donations received through St. Vincent de Paul over the past few weeks from our family at St. Joan of Arc as well as from those who read the article in the Suburban Newspaper.

Please accept my most sincere thanks and gratitude for your kindness, assistance and support - it means a more than you can imagine to the children and me. God Bless!

Tuesday, September 16, 2003 @ 10:35 AM EST

What an unbelievable week it has been!
I'll start with Delaney's appointment with the Oncologist so I can end on an upbeat note (or two!)

We finally met with Dr. Ranalli last Thursday, the 11th of September. It was scheduled at eight ten in the morning, too early to take Emilie and Joshua to school, so I had to bring all three kids. As it turned out we didn't make it back home until nearly 2:30 - with school ending just and hour from then - they all ended up missing a day. I've asked that Delaney's appointments be scheduled not earlier than 9:30 in the future and they were very understanding of the situation.

Dr. Ranalli and I had some very candid conversations regarding Delaney's sudden onset of very intense mood swings, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and low-grade fevers. He and the radiologist do NOT see any indication from the CT scan that there is tumor growth, simply remodeling of the bones in her face that were damaged from the radiation - still too early to attempt any surgery - that will be several years down the road.

Still, something is simply not right, I can't put my finger on it really; it's just that the symptoms she's been displaying are reminiscent of her "pre-diagnosis" behavior and complaints.

We will continue to be aware and watch for symptoms, but we will NOT sit and worry over this - it isn't productive. Her next MRI, Bone scan and chest x-ray are scheduled for October 9th, so we should know more in a couple of weeks.

I also met with the psychologist (Tammy) with regard to Delaney's mood swings, her neuro-psyche evaluation, and regarding her need of an IEP (Individual Education Plan) at her school to assist her with the issues identified in the report (visual motor and cognitive thinking among others.)

One day at a time, lots of prayers... that's our motto! (smiling)

On the flip side, we have had some fun over the past week that has brought smiles to many faces. On Friday of last week, I picked the children up from school and we drove straight to Cincinnati to attend a Make-a-Wish dinner (part of their Board of Directors Retreat). Delaney was invited to join them and to sing "Amazing Grace" during the evening's program. We had a wonderful time and met many of the men and women who donate to the Make-a-Wish program through product sales, direct sponsoring and donations. It was quite a treat - thank you MAW for the incredible room you put us up in - what a fun getaway for such a wonderful cause!

Saturday, we left Cincinnati around 10:30 and drove home to Columbus in time to attend the Broadway Musical "Cats" at the Palace. Tickets were in the first row - front and center! The performance was amazing and all three kids were at rapt attention!

We were also invited to return on Sunday at noon so that they could go backstage and meet some of the very talented actors and actresses. I didn't bring my camera - not wanting to take advantage of the situation - but the Stage Manager was kind enough to bring out hers and take some pics of the kids on stage... FABULOUS! Everyone was very kind and gracious and it was a wonderful treat to see "behind the scenes." When we left, the SM presented Delaney with a show poster signed by the members of the cast - that will be framed and hung in her room - today she took it to school for show and tell...

It was discussed and agreed upon by the four of us that the show would be my early Christmas present to the children, who will be spending the holiday with their father and grandparents this year. Actually, a good thing, as I really don't have a Christmas budget to work with - my intent is to buy them some winter clothes... they are all into fashion and looking nice, so I doubt they'll be unhappy!

Last night, Delaney and I were delighted to be picked up by a black Cadillac limousine and driven out to Bent Tree Golf Course in Sunbury. She was invited by Adventures for Wish Kids to accept a $10,000 donation from the Kenny D Memorial Golf Tournament. The people there were very kind as well, and she ended up repeating her performance of "Amazing Grace" and brought more than a few to tears.
Home at last with a few church activities planned for the next two evenings.

Tonight we are going to the Josephinum to film this Sunday's mass for those who are unable to attend services, (Each parish sends their choir twice during the year.)

Tomorrow night is choir practice, and the kids enjoy bringing their homework and visiting with the other "choir orphans" during the rehearsal.

Busy, busy, busy... But with quite a bit of sunshine in our lives over the past week.

Back to the grindstone - STILL LOOKING FOR WORK - very open to work-from-home options such as legal or medical transcription, virtual assistant. I am also qualified to come to your home or place of employment to teach different software programs such as Intro to Computers, email (Outlook/Outlook Express/Yahoo/AOL/Hotmail and more), as well as Microsoft Windows the MS Office Suite of products and more. I have been teaching for 15 years now.

Even it you only have enough work to keep me busy a couple hours a week or for one-time projects, a few clients would keep me busy and bring in a income... thank you for your kind consideration!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

Monday, September 15, 2003 @ 1:02 PM EST

I'm so sorry I haven't had time to update... things have been busy in the last week, difficult to an extent - but also filled with some incredibly fun and exciting trips and events...

I will write when the children go down to sleep tonight - can't wait to tell you what's been happening!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

Monday, September 8, 2003 @ 8:30 AM EST

Last week was the children's first full week of school... Emilie and Delaney are beginning to do what fourth and second graders do, and Joshua seems to be enjoying attending not one, but two sessions of Kindergarten thanks to Mrs. Roshon at Dublin Montessori.

Delaney has been enjoying her class and we've had no problems with her becoming just "one of the kids" and adhering to the normal study times and snack hours, which we thought might be a problem after her "special treatment" last year. She seems to enjoy just being a seven year old this year.

She did have some problems with nausea, vomiting and headache over the weekend. We were directed to the emergency room once again and a head CT was done. We will need to speak to her oncologist today about moving up the early October scan time for the PET/Bone & MRI scans. This is all very nerve-wracking, but it's my opinion that it's nothing until they say it is. The kids and I refuse to live our lives thinking that this is coming back. Sure, it's alarming for her to have such a terrible headache at the original tumor site - but heck, people get headaches all the time, right?

Thank you to all at St. Joan of Arc who are buying the pizza kits, the sale of which they are donating to the Team Delaney fund. The sellers of these bakery fresh dough and pizza fixing packages gave us a box to take home at the church picnic, and the kids are hooked! They get to add their own ingredients to their part of the pizzas and they are really quite good.

Opera Columbus has made it possible for the children and I to see CATS tomorrow - opening night at the palace. Delaney keeps saying "I have three words for you - Front, Row, CENTER!" Needless to say they are very excited - and so am I!!!

This Friday we will be driving to Cincinnati and staying at the Westin Hotel compliments of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Delaney was recently given an incredible Karaoke machine to thank her for some of the fundraising projects she has helped with. While picking up the machine, she sang for the girls and when they heard her rendition of "Amazing Grace" they were amazed themselves. Seems our little Delaney has quite a voice for such a young child. So, she will be singing for their Board Meeting this weekend in Cincy.

You might wonder what she thinks of all of this?

She's thrilled! She has no P.I.C.C. line or broviac for the first time since June last year and is looking forward to swimming in that indoor pool!

Job search continues... I have an interview with a medical office in Powell regarding a file storage project. Wish me luck!

May God bless you and yours,

Renée
Mom, "Team Delaney"

P.S. For those of you who missed it, there is a great article in last weeks Suburban News (Dublin and Olentangy) about the family and Delaney's fight. Here's the online link: www.snponline.com - just cut and paste into your browser and click on the picture (double click works too!)

Wednesday, September 3, 2003 @ 10:12 AM EST

Link to Suburban News Story on Delaney and Family dated September 3, 2003:

http://www.snponline.com
- - -

"And the hits keep coming..."

Wow.

Suddenly, childcare issue solved. Not happily, however.

Received a call this morning from the attorney I thought I would be starting to work for next week. It seems all is NOT set - the existing person I was to "job share" with needs to work with someone with a more flexible schedule... and mine is not quite as flexible as I'd like with the "drop dead" pickup time of 6pm for latch key programs, I would not be able to work the later hours and ensure I'd be able to make the trip home to pick up the kids on time - crucial to the latch key agreement.

Still, the attorney was very kind and said he would share my résumé with associates and see if he could turn up any home projects for me, or occasional things I could do there in the office on an as-needed basis.

Okay, the world is not over - it's just "back to the drawing board." In the end, I need to work locally so that I can get Joshua lunch and transport between his 11:30 am kindergarten’s end and 12:30 afternoon program start. I cannot expect anyone else to do this for me; it’s too close a schedule. So if I work out of the home, it will need to be in a position close enough to the school for me to affect this transfer during my lunch hour and ensure Joshua is fed and delivered as needed between the sessions.

Once again, it has become apparent that I need to find something to do from home for this next year, with Joshua’s child care coverage and Delaney’s medical follow-up appointments being such an issue.

Time for Plan B… wait, I don’t have a Plan B… but I’ll think of one… watch me!

St. Brigid’s is still searching for a secretary and I put my résumé in – things at the parish are busy so there haven’t been many interviews conducted yet. I hope to have the opportunity to pursue that position in the next week.

What a difference a day can make, hmmm? Please let me know if you have any ideas!

God bless!

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

P.S. Please stop in and sign the guestbook with a short note to Delaney as reading it each day is part of her second grade home reading project!

Tuesday, September 2, 2003 @ 8:33 PM EST

Well, the excitement of the shopping spree has worn off... but the gratitude hasn't! There is the blessed "freezer of meat" downstairs and still the question of getting some of it to the two families I want to share with. (THAT should be easy, shouldn't it? lol) Coupled with that, all the cleaning supplies and laundry/dish soap I could need thanks to a wonderful Quixtar representative who read about our situation.

The call from the law firm who learned of my need for a job from the Dispatch article netted an offer, working 8:30 until 2:30 m-f! It would mean putting them in latchkey in the am hours ($300 month!) but it is also perfect for being home in time to pick up the children and being able to study with them, cook dinner, etc.

One of Delaney's friends mom's has told me she could help get Joshua from the elementary school to Dublin Montessori in the afternoon, but this may not work at all either, as he will need to ride the bus with her daughter, which won't put him at her home until 12:05 - still a 10-15 minute drive to the Montessori in Powell and when will he eat lunch?

I'm tired. I didn't know I'd be able to find a job, so I didn't sign him up for the lunch program at the Montessori, just afternoon classes. I thought I'd be driving him. Still, it would have left little time for lunch. Now, the program is filled up.

Time to come up with another option. When I look at the new job, it is a Godsend... but not with Joshua in Kindergarten this year. Only half day - that's the problem. I may have to pull him from Montessori, but the reason we decided to keep him there is so that he has the speech assistance he needs this year. And another latchkey will likely cost more and net less than the kind offer from the Montessori Directress who helped us last year through Delaney's treatments as well.

AAARRGGHHH!!!!

I know I'm not the only family dealing with issues like this, but I wonder how the others do it? The thing about the law office - they've been great. They understand I'll need 1-3 days off per month for her appointments and a week every three months for her repeat scans. What other employer would understand that and still be able to work with me? Still, leaving Upper Arlington at 11 to pick Josh up in Dublin, feed him lunch, put him back in Montessori by 12:30 and return back to work at 1:00 is not an option.

I'm starting to feel like Scarlett O'Hara! lol "I'll think about it tomorrow." Tonight, I'm going to bed early.

It may come down to finding work out of the home this year, until he is in school full time next year?

Right now, that seems to be the only solution... but we'll see...

If you see another angle to this... email me would you? I'm exhausted!

May God bless you and yours...

Renée

Saturday, August 23, 2003 @ 3:40 PM EST

What a day! (Smiling from ear to ear)

What an absolutely amazing week!

It seems that everything I’ve been praying so hard for is coming this way, finally!

Today was Emilie’s big shopping spree. As Grand Prize winner for the Big Bear Kid’s Week Contest, she was awarded a three-minute/$300.00 shopping spree at our favorite store – the one at Big Bear Farms in Powell.

That’s when things really started to happen. Enter Big Bear’s Laura Finlayson of Rosica Mulhern, Inc. - Strategic Public Relations. She had learned about Delaney and her battle against cancer this past year and the effects on our family, Tim, Emilie, Joshua and me, and she was hooked! We interviewed with Wags and Elliot Friday morning, there was a Dispatch article written by Barb Carmen that graced the front of the Metro Section that same day… “Supermarket contest found family in need.” the article read. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a contest anymore… it was a fundraising opportunity for our family – put on by none other than Big Bear!

Emilie and I went into the store on Thursday to map out a plan: she wanted school supplies, ice cream, juice, pillows and a few other odds and ends. Mom? I was out for a few small appliances, laundry detergent, fabric softener, analgesics, and MEAT!

Rice? Potatoes? Fruit? Vegetables? These are usually relatively easy enough to put on the table, even with a very modest budget. But the high cost of feeding a family centers on the main dish… pastas, lentils – all good things - but chicken breasts, meatballs made with ground pork, veal and sirloin? Steaks? That’s where I was headed. After all, I had my marching orders. Delaney wanted “shrimpies and bloody steak.” That’s all I needed to know!

We arrived at the market early in the morning and the excitement started right off the bat. The staff at Big Bear, from manager to butcher to cashier to customer assistance, were incredible! We’ve been shopping with these wonderful people since the store first opened years ago, and it was obvious they were thrilled to see one of the their “families” win this contest.

We spoke with NBC regarding Weekend Today’s coverage of the event. They were going to interview Emilie and I, cut away, come back for the start of the spree, cut away, and come back again at the end to see how we did.

Emilie proved to be a very gracious child to interview – her enthusiasm was evident and her father and I were so proud of her poise and confidence!

8:17? Time to start shopping! GO they said, and go we did! We ran up and down the aisles, trying to remember our strategy, and getting nearly everything we’d planned in the short space of time. I suspect I overdid it on the meat in retrospect… I filled an entire cart with protein – where did I think I was going to store all of that?

Still, with no time to consider the situation, the spree continued and Emilie and I finally met at the end of the three minutes… breathing heavy with wide grins on our faces.

“Did you have fun?” I asked her “YES!” she exclaimed in return.

Someone called her name from behind and as she turned, she saw the Big Bear himself, standing and holding a special prize: a DVD player to share with her brother and sister (yes, mommy too!)

Totally overwhelmed, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or dance or pray… And then I learned our total… $1,700

How did we DO that?

I reflected on that an hour or two later, as Tim (the children’s father) paid $200 for a deep freeze to put in our basement. Many thanks to Jack’s in Hilliard for yet again offering us a great deal on the appliance! Still, there is more than we can eat in the next six months, so I'm happy to share with a single mom I know who lost her daughter to the same Ewing's Sarcoma Delaney battles. I'm also hoping to get linked to another family at St. Joan of Arc who is also going through a difficult time - maybe they could use a bit as well?

I think I know exactly how “we” did it! lol

You would think it couldn’t possibly get any better? You’re wrong! There were $300 in additional grocery coupons from Big Bear, not to mention nearly $500 in kind donations.

*A family sent us a blender (per the Dispatch article.)
*Stride Rite on Sawmill?… a $100 gift certificate for shoes.
*A representative from City Center approached me, in the midst of all of the excitement, and gave the children discount coupon books for the mall – and a $100 gift certificate for EACH of them to help with school clothes. *Betsy, a dear friend who’s son Miles was in Delaney’s class last year, purchased the children’s school supplies.
*Bobbie, a retired nurse, called Barb Carmen at the Dispatch to reach me - "Don't let her buy laundry detergent, I'll do that for her! Send her to the meat counter!"
*A kind couple who live in Big Bear Farms came up to the store to tuck a bit of cash into my hand, and let me know they were praying for us.

The NBC4 newscast will air again here in Columbus during the 6 pm broadcast.

Overall? We received about $2,500 in groceries, grocery coupons and $400 for the kids clothes and shoes for school. And enough human compassion to keep us warm for ages!

Does it take a village to raise a child? I don't really know the answer to that in this day and age, but this mom has learned what it means to have the support of a community and a Corporate Sponsor like Big Bear behind you in difficult times. Thanks to Emilie's decision to enter this contest and the events of this week I won’t worry about feeding or clothing my children for the next six months!

I haven’t even told you the best part yet… I have been contacted by three major Columbus businesses and invited to submit my résumé! Each has indicated that there are jobs available and would like to determine if there are any openings that suit my skill set. Three other leads have come to me via email through this website (teamdelaney@columbus.rr.com).

God is good. May He bless all of you in His perfect love - both for your kindness and faithful prayers on our behalf!

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

P.S. Uncle Paul! I picked up one of those rotisseries on our "little shopping trip!" Thanks for cooking that wonderful chicken this summer and making me aware of this incredible appliance!

***Please do not forget to sign the guestbook! Reading it each day is part of Delaney's summer reading project!

Friday, August 22, 2003 @ 10:35 AM EST

Delaney is doing much better - thank you for your prayers! She will remain on the antibiotics through next week. Those of you that have been keeping up with the website know of the financial struggle we've been having recently. I am still job hunting in anticipation of returning to the work force when the kids begin school next week.

Well, I have to tell you, I’ve never needed proof that God has listened to our prayers and guided us through these grim times – but proof has come anyway through Emilie, my nine-year-old daughter - my own personal hero right now.

This article can be found on the front page of today’s Columbus Dispatch – Metro Section:

Supermarket contest found family in need
Friday, August 22, 2003
BARBARA CARMEN
Columbus Dispatch

First her marriage broke up. Then her job with a dot-com evaporated and the company stiffed her a month’s pay.

Renee La Forest quickly landed another job, but before she could start, doctors delivered the worst blow: "Your little girl has a rare bone cancer."

La Forest quit her new job and lost the home she was building. For the past year, the family has scrimped; La Forest gets $98.02 too much in monthly child support to qualify for welfare.

"But there’s just no way you can leave a 6-year-old at a hospital all day alone plugged into a wall," the Dublin woman said.

Her children — Emilie, 9; Delaney, now 7; and Joshua, 5 — share the last name of their father, Diggs, who has since moved to Texas. So La Forest and the children are here on their own. Friends have helped. Church has helped. School has helped.

But La Forest never dreamed that her supermarket would come through with a Kids Week raffle prize.

"They called to tell me she’d won," La Forest said of Emilie. "I figured it was a Wiffle ball and bat."

Not exactly.

The family has won a three-minute shopping spree. Mom and Emilie will fill two baskets with all the goodies their family cannot afford — no limit.

When La Forest told the folks at Big Bear how desperately the prize was needed, it sounds like everyone cried.

"It was supposed to be a $300 limit," said Big Bear Marketing Manager Kim Rhinehart. "But sometimes you have to bend the rules and do whatever you need to help people.

"Our hearts just went out to her. It was like it was meant to be."

Emilie quickly planned the loot: "We’ve got to get my school supplies."

This broke a few Big Bear hearts, and managers quickly phoned the school to get a list of supplies to surprise Emilie. Meanwhile, someone at the school overheard that conversation and paid for the supplies.

Now Delaney has a request: "Get my shrimpies, Mommy."

(Delaney has a Web site detailing her fight against cancer at www.caringbridge.org/oh/teamdelaney.)

This morning, La Forest will map out her strategy at the Big Bear Farm store at 4000 W. Powell Rd.

"I’m going for the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent — the things that nickel-and-dime you to death," La Forest said. "Steak for Delaney, and juices and a blender. She needs protein shakes to build her strength."

Delaney weighs slightly more than 40 pounds.

"We’ll swing by (some more) school supplies for Emilie, then onto toothpaste, toothbrushes and Motrin and Tylenol — because I’m a mom and it is the end of summer!"

Delaney’s cancer, which ate into the bones of her skull, is in remission, and her mom is again hunting for a secretarial or a database programmer position.

She takes the prize as a sign.

"God must really be looking out for us," she told a Big Bear manager.

Big Bear has a few treats waiting for the dash, to begin at 8:15 a.m. Saturday. And yes, Delaney, Mom is getting shrimp. END

- - - - - - -

Now how cool is that? (laughing out loud)

The NBC news affiliate (WCMH-TV) will be airing the shopping spree live during the 8:00 am newscast (8/22 - Saturday morning)

Today, Wags and Elliot from 96.3 interviewed us this morning at 6:30 am on-air and the CBS news affiliate wants to speak do an on-camera interview this afternoon.

The best part? A law firm contacted Big Bear – they want to interview me for a job!

Things just may be looking up! Alleluia!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, August 17, 2003 @ 12:30 PM EST

Delaney was released from the hospital late last night with a PICC line in her left arm and IV antibiotics for mom to give (gentamicin, ceftaz and oral clindamycin) over the next week.

Her official diagnosis was "sepsis" which is defined as "a bacterial infection of the blood...patients developing sepsis progress from ill to seriously ill, onto organ dysfunction and failure (called severe sepsis) and then to septic shock."

Luckily, we had some idea what was happening when the kids and I rushed her to the hospital on Tuesday of last week. She only went so far as to run the 105 fevers, and have a bit of trouble breathing and urinating. The paramedics and ER also recognized the symptoms and she was placed on fluids and IV antibiotics quickly enough to treat and prevent the advanced symptoms of this condition that often lead to death if not immediately treated.

Many thanks to the Washington Township paramedics as well as to Children's Hospital ER for the way they handled this crisis!

Home recuperating for now - thanks to all of you for your prayers and well wishes!

May God bless you and yours!

Love,

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

Friday, August 15, 2003 @ 11:38 AM EST

I'm very sorry I haven’t' written, but things got a bit scary around here this week. Delaney had been doing quite well and then this past Tuesday went from eating a big breakfast and lunch and playing outside to having a terrible headache, stomach ache, vomiting and reaching a temp of 105! Needless to say, it was very frightening, and I put her in the car immediately to take to the hospital. Passing the fire department, I turned to see Delaney having some difficulty breathing and dark circles growing around her eyes.

I immediately pulled into the Washington Township police station and grabbed her up in my arms while Josh and Emilie waited, frightened, in the car.

The wonderful paramedics took her quickly from me and drove her to Children's where I followed at a safer speed behind in the car with the kids.

I was very lucky in that I have met such wonderful people while going through this illness with Delaney. One of the Children's Volunteers (David Bartholomew) who Delaney is very close with met her in the ER. Child Life volunteers met me with the children and took them away from the ER scene to the play area the hospital sponsors for siblings. Lisa Cornwell, the mother of Bradley, also a heme-onc patient left work to take Joshua and Emilie away from the entire situation and to spend the night safely at her home. Christy Eagle, a mother who lost our dear Kirsten Rutter to this terrible disease in January, came to the hospital to be with me while we waited to see what was happening. Tim's parents were taking the kids up to Higgin's Lake, MI for the next week, so they came early Wed and took them up for me... special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Diggs! (God bless you guys - thank you soooo much!!!)

As it turned out she grew a staph infection in her broviac just three days before it was scheduled to be removed. We could have lost her.

BUT we didn't, the little fighter was started on the proper antibiotics for the infection and we were admitted. She had much fever, nausea and vomiting over the next 24 hours, but yesterday (Thursday) morning, she went into surgery for two-three hours. The infection in her sinuses was drained and cultured, her infected broviac was removed, and her endoscopy turned out quite well. It seems she is recovering nicely from the chemo damage to her esophagus and abdomen.

Now, we will remain in the hospital until she quits running fevers and the doctors are certain she is on the mend and able to be treated at home by, you guessed it, Dr. Mom - already well-skilled in the administering of IV medications. (sigh)

I'm just glad that the kids and I got her in when we did! The doctors this morning say that they will identify the gram negative bacteria (the gram positive was the staph infection) and put a P.I.C.C. (on Friday 8/15). They still don't know what the gram-negative bacteria growing in her blood stream is... but gram-negative is THE worst kind of infection to have there. Once they grow the rods, they can do sensitivity testing to make sure she is on the correct medication to fight the infection and we can go home on meds.

Please keep us in your prayers! Your families remain in ours!

Love, Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

P.S. Thank those of you who have helped with our fundraising efforts, we have received $815 dollars and 1100 hits to the website since my plea went out last week - AND! - I have a job interview scheduled for early next week as well as two other leads to follow! Thank you - thank you - thank you!

Love, Renée

Monday, August 4, 2003 @ 5:18 PM EST

The LPGA luncheon went very well today, despite the rain! Delaney got to meet Lt. Governor Bradley and many of the people from Wendy's and Children's Hospital who worked on the making of the video that detailed our life over the past year, her struggle with Ewing's Sarcoma and the good that has been done through the combined support of Wendy's and the LPGA for Children's Hosptial in Columbus. (Please read more about the tournament at www.wendyschampionship.com)

Watching the short film in that room full of people was one of the most difficult things I've every done. The staff at Wendy's made the last year so vivid - sometimes I'm amazed we've come this far! It made me realize just how much Delaney has accomplished and how grateful I am that she is still here, regardless of the challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you so much to those of you we met and spoke with today. I hope you will remember two things about our meeting - one, the strength and fortitude of a little girl who has fought and continues to fight a terrible cancer against difficult odds, and two, a good Christian family who is trying desperately to rebuild a home life destroyed by the cancer Delaney was diagnosed with last year.

Today I was told many times by those I spoke to: "If you are in need of help, you must ask." I'm asking now.

During the course of this past year and Delaney's treatment I lost my job, the home I was building for the children and I, and am frighteningly near exhausting the little cash assets we have left. We are currently renting a townhome in Dublin where the children attend school, but with their father's recent relocation to Houston to begin a new job and a new life there, we are left without relatives or support to maintain our foothold as a self-sufficient family in this community.

It is imperative I find work in keeping with my background as a Project Coordinator or Administrative Assistant or even as a secretary to keep this family going once the children return to school the end of August.

I would be eternally grateful for the opportunity of employment in a family-oriented environment that is in need of my particular skill set and will in turn provide the income necessary to keep us from having to leave the area, friends and schools my children have grown to know, love and feel safe with here in the communities of Dublin and Powell.

For everything you have already done, I am grateful, but I am asking this one more thing. If you know of anyone who is in need of a skilled office professional, I am in need of just one good opportunity to turn our lives around. For job opportunities, please feel free to contact me at rlaforest@columbus.rr.com or call me at 614-793-2341.

In lieu of job leads, I am asking that you consider a donation to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund to keep my family going until I am able to find full time employment. Your donations can be sent tax deductible if made payable to the:

"St. Vincent DePaul Society for the Benefit of Delaney R. Diggs"
c/o St. Joan of Arc Parish
10700 Liberty Road
Powell, OH 43065-7681

Some of you will not agree with the way I am making this request but at this point I see no options. The job inquiries I've made so far have netted me responses from "you are overqualified" to "you have been out of the workforce for too long." It does not change the fact that I must act now!

I do not wish to alienate anyone, so I say this next part cautiously. Please, please do not assume that "someone else" will help. Last year we were very fortunate to receive support primarily through parishoners of St. Joan of Arc, but there have been few donations since January into the account and none in the past five months. Obviously, this brings me back to the point that with Delaney out of treatment and returning to school in the fall, it would be best for me to return to the work force if at all possible. This would be my preference. Those of you who have followed this journal over the past year know me. You know my strengths and the lengths I will go to to support my family and I while I realize I am going out on a limb here, I see no other choice. "If you need help, ask for it." I am asking. Humbly, and with great thanks in advance to anyone is able to assist in the smallest way.

In lieu of a job, or a donation, please continue to pray for Delaney, for her sister Emilie, her brother Joshua and for me. I have no doubt that given the right opportunity, our family will thrive again. After all, "God never gives us more than we can handle," does he? Lately, I find myself praying non-stop that this is true.

May God bless you and yours.

Sincerely,

Renée A. La Forest
Mom
Team Delaney!

P.S. Don't forget to sign the guestbook! Delaney looks forward to reading the postings to her as part of her summer reading project!

Saturday, August 2, 2003 @ 11:00 AM EST

Hello! How are all of you? I'm sorry I've not written but as they say, no news is good news! We've been having a fairly "normal" summer and the kids have definately kept me busy. Emilie is the creative queen of arts and crafts and has kept summer school running here with Joshua and Delaney and the "Hooked on Phonics" game.

Joshua? He is growing like a weed and becoming very independent - he cannot wait to be a kindergartner next month.

Delaney is feeling well, though she still tires quite easily. There are still some issues with nausea/vomitting and with her eyes and sinuses that I will speak with Dr. Ranalli about next week. She will have her first cavities filled on the 8th... chemo is not a friend to growing teeth we've learned. We still have plans to surgically remove her broviac catheter from her chest on August 15th and a GI surgeon will also scope her at that time to get to the root of her tummy trouble.

On another note, the children's father, Tim, is in town to pack up his home here in Ohio. The house sold last week in a record 72 days and the kids will be spending the night with him from Saturday until Monday morning when the movers come to finalize his relocation to Houston begun in May. The kids are having some strong emotions about the whole thing but I believe Tim and I will work together to make sure they understand what is about to happen and make it as painless an experience as is possible for them.

As I may have mentioned earlier in the summer, Delaney was chosen by Children's Hospital to represent them as Profile Child for this year's "Wendy's Tournament of Champions". Well, the time has come for the event! Monday, August 4th is the kick-off date for the LPGA Tournament held in Dublin each year to benefit the pediatric cancer program at Children’s Hospital.

Over the past two months, a staff of producers/directors from Wendy's International has worked with the kids and I to make a short video profiling Delaney and her struggle over the last year to successfully reach her current status of remission.

The Official Commencement of the 2003 Wendy’s Championship for Children will take place on Monday, August 4th at the City of Dublin Ladies Luncheon. Delaney and I have been invited to attend as special guests of Children's Hospital and I am a bit nervous, as it will be the first time we've viewed the clip and I'm certain it will be emotional.

The short video is aslo expected to be played during the LPGA Tournament's television air dates ESPN & ESPN2 as follows:

Friday, August 8
ESPN2 (1-3PM)
First Round of Wendy's Championship for Children

Saturday, August 9
ESPN (3-5PM)
Second Round of Wendy's Championship for Children

Sunday, August 10
ESPN2 (4-6PM)
Third Round of Wendy's Championship for Children

(Additional information on the tourney can be found at
www.wendyschampionship.com)

- - -

I am certain you are enjoying these last three weeks of summer as much as the children are - school starts August 26th here in Dublin, so my job search will be going full force by the 27th!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Mom, Team Delaney!

P.S. Some of you have asked about my prior job experience:

My background includes 6 years in the USN in an HR environment followed by 6 years as an secretary/executive secretary/office administrator, then eight years in technical help desk/database administration/project management.

I am looking for part time work between the hours of 9 - 3pm, please contact me, even if the project is on a short term or temporary basis. You will find me to be a team player with great organizational skills - a true business professional!

Thursday, July 17, 2003 @ 11:40 AM EST

The response has been overwhelming!!! (smiling) Thank you to everyone who has sent well-wishes with regard to Delaney's current "in remission" status. As you can imagine we as a family are very excited about the clear scans taken the week of July 7th.

Delaney is now looking forward to her August 15th surgery during which her Broviac (the venous catheter that extends from her chest) will be removed by Dr. King. During the surgery, Dr. Erdman will perform an endoscopy to help us to determine the cause of Delaney's continued nausea/vomitting, which is currently being controlled with Zantac.

I have spoken to Dr. Ranalli's office and expect that he will review Delaney's latest scans with me on August 7th. In light of the fact there she is currently NED (no evidence of disease) I am particularly concerned about the remodeling of the bones of her head and face damaged by the cancer, chemo and radiation.

We have been advised a plactic surgeon will need to be consulted as Delaney continues to grow. The strong doses of radiation she received to the quadrant of her head from the top of her skull down to just below her nose and ears has destroyed her hair folicles and will impede hair growth as well as normal bone development.

As for me? I need a plan. After leaving an information technology career to raise the children when Delaney was born in 1996, I returned to the work force after her father and I divorced only a short six months before she was diagnosed with cancer. I have been home focusing on Delaney, Emilie (9) and Joshua (5) since. With Tim's (dad) recent relocation to Houston, the shared parenting agreement that would have allowed me to work without the need for child care at least part time is no longer in effect.

This next year Joshua will be in Kindergarten half days and while this limits my ability to work out of the home without incurring child care costs, it does not defer the need for the income. Joshua has been invited to return to the Montessori school he has attended the past two years, but it would require me to be home to transfer him between schools at the noon hour, not a likely possiblity without assistance if I am working.

My attempts at finding work out of the home at this point have not been fruitful, but I will continue plugging away and will begin an active job search in the Dublin area once the children are in school. In the end, the income has to exceed the cost of child care, and that will be my biggest financial hurdle this coming year.

A dear family friend, also an oncologist, wrote me recently:

"I am glad to get the news about Delaney. I am still very cautious about what the next scan or the next one after that may show. The worry can only lessen with time and can never really go away. But, there is no other place to be right now than where you are at with everything. I continue to pray for only good news from you and Delaney."

I think that about sums it up, don't you?

May God Bless you and yours.

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, July 14, 2003 @ 5:00 PM EST

Finally, I spoke with Granny Grooms at Children's Hospital today... the phone nurse and a wonderful woman. Delaney's oncologist had gotten my messages but was too busy to call. It makes me sad for all of the patients who must be needing him and his attention right now. It makes me sad for Delaney and I too, who waited anxiously all weekend for the results while the on-call doctor handled patients and her oncologist was away from the hospital, maybe taking some time to think about anything but Ewing's Sarcoma and children with cancer.

The scans show no mets, no new growth, no cancer. Congratulations, Delaney, my dear sweet baby you are in remission!!! And I'm crying and bitter as I write this. For all of the children I've witnessed leave their parents and family and this world in the past year and for all who are suffering now... Delaney and I deserved that phone call. We deserved to hear those words and not wait anxious and frightened for three days for the news to come.

Delaney's Ewing's is in remission. For now, at least, there will be no more talk of chemo, of radiation, of ANC and blood counts... WE are in remission. It took a zillion phone calls and many tears to get that information - but it is good news. And I am grateful.

The rest, can wait until tomorrow.

God bless all of you for being here for us... I'm going to have a nice long cry of relief now.

Love,

Renée

Saturday, July 12, 2003 @ 6:30 PM EST

Delaney completed her MRI & PET Scans on Monday, July 7th with much difficulty as a result of the sedation being used. Due (in my opinion) to the radiation of the tumor "margins" in her frontal lobe, she is subject to mood swings and occassionally excessive fits of anger, frustration and sadness. The medications she is currently being given are know to cause just these mood swings and they become greatly exacerbated when she receives them. On the way home from the hospital on Monday, she tried to get out of the car on the freeway no less that three times and threw her basin, tissue box and Barbie at my head.

Thursday morning I discussed my problems with them medication with Dr. Ranalli with regard to her next set of scans in October. I am hoping that the nurses who are sedating Delaney and Dr. R are able to resolve this issue and provide the alternative sedation method to ease Delaney's reaction and allow her to remain sedated long enough to complete the scans the future.

On Thursday, she had her chest CT and Bone Scan, but was unable to remain sedated for the entire test, so a 3D picture of her skull was not completed.

I called and left messages for her oncologist all day on Friday, but still sit waiting for the results of all of her scans. Dr. R said the MRI & PET looked good on Monday, but I am going insane waiting for the cummulative results and those of the two tests run on Thursday... sometimes I wonder if these docs realize how we wait on pins and needles for these results? It is a question of whether Delaney is in remission or not - I feel a strong NEED TO KNOW!

God bless!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, July 6, 2003 @ 7:00 PM EST

The kids and I just returned after a wonderful long weekend in Michigan... we visited Grandma & Grandpa Diggs, my Uncle Paul, Aunt Rhonda, Aunt Teresa (who although tired, looks fabulous and continues to fight her host v. graph issues since her bone marrow transplant earlier this year), my Aunt Pon, husband Steve and my cousin Jennifer... what a wonderful way to spend the 4th of July!

Well, the time has come already it seems. Our first three month scans since chemo stopped on April 15th. Funny, I want to know, to be reassured that the cancer is still gone, that she is in remission, at least this time... It is hard for me to breath when I think of the other possibilities, but I remind myself all I can do is wait, and see, and pray.

Tomorrow Delaney will have her Chest CT and Pet Scan. On Thursday she will have her MRI and Bone Scan.

You will not hear from me until I know the results, I will likely become a bit of a recluse this week - but I will be actively praying for the outcome to be favorable - I hope you have a moment to say a prayer or two as well...

Thank you for your continued support - it means more to us than you can possibly imagine!

Renée
Team Delaney

Thursday, July 3, 2003 10:39 AM EST

Hello all!

The past few weeks have been - we've found many local activities that are free and free, used some of the great gift cards the family received at Christmas to see movies and dine out a bit... we even took a trip to Steubenville, OH to see the Riley family!

We are off to Michigan for the next 4 days - can't wait to see the kid's Grandma & Grandpa, and my own Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends! Emilie is planning on staying in Michigan with her grandparents for the week, so Delaney and Josh and I will be on our own when they come back.

Next week brings Delaney's first set of scans (PET, Bone, MRI and CT) since she finished chemo. I'm starting to feel very tense and uncertain, not a good feeling, but one known well by HemeOnc parents and older patients. In short, the scans will show the changes to her skull since the chemo and radiation ended, as well as whether or not Delaney's cancer has returned. Please keep us in your prayers, we should know by Friday, July 11th - I'll post as soon as I know.

God Bless you all...

Special thoughts to Brittany C.! You go girl - so happy for you!

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. I have to elaborate for a moment on what a treat it was to visit the Riley's hometown for the first time! Their annual greek festival was in full force and these wonderful ladies had been cooking for months in preparation... the kids and I definately gained a pound or two! The best part was getting to see Robert's parents, Mike and Paula, and Delaney and I were thrilled to see "Ya-Ya".

We visited the site where Robert was laid to rest and it is very peaceful and lovely - on top a high hill where you can see Ohio and Pennsylvania as well as West Virginia. Michael's grandparents and other family members are interned there as well.

We watched some video's of little Robert and they brought back some beautiful memories of his lively and sweet spirit - I thought it would make me sad, but instead, it helped me to remember him in the days before his last, and gave me an overall feeling of confidence that he is indeed in heaven with God, watching over his dear family here on earth.

A friend passed this poem along to me, though the author is unknown, it seems appropriate to include it here:

I am not there

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousands winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

May God continue to bless Robert's family and those who love him!

Renée

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 11:41 PM EST

Greetings! Salutations!

This is the time of year at-home-moms look forward to and dread. Our beautiful school-aged children are home with us where we can see them grow and thrive each day. We watch them play, inside and out, and are amazed at the energy levels they possess. We feed them, constantly, and cannot believe devour enough food and milk to make the weekly trips to the grocery we take the rest of the year suddenly insufficient.

Yes, it's summer, and time for a bit of creativity to cure the kid’s boredom and a little something to preserve my sanity!

I know, I can't complain... after this past year I really am grateful to be home with all three of them healthy and reasonably happy. We have several short day and weekend trips planned as well as being armed with the book "Kid's Love Columbus." If you don't have it, and live here in Ohio, I highly recommend it. Chock full of things to do and places to see, many of them in small familial groups, others just right for age appropriate playgroups. The expenses are low but the entertainment level can be interesting and distracting for school-aged children.

I have discovered there are - much to my chagrin - approximately 14 waking hours in each day of the lives of my beautiful children during this particular season. At a 24/7 pace, I am already becoming uncertain of my ability to entertain them. The truth is, in the eyes of my children, I am a bore. Make that a capital B. I don't juggle, tap dance, or even spit quarters. No matter how many errands we run, library trips we take, trips to the zoo or COSI, there are still many hours left in the day in which I am expected to cure their boredom.

We have joined the summer reading program at the library (Mission Read). We are zoo members, COSI members and art museum members. There are even daily breaks to focus on what was learned in school last year, to write in journals and review math facts. Sunday mass lasts one hour. Don’t get me started on that one.

After the 8 am breakfast, 10 am snack, 12-noon lunch, 3 pm refreshment break, and 6 pm meal - there is still the question of "what's for dessert mom?" I say, "Have a piece of fruit." They say, "But I want something sweet!" Right. What was I thinking?

I suppose it is the time spent, when the boredom sets in, that there are quarrels, teasing, fighting and the constant proclamations of "But it's not fair!" that get me rethinking the whole summer break thing.

Emilie is enjoying the summer so far. She has been a big help around the house and seems to enjoy finally being able to spend time with me. Joshua is much the same and always ready with a hug or a kiss or just a quick look to ensure I remain by his side.

Delaney on the other hand is having a difficult time not being the "sick kid." After a year of other people picking up her slack, she is once again being expected to pick up after herself when she plays, after she eats, make her bed after she sleeps in it. She misses the PCA's, Child Life Staff and volunteers at the hospital who bent over backward to ensure her attention was kept off of the treatments she was receiving and on issues more entertaining.

As for me? I’m calling all mothers – “When do the playgroups start? What about co-op babysitting? I’ll be the first to take your kids! In the meantime, I’m still planning activities to overcome the boredom, and begging the Central Ohio weather teams to remember that it is SUMMER. Surely getting the kids outdoors will help to diminish the world-weary children I call me own? In the meantime I’m changing my name. “Call me Ishmael.”

God bless you and yours – may your summer be full of sunshine and beautiful memories!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Delaney is in a holding pattern for now. We are going to have our first post-chemo/treatment scans in July - the 7th and 10th. She is gearing up to make a short film with Wendy's International for the LPGA "Championship for Children" they sponsor each year. Delaney was asked to be the profile child this year. For now, she will see Dr. Ranalli for her monthly check-up on Thursday, where I hope to discuss the removal of her broviac catheter.

I'll keep you posted!

Wednesday, June 4, 2003 8:30 PM EST

Okay, okay! Wow! You guys are brutal! lol

I've recently gotten quite an onslaught of emails wondering WHY I haven’t updated the website! I’m sorry, I swear! Life has been very busy since the last update and it’s been difficult to find ten minutes to myself in order to write to you about our status… here goes:

Tim moved to Houston about three weeks ago, and it has been an adjustment period for all of the children… separation anxiety for Joshua, sadness for Delaney, and downright anger from Emilie… it’s quite a bit to deal with and it has me searching my mind and those of other moms I know for creative ways to help each of them deal with their feelings. They miss their father, they love him – it can’t be easy – but we’re coming along nicely. We have incorporated extra reading and cuddle time for each of them, especially Josh who will not leave my side. For Delaney, talking non-stop about everything under the sun. Emilie? She needs a way to redirect her frustrations – I’ve chosen diversion - one on one time with me – and voila! She’s my new soux chef! Tonight she made a pound cake to have with the strawberries Betsy McCollum picked and shared with us earlier this week… (I’ll save you some, Betsy…. you’re so awesome!)

Delaney has had many check ups with ENT, Ophthalmology, and her Oncologist, Mark Ranalli. Things are progressing in a post chemo manner… counts coming back up, ENT still tracking her damaged sinus cavities, Ophthalmology keeping an eye on her weakening vision. This will all proceed for several years, with problems being managed as they arise. Overall, she is doing well except for lingering nausea and vomiting, which she will be undergoing a series of GI test to investigate the problem. She is in school full days this week and returning to her chipper self, still easily fatigued, but maintaining that certain “zest for life” those who know her well have come to love about her – especially me!

With regard to the cancer… She had 14 rounds of chemo, every three weeks (with two one week delays) between June 2002 and April 2003… her next scans will be in July – the 7th and the 10th, after which for the first time of many to come, we will learn if the chemo and radiation worked, or merely staved the tumor off for the time being. As far as I’m concerned she is here, she is alive, and my faith in God is still very, very strong. One day at a time, lots of prayers… my motto and mantra.

May God bless you all!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 @ 1:00 PM EST

A bit of good news! Delaney has been off one of the two anti-fungal medications since Friday and her counts are FINALLY starting to go up!

On Friday, while still on the Abelcet via her broviac (IV), her counts were:

White blood cells: 1.70
Platelets: 47,000
Hemoglobin: 8.5
ANC: 901
Potassium: 2.7

Compared to Monday's counts of:

White blood cells: 5
Platelets: 224,000
Hemoglobin: 9.3
ANC: 3200
Potassium: 4.9

This is not great, but it is a tremendous leap toward her immune system healing over the next year - the better the counts, the easier it will be for her body to work for her in the months ahead against opportunistic infections!

Go Delaney!!!!

How I love that girl!

(smiling)

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Please join me in praying for my dear friend Truus' - her son Paul lost his fight with Ewing's Sarcoma in Holland only a few short days ago. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him, and his mother, who's devotion to Paul throughout his fight was a feat to behold! Please lift Paul and his family in prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday, May 18, 2003 12:45 PM EST

Delaney has been doing relatively well lately - tomorrow we'll get her counts and then find out what Dr. Ranalli has to say about things on Thursday morning. Friday, he told us to stop the Ampho B (Abelcet) because her white blood cell count is 2 and her ANC is over 1200 - not the greatest, I admit, but it does mean her counts are starting to come up on their own. She will still take the Voriconazole (oral) for a while yet. Her nausea is terrible today! I can't count how many times she has dry-heaved and I can't seem to get her oral meds into her - we'll have to watch that potassium count very closely tomorrow.

Tim, the children’s father, left to early Saturday morning to drive to Houston. On Monday, he starts his new job as Director of Variable Annuities for AIG, a leading U.S.-based international insurance and financial services organization and one of the largest underwriters of commercial and industrial insurance in the United States. His relocation package is quite generous and they will be putting him up in temporary living spaces until his house sells. He can finally stop consulting and go back to the corporate life – a job with health insurance for the children, which we were starting to worry about with COBRA ending in less than 60 days.

The kids, of course, are sad and a bit confused but the seem to be handling it well. Their Dad’s home in Big Bear Farms just went on the market, so they should get to visit with him on trips back to settle affairs.

Me? I'm scared out of my mind! There have been very few donations to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund since January and although I had hoped to work at least half the summer, as our shared parenting agreement would have included the children living with him for six weeks, but that is not to be. We are going to have to hire a mediator to help us rewrite all of that, as it is hard to visit twice a week, every other weekend, half the summer and every other holiday from 1200 miles away!

If I were able to work, it wouldn't be so bad, but I have no childcare and cannot send the children to daycare - Delaney for obvious reasons, Joshua and Emilie because they might catch something and bring it HOME to Delaney. Even in the fall, with them back in school, Joshua will go half days and Delaney will have all of her scans and appointments... I don't expect a new employer to particularly understanding or sympathetic when it comes to missing work - especially with little or no notice at times!

My best bet is to find work out of the home; after all, I've done legal summaries for the MDOT (Michigan) and medical transcription at Bethesda... I am a software developer, but I worked six years in HR and have many years of administrative experience at the Executive level under my belt...

All of you wonderful people who have asked what you can do to help... KEEP YOUR EARS TO THE GROUND FOR ME! I'm humble, and any job I can do at home to keep us from living one child support check to the next would be welcome. It is, to say the least, a devastating financial situation, leaving me totally unprepared for "the unexpected."

For now, as always, I'm taking it “one day at a time, with lots of prayers” – Delaney is done with her chemo, Joshua and Emilie are well – I’m grateful and count my blessings daily!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée

Tuesday, May 13, 2003 @ 3:44 PM EST

I'd like first of all take this opportunity to thank those of you who sent Mother's Day wishes my way - the thoughts were greatly appreciated and you were all in my prayers as well!

This weekend I was reminded of my favorite supervisor - back in my TRW days - who told me when I was in the early stages of pregnancy with my first child, Emilie that I "would never again know what it is like not to worry."

How profound and how very true! Still, it is a privilege to have these beautiful children to worry about, so I will not complain. To all you Mother's who find the time to keep up with Delaney’s trials and tribulations – while shepherding your own flock, God Bless You! I hope each Mother's Day is a reminder of your special blessings!

Saturday was, a day of mixed experiences. First we put our beloved cocker spaniel to sleep at age twelve - my friend from my single days, before marriage and family, and a dear companion to the children in their early years. Over the past few years he slowly became blind, and deaf, spending most of his time sleeping peacefully or and eating - no longer interacting and seeking attention as did as a younger dog.

The kids and I took Murphy to the vet, where he rested in my arms and lap on a soft blanket, the kids all around. We spoke softly to him through unveiled tears and told him how we loved him while the injection that stopped his heart was given. It was quicker than any of us expected and he slowly relaxed in my arms until I was supporting his body completely. He was gone, but I knew he was at peace.

It was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do, particularly because the children were involved. Joshua, having just turned five, was proud that he did not cry. For Emilie, Delaney and I - it was impossible not to. We had a long talk about heaven and God and Murphy, but the tears came and went most of the weekend. Today, his ashes will be delivered and we well take them up north to where their grandparents and Aunt Karen’s family share a lake house, so that he can be returned to the earth.

We all napped that afternoon and late Saturday night, we went to the OSU Relay for Life, where I was a guest speaker and Delaney was thrilled to see some of her friends from the hospital! The kids and I - Delaney included! - walked a full mile in memory of those who have died from cancer - and in support of those who are still fighting, in remission, or cured of this terrible classification of illnesses.

It was a strange juxtaposition, from taking a life in the morning to praying for life in the evening. I won't soon forget the combination of emotions that passed through my mind that long day. In the end, a very dear friend was given his well-deserved rest at age 69 (in dog years) and my precious daughter Delaney, just beginning to live and understand her life at age seven, is with us still. Perhaps it makes sense after all. Thank God.

May He bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Thursday, May 8, 2003 @ 10:00 PM EST

Sadly, the past two days have not gone quite as well as Monday and Tuesday did for our Team Leader, Delaney. School became more difficult to manage, and she came home mid-day both Wednesday and Thursday. It seems that her sinuses are congested and running again, and her brain is still not functioning well from the last chemo. She is very emotional, and tires easily - sad, but not unexpected after she's been through so much.

With her Dad getting ready to move to his new job in Houston come many changes. She (as well as Emilie and Joshua) are already missing him - let alone the fact that our twelve year old deaf and blind cocker spaniel will be put to sleep as the kids and I can not take him in our apartment and Tim cannot move him to Houston. We have an appointment on Saturday at 1:10 to have this done, and Delaney simply breaks down into tears each time this is mentioned. To much loss for one little girl over the past year - first Mitchell R., next Brooklyn S., Shane J. and Jackson, then sweet Kirsten R. and finally our precious Robert R... It is hard to explain that you can simply choose to put a dog to sleep rather than let God decide when the dog is too weak to continue.

I've assured the kids that people are never put to sleep that way - and when they look at me questioningly, I first explain to them the "life span" of different dog breeds. But I know I'm unconvincing, because when I remember the pain of the last year it seems, no matter how aware I am of the inevitability of this, I simply can't justify it. Not to my children, not to myself.

I made the appointment on Tuesday at the vet and I cried like a seven year old the entire time. "Murphy the Wonder Dog" was my dog, before I knew the kids, before I knew their father. Spending a year praying for a life makes it very difficult to end one by choice, no matter how "responsible" that decision is. Life can be so complicated, can’t it?

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, May 5, 2003 @ 4:17 PM EST

Today, Delaney went to school for the entire day! I can't remember the last time she did that, can any of you? So exciting!

Tonight Emilie, Joshua, Delaney and I are off to Children's Hospital again - not for tests this time - no way! We are going to celebrate Ben Thomas' LAST CHEMO with his family!

GREAT NEWS THOMAS FAMILY! Ben - we are soooo very proud of you! What a trooper you've been!

Please visit Ben's website at: www.caringbridge.org/oh/benjamin

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Emily - Delaney can't wait to see you!

Thursday, May 1, 2003 @ 5:08 PM EST

Last night, the Make-a-Wish foundation provided tickets for our family to attend opening night of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was a phenomenal experience for all of us, especially the kids, who - thanks to Jumpin' Jon Weiss (a.k.a. the Human Cannonball) - who found us during the pre-show event and encouraged Delaney to sing for the pre-show guests (Amazing Grace, of all songs), and even let the her, Emilie and Joshua be part of the "Human Pyramid." Mr. Weiss was quite an engaging personality and really ended up making the night for our family! He even brought Delaney a picture painted by one of the circus elephants that night for us to take home and frame! Me, being a zoo docent - I was thrilled too! What fun!

Today - reality check... Back to the clinic for a check-up... Delaney's counts have dropped significantly since her last hospital visit, I'm going to have to keep her close to home for a bit until her blood levels are more normal, and her immune system back in reasonable working order. Today, she needed platelets again. Low platelets directly affect the ability to for blood to clot and form a scab in case of injury - and internal injuries from a minor fall can occur more easily than in a person with normal counts (A normal platelet count is 150 to 450 thousand platelets per micro liter of blood)... today, Delaney received a transfusion of platelets because her counts were 20 thousand per micro liter of blood.

She will remain on the Abelcet and Voroconazole until her counts recover significantly, and we are scheduled to see Dr. Ranalli again in three weeks. We also need to begin regular follow-up appointments with regard to Dr. Willet in ENT and Dr. Hertle, her ophthalmologist.

It is obvious these days that the overwhelming truth for the kids and I is just this... life is not, "back to normal" - this is simply a new normal for us to adjust to and learn from.

Delaney will be getting her blood drawn twice a week, receiving transfusions as needed, meeting with the Oncologist monthly, as well as the ENT and Ophthalmologist.

As far as tracking the cancer, every 8-12 weeks she will undergo repeat MRI, CT, Pet and Bone scans - 4/5 of these require sedation and last more than 60-90 minutes.

In addition, we just learned that the kid’s father, Tim Diggs, would be moving to Houston to accept a great job with AIG as the Director of Variable Accounting sometime in May. This presents new issues, since it was Tim who took such good care of Emilie and Joshua while Delaney and I spent time on and off in the hospital over the past ten months. Obviously, he will be unable to assist with that in the future.

Having been off work and living on child support and my small military pension over most of the past year, it is well past necessary for me to begin bringing in a steady income for the family. A former applications/database developer, my skill set is not as current as it was a year ago, and in an already stressed job market, I do not hold much hope of being competitive enough to regain my career hold.

As it stands, I will be unable to return to work until at least September when the children return to school, and even then in a part time capacity to allow for Delaney's frequent scans and doctor visits, there will be childcare issues as well, especially since shared parenting is no longer and option and even evenings and weekends are not possible work times as the kids will now be with me 24/7 rather than visiting with their father two evenings a week and every other weekend, splitting holidays and vacations, etc.

I have found an organization called "Center for New Directions" located on the Columbus State Campus - they can assist me in determining a fitting career path and gaining the necessary education to make me marketable once again in my move forward. As they point out, my thoughts on nursing and pharmacology school are options, but they have testing available for me to re-evaluate my past work experience, current skill set and overall personality to determine what careers may be the best fit.

I feel a bit like I'm jumping off a cliff here, but I've never been a quitter and I won't stop now. Still, just in case, the kids are enrolled in Medicaid to help me handle co-pays of expensive Rx's and whatnot, especially while we wait to determine what kind of coverage the kids will have under Tim's new employment.

The challenges we face, right? I know many of you readers are Heme-Onc moms and dads, and are facing similar issues. I think our Faith in God must be prevalent here, don't you?

You are all in my prayers! May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney

P.S. Anyone in need of technical or administrative or assistance on a flexible schedule from time to time, please contact me! I am particularly interested in work that can be done from out of the home.

Sunday, April 27, 2003 @ 10:30 PM EST

We're home! After ten days of fevers and many red blood cell/platelet transfusions we are home at last! Delaney is off the TPN, taking potassium to keep up with the loss from the IV Abelcet (she is still being treated with that and vorconazole for the sinusitis aspergillus - fungal infection).

She spent a great day with mom, dad, Emilie and Joshua and is looking forward to going to school in the morning and seeing her friends - hopefully, she'll do well enough to be in most days through the end of the year! We're moving on to phase two of treatment and it feels great!!!

Hurray!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, April 20, 2003 @ 11:21 AM EST

"Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!"

Happy Easter to all of you - I hope your families are together and celebrating this glorious day!

Delaney is back in the hospital this holiday, after spiking fevers of 103 on Friday... the fungal and other infections that seemed to be resting in her sinuses have taken advantage of her low blood counts from the last chemo and reared their ugly heads again... we are waiting for Dad and Josh and Emilie to come from church bearing Boston Market and the Easter basket that bunny left for her at Dad's house... this will, hopefully, be our last holiday spent at Children's and our last hospital stay, period!

As soon as her counts are up, we will be back at home and ready to do some spring cleaning and prepare for the lovely weather ahead...

Happy Easter!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sending special prayers out to Christi Thomas and family - we hope this day is a wonderful day for you all to be together! God Bless!

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:31 PM EST

Dear God,

Thank you for loving me, thank you for this day, and the wonderful world we live in.

Thank you for family and friends to play and share with.

Thank you for my home, for clothes and food and a safe place to be.

Thank you for my church, and for those who are teaching me.

Help me to do what you want me to do.

Forgive me when I do wrong things, when I hurt myself, and those around me.

Forgive me when I hurt You. Make me want to be the VERY BEST that I can be...

In Jesus name I pray...

Amen

"Oh - and God... Please bless the doctors and the nurses and the people at the hospital that helped make this the last chemo, and thank you for taking good care of my mommy and me... just please don't stop doing that, okay?"

-----------

That is how Delaney said her prayers tonight, as I tucked her into bed an hour or so after coming home from the hospital - from her last chemo - from her "victory" party.

I couldn't have said it any better myself... please, God, help me to take care of Delaney, and Emilie, and Joshua - in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

May God bless "Team Delaney!" and each and every one of you and yours!

Renée

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 @ 1:43 AM EST

I am sorry to have left you all hanging since Delaney was discharged on the 28th of March...

That weekend brought us back to the apartment with Joshua and Delaney, trying to reconnect and get in all the hugs and kisses we could... a home healthcare nurse came to teach me about giving IV Abelcet, Zofran, and Benadryl to go with her nightly TPN's and the oral meds that still make her vomit about 1/3 of the time. She is still receiving many meds to treat the infections found in her sinus cavity during the three surgeries in February and March.

Delaney has been a real trooper - even helping me care for her sister, Emilie, who had her tonsils out on Monday the 31st of March.

Basically, I've been busy with all three kids since last week was Spring Break for them, but I'm not complaining, I enjoyed the time off and even got a bit of a break over the weekend when home health care took over the meds - this allowed all three kids to be with dad and me time for a weekend recuperation... boy did I need that!

Delaney did need new batteries for her TPN pump on Friday night, and then there was a fiasco with her Broviac breaking at the Y-joint. She had her first visit in the paramedic ambulance while I followed her for the two hour repair time - so short because lovely Patty and Barb were there to repair the line so that we did not need to wait for a surgeon. All in all, I did get some well-needed rest and social time - my first since November - so I was thrilled!

Thursday of this week sends us back to the hospital for the last chemo of her protocol (14/14)... I won't speculate on what comes next - we'll just see how the chemo goes!

I'll write more soon!

God bless you all!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Friday, March 28, 2003 @ 10:14 PM EST

Just released from the hospital on home meds... IV Abelcet, IV Zofran, IV Benedryl and TPN. AS WELL AS PO Augmenton & Amoxicillin, PO Marinol, Weekend Bactrim...

I'll write more when I figure out how to work her medicine schedule!

Thanks to all of you for the support during this past 50-day hospital stay!

May God bless you, yours, me & mine!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Saturday, March 22, 2003 @ 11:52 EST

Yes, I know, eleven days later - she writes...

Sorry guys! Things have been more or less status quo... and I haven't had access to a computer to update things as of late...

You find us now on Day 45 of our stay, Delaney is still taking all the meds with little success to date with regard to the fungal and strep infection. After finishing her course of Vanco (for the strep) she was taken off on Wed, became symptomatic, was put back on by the attending, takend off the next day, and put back on it after spiking fevers last night.

These infections are serious, and this whole thing is very scary and still she is holding her own and smiling and laughing and entertaining staff, volunteers and patients alike when she isn't resting or napping. What an amazing child she can be! (Thank you, again, God)

Her birthday turned out to be her favorite yet, with all of the nurses and doctors and volunteers and child life staff and family friends who stopped by to wish her well, and to leave cards, balloons, gifts and hugs! We enjoyed delicious Greek appetizers, dessert and music compliments of Jimmy from Tria (Delaney's favorite restaurant, located in Powell).

Delaney's father brought Emilie and Joshua, Miss Chris from Big Bear Farms was a sight for sore eyes and Christy Eagle (mother of Kirsten Rutter) came with Kassidy, Katie & Kayla in tow... needless to say, the event was one of thankfulness and love and a great time was had by all! Thank you to everyone who came or sent a card or gift or email or kind note, you made her DAY!

Chemo 13 of 14 was done on Thursday, and for now her counts are going up, compliments of the GCSF... we'll just continue with our motto: "One day at a time, lots of prayers!" Please feel free to join us!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Special prayers to the family of Robert Riley, especially Mom & Dad (Paula & Michael). Little Robert was a very special, and very brave rhabdoid patient who has been fighting his cancer in the arms of a close knit Greek Orthodox/Irish family since late last summer.

Robert turned two on Saturday, spent a wonderful day with parents and family, full of sunshine and love, and then fell ill again the next day with serious respiratory difficulties. In His mercy God took him home on Wednesday evening. He will be loved and dearly missed by all who knew him, including Delaney and I.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 12:36 PM EST

Well, today is the 11th and we are still in the hospital.

Delaney's counts are still very low, not increasing on her own, and she continues on the two antifungal and two antibiotic IV meds she has been receiving.

I spoke with Dr. Ranalli, and there is not parole in sight for the two of us, she continues to be in "isolation" - unable to walk the halls or get any type of exercise save walking around the room attached to a pole with many pumps and medinfusion machines... yesterday she said she feels like a dog on a leash!

So we continue our wait, hoping that the meds continue to prevent the infection from spreading and praying fervently, one day at a time, for an answer. Her chemo is halted until her counts come up and work on the infection.

We're going to make the best of things though, she'll be spending her birthday her in the hospital on Thursday, so for those of you who have been asking, feel free to send her a card via snail-mail or regular mail to:

Delaney Diggs
The Children's Hospital
J5, 5303
700 Children's Way
Columbus, OH 43205

Take care and may God bless you and yours!

Happy Birthday to my Dad in Arizona! You are still MAGNIFICENT!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S.

Q: Knock Knock
A: Who's there?
Q: Sinus
A: Sinus who?
A: Sign us out of here! We're SICK OF THIS PLACE!

Friday, March 7, 2003 @ 10:15 PM EST

I'm sorry it's taken so long to update this page, but things have been crazy at the hospital and I'm working on my 30th night of sleep deprivation... (Delaney is plugged into two regular pumps and two med-infusion pumps, and since the bathroom is on the other side of the room... you get the rest... about every 90 minutes we're up...)

Anyway, for those of you who do not know, Delaney had a third sinus surgery yesterday, during which the ENT doctor found her ephnoid sinuses to be clear, and her maxillaries packed with pus and chunks that resemble a growing and spreading fungal infection. The cultures are already growing out bacterial, and an anaerobe called "Prevetella" (Her meds where just switched from Clindamycin to Unasyn as the anaerobe is resistant to Clinda).

Even though she is on two antifungals and two antibiotics, her counts are low and there is a great deal of real concern that this may spread to her brain, as the combination of damage from the tumor, radiation, and chemo has weakened the bone and made it spongy, easy to transport into the cavity.

Delaney, I'm happy to say is doing rather well, she goes from her usual playful self to very quite and tired, but she still has her sense of humor and so do I! Between the two of us, we're just plain slap-happy, but it keeps us going.

Many prayers and warm thoughts to all of you... thank you for keeping us in yours!

Renée
Team Delaney

A message to Delaney's friends from school, PSR and other places: the number here in the room is 722-6430 and Delaney wants you to know that if you'd can't visit, you can always call with your parents permission. It's a great way to touch base, let her know what's going on in school and give her a little "pick-me-up" at the same time! The best times to call are 11am to 2:30pm and 6pm to 9pm...

Special prayers:

- to my brother, Matthew, who is fighting Stage Four Hodgkins Lymphoma in California;

- my Aunt TK who is recovering from a bone marrow transplant and was discharged from UofM late last month;

- The children here on the ward, especially my favorite little fighter, Abby, recovering from stem cell transplant... Keep that ANC going up little one! Mom and Dad are doing such a GREAT job!

- Christi Thomas & Family fighting Neuroblastoma up in New York with her parents and sister... what a wonderful, loving team!

- And especially my father, who is fighting his own sinus infection back in Arizona while mom battles her allergies... Feel better soon!!! We love you!

Monday, March 3, 2003 @ 11:29 AM EST

I am SO VERY sorry I haven't updated... it just seems that nothing has changed. Delaney got through her second sinus surgery without the need for pain meds, but the cultures are still growing out the nasty bugs...

For now, she has finished chemo and her counts have been coming down... we are hoping they are progressing upward again, but the full reports never come up until later in the day. Today, her WBC is .9 (no ANC yet), her hemoglobin is 9.7 (not too bad), and her platelets are 31,000... she receives platelets at 30,000 (the norm should be above 140,000).

The reason we are now finishing up our FOURTH WEEK of this stay is that she simply much be on the meds she's getting thru her broviac until her body begins to fight and her counts come up sufficiently, there are too many given all through the day and night for me to handle it alone at home.

Still... it's difficult being away from Joshua and Emilie - I so enjoyed the two hours I got to spend with them yesterday while Tim sat with Delaney as was tutored by Miss Regina! They are such good kids and the hugs and kisses from them were definate right on time!

Thinking a great deal about many of you...

- Christi and her family in New York - Delaney and I read every journal entry and my prayers are with you and your parents, Angela and Shayne!

- Aunt TK who is home now and seems to be doing amazingly well post BMT in Jan/Feb... I am so proud of you AND Uncle David for all you've accomplished so far!

- Christy Eagle and her daughters, Kayla, Katie, Kassidy and of course, Kristen... who would have celebrated her 6th birthday on Saturday, March 1. I know in my heart that it was a dificult day for each of them. I am also certain their painful yet loving memories were not lost upon the little one, who lives on at home in heaven with Our Lord, awaiting their arrival.

- So many others who have written emails, signed the guest book... I wish I could write you all back from the hospital, but there just isn't enough time or computer access while caring for Delaney...

I hope ALL of you know you have my prayers in exchange for yours, and my heartfelt thank you for all you have done for me, for Delaney, and for the children.

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Tuesday, February 25, 2003 @ 9:37 PM EST

We are still writing from the hospital, as Delaney is being treated for the aspergillus (fungus) as well as the two species of prevetella and the strep viridans. The fungus continues to be the main threat, as it is 85% fatal if it enters the bloodstream of an immunosupressed patient.

Tim and I waited patiently? through another sinus surgery, a cleansing rather than a scraping, but still removing as much pus as they did on the 14th.

Her appetite is poor again, but we're working on it... she is still taking the marinol and is on TPN.

She misses her friends and teachers at school, and at St. Joan of Arc PSR... and we both miss her brother and sister, Joshua and Emilie, terribly!

We're off to try some sleep this evening... what a wouldn't give for a BIG helping of that these days! (smiling)

May God bless you and yours - and mine too!

Renée
Team Delaney

Saturday, February 22, 2003 @ 1:29 PM EST

Well, my little "petri dish" is still growing things, something called "prevetella" this time, but the meds she is on for the strep viridans bacteria is covering the new bacteria as well. Neither is as concerning as the aspergillus (fungus)...

Delaney's sense of humor and spirit remain intact... she really amazes me. The scans yesterday indicate that the two bacteria and the fungus are still centralized in the sinus cavity and are not elsewhere in her body. She is handling the treatment well, although it is causing her abdominal pain and nausea/vomitting. Today she has actually eaten a small cup of hot granola with milk and is nibbling on tater tots and chicken tenders as we speak. This is the first sign of an appetite in her in over two weeks!

The doctors and I discussed the fact that her white cells are dropping earlier than normal - .8 today (not good). The agreement is that the cancer is aggressive and must continue to be treated on course, so we continue with day 3 of 5 on Chemo 12 today. If she begins to spike fevers higher than the low-grade temps in the nineties and low 100's we are seeing now, Dr. Willet will go back in and repeat the endoscopic surgery to scrape away the congestion in her sinuses once again.

This is all I know for now - tonight she is looking forward to eating the grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and fruit pizza Miss Beth brought to us yesterday. (Beth is the mother of one of her friends, Ryan S. in Mrs. Woodruff's class at Scottish Corners Elementary.

The class also sent a wonderful valentines day heart with a picture of all the kids, personalized with good thoughts from each. I have to tell you guys it really made her smile! She hopes you like the teddy bear swing she sent with hugs and kisses for you to hang in the classroom!

I'll write more tomorrow, or if I learn anything more today. Thank you for the prayers and well-wishes, we are praying with faith here too!

May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Thursday, February 20, 2003 @ 2:27 PM EST

I just learned that the fungus growing from the debris from Delaney's sinuses is aspergillus. It is a common fungus we could pick up in the air but it can be deadly if not treated due to immunodeficiency as a cancer patient on chemotherapy.

She is now on Amphotericin B and Vericonazole, two very strong antifungals.

Tomorrow she will have an MRI of her skull, CT's of the skull and chest and an ultrasound of her liver and kidney's to check for the fungus in other locations of her body. We will be in the hospital for another 10-14 days and then she will likely be able to return to school. Even at home she will be on the Amphotericin B once daily for the next 6-8 weeks.

I believe that God allowed for the surgery last week so that we would be aware of these two terrible infections. My faith remains strong that she will come through this! Please know that all of your prayers, thoughts, kind gestures and contributions to the fund (info above) is greatly appreciated at this time.

I will write more when I can...

God Bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 @ 12:20 PM EST

This is news correspondent Renée La Forest reporting from Children's Hospital on Day 13 of Team Delaney's "hostage crisis"... (weak grin...)

Delaney slept well, but awoke vomiting this morning. She was given phenegren with her Vancomycin and benadryl and quickly fell back to sleep. She is now resting comfortably, hydrating for her chemo to start later tonight.

Bad news from the Docs on rounds this morning... she has grown a fungus from the sinus drainage they cultured during the surgery. It has not shown up in her blood and neither has the strep, but they are both being monitored. By tomorrow, we should know whether the fungus is yeast or something worse at which point the Amphotericin B will be prescribed ("Amphoterrible" or the "terrible tericin")starting tomorrow.

Until we know more, they have increased her diflucan and if she spikes fevers of 102 or higher, it's the Ampho today anyway.

The presence of both the bacteria/fungi in her system is not good, but as long as we can treat it without it getting into her blood stream, we'll be fine.

Please help us lift Delaney in prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ and keep up the good thoughts and guest book entries - we need them and appreciate them more than you know.

May God bless you and those you love!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Delaney had visits from two of her pals who were off-duty yesterday: first Jordana (a volunteer) during the day and Shannon (one of her PCA's) in the evening! She really enjoyed it as we don't seem many of our friends when were here in the hospital anymore... we encourage classmates or anyone who has been thinking of visiting to let us know, we enjoy the pick-me-up and anyone who is healthy is welcome! (Delaney's infection is internal, not contagious to the "general public.")

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 @ 4:16 PM EST

Sorry I haven't updated sooner, I only got the answers to my questions within the last hour. Delaney was sick to her stomach following a bout of tummy pain last night... This morning she was quite fatigued and running low-grade fevers between normal and 100.2.

I have been uncomfortable about this strep infection since I heard of it. The lab finally ran "sensitivities" today against several different antibiotics and we learned that the strep viridans that is in her system is resistant to clindamycin - the antibiotic she has been on for the past 12 days.

Finally, they are keeping her in the hospital, starting her on the antibiotic Vancomycin, and starting chemo tomorrow rather Thursday.

No rest for the wicked, right? lol I will write more later... I'm exhausted - but I STILL have my sense of humor! SOMEBODY tell me a good joke!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, February 16, 2003 @ 2:23 PM EST

Delaneys cultures grew last night with a diagnosis of
Streptococcus viridan: which is the main infective agent that can enter the bloodstream from areas with considerable bleeding such as the oral cavity, sinus cavity, urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract. It accounts for one third of all cases of endocarditis, as it may lodge on the heart valves, inflame the myocardium and cause ulcerations on the inner walls of the an artery. (Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium of the heart).

The antibiotics Delaney is on seem to be protecting her well, her fevers remain very low-grade and her blood cultures do not show the viridan strep - only the pus removed from her sinuses during the operation have grown it.

Since she is afebrile and her TPN will be taken down to 16 hours today and 12 tomorrow, it is likely that she will be sent home on IV antibiotics late tomorrow until she returns for six days of chemo on Thursday - this means a three day break at home.

My concerns, stem from the amount of snow and ice we've been getting... six-eight inches so far with another 8-12 expected tonight. I will be more comfortable going home if I am permitted to draw her blood counts and cultures at the Dublin clinic while we are home so that she won't grow something that is missed before she spikes a fever.

She has been very hyperactive and irritable with the combination of morphine and pseudophedrine, but I asked that the morphine be discontinued and she be allowed "as needed" doses only, rather than a steady basal dosage, as she does not seem (thank God) to be in pain any longer. Similarly, her pseudophedrine has been reduced three times a day, skipping the bedtime dose and it seems to be working just as well, without keeping her up.

I think we're both going stir crazy - I haven't eaten a decent meal in well over a week and she asks for food constantly but doesn't want to eat it when it gets here. She, like me, is tired of pizza and chinese deliveries... perhaps now is a good time to start that "shake" diet?

(smiling)

Still praying and appreciating your thoughts and prayers as well - May God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney

P.S. Do you know that when we came into the hospital ten days ago we had about 21000 hits since this website was created in July? Now, at over 31,000, we've had 10,000 HITS - trust me, I feel your prayers and concerns - stop in to sign the guestbook if you can - Delaney really loves keeping up with it before bed each night!

Saturday, February 15, 2003 @11:55 AM EST

Delaney had bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery yesterday at 4:30pm. I sat in the waiting room, crying, wondering what would happen, what would culture, would she be okay... At least the surgery was only going to take 40 minutes...

TWO HOURS later, the ENT surgeons came out to show me pictures and to tell me what they found. Long story short, there is a great deal of scarring from the radiation, some of which is building a literal wall in the middle of her sinus passage. It could not be repaired at this point because of the amount of bleeding already present (due to still lower than we'd like platelets). This will be addressed at a later date, and will require many surgeries to prevent it from growing back.

In addition, her sinuses were extremely impacted and there was a need to widen the sinus passage, cutting through some of the radiation scarring, to get in to do the surgery and release the fluid and much pus from her maxoid and ethmoid sinuses. Her diagnosis was "polypoid and purulent material in maxillary and ethmoid sinuses." Simply put, there were polyps (polypoid), which were sent to the pathologist to rule out active tumor, and pus (purulent discharge) trapped in her sinuses.

Within two hours back on the floor, the stains grew gram positive streptococci - and the doctors assume the actual cultures will differential the type of strep it is - likely, streptococci pneumonia.

Delaney is doing well this morning, she is on the morphine pca - but it is running a measured basal dosage of .5mg/hour - she does not have to remember to push a button for relief.

She is being treated for both fungus and bacterial infection, since it will be some time before we figure out if there is fungus in the cultures as well as bacteria. The pathology report regarding the polyps will come back in about a week.

Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers... this will be another difficult week of waiting and wondering.

God bless you and yours!

Renée
Team Delaney

SPECIAL VALENTINES DAY HUGS TO THE HOME TEAM!!! WE LOVE YOU JOSHUA AND EMILIE - WE HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL VALENTINES DAY - WE MISS YOU BUNCHES!!! - Mom & Delaney

EXTRA SPECIAL HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU DADDY! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AND EMILIE AND JOSHUA AFTER CHURCH TOMORROW!!!! - I LOVE YOU!!! - Delaney

Saturday, February 15, 2003 11:55 AM EST

Wednesday, February 12, 2003 8:56 PM EST

Delaney has had a rough half-week so far... her sinuses are still quite infection, and she is scheduled to have surgery to completely clean them out... the discharge is a deep green and black and obviously infected. In addition, she has needed transfusions of:

* red blood cells (her hemoglobin is dipping quite low)
* platelets (to allow her body to stop bruising so easily and to keep her clotting factor at least at minimum levels in case of trauma and for her pending surgery.
* I.V.-IGg (intravenous immune globulin because her body is no longer creating antibodies to the infections she is picking up)

She has been getting morphine for the pain, and is now on a PCA pump that ensures she gets a low-level but constant stream (basal) first at .3mg per hour, raised this evening to .5mg.

Her weight has dropped to 17.1 kilos - 37.6 lbs - and she will start on TPN's again this evening.

Her counts, on the bright side, are showing the upward trend we were praying for, so the mouth sores may clear up in the next couple days. The thing I fear the most is the intrusion into her her left maxillary sinus, which is where the tumor originated and grew to such tremendous proportions. I suppose I am a bit wary of what will come out and of how it will read once the pathology has been completed.

Emilie and Joshua are home with Tim, and it's been a week now since I've spent any quality with them... I miss them soooo much! It looks as though our stay may turn from this to a surgical stay to her chemo, which may put us in her for another two weeks from today... I pray that is not the case.

I've asked St. Joan of Arc to add Delaney back to the daily prayer list until this crisis is over... I believe we will eventually come out of it all just fine and ready to face the next chemo, but it's hard to see that day while O/our little one is in pain.

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers!

Renée
Team Delaney

PS: I learned today that ZanyBrainy has file bankruptcy... it appears that the money raised by your purchases at the store over the holidays may actually be locked up in court for some time - hopefully, it will eventually come our way.

Please know that any and all contributions to Team Delaney are still needed and greatly appreciated!

Monday, February 10, 2003 10:38 PM EST

Delaney's temperatures continue despite the antibiotics (Clindamycin and Ceftaz)... she has mouth sores in her mouth and down her throat, and her counts are still way to low to be an acceptable immune system for her release from the hospital.

Sunday night, she moaned and cried out in her sleep ALL NIGHT LONG. It was both heartwrenching and frusterating, because I knew she was hurting but she was not really awake enough to tell me what was bothering her... needless to say neither of us got much sleep.

This morning, I asked that they repeat her CT Scan of the sinus. We learned that both are completely impacted and they are planning surgery early next week once her counts are up and a few days before chemo. The sinuses must be completely cleaned out, and it will likely be the first of many since the radiation damaged the parts of the sinus responsible for keeping things flowing and not becoming congested.

Tonight I asked that she be moved to a different room, and she was... it appears that the other room had a wall that the automatic button to open the doors was on... her crying out seemed to coincide with someone banging on the button. The new room is the one we were in when she was first diagnosed - there is an infant or young child in the room next door that you can hear screaming through the walls, so she continues to cry out that her head is hurting.
Poor babies, both of them.

Delaney was just given some pain medication - hopefully her rest will be better tonight that last... we'll see...

Will write more tomorrow...

Good night and may God Bless you and yours...

Renée
Team Delaney!

Saturday, February 8, 2003 8:30 AM CST

Delaney is quite in distress this time... upon admission her white blood cell counts were barely 100 (should be btwn 5000-14000) and with no segs or bands, that leaves her with an ANC, and an immune system of 0 - we're supposed to get her up to 5000 before the GCSF injections are stopped.

The night we were admitted, she received a blood transfusion, as her hemoglobin was low... last night, she received platelettes for the first time, as hers became low at 25000... platelets...

"Normal platelet counts range from 150,000 to 400,000 per cu/ml. Those with ITP have a lower platelet count. It can range from severe cases that hover close to zero to more mild cases where the counts stay in closer to 100,000. 30,000 is often considered a ‘safe’ count’, one that is high enough to protect against cerebral hemorrhage.

"Platelets play a crucial part in the blood clotting process by forming a platelet plug. This is a two step process. First, single platelets bind to the site of the wound (adhesion). Next, the platelets bind to each other (activation). Activation can be stimulated by components released when the blood vessel is damaged and by thrombin, released during the blood clotting process. When platelets become activated they change. They release agents which recruit and activate the surrounding platelets. The result of these two processes is the formation of fibrin which stabilizes the platelet plug, stops bleeding and allows injuries to heal."

So basically, the places Delaney receives her GCSF injections looks more like a war zone due to the bleeding and bruising that is a little difficult to stop right now... but the transfusion should be good.

Otherwise, they put her on her standard meds for nausea, pain, and fever as well as the two antibiotics ceftaz and clindamycin... this will be status quo for the first three days, if fever doesn't come down, we'll move to somethings else. She is also taking Marinol, a man made THC to assist in getting those with no appetite to eat... we'll see how that goes - it is being done in an attempt to keep her off of the TPN's...

I'll write soon... I hope you're weekend at home is blessed with family and friends!

Renée
Team Delaney

P.S. No news on my brother Matthew out in California... he is going through chemo for Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Up in Michigan, my Aunt TK is doing so well after her bone marrow transplant, they expect to release her very soon - after only four-five weeks! Yeah Aunt T!

Thursday, February 6, 2003 6:55 PM CST

Delaney went to school again this morning, chipper and ready to go... unfortunately, when I picked her up she didn't seem quite so energetic... I took her to the outpatient clinic so I could draw her blood for counts, her temp was 100... dropped her off to be with her dad until eight, her time is now 100.6... we're off to the hospital for admission, cultures and antibiotics... say a prayer for her, please?

Renée
Team Delaney!

Tueday, February 4, 2003 9:50 AM EST

Delaney is one tough cookie! She arose from bed smiling from ear to ear this morning and said, "Well, my tummy hurts, but only a little... I think I can try school again today." Not to be a pessimist, I packed her things and sent her off with big sister Emilie to see what comes of it. What a trooper! I think she's been missing those friends of hers from school...

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, February 3, 2003 10:42 AM EST

Well, Delaney braved the first hour of school before calling home... tummy hurts...

She is now comfortably ensconced on the throne in front of the tv watching Nick Jr... at least she tried.

Please sign the guestbook, if you will, she needs the reading homework! lol

We're at home if you need us!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, February 2, 2003 4:13 PM EST

Delaney was discharged from Children's around 7:30pm last night and has been home with Emilie and Joshua and I since... because we had a great trip to church this morning and it was such a sunny day, we decided to go to lunch - Boston Market, one of the kid's favorite places.

Unfortunately, although ravenous ten minutes before we arrived, Delaney decided she was not hungry as soon as she sat down. Frustrated, I told her in an irritated voice to get a cover for her food from the front counter.

A second later, I felt bad about snapping at her and turned around to help her... I stood as she politely asked the man for a cover, returned toward her seat, and caught her just shy of the table as she began to vomit into the cover she'd just retrieved.

I felt terrible as I held her head and quietly instructed Emilie and Joshua to bring me more napkins, which they did quickly and without question. I had no idea she'd felt that bad, I thought she was just being picky about her food choices again and I cursed myself as she gagged, Joshua and Emilie continued their their silent trips to the napkin dispenser and I held her head. Emilie removed her jacket, me her hat... All the while, four or five families sat and pretended not to notice what was happening.

Finally, she stopped and I took her to the restroom to splash water on her face. I felt terrible and apologized, and she smiled and said it wasn't my fault and that she was sorry. I felt worse.

She sat quietly and allowed the kids to eat their lunch at record pace and we left the restaurant.

Now at home, she is perched in the throne Emilie made for her in front of the TV, she has been nibbling crackers and an apple but not eating much and except for the occasional sip of water, she won't drink anything.

Fallible again! I'm sorry Delaney, for snapping at you. Mommy loves you.

Did I mention this is the last of her Doxorubicin?

I'll write you from the hospital later this week!

Renée
Team Delaney

Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 05:14 PM (EST)

What a week it's been... very busy, to say the least. With the help of Sue Capretta from St. Joan of Arc, mom finally has her laundry caught up, and a bit more of the townhome "put away"... still so much more to do to make it a home for the next few years, but it's promising.

Tuesday, Chrissy and Chad Wilson borrowed Joshua for the night, treating him to a mall trip and chinese food... he had a great time, and assured us he liked the chicken and the rice and the noodles - but he "more chicken" was the best... the reason for the sit was our attendance as guests of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Children's Hospital Foundation in the Founders Suite at their 1/28/2003 game against the Colorado Avalanche... what fun!

The night was in honor of Carolyn Lintner... (sp?), a childhood cancer patient who fought long and hard with her family and friends behind her against a recurrent brain tumor that plagued her from age 4 until her death on September 1, 2002... it was an honor to meet her family along with the members of other fighters there for the evening... Jessica and sister Hayden, Logan, Tristan, Andrés, so wonderful to see the spirit our kids carry with them, and that carries on with their families and friends after they've gone on to heaven to be with Our Father.

Delaney's part in the game was quite exciting, as she was asked to drop the ceremonial puck just prior to the start of the game... they rolled out a 12" red carpet along the red line for her to walk to center ice on... and she executed her role perfectly, with mom, dad and Emilie watching tearfully and proudly from the stands. It was great fun to see Tyler Wright pick up the puck and return it to her for a souvenier, while she planted a big kiss on his waiting cheek! I can't wait for the video to come back so that I can see it without tears streaming down my face. Truly a memorable evening - and reminder that even in the face of this terrible disease there is so much life and hope to be found in these awesome children!

Prior to the game, Delaney received another wonderful gift, a quilt my mother, Brenda La Forest (aka "Mimi") has been working on since Delaney's diagnosis in June of last year... the gift was so special we're going to take some new pictures for the web site and include them as soon as they are developed. Thanks Mom! We love you!

We are in the hospital now for chemotherapy, just started at 5pm so we should be home by 6pm Saturday evening... let's keep our fingers crossed that her counts will be quickly regained and our next three weeks will not be spent here on J5!

Love and prayers,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Special prayers:

Aunt TK, bravely undergoing her post bone marrow transplant inpatient time at the University of Michigan, my brother Matthew, currently being treated in California for Stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma, and for Robert Riley, his family, and the family of Kirsten Rutter.

Friday, January 24, 2003 at 04:43 PM (EST)

Finally, we have the results we've awaited so long for... Delaney's scans have been completed, and we now know that her prognosis for surviving this tumor is very good. All of the chemotherapy and radiation and hospital visits and more have paid off... the tumor is no longer visible on the scans, and in the area it was previously seen, there are no cells lit up indicating active tumor activity. Her bones are remodeling and although she will require surgery to correct the damage of and erosion to her sinus (she has a mucocele), Delaney will likely survive this protocol with the completion of the next four chemo treatments (to be wrapped up in April).

If things continue as planned, Delaney has a very good shot at joining those in the five-year survival rate following this illness. Once chemo is complete, she will still need weekly blood counts, she may continue to get infections and may require hospitalization. In addition, she will repeat these scans every 6-8 weeks in the beginning, with the range spreading to 3 mos, 6 mos and finally, after the fifth year, to annually throughout her life. She will be closely monitored because we have no guarantee that this cancer will not come back - either in the same place, or a different one. Ewing's sarcoma is a cancer, but it is also a "chronic illness," meaning that since we now know Delaney's body has a predisposition to a translocation the 11th and 22nd chromosomes, she must be watched throughout her periods of rapid growth as she ages. We have the issues of long-term side effects of the chemo, as well as radiation to monitor.

Delaney's fight may never be over - but it appears that she has fought this cancer, this time, and won... pray with me that she is lucky... that treatment will finish as planned and follow-ups will prove her body steady and strong... that it is God's will she be one of the survivors - and that we have all come a bit closer to Our Father in Heaven and each other, partially through the strength, determination and faith of a six year old girl named "Delaney."

May God bless you all!

Renée
Team Delaney!

A VERY SPECIAL NOTE...

This news was bittersweet and yet a welcome ray of hope in light of the other events of the week... Sadly, today has been a day filled with the mixed emotions of joy and sorrow, hope and loss, laughter and tears. Today, Delaney and I attended the funeral of her friend Kirsten, the daughter of my friend Christy and of father Eric. Today, we learned first hand the heart wrenching pain that accompanies saying goodbye to a five-year-old child, a beautiful, loving soul.

Delaney insisted on going today, as she felt cheated by not being able to say goodbye to her dear friend. She summed it up quite well on the drive home when, after much silence, she calmly told me that it "hurt her heart" to say goodbye to Kirsten, but that she was happy in her heart to know that she is in heaven with God now, free from cancer and pain, looking down on all of the people who came to tell her they love her.

Then, she began to share remembrances of times she spent with her friend, and I with her mother, Christy. She recalled the first time we met, and the first time she made Kirsten laugh - and how pretty she looked when she smiled. She shared her memories of my birthday, and the pizza party Christy and Kirsten and Dave Bartholomew shared with us, and the times they spent snuggled in a hospital bed together, watching TV, or playing bingo, or when Kirsten hung out with us while her mother was hard at work in nursing school - a profession she chose as a result of Kirsten's illness.

Delaney reminded me that although we said goodbye to dear Kirsten today, she was a great soul who, along with her parents, fought her illness until the very end with great resolve and bravery. It is true we said goodbye to her today - but her memory and the joy she instilled in others by simply being Kirsten will live on in our memories - Kirsten will never, ever be forgotten by those who loved her best - her family and friends. May God bless you, Kirsten, with your parents, Jody, Tom and all six of the girls - remember...

"God gives us memories so that we may have roses in December."

Love,

Renée & Delaney

In Memorium:

Kirsten E. Rutter, 5, of Mount Vernon died Monday January 20, 2003 at the Children’s Hospital in Columbus following an extended illness. Kirsten was born March 1, 1997 in Newark and had lived her lifetime in Mount Vernon.

She was a kindergarten student at Dan Emmett Elementary School in Mount Vernon and had attended dance class at Carol’s Dance Studio in Mount Vernon. Kirsten attended the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mount Vernon.

Surviving are her father and stepmother Eric D. and Jody Rutter of Mount Vernon; her mother Christy (Metzger) Eagle of Mount Vernon; half sisters Kayla Eagle, Katelyn Eagle, and Kassidi Fletcher, all of Mount Vernon; her step-sister Madison Davis of Mount Vernon; grandparents William and Susan (McKay) Rutter, Sharon (Baker) Cline and Edward DeHaven all of Mount Vernon; great grandparents Art and Emma Jo Rutter of Fredericktown and Peg and Robert McCracken of Mount Vernon and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 10:11 AM (EST)

Wednesday morning, we're still here... the fevers are finally subsiding, but Delaney's blood counts are still very low, and not showing signs of coming up soon. Seems to be the story lately, doesn't it?

Delaney had two scans yesterday... the bone scan and the MRI, back to back. It turned out to be too much nebutal and fentynol for her little system and when she awoked from the three hours of sedation her body reacted badly to the dosing. She was anxious and tired and became very angry and frusterated... a little scary, to be honest.

THEN, she decided to sit on the couch with the nurse. I left then to get her a drink, and when I came back, she had just fallen off the couch and hit her head on the hard tile. Because her platelettes are so low, she was taken for a CT scan to make sure she wasn't bleeding in the area of the egg-sized bump that arose on her head... as it turned out, she was fine, and was given a dose of benedryl to allow her to sleep off the effects of the scan sedation.

Two of three down now, the last scan will be tomorrow (assuming the PET scan is working) and we will finally know what the rediagnosis is and whether we are progressing in the fight against this terrible disease.

Will write again soon....!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, January 20, 2003 at 03:26 PM (EST)

Well, here we are, Monday already and still in the hospital. Delaney quit vomiting early Saturday morning, but keeps spiking fevers... she is on iv antibiotics (clindamycin and ceftaz) as well as iv diflucan...

Sunday, she developed a cough that seems to reside in her throat, but we are watching very carefully for signs that it is in her chest... also, she seems to have developed a rectal tear or abcess and is crying and screaming and much in pain when passing stool.

None of this good news, all of it needs to be watched carefully, as her white blood cell count is .3 (300 or 5-14k norm) and her ANC only 21... should be at least 5000 by now.

It is my continued belief that this is simply the cumulative result of the chemotherapy over the past seven months that is making it difficult to regain safe and acceptable blood counts after treatments, thereby making her susceptible to infections we would otherwise not be dealing with.

Still, all of this seems trivial in light of today's happenings... I am sad to say that Delaney's best girlfriend, Kirsten, another Ewings Sarcoma patient left her mother's arms and this world to be with Our Father in Heaven. Kirsten was a strong little girl with loving parents, sisters and family members... her death was unexpected and came by infection, very sudden and very swift. She will be dearly missed by many she has left behind. Please pray with Delaney and I in her memory and for those she left behind today...

May God bless you all.

Renée
Team Delaney!

Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 11:49 AM (EST)

Here we go again... mommy is fighting a tummy bug and Delaney, with her ANC near zero, isn't able to join in the battle. Three a.m. last night brought nausea et al and the nasty 102 temp, all combined to find us in room 5316 here one the heme-onc ward. Spirits are dwindling as the sleep deprived struggle to regain composure...

Emilie and Joshua: It's a good thing we had a family dinner last night! We both miss you very, very much! Thank you, Emilie, for helping Delaney find pj's last night... you're awesome!

More to follow...

Renée
Team Delaney

P.S. Monday - Pet Scan, Tuesday - Bone Scan, Fri - MRI...

The Pet Scan may be rescheduled as Dr. Ranalli indicated the machine broke down yesterday...

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 1:26 PM (EST)

Well, we've finished with the fifth day of chemo for #10 or 14... Delaney will receive intravenous (IV) hydration here in the hospital for the next 24 hours and then we will leave around noon tomorrow! YEAH!!!

She handled this chemo rather well, despite a few low-grade fevers and a very poor appetite and desire for liquids by mouth, but I'm working on her! lol Once I get her home from the hospital, I'll tempt her with her favorite dishes and a few hi-cal shakes and she'll be on her way...

Delaney asked me to tell Mrs. Woodruff's class "I'll be back on Thursday!" She is really excited to see all of the kids again.

Next week is scan week, and the following we are in for chemo 11 - thank goodness it will be the last of the Doxyrubicin, although chemo 13 will still provide the last of the Vincristine and Cytoxan on this protocol.

We'll let you know, as we become cognizant and accepting, of the outcome of her scans. Please keep Delaney in your prayers... it's time to find out if all she has been through is paying off...

Please, also, keep my Aunt TK in your prayers, as she is undergoing a bone marrow transplant for AML at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Renée
Team Delaney!

Friday, January 10, 2003 at 07:14 PM (EST)

Well, mom never unpacked from the last hospital visit... Yes, that's right, my house is a wreck! Want to know what else? Hmm? Since I never unpacked, the jug and pee-catching "hats" never came out of the bags... so mommy ALSO forgot to collect 12 hours of urine for what they call a "creatinin clearance."

Yes... I made a mistake. And what's more, it isn't the first time. There, I've said it. I am not infallible.

Just in case anyone was wondering!

What did this do with regard to Delaney's treatment? Bought her another day at school, me another day trying to tidy up the townhome and catch up on laundry, and both of us another night at home, in our own beds, resting for the next six days!

(smiling)

We checked into Children's Hospital today at 10am... got our room (finally! very busy here!) at 5:30pm... now she's started on chemo (7:15pm) and she (along with the other little bald hellions - LOL!) are waiting for the ever-popular Dave Bartholomew to show up for bingo... starting late tonight though... 8:15...

I'll let you know when we get home, as I expect the next five days to be not unlike today, uneventful and, hopefully, productive!

Scans start one week from Monday (that's January 20th to you and me!) and will go on all that week. I apologize in advance if I go insane and snap anyone's head off... can you say STRESS???

I'll be good... I promise!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Big kisses to Joshua and Emilie from Delaney and I... we miss you! Also, huge hugs to Dad from Delaney!

Wednesday, January 08, 2003 at 04:06 PM (EST)

Well, that was a short 48 hours at home, time to pack for tomorrow's six-day stay! At least I have a clear picture of what my home looks like again... lol

Delaney has been great at home, her strength is back and she happily returned to school yesterday and today... full of excitement to be back and ready to work with Regina, her tutor for the bit of catching up she needs to do. Overall, she's right on target but needs to be taught some math strategies she missed. She also needs to start writing each day as a habit... we'll have to get her started on the bazillion thank you notes she and I have to send out! (Smiling)

Yesterday, Joshua had bad stomach flu... he's all better now!

Emilie came home and saw me holding him and lost it completely. You NEVER hold me and take care of me like you do Delaney and Joshua... she has no idea how grateful I am that SHE isn't ill. I did take her to visit with her psychologist this morning... the fact is, we are all going through a very difficult time in our own way.

With Emilie, no matter how much quality time I spend with her she still feels lost, and does not recognize it as the same love I share with Delaney when she is ill in the way she needs it at the time. I could sit and hold Emilie's hand, and stroke her hair and back while she's vomiting, but she isn't vomiting. I'd much rather read with her, or have a conversation while cuddling after she's in bed at night, or make cookies with her, or find time to be ALONE with her - which is what she really needs. Focus - she always has... now she needs it more.

She keeps telling me how hard it is to go to school and be inundated with people who want to know how Delaney is, where she is, when she'll be back. I don't blame her. She's an eight-year-old girl, and she feels like she is invisible. She actually told me she wished she had cancer, so she could get all the attention for a change.

I simply need more hours in the day, and more days in the week - the year! But I bet you all feel like that too, don't you? Thanks for letting me muse a bit... the situation has a solution, if you know of one, please share!

Love and prayers...

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, January 06, 2003 at 02:53 PM (EST)

Hello all! Happy to say Dr. Oshefski freed us from the hospital this morning and now Delaney, Josh and I are home relaxing, and waiting to pick up Emilie from school - she is sure to be just as surprised as Joshua was when we showed up at Montessori to pick him up!

Things are looking much better for Delaney - she is off all antibiotics and antifungals and back to her usual routine again. She will attend school with her classmates tomorrow and Wednesday, and then it is back to the hospital for her next chemo - 10 of 14 in this protocol.

Scans take place the third week of January, so all of you who have been holding your breath with me - it's time to learn if all of our prayers and well-wishes have been enough!

Will write again after we are in for chemo on Thursday - taking a break to be with the kids! Remember - no news is good news, but we'll keep checking that guest book!

Love,

Renée La Forest
Team Delaney!

Saturday, January 04, 2003 at 1:23 PM (EST)

Good news! The fluconazole seems to be working well, no plans for Amphotericin B in sight! Delaney's fevers are down to the 99's, her white blood cells are getting a bit stronger and her ANC has reached 374 at this point - almost to the 750 she should have to continue ontrack with her 5-6 day chemo visit coming up on Thursday...

We will likely go home Monday, have two-three days there, and return for that chemo on Thursday - but nevermind that - Delaney is finally starting to act like herself again! The upbeat personality is tempered with lots of rest and sleeping, but her smile and silly jokes are back and she is speaking of going to school to see how the "kid's are."

Thank you so much for your prayers and kind thoughts and notes in the guestbook - you guys are great!

By the way - how about those Buckeyes? Great game - wasn't it?

Take care!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. A note of special and sincere thank you to the anonymous person for their recent act of kindness - I was truly awestuck! I wish I knew who you were, but since I don't, please accept my gratitude for your thoughtfulness - you are truly an amazing person!

New Years Day, Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 12:25 PM (EST)

Yesterday, Delaney was started on a different antifungal medication than the Amphotericin B I spoke of in my last posting. The doctors felt it would be better to diflucan, a broad spectrum antifungal, before going to the "terrible tericin" with its many possible side effects.

She has been on it 36 hours and so far not much has changed. She has no appetite, but she is not vomiting any more. She has a great deal of excess saliva due to the mouth sores, but using the suction instead of spitting seems to quell the urge to gag/vomit.

She slept through the night with a resting temperature of 99.8-100, but as soon as she woke this morning and became active it spiked back up to 102.

It is so hard to see her lay in bed like this! Usually she runs the halls looking for something to do, proclaiming that she is "bored" and neverminding the chemo processing through the tubes... I wish she'd give me a reason to sshhh her right about now!

I will update tomorrow after the doctors round and decide the next step, likely the Ampho B... thank you for the prayers and well-wishes - I read the guestbook to her every night and she as given up a few weak grins in spite of herself at the very corny jokes you've offered up! Don't forget - Delaney may be going through a rough patch, but she is STILL a fighter - STILL a survivor!

You have our very best wishes for a Happy New Year - after all, WE are looking forward to on just the same!

May God bless you and those you love!

Warm regards,

Renée La Forest
Team Delaney!

New Years Day, Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 12:25 PM (EST)

Monday, December 30, 2002 PM

Day four of the fevers... still not coming down well with Tylenol, only partially and then shooting back up as quickly. They are running around 102 as a high, which is not as significant as the amount of time the fevers have been around. Now we have several issues to consider:

Issue 1: She hasn't really eaten anything in a week - since last Monday. She is still vomiting (a week now) and cannot keep anything down.
Solution 1: I asked for her to be put on TPN's again as of yesterday. This will give her valuable nutrition while we wait for her stomach to calm and her appetite to resume.

Issue 2: White blood cell count is still only 300 (of a 5000-10000 norm)- this is not helping either. Until the counts come up she has no immune system to fight off whatever opportunistic infection she has in her system right now.
Solution 2: Her GCSF shots will double in dosage until the immune system recovers to an acceptable degree.

Issue 3: The blood cultures from her broviac catheter is are not growing anything. If this were a bacterial infection, such as the strep last month, the cultures would grow out the bacteria and we would know what we are dealing with.
Solution 3: She is on "big gun" IV antibiotics (ceftaz & vancomycin) that are not quelling the fevers - this is starting to look like a fungal infection. If the fevers continue through tomorrow, it is likely she does have a fungal infection rather than a virus or bacterial infection. She will be started on a nasty antifungal med called Amphotericin B - it causes chills/fever/nausea and vomitting in most children, though some are non-reactive.

The problem here is this:

If she has a fungal infection, we cannot waste time treating it. Dr. Ranalli told me today that these are slow to grow from cultures and usually do not grow to anything recognizable until the post-mortem period.

I suppose this makes the choice a done deal, doesn't it?

Okay Team Delaney! We need some heavy duty prayers now and I know you'll come through - many heartfelt thanks in advance!

One worried mama!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, December 29, 2002 at 10:24 AM (EST)

Today is the second day of Delaney's fever, and the situation is not good.

* She has been vomitting and is now down to 40 lbs from her normal 45-46 - a 10% loss of body weight in just two days.
* She has had daily cultures drawn from her broviac, but nothing has grown so far.
* Even after 48 hours on the antibiotics and with tylenol ever 4 hours, her fever remains between 101 - 102. The tylenol does not seem to help and ibuprofen is not an option with Oncology patients.

She is trying to sleep most of the time, and has very little energy - still, I will speak with the doctors today about changing the antibiotics and starting her back on the TPN's (the tube feeding through her broviac of Total Parenteral Nutrition.)

I will, of course, keep you posted on any changes... to say the least, this is a very alarming time for us... your prayers, well-wishes and corny jokes are greatly appreciated!

God Bless!

Renée A. La Forest
Team Delaney!

P.S. Happy Birthday to my mother - Brenda La Forest!

Sunday, December 29, 2002 at 10:24 AM (EST)

Saturday, December 28, 2002 at 09:29 AM (EST)

Delaney was able to spend a wonderful Christmas evening and subsequent day unwrapping the rest of her gifts with her brother and sister, who were thrilled to have her back at home. She saw her Grandma and Grandpa Diggs during that time and even read them the new book she just published (her first) "Maryanne and the Puppy." (She assures us that a sequel will be coming soon.)

On Thursday evening, I picked up Kristy from the airport (Delaney's 16yo cousin)... we had a relaxing day with her on Friday. But Kristy and I both began to susptect all was amiss when Delaney, taken to her favorite restaurant, was unable to even nibble at her chosen meal.

Needless to say we are now back on track with our chemotherapy cycle and, true to form, the doxorubicyn has taken it's toll. Delaney spiked a fever last night at around 7pm, we went to the ER and she was admitted to the floor around 11pm.

This reaction is different from the last, though. There are chills to accompany the fever (She slept with five blankets on and me wrapped around her half the night.) Not to mention her white blood cell count is a mere 100 compared to the 5000-10000 norm. This may take a bit longer to deal with - she actually woke up for a bit this morning and looked at me - frightened, "I don't want to die mama."

Oh! How heartbreaking! I asked her gently if she felt like she would die, and she said she never felt this bad, but she still has fight left in her. I promptly told her that she will not die in this hosptial here today ... so she hugged me and went back to sleep.

Obviously, prayers and well-wishers are more than welcome at this time... a few corny jokes in the guestbook would be helpful too!

God bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at 05:49 PM (EST)

Guess what? The blessings of Our Lord - mixed with a little clever magic on Santa's part - and Delaney is feeling much better today, no temperature! At three in the morning she awoke to see Santa had indeed visited her at the hospital... her stocking and the stuffed puppy she'd wished for were at the foot of her bed and a few presents lay on the desk nearby. She looked at me and said, "Merry Christmas mama... I love you!" and gave me a big hug... and promptly fell back asleep clinging to "Patches" - the new puppy.

Hours later, we spent some time opening a few gifts, a vist from Andy Grooms (#18 OSU Buckeyes) brought an autographed picture for Bradley (one of her Heme-Onc friends), a visit from Kids 'n Kamp and Delaney picked a lovely fleece throw for her sister, Emilie, and another visitor left a Blue's Clues notebook she decided was definately for brother Joshua.

By the time it was said and done, and after I spent the morning begging the staff and Dr. Jason to let us go home, we left at 3:30pm on IV antibotics and a promise to bring her back if any serious sypmtoms appear.

We are home with her brother and sister, presents are open, Grandma and Grandpa Diggs are here, and the children are already fighting over the toys... AH! Back to normal at last! lol

Merry Christmas!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at 02:56 AM (CST)

Well, Christmas Eve with the family is as good as it gets this year. Tomorrow morning Delaney will wake up and find herself back at Children's on J5 with a fever and antibiotics running... and her stocking at the end of her bed where Santa placed it and several gifts here for me to watch her open.

Unfortunately, as I was getting ready for sleep around midnight, I checked her and found that she was running a fever - instant do not pass go do not collect $200 hospital admission for Oncology patients.
It is sad to think of the kids at home with Tim, opening their gifts without their sister and I with them... this is the first year I've not been with them all on Christmas morning, and it is truly difficult to hold back the tears - BUT we're here, we've braved the ER and we will do our best to join the other families here in making this Christmas day a celebration in remembrance of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

There is much to be thankful for - good friends and neighbors and the love of family - I still say "Merry Christmas" to all of you... may you find peace and strength in the spirit of this season!

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 09:33 AM (EST)

Merry Christmas to all! We are down to the final planning and preparation to spend Christmas at home with our dear friends and family - we are so grateful to be "home for the holidays" there truly is no better thing!

Delaney is feeling well overall, though the anticipated post-doxorubicyn nausea and vomitting have already begun... my only wish is that she will remain well for the holiday and then we will manage whatever comes next...

I'd like to take this time to thank the many elves (you know who you are!) who's generosity, time and kindness have allowed Tim and I to make this Christmas like no other - I feel a bit like Ebeneezer Scrooge, filled with a renewed respect and faith in the human spirit after the events of the past months - please know that we thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts for touching our lives in such profound and varied ways!

May each and every one of you enjoy the gifts of the season and the rejoice in the love and memories that come to you this time of year - it truly is a Merry Christmas for us - and we wish the same for each of you!

Love,

Renée & Delaney
Team Delaney!

Thursday, December 19, 2002 at 07:48 PM (EST)

Well, we're back in the hospital for chemo... we just got out!!! Such is life...

Some unexpected change in our protocol today, when I arrived and learned that Dr. Ranalli has rescheduled the scans we expected to do this week for the third week of January. In the end, I had to agree with him, but it was difficult to learn that I have to hold my breath another month to learn whether or not all of her hard work with the chemo and radiation has amounted to anything.

Still, if we do scans this week, they are likely to show radiation changes that look suspicious but are really bone remodeling or radiation changes rather than actual tumor activity... so, rather than absolute panic for the next month, we will hold off and wait to see what things look like next month after the inflamation has gone down...

Say a prayer for us - we hope all of your Christmas planning is going well and look forward to being home with our family, as you are with yours, for the holidays!

God bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, December 16, 2002 at 1:01 AM (EST)

I just realized I forgot to update you all on our discharge! It seems we caught the strep infection quite in time - early in fact, at the onset!

On Friday, we were discharged to home with IV Clindamycin (antibiotics) for me to administer every eight hours.

We will be going back to the hospital on Thursday, Dec 19th for chemo 9 of 14... this is a tense time because we will be getting our first scans since August... and finally learn if the chemo and radiation have been worth it - whether the cancer has changed - for better or for worse.

Please be patient with me, as I may seem a bit more "off my rocker" than usual during the upcoming week or two.

I will, of course, keep you updated as I am able to process things and share with you.

God Bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. I forgot to mention that the girls and I were treated to another spectacular opportunity today... Ballet Met here in Columbus put on a matinee showing of The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater, and the Company was kind enough to provide us with front row tickets for the performance! It was truly the most lavish production I've ever seen! David Nixon's interpretation, from set design to costumes to choreography, was truly amazing and absolutely breathtaking to watch!

Chad and Chrissy Wilson, Delaney's Primary Nurse and her husband, were able to join us for the performance, and the five of us were treated to a backstage tour where the girls were introduced to many of the dancers while in costume and shown about the set... Thank you, Ballet Met, and especially Chris Rogers for making the day a very special one for all of us! You have no idea what memories you've helped us to create - and they will be truly cherished for many years to come!

Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 10:04 AM (EST)

Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water...

Delaney has been doing great since her broviac was changed... back to school and everything. And then...

After all the chaos over her broviac needing repair, it was time for her labs to be drawn on Tuesday. As usual, I took her to the Dublin Close to Home clinic (Children's offsite) and drew her blood, asking for a culture to be sent from the repaired line.

Wednesday, I got a call around 1:30pm letting me know her blood counts are going down (WBC .5 and ANC 140)and that she was in need of blood. No problem, this happens. We'll pull her out of school for a few days, do some tutoring at home, and have a transfusion in the clinic on Thursday.

Which was fine until the second call came at 2:00pm... Jackie again, "Sorry Renée, bad news."

The culture came back positive - for strep of all things!

Now a staph infection, or contaminent, yeast... these things you expect, but not strep! Long story short, immediate trip to the hospital - do not pass go do not collect $200. (BTW... thank you Bridget, Sam and Peter Malloy for taking Joshua for me!)

So Delaney was admitted, we've been on IV antibiotics (clindamycin) and will continue to be for 10 days. Good news is that this child sure isn't acting sick! She's walking the halls (free of her dancing partner, since she isn't on IV fluids) and eating everything in sight!

Hopefully, we'll get an early discharge if she remains fever free and asymptomatic!

I'll keep you posted!

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!

Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 10:04 AM (EST)

Monday, December 09, 2002 at 04:25 PM (EST)

Delaney, along with Emilie and Joshua, had a wonderful weekend playing together at home on Saturday and attending Church and then a Christmas Party on Sunday.

The party was thrown by Adventures for Wish Kids... a not-for-profit organization that raises money to help children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses to enjoy the time they do not spend in the hospital by hosting periodic events around Columbus for them and their siblings.

The Holiday party was wonderfully organized and managed... so many families attended and yet everyone was fed, able to take part in games and rides and karaoke and Pictures with Santa... it was truly amazing to watch the dedicated volunteers in action.

What a treat!

As far as Delaney goes, she's been a bit ill since her last chemo, but has maintained well. She just keeps pushing on and we've seen no fevers. Since the steroid injection to her eyes, the inflammation has lessened and they are not tearing up as much - less affected by the light as they were, as long as she wears her new sunglasses.

On Friday night, she found blood leaking from her Broviac and off we went to the hospital to have it repaired. This was the first time she showed real fear - I think it was seeing her own blood that caused it. In the end, they were able to replace the damaged tubing and we were home and in bed by two-thirty. Thanks to J-5 for removing the ER from our trip and convincing Dr. Martin, from surgery, to work on her in a treatment room where Dave Bartholomew was there to provide "entertainment" for our weary hero...

Hope you all are off to a great start on your week...

Take care!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 11:02 AM (EST)

Good morning! I hope all of you have been well... Delaney and I are wrapping up her seventh hospital stay... we will be coming back in for chemo eight on Thursday, Dec 19 thru Sunday, Dec 21.

The course went well this time, leaving her exhausted more and more each time, but her spirits are good.

The eye exam went well, no problems with the general anesthesia... however, her eyesight is worsening. Whether this is temporary or permanent is not going to be known until 15-18 months past the last chemo treatment. For now, it has worsened yet again from last week - 20/80 in each eye as of Monday. She was given a steriod shot in each eye to help bring the swelling down, and this should last for four to six weeks. We will put her in her first pair of glasses this week.

Thing at home have been especially difficult, as sister Emilie (8)has been in the medical focus as well... constant throat pain, intermittent headaches, weight loss.

Dr. Barrett tested her for strep last Wed, and Thanksgiving day she began treatment for the positive diagnosis - (thankfully, Delaney did not catch it!)

Still, in light of the other symptoms, he tested her for Epstein-Barr virus, mono and a few other things. All her bloodwork came back normal. So, he ordered a head CT, which came back just fine, after causing Tim, Dr. Barrett, Emilie, Delaney and myself to practically LOSE OUR MINDS for a few days.

Our next step is to see an ENT and have her evaluated for a tonsill/adnoidectomy.

In and of itself, Emilie probably has a routine illness and will be just find... still, it's difficult not to become a bit paranoid...

We continue to PRAY for serenity!

God bless you all!

Renée

Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 10:39 AM (EST)

Good morning! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving with family and friends... it is now Saturday a.m. and we are off on the second half of our protocol... Delaney already misses Joshua, Emilie and her father terribly - of course, you all know MY feelings on that...

Seven chemotherapy sessions left!

I checked Delaney into the hospital yesterday and she spent the day hydrating... Chemo started around 7:30/8pm... everything went well last night, Dave Bartholomew set up Kareoke for Delaney, Brittney and Fatuma while family members and little Robert & Mohammed looked on. Fridays are always a good time when David joins in!

We have four more nights of the VP-16/IFOS/Mesna chemo and we should be home Wednesday morning. Delaney has her exploratory eye procedure early Monday morning and her EKG and other heart tests on Tuesday, to compare to the baseline and check the toxicity of the chemo so far and her hearts reaction to it all...

Keep your fingers crossed and keep reading, I will be providing you with info as I am able to process it myself!

My our God in Heaven bless each of you and yours!

Love,

Renée

P.S. Delaney says "I love you, please keep praying for us!"

P.P.S. PLEASE SIGN THE GUESTBOOK!!!

Saturday, November 23, 2002 at 6:37 PM (EST)

I'm afraid I don't have much good news to report today. Delaney's eyesight has become more and more strained over the weeks since radiation was completed. She wakes up in the morning in tears, unable to tolerate the faintest light in her eyes, and it takes her nearly an hour to adjust to the point she can maintain her composure. Still, most things are blurry for her and her vision has gone from 20/20 when this all started to 20/40-20/30 on Nov 10, to 20/60 now...

I tried to get her in to see the ophthalmologist at the hospital, but again I was scheduled in with this month's resident. For those of you unfamiliar with the way this works, residents spend this year of school going from department to department, specializing in nothing, getting learning experience and exposure to everything.

You might then understand that I was not pleased to have Delaney in such peril of losing her eyesight while a resident who is merely touring through the department oversees her care! I did not take her to the appointment with the resident on Thursday; instead, I showed up at the new satellite Ophthalmology Clinic here in Dublin and literally begged the office staff to let me talk to one of their doctors. The office was wonderful; the doctor made room in his schedule to see her that morning and was as concerned as I am about her situation. He has agreed to follow her through this until a resolution has been reached, whichever way God has planned it.

He tried to put drops in her eyes to examine her. He was only able to determine that there is some post radiation keratitis (inflammation of the eye itself) and gave me steroid drops for her to use over the next week to try to help alleviate the swelling.

When he tried to fully examine her, a large man pinned her to the table and held her arms while the doctor quickly put numbing drops in and used a metal speculum to hold her eyelids open. She was in so much pain and so afraid! She fought and screamed and finally he had to give up. I stood beside her, holding her hand and trying to soothe her but to no avail. It was truly heartbreaking, particularly since Joshua had come to and was asked to sit in the room while this was being done. His frantic cries of "don't hurt my sister - STOP HURTING LANEY!" nearly made me crumble, but I remembered how important it was not to show them my fear, so I maintained, until I was alone much later that night.

Dr. Hertle will be examining Delaney's eyes in the operating room while she is an inpatient for chemo next week. He feels that by sedating her he will be able to get a thorough look without causing her undue distress. Her next chemo should start on Thanksgiving, but has been delayed until the next day so that we can spend the holiday with family.

Many thanks to our neighbors at Big Bear Farms who, through Chris Garverick and Laura Carey's careful planning, have made it very possible for us to splurge a bit on the holiday preparations and gather the ingredients to cook a wonderful meal for the family this Thanksgiving... Added blessings are ours as my sister Linda with her nine year old son Frank as well as Tim's parents and sister (Grandma & Grandpa Diggs with Aunt Pam) will be here in Columbus to join us for the occasion.

Despite everything, we have a great deal to be thankful for, and we intend to celebrate in kind! May each of you Team Delaney! members find it in your hearts to be thankful to God for the ones you love and those who have inspired you, just as I am thankful for each of my children and our extended family - both relatives and those of you who have helped us through these difficult times. May God Bless each of you this coming Thanksgiving Day... and every day.

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. PLEASE take a moment to sign the guest book! Leave a cute joke or a kind thought for Delaney... she really looks forward to it, but lately there have been very few entries for me to read to her before she sleeps at night.

Thank you!

Saturday, November 23, 2002 at 6:37 PM (EST)

Thursday, November 21, 2002 at 04:29 PM (EST)

What a week it's been!

As far as Delaney is concerned, the pain in her eyes continues... they are still burned from the direct radiation and it has been hurting her a great deal, particularly in the morning. Still, wanting her to live as normal a life as possible, I wake her in the morning with the others and coax her into school clothes... although she guards her watering eyes and wears a hat in class to shield them, she has been going to school fairly regularly. I am very, very proud of her progress.

Last Sunday Heidi Gordon, Director of Public Relations of the Columbus Opera, treated Delaney, Emilie and me to the girl’s first opera – a production of Mozart’s, The Magic Flute.” Not only did Ms Gordon arrange for us to be seated in the third row behind the orchestra pit but she also managed for the girls and I to meet the actors who played Papageno and Papagena in person, in costume. We had a delightful half hour conversation and a picture of all of us will be posted to the website soon...

All in all, the opera was delightful and the girls enjoyed watching the performance and listening to the music... they were also troopers about reading the English text that explained what was happening in the German score.

Joshua and his father, Tim, enjoyed a little "guy time" together watching football and eating... I'm not sure either would have enjoyed the opera so much as the girls and I did...

HOWEVER... all of us attended last night's hockey game, courtesy of the Children's Hospital Foundation and the Columbus Blue Jacket Foundation... they played the St. Louis Blue's here in town and a great time was had by all!

Now, it's back to real life and a very busy week to follow. I intend to follow-up with a vengeance on the situation with Delaney's eyes - we saw a resident in the ophthalmology clinic during her last visit, and upon my request to have someone look at her eyes again, we were told to go back to the same resident. I did not go to the appointment today.

It was made clear to me prior to radiation that there is a major probability of Delaney's eyes being damaged after the fact - from cataracts to blindness. I will accept nothing less than an attending ophthalmologist/physician to follow her and am not comfortable with seeing only the residents who change month after month while simply touring the service!

That being said, we've got Thanksgiving coming up and I will be cooking for Tim and his parents and sister as well as my sister Linda and nephew Frank... finally! A chance to get lost in something normal...

Keep those prayers coming and for goodness sake, PLEASE SIGN THE GUEST BOOK!!! So many of you visit and so few of you say hello any more... we'd love to hear from you!

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 08:31 PM (EST)

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MET WITH US AT McDONALD's THIS EVENING - YOUR SHOW OF SUPPORT WAS INSPIRING!!!

Team Delaney members met at the McDonald's on Sawmill Road (just north of 270 in Dublin) from 5pm to 8pm this evening for a fundraiser held by the store manager, Arnold who graciously donated 20% of the sales during that time period to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund.

A wonderful time was had by all as Helga, the Store's Customer Relations Expert and other McDonald's team members arranged for crafts and sucker-making for the families who rallied from Scottish Corners Elementary School, Big Bear Farms Subdivision, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Children's Hospital and throughout the community to show support.

Delaney was in good spirits and - along with siblings Emilie & Joshua - dined out in style with Mom and Dad courtesy of McDonalds... It was wonderful to meet so many of you who have joined us in prayer, kindness and good will for what turned out to be a truly inspiring and unforgettable show of community spirit!

We offer a special word of thanks to Connie Lilko and the community of Big Bear Farms for prompting and assisting in the arrangement of this fundraising event!

Love,

Renée La Forest
Mom, "Team Delaney!"

Friday, November 08, 2002 at 11:15 PM (EST)

The past few weeks have been very busy, with fall preparations and Halloween celebrations, parent/teacher conferences and the need for warmer clothes - and of course there was the daily radiation treatments... very quickly it became that "third Thursday" again and yesterday Delaney and I returned to Children's Hospital for round seven of fourteen chemo sessions.

On Wednesday, the radiation was stopped at 28 of 31 treatments... Dr. Bauer, the radiation oncologist, was not comfortable continuing to radiate Delaney’s frontal lobe, optic chasm and central nervous system. I had to agree. Delaney has been showing great signs of distress in her ability to function emotionally in the sense that her reactions of anger, frustration, sadness and violence are extreme and inappropriate much of the time. It isn't always, mostly when she is tired or overstressed. Stopping the radiation seemed indicated when you couple this with the burning tears and dryness in her eyes, the red and peeling skin below them and on her head... In addition, her ophthalmology appointment today revealed that her 20/20 vision pre-diagnosis has now become 20/30 and 20/40... she will need glasses for now, although this may improve or worsen over the next six - twelve months.

Delaney's Oncologist, Dr. Ranalli is optimistic. We still have eight treatments, including the one yesterday that finished today, before the end of her Ewing's protocol. They will happen over the next 26 weeks - six months to be exact. Over this period we pray that the necrosis in the radiation field is limited to the tumor, although we know it may include the frontal lobe, eyes or other areas of the radiation field. The chemo, if working well, should continue to shrink and attack the tumor. We will have repeat scans in about 4-6 weeks to determine the extent of the residual tumor and status of the radiation field. In the meantime, we pray Delaney's current symptoms resolve and do not worsen - please pray with us.

May God bless you and yours...

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Wednesday, October 22, 2002 at 9:15PAM (EST)

Dear Team:

We've escaped!... don't tell the nurses!

Love,

Delaney
Your Fearless Leader

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at 09:15 PM (EST)

Hi everyone...

We've escaped! (shh! - don't tell the nurses...)

Love,

Delaney
Your Fearless Leader

Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 10:30 PM (EST)

Okay. No more isolation as of 4pm today - we begin Chemo 6 (VP16 + IFOS + Mesna) for five days in an hour or so. Parole is estimated to be granted at around midnight on Monday pm/Tuesday am... AND we finished the 16th of 31 radiation treatments today... Go Team!

Delaney spent family time with Tim, Emilie, Joshua and me for two! hours tonight. The kids ate quite well, (remind me of food in a second here...) and the visit was definately a welcome break from the last ten days of isolation in room 5301!

Emilie spent all of her time in Latchkey yesterday making colorful bracelets to pass out to the patients in the Hemo-Onc floor. Tonight I accompanied her as she cheerfully passed them out - beaming with pride in her as I watched her smile shyly with pride in herself. (How thoughtful was THAT? lol)

Joshua? Full of hugs and kisses for mom. Of course, he found all snacks to be had in the Heme-Onc ward and in Delaney's room in record time!

Tomorrow Tim and the kids are off to Detroit to visit family. Delaney is my birthday "date" for the evening. She has promised me "dinner and a movie" - (pizza and Beatlejuice, that is) and I can not imagine a better way to spend the evening in light of the circumstances. (Please hold all calls after 8pm on Friday! lol)

Speaking of food... I have to take a moment here to thank the residents of Big Bear Farms for the wonderful meals they have cooked for Tim, Emilie & Joshua while they are in his care. Each meal has been truly appreciated and has allowed him to find room at the end of his work day for homework and TLC... the "necessary" things. BBF also recently donated the proceeds from the annual Fall festivities to the Team Delaney Medical Relief Fund - the kids and I sincerely thank you for your kindness!

On the Dublin side of the family, the parents of Mrs. Woodruff's 1st & 2nd grade multiage class have been preparing delicious meals for Delaney and I here in the hospital and to share with Emilie and Joshua when we can be at home together as a family. The thought put into each of the kid-friendly preparations has been inspiring, to say the least! The kids have come up with three new "favorites" already and I, for one, am thrilled with the new ideas and the time it has afforded me for homework and TLC on my end!

You guys are great - thank you!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at 09:15 PM (EST)

We've escaped!

Love, Delaney

Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 10:30 PM (EST)

Wednesday, October 17, 2002 at 12:27 AM (EST)

Dear Delaney! I love you but you must go to sleep! As I type this, she is lying in bed, whispering ABC games to herself and pondering the many tubes coming from her chest. I've tried to coax her to sleep over the past three hours, but her timing in the hospital is never quite in tune with the circadian rhythm of the average six year old!

Then again, Delaney is far from "average." We've been in isolation for nine days now, both of us both a bit more stir crazy as each day passes. Her favorite friends have arrived in the ward for treatment yet Delaney remains confined to her room. Tutoring sessions with Miss Regina seem to be her only outlet, save the thousands of games of Connect Four and her art projects.

Now she sulks... no gameboy "advanced" with Bradley, no classroom games with Christi and her mother, who is a school teacher with a wonderfully creative mind and ready smile. Poor Delaney!

Me? I'm a little punchy, to be honest... it's my ninth night of vital signs at midnight, medication at 2-2:30 and 3-3:30, followed by 4am vitals and blood draws for labs all intermixed with Delaney waking to relieve herself of the constant IV fluids filling her system. Each time she dodges for the necessary room without a thought to the tubes and machines that connect her to the IV pole. A night of uninterrupted sleep would be sheer bliss - if only I had the time to dream of it!

In truth, we're a bit sad as well - we miss Emilie and Joshua - we're hoping to see them both this evening... Dad told me they are going to Michigan on Friday to stay with Grandma and Grandpa but selfishly, I'd hoped Tim would relieve me here at the hospital so that I could spend time with the other children.

I saw them both on Sunday, briefly, when they accompanied me to the airport to see Karen and Kristy off to New York. At one point Emilie sat on my lapped and said quietly, "Mom, does it every bother you that you don't have much time to spend with me and Joshua?" What a question! I miss them and the normalcy that used to be our lives so much it hurts! How to explain all of this to them? This weekend they are sure to enjoy the visit, another diversion for them that keeps their thoughts from lingering on the time we are not together...

An eternal optimist, I look toward the positive side of things... Imagine! It will be FOUR MONTHS since Delaney was diagnosed! She is half way through radiation... after this and the next chemotherapy round, she will be at the half way marker with those treatments as well.

We have had only minor setbacks and she has recovered from each with that trademark smile that touches my heart each and every day - and the attitude of a fighter - ready to push on to the next battle. The Challenger.

Enough! Time to rest, as I hear her breathing settle into a rhythmic pattern... I'm off to find a peaceful nightful of naps - no rest for the wicked, they say? Ah!... just my luck!

Renée

Monday, October 14, 2002 at 09:20 AM (EST)

Good morning all!

Today we wake to find Delaney's shingles are clearing up nicely, but there are still postules to be concerned about. There is a website that has more information about this illness:

http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/shingles.html

The main concern at this point is that Delaney's blood counts/ANC are low - there is danger of the shingles strengthening again, as well as causing problems with the heart, liver, or other vital organs. There is also the possibility of encephalitis.

For now, she is feeling extremely tired - not at all herself. She isn't eating or drinking and in fact has no appetite. She will have missed three radiation rounds as of the end of today, and she is late with chemo round six that should have started last Thursday, ending tomorrow morning. We pray that her body will gain the strength it needs to resolve this episode of shingles and put her back on schedule with the Ewings Sarcoma Protocol, which is not supposed to be delayed at any point. Unfortunately, we found an exception.

On the homefront... Karen and Kristy La Forest came to visit Friday morning - I have to tell you, my sister-in-law and niece were amazing! I've been complaining about not having time to put our new place together, and this white tornado team spent many hours going through boxes and putting things where they belong - the laundry alone must have taken them six hours! They also managed to find time to spend with Emilie and Joshua and gave Tim a well-deserved five-hour break to catch up on his own home.

In the end, we all enjoyed their visit and were sad to send them home to New York late yesterday afternoon...

Thank you guys SO MUCH for the much needed help - next time, come back while we're not in the hospital and I promise to treat you to a stay in my newly organized home - I'll even cook!

Love you!

Renée

Thursday, October 10, 2002 at 08:58 PM (EST)

AH... Delaney... we were in the hospital all last week after chemo five, which caused fever and vomiting as usual (darned doxyrubicin) but a nasty bout of mouth sores going down her throat. I believe this was a result of the radiation treatments started the Monday after chemo five ended. Monday, Delaney got a rash on her head - contact dermatitis they told me. Tuesday I picked her up from school at 2:15 to go to radiation and it clearly looked more like chickenpox.

Diagnosis? Shingles. We've been in since Tuesday, they are all over the right side of the back of her head from neck to crown, the sores are weeping, they itch, her nerve pain is terrible... she takes IV benadryl and morphine for the pain, but still hurts and itches every waking moment. Today, they did not radiate her. The shingles have formed a patch near her eye, which was swollen shut when she woke this morning. She will be re-evaluated for radiation on Monday, for now, we are worried about the ophthalmology consult in the morning. We have been informed that varicella infections in the eye often result in blindness.

Still, we found time to laugh and to visit with Dad, Emilie and Joshua... Delaney is petrified of the eye drops she'll need to start taking tomorrow - but she is alive, and we are STILL STANDING!

Keep those thoughts and prayers coming! You and yours remain on our prayer list as well...

Love,

Renée
Team Delaney!

Tuesday, October 08, 2002 at 05:05 PM (EST)

Well, I've enjoyed having the kids home since Sunday evening... yesterday was a normal school day and PSR followed, the kids were great and everything went smoothly... Unfortunately, Delaney started yesterday with what the doctors thought was a contact dermatitis, come to find out today, it's shingles - all over the right side of the back of her skull! It's really painful to her, and her ANC is only 750, so we are on our way to be admitted to Children's Hospital, this time in isolation.

I must send my apologies out to Mrs. Woodruff's multiage 1st and 2nd grade class and their families... we truly believed it was just a rash until the radiation oncologist noted the changes today and confirmed the outbreak of varicella. To those of you who's children have not had chicken pox, please accept my sincere regret in not learning this diagnosis prior to her attending school this morning.

The same sentiment goes out to Monday night's first grade, 6pm, PSR classes at St. Joan of Arc - we simply were not aware of the reality of her situation.

We pray that God would bless all of you - you are in our prayers first and foremost this week...

Sincerely,

Renée & Delaney
Team Delaney!

Saturday, October 05, 2002 at 04:38 PM (EST)

Free at last!

Delaney was released from the hospital yesterday with fewer mouth sores and much better spirits thanks to the rise (finally!) of her white blood cell count and ANC levels... she is spending the weekend with her Dad and his parents and sister (Aunt Pam) as well as Emilie and Joshua and doing great! I will see her later tonight when I go over to hook up her TPN's.

As much as I've missed being with Emilie and Joshua, I'm glad for this time to work on putting our belongings away and making this townhouse into a real "home" for the kids and I... a difficult mood to create when you're living out of half unpacked boxes for over a month! Still, it's been difficult deciding between sleep and work, but I'm getting a fair share of rest while working and plan to forge ahead again after I finish writing this...

Thank you, again, for the prayers and well wishing! Delaney and I can feel your support through those of you who take the time to sign the guest book! You are a wonderful group of people, Team Delaney!

God Bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Thursday, October 03, 2002 at 11:06 AM (EST)

Once again I've been remiss in my updates... and in my time as a mother with Joshua and Emilie, whom Delaney and I miss with all of our hearts. Thank goodness they have the visit of Grandma & Grandpa Diggs, as well as Aunt Pam and Uncle Tom to look forward to this weekend!

Things at the hospital have changed from our normal post-Vincristine/Cytoxan/Doxyrubicin cycle... normally, we would have gone home yesterday, but the addition of chemo in the mix has caused side effects we knew could happen, but prayed would not.

Delaney has mouth sores in her throat, her mouth, on her tongue, underneath her tongue - just about everywhere. As a result, she has had nothing to drink for the past ten days. Yesterday, Dr. Ranalli and I decided to disconnect her IV to see if not getting fluid would stimulate her to drink (and eat!) but to no avail. It has been almost 24 hours and although she has tried, everything seems too painful to swallow. This morning I am trying tea with honey and she is dipping small shortbread cookie pieces in and letting them dissolve on her tongue. She is still fighting, but the pain is also quite intense. She holds her mouth just so, accumulating fluid to avoid the painful swallowing she knows must come sooner or later. Finally, yesterday, the nurse hooked her up to a suction stick she can put into her mouth to draw the saliva out, rather than forcing her to swallow it. It has helped a bit, as she does not have to constrict her throat and further aggravate the painful sores she is dealing with.

She is still Delaney - "the Challenger" as her name indicates she is still fighting, but this has been difficult for her. I fear the radiation is causing the awful sores, and will discuss putting her back on the TPN (night feeding of nutrition and lipids through her Broviac) through the remainder of radiation (early November is her expected completion timeframe).

Please understand that Delaney and I read the guestbook daily. At the hospital, we are unable to respond individually to your kind notes and prayers. Suffice it to say Delaney misses her classmates at school as well as those at Latchkey and PSR. She sends her love to all, especially Mrs. Woodruff, who she claims, is the best teacher of all! She has been thinking of Natalie and Mary Jo and Ruth and Judy from church and loved the picture Father Jeffrey colored for her along with all of the other kids who have done the same.

Emilie and Joshua - Delaney misses you all very, very much and we hope to be home soon to be as a family again.

Renée & Delaney by proxy!
Team Delaney!

Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 12:27 PM (EST)

True to form! This Vincristine - Cytoxan - Doxyrubicin cycle is for the birds! We have had three "Odd Numbered" chemos with this combination of meds since her treatment began. Each time she leaves the hospital, she becomes nauseated for days, starts really vomiting on Thursday, and spikes a fever on Saturday. It's Saturday. Her fever is 101.2... We're off to the hospital!

Keep those prayers coming! I'll keep you posted!

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 03:07 PM (EST)

Delaney was released from the hospital this morning after finishing her chemo around 1 a.m. this morning. This seemed to be a hard one for her, made her tired and nauseated which is unusual, but still, she's watching TV and eating a bit. She complains that her head hurts, but still seems to be doing just fine to be home. Tomorrow, I'll be keeping her home from school to observe her since her first radiation appointment is on Monday at 2pm.

I forgot to mention that Terry Grover's friends, The Warren Connection, came to the hospital from Michigan on Thursday as promised to play for Delaney and the kids. They were really quite wonderful and left a CD for Laney to listen to - and she has fallen asleep with it every night since they came to play. Thank you again, Terry and the Group, for arranging such a wonderful visit.

More later...

Renée

Friday, September 20, 2002 at 11:05 PM (EST)

Hello all! Greetings from Children's Hospital in Columbus! Delaney is resting in her bed watching television and I've escaped a moment to write and tell you what an exciting couple of days it's been...

One of the local stations here in Columbus, WSNY "Sunny 95" hosted a marathon (95 hours) to raise money for Children's Hospital. During the course of the event, several families were interviewed by Dino and Stacy, the DJ team who hosted the marathon... Delaney and her father were also interviewed, and clips of their conversation with the morning duo have been aired since the initial meeting.

Needless to say, Delaney was thrilled to be part of the event and to hear herself talking on the radio was quite exciting for her... THEN, Jordan, the late-night host and pre-school teacher by day came by the hospital with the Sunny 95 mascot and surprised Delaney, Emilie and Joshua as well as the other children on the ward with a visit! All in all, Delaney made many new friends both in person and in those that heard her story and came to her website to check her out and to say hello... many thanks to all who helped "maker her day!"

As for the chemotherapy at hand... this is her fifth cycle - the third odd cycle of Vincristine, Cytoxan and doxyrubicin... it has tired her out quite a bit and her eyes are masked with red circles from the later medication. She chose to sleep quite a bit today rather than to be her usual active self, which worried me a bit, but now here we are at near mid-night and she is still wide awake... guess that's my little duracell bunny!

We miss Emilie and Joshua terribly and can't wait to get home to see them... it's been quite an eventfully weekend and it hasn't even started yet! Now, we plan to rest up to finish this chemo session and to start radiation on Monday afternoon - as always, you're prayers are appreciated!

Hello to all the kids at Mrs. Woodruff's multiage 1st/2nd grade class at Scottish Corners! We hope to see you all soon!

Love,

Team Delaney!

Sunday, September 15, 2002 at 1:29 PM (EST)

Please forgive me the lapse since my last update… we are still unpacking and assembling the townhouse since our move and trying to work around school pick drop-offs, pick-ups, meetings and Delaney’s appointments (her medical social calendar is quite full, I assure you!)

SO now it’s Sunday again, just home from church... hard to concentrate with the little ones sometimes, and my Joshua and Delaney weren't the only noisemakers today. I know Jesus said "Let the children come to me...” but a little reverence please? (Laughing) I just find that I am able to gain a little peace from attending mass on the weekend, fortifying myself for the week to come and renewing my faith in God. I imagine there are too many thoughts on MY mind that kept me from concentrating today.

To begin with, I've spoken to many of you but haven't had the chance to tell many others that there was a discrepancy in the difference between the survival rates quoted by Delaney's Oncologist (Dr. Mark Ranalli) and her Radiology Oncologist (Dr. Constance Bauer). While Dr. Bauer was correct in her 40% survival rate with an axial tumor such as Delaney's, Dr. Ranalli was able to point out to me that her tumor is a cancer and that Ewing's Sarcoma does have a six year survival rate of 70% when treated on the current course as Delaney's is... From here on out, we have decided to skip the numbers. Delaney will live or die based on her own body's ability to fight this terrible cancer and just because the numbers say her chances are this or that doesn't mean anything in the end.

Today and most days, Delaney is a happy child living her life to the fullest, enjoying first grade, and fighting with her brother and sister like every other six year old. Let's continue the treatment and go from there!

God Bless all of you for your prayers, and special thanks to a few very dear children (parishioners at St. Joan of Arc) who went so far as to empty piggy banks and conduct lemonade sales to assist us financially while I remain an "at-home-mom" leading Delaney's struggle.

We will be back in for chemo from Thursday, September 19th until Sunday, September 22. Daily radiation for 31 days less weekends will begin on the following Monday, September 23. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we pray for each of you to stay strong and faithful...

Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, September 08, 2002 at 12:14 PM (EST)

Sorry guys! I just haven't had time to digest all of this, and it's time I share what I've learned. I've been in the process of moving into a more affordable living space and getting Delaney ready for the wedding of Chad & Chrissy Wilson, and her role as a flower girl is the service.

Delaney's tumor is not gone; the CT said it was but the MRI shows it has not. It is in the bones of her forehead, 5cm left to right, from the eye sockets on each side, back 5cm. Both of those dimensions are roughly 1cm smaller than when we started chemo 6/28/02. The height of the tumor is approximately 3.5cm - down 3.5 from the start of chemo. The PET scan shows the tumor is not active for the moment and there are no mets.

Friday we met with the radiology oncologist. Delaney will receive approximately 31 days of high-level radiation, or until she can no longer tolerate it (only during the week, not on weekends).

Dr. Constance Bauer at the James Cancer Center, OSU hospital was very upfront with the information she gave us regarding Delaney. This is the second patient with ES in the sinus area they have used radiation on - a very scary proposition! Dr. B is a cancer survivor herself and clearly understands our fears. Although she was brutally honest regarding Delaney's prognosis and the damage the treatment can and will do, we found her to be the type of doctor we'd prefer to deal with.

Due to the fact the tumor is wrapped around the optic nerve and areas of the central nervous system (CNS), the radiation is expected to cause some potentially serious damage. Without radiation, Delaney will die. For now, her prognosis indicates a 40% survival rate, down from the 70% we had been working with pre-chemo with earlier scans.

The side and late effects we are to expect:

* The cessation of bone and muscle growth from the sides of her head above her ears to the other exact side - mostly across the temples, lower forehead, eyes and sinus.

* Also, it is likely her eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as the hair on the side of her head in that area will never grow back

* Her frontal lobe will be radiated due to the prior positioning of the tumor in that area. She may have irregular emotional patterns and some memory loss or difficulty recalling events that could hinder her learning ability.

* Her eyes will be radiated; there is a possibility of everything from cataracts (which we all know can be repaired through the use of an artificial lens) - to blindness.

* They will follow her through puberty with regard to any delay in normal growth or thyroid function as a result of the hypothalamus/pituitary gland during chemo/radiation.
I know this is all difficult news to swallow; it has been for us as well. I remind myself that 40% is just a number... Delaney is as alive as any child can be - is she wasn't bald, you would never know she was sick.

Please continue your prayers for her and all children and adults afflicted with this horrible life-threatening illness - we are! God bless!

(On a lighter note, the next time I write I'll be telling you the story of Delaney's 13-hour day as a flower girl - you would have thought she was the bride with the day she had! Pics to follow soon!)

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!

Sunday, September 08, 2002 at 11:14 AM (CDT)

Thursday, September 05, 2002 at 09:00 PM (EST)

Wow! Thursday already? I owe all of you an update, don’t I?

Delaney was discharged on Wednesday, Sep 4th and attended her first day in grade school today in Dublin...

What excitement! She is in a mixed class with 1st & 2nd graders and she loved every minute of it. The children were very kind to her and she said most wanted to “feel her head” (laughing out loud)… Delaney was not offended, rather pleased to be honest, by the attention from her fellow students. They also got to meet “Laney Mae,” the large teddy bear that will sit in Delaney’s chair while she is unable to be in class…

As far as her prognosis, yes, the tumor is still there, but it is no longer 7 * 6 * 6... it is 3 * 5 * 5. The good news is that the chemo appears to be working and her PET scan came back showing no activity in the tumor - meaning it is not using glucose to grow and spread.

The meaning of it all is this: Delaney still has cancer. The tumor is no longer growing and the bone damage is starting to "remodel" in a way that indicates the deterioration has stopped and healing is in order.

We are not supposed to be complacent at this point, as it is likely there are active but microscopic cancer cells running through her body. She can still resume negative growth patterns later, she can still have metastases.

Delaney will need to finish the yearlong chemo, continue to have scans, and begin radiation to the skull in late Sep 2002. There will be side-effects to the radiation and long-term effects I will learn more about tomorrow when Tim and I meet with Dr. Bauer at OSU - the doctor who will likely be overseeing her radiation. I will fill you in on all of that sometime in the next three days, when I can gather the strength to write it down. Honestly, this is the scary part for me. I pray I will be calmed after our meeting at OSU tomorrow.

As far as the townhouse goes, Dublin Village changed the carpet on the main floor, but I had Stanley Steemer come in to clean the shampoo out of the upper and lower levels. When they were finished, the leasing manager, "D", called me to get my credit card number. They refused to pay for the services rendered.

At this point, it has cost me:

$200 - to store the furniture for four days
$164 - for new delivery date & transportation costs
$136 - in prepaid rent while I was unable to move in
$118 - for Stanley Steemer to clean carpet I've never used
----
$618 - None of which Dublin Village and M/I Real Estate view as refundable to me.

Houston... we have a problem!

Delaney was asked by one of the Hem-Onc nurses to be a flower girl in her wedding this Saturday... I will of course post pictures and then new ones of Emilie and Joshua... thank you to Chrissy & Chad for allowing us to be part of your special day! May it be the saddest you experience in all the years you are together!

Finally, at least, I found my kitchen today and will continue to unpack tomorrow, with help, thankfully, from a heaven-sent group of volunteers from St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell...

Our prayers for God to bless all of you, especially Natalie Hutchison, Chris Garverick and the BBF crew, Aunt Teresa in Michigan, Matthew La Forest in California (my brother, 33yo, researching a tumor found in his chest this week), Grandpa Gary Suboter from the E-Sarc list and Helping Hands, and all of our friends at Children’s Hospital who are also battling a form of cancer with the love of God and their families at hand.

Thank you to all of Team Delaney! Especially our new members from the staff, Mrs. Woodruff’s 1/2nd grand class, Mrs. Gill’s 3rd grade class and Debbie Meyers and the crew at Dublin Latchkey of Scottish Corners Elementary!

Love,

Delaney via Renée

Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 10:40 PM (EST)

We've been in the hospital since Thursday morning now... it's been odd, to say the least! I dropped Delaney off at the clinic Thursday morning and left her in the capable hands of the Hem-Onc nurses & staff (good thing she's so outgoing!)... Then I ran home by 10am to meet the United Van Lines men who came to back my home.

At 4:30, I picked up the key to the townhome we are moving into only to find that the carpets they just steam-cleaned looked as though the prior owner had been parking his car in the front room! Now I sit, my furniture on a truck somewhere south of Columbus, waiting for M/I Real Estate Co. to make the carpet livable for Delaney's circumstances. To say the least, I'm a bit panicked!

We got the results of most of her scans back on Friday, and received some news that has taken me time to swallow. Delaney's tumor is NOT gone. It never was - it simply hid behind the bones of her forehead. Granted, the tumor has decreased significantly inside, to the extend that her frontal lobe is not crushed up against her skull, but rather lies in place as it should be. Still, there is a tumor between the size of a golf ball and a small tangerine situated behind her forehead/eyebrows and the MRI clearly picked up it's dimensions. I've been told, quite simply, the next time I'm told the CT looks great, to ask for an MRI before I get my hopes up.

That being said, we are to start radiation for 6-8 weeks in mid-late September - daily, except for the weekend. Gary Suboter of the E-Sarc list was helping me to schedule a meeting at St. Vincent's in New York regarding more localized radiation. Unfortunately, this wonderful man suffered a stroke on Monday of this week and is not quite speaking. He's got a hard way to go and I ask you to join the E-Sarc families in praying for his quick recovery. He has been more a huge source of support to us and is known as "Grandpa Gary" to many of the E-Sarc kids.

Please keep us in your prayers - I will update this website when I learn more!

Thank you!

Renée

(Delaney says "Hi to everybody!"

Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 010:32 AM (EST)

Delaney slept in today. An oddity for this one let me tell you! Up at the crack of dawn and impossible to get to sleep at night!

She's doing much better, thank you! Last night Emilie and Joshua went to visit Lori and Joey Biesieda and are going with them today to celebrate Joey's 7th birthday at Apple Valley - a lake resort here in Ohio.

Since that left Delaney alone, she found time to visit the Parish Picnic, enjoyed a puppet show, tried valiantly to catch balls thrown over a makeshift wall in a basket and put smiles on everyone's face in the process! What a night! She then proceeded to eat like crazy when her father took her to the Outback Steakhouse for buffalo wings, steak with blue cheese, shrimp, lots of vegetables?, a few French fries and a huge dessert she devoured almost completely without dad's help! The wait staff was very friendly and she enjoyed passing out her "business cards" and even offered to sweep the floor!

What a night!

Needless to say, she's doing great! She is due back in the hospital this Thursday for her 6-day chemo stay and to repeat all of her scans. This is a scary process for us all, because we will learn just how much the chemo is working and whether or not it has metastasized. Hopefully, we will follow the cue many of the other E-Sarc mailing list children and show clear scans for miles!

God bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

P.S. Still praying for you Aunt TK - we think about you every day and are wishing you the best!

Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 07:34 PM (EST)

WE'VE ESCAPED!

So, the moral of this last six days is that Mommy DID know best... if a C-Diff had been done, we would have realized before the "infection" had started on Laney's sensitive bottom area that she did have a bacterial infection in her bowel... still, she has been taken care of and since I, as a mother of three, have been through the diaper rash phase of life, she's coming home for the 2000's version of Desitin: aquaphor/maalox 1/2-1/2 mix!

Thank goodness we are through this one, and thank all of you for your prayers!

We'll be busy moving for the next nine days, and Delaney will be in Children's again for 6 days starting 8/29 (thurs) for chemo #5... all of her scans will be repeated at that time and we will be more certain of the area that needs to be radiated and of the possibility of mets...

Please remember to keep praying for Aunt Teresa in Michigan... she's doing her part to fight a serious and recently diagnosed leukemia at UofM... Go Aunt T and Go Blue!

God bless you all!

Delaney via Renée

Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 04:58 PM (EST)

Delaney will be in the hospital for the next couple days as well... unfortunately, she has had an unfortunate skin infection, a side effect from the onslaught of antibiotics and colace.

The doctors fear that she may develop an abcess in the area as her white blood cell counts come up, so they are treating the area to prevent that from happening and she is back on the four antibiotics.

Here spirits are up, her ANC is 604 (still neutropenic) but her last temperature was last night at 10:55pm... Now we are looking at a possible Friday release - but we'll keep you posted!

God Bless!

Delaney & Renée

Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 02:04 PM (EST)

Hope this finds everyone well, especially Aunt TK in Michigan... we are praying for you daily as well!

Today Delaney woke up with fever and nausea again. She was given Phenegran(sp?) to help her with the nausea and slept most of the morning away. Her ANC is now up to 192... so things are improving (normal is 5000-14000). The blood cultures have shown nothing so far, so the assumption is that the infection is viral in nature.

Our mission: to bring her ANC up to at least 200 for two days in a row with the last 24 hours being fever free... Once accomplished, we can go home and pack the apartment for the move next week.

Delaney's spirits are getting better here at Children's and on the home front a bevy of neighbors and fellow parishioners from St. Joan of Arc church are keeping Emilie and Joshua entertained while dad is at work.

Many thanks this week to St. Joan of Arc Parish, Father Jeff R., Natalie Hutchison, Cheryl(sp?) Piatt, Pam Esker, Chris Garverick, Lori Bisieda (& Joey) as well as Sue Capretta for alleviating the concern of childcare during the course of this week. If Ive forgotten anyone please accept my most sincere apologies and whack me on the head next time you see me!

Joshua is getting a tooth pulled today and Emilie two teeth on Thursday... say a prayer for them as well!

God Bless!

Renée
Team Delaney!

Monday, August 19, 2002 at 1:40 PM (EST)

Delaney began vomiting again late last night, slept a few hours and woke up vomiting with stomach pain again today - temp up past 102 (again). Her ANC is 0 - not good - so between that and the fever, the doctors say at least two days before we go home. They want her ANC at 200 for two days AND afebrile for 24 hours.

Today she is having a CT scan of her abdomen and one of her chest - I've insisted the check to see if her cancer has metastasized or if there is something specific causing her abdominal pain. The doctors finally conceded to run the scans, and soon we may learn what the source of her fever and pain is... so please keep those prayers coming!

We are at 614-722-2001 in the Pediatric ICU (Pick-You) if anyone is looking for us.

Thanks for being there! I will keep you posted!

Renée

Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 04:41 AM (EST)

Somehow I knew this was coming... Delaney woke up Saturday morning in relatively good humor... fought a little more than usual regarding that GCS-F shot, but so maybe she was still tired, or just starting a bad day?

By noon, her fever was 100.2. Before I got to her dad's to pick her up, it was 101.4... to the emergency room, 101.4, then rapidly to 102.5... blood pressure 84/44... not good!

She was admitted to the PICU (4th floor) around 11:00pm after getting two rounds of antibiotics and stabilizing her blood pressure and heart rate. There is blood in her stool, and it is now pure black. Sent to clinic for cultures.

So, that's where we stand tonight... no cot for mom in the room, just a short couch and a glider rocker... is it a wonder I'm not sleeping? I'd like to crawl in with her and snuggle, but she's so hot, I think she just might deck me!

Keep those prayers coming!

Love,

Renée - Mom
Team Delaney!

Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 12:24 PM (EST)

Timothy Diggs, Delaney's daddy, asked me to post this journal entry of his own to the site - without further delay:

Wednesday, August 15th

A father’s perspective

Hey, what’s this? Delaney has a Father? Yes, it’s true, it’s true. Renee has been so busy lately preparing for her move to a new apartment, I asked her if I could fill in, and write a journal entry. Since I’m not sure when I’ll get this chance again, bear with me if I’m a bit verbose!

First off, THANK YOU to EVERYONE for all of the kind thoughts and gestures. The outpouring of support has been incredible! The messages in the guest book, the cards from neighbors and friends, and the general concern from co-workers have truly been an inspiration to myself, to Delaney, and the rest of the family!

As you know, Delaney is between chemo treatments 3 and 4 right now. She’s hanging in there, but this is a tough stage for her, as the last round included drugs that are hard on her system. She’s had some vomiting, and is complaining of “aches and pains”. However, on the positive side, she hasn’t had to be admitted to the hospital overnight, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed! Hopefully, she won’t have to spend the night at “casa de Children’s Hospital” again until her next round begins, August 29th.

Delaney’s spirits are very good, and she continues to be a bright star in our family’s sky. She laughs, she jokes, she plays, she hugs people and says HI to EVERYBODY…she even does a great imitation of a chicken, as she struts down the hospital hallways. It’s hard to believe this little girl is battling for her life. And that, my friends, is the struggle that I, as a parent, find most difficult. How do you continue about your normal day knowing that your child is suffering? Granted, we all know how difficult it is to be a single parent in today’s society. Take into account a life threatening illness of a child, and the weight at times seems unbearable. While I don’t agree with Sting when he sang, “…a kid should be with his Mother, everybody knows that…what more can a Father do, but baby-sit sometimes?” I do understand the question he’s posing. You see, as single parents, we try to be everything for all of our children, and it pains us when we can’t do it all! As a single Father, I have limitations, and strive each day to live within those boundaries. It’s not easy…work, phone calls checking on Delaney, work, bills, child support, work, visitation. But we do it, day, after day, after day. You see, life continues, even when sometimes we wish it would stop, or at least slow down for a bit!

That being said, I was thrilled when I was able to enjoy an evening visitation with all 3 of my kids at my house. Delaney felt well enough this past Tuesday and Thursday evenings, so she didn’t want to be left out! We ate pizza, rode our bikes, played on the swings, went for a walk, even played in the playroom for a bit. Delaney was so “whipped” at the end of the evening, that I even got to tuck her into her own bed upstairs, while we waited for Mom to come and pick her up. Having all of my kids with me for an evening was one of those little gifts from God that we so often take for granted. NOT ANYMORE! What’s that other line from that same Sting song? “I’m so happy that I, can’t stop crying…” And you know what? I AM!

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

Tim

Friday, August 16, 2002 at 09:14 AM (EST)

Hmmm... Points to ponder: Delaney is still vomiting, on and off, since leaving the hospital on Saturday, August 10th (after chemo #3).

Not to say this is alarming, because she did this after chemo #1, made up of the same medications.

What I'm finding uncomfortable is that even as the vomiting recedes, she has a lack of appetite. She keeps complaining - again, on and off - of a pain in her lower back, right side.

Yesterday, she had a clinic visit. Dr. Ranalli kindly appeased me by having two x-rays done of her lower back and they came back fine. He also took urine, and after four hours at the hospital with all three kids, we went home.

Then came the phone call, on the answering machine when I arrived home. Delaney's counts have fallen, WBC is .9, and her ANC is just above 600.

And OH, by the way, she has while blood cells in her urine.

I call the resident on call and he is kind, but difficult to understand. Bring her back into the clinic tomorrow and we'll put her on antibiotics. This confuses me. Her WBC count is very, very low. She is 100 points from being neutropenic AND currently taking TPN's at night. Why would they treat her with pills instead of putting her on IV antibiotics?

It is so hard, these days, to determine if I am paranoid or accurately accessing Delaney's medical status. I knew I should have been a nurse! Dad, didn't you tell me to be a nurse? AAARRRGGGGHHHH!

Love, Renée

P.S. For the record, Delaney is unconcerned about all of the above. She remains cheerful and happy, pausing only for the occasional sibling rivalry episode, and then going on with her day. Just don’t drink out of her cup, because you might give her germs!

What a nut!

Monday, August 12, 2002 at 09:01 PM (EST)

Had a bit of a scare today... Delaney began vomiting the morning after we got home from the hospital this time... progressively worse until I called the Hem-Onc Clinic at Children's and brought her in to see the Nurse Practitioner.

After an IV infusion of the anti-nausea medication Zofran, the vomiting finally ended and has subsided since. She hasn't had much of an appetite the rest of today, but she did nibble on some chicken and salad for dinner and a few bites of ice cream. I'll give her oral Zofran before bed now and hope the cycle doesn't restart in the morning. For now, just having had Chemo #3 she is left with 32000 White Blood Cell count, and we expect that to drop close to zero over the next several days. A dangerous place for her to be, but worse for those cancer cells if all goes well. With a little prayer, she'll again pass through all of that and emerge with a high WBC count again ready for chemo on August 29.

Thanks to Nonna Carol and Aunt Karen Hill for taking care of Joshua and Emilie over the past week. They had a ball in Cleveland staying at Nonna's with Karen breaking up the pace with trips to the zoo and beach on Friday. Today, they left Nonna's loving care and Aunt Karen brought them back to Columbus this evening.

I hope this finds all of you well and in good health and spirits - please remember all of you family, friends, patients and parents in the same boat - you are in our prayers always!

Love,

Delaney via Mom!

Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 04:48 PM (EST)

Good news! The chemo is going just fine for Delaney... in fact, most would say she is feeling too well to be in here, bur since the chemo is all by IV over long periods of time, in here she surely must stay!

She is quite bored, to say the least, since she hasn't had any visitors this time. Her hospital volunteer friend has been babysitting and her father and sister and brother are all out of town. I didn't realize how much she enjoys the visits!? Plus, with the nurses short staffed on the weekend, she has to learn they usually only come in when they need something, but not so much to chat.

Tonight she will finish the doxyrubicin and then we can go home either late this evening or early tomorrow morning - either way, I'm sure she'll be ready! The next few weeks will bring us no challenges, we hope, but we'll be in clinic to check her blood counts and ensure she doesn't go neutropenic and need to be back in the hospital before her next treatment. Keep your fingers crossed! Except for those clinic visits, we don't expect to see her at Children's again until Thursday, August 29th!

God Bless!

Renée for Delaney, Our Fearless Leader!
Team Delaney!

Friday, August 09, 2002 at 12:55 PM (CDT)

Hello all... Delaney and I are very glad you could visit!

It's been a hectic week for us! Monday we had clinic (all is well) and Tuesday we drove Emilie & Joshua up to Cleveland to be with their Nonna Carol, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Becky for the week while Delaney is in the hospital. They should have great time visiting and are expecting some special visit time with their Aunt Karen as well!

I checked Delaney into the hospital yesterday and last night she had day 1 or 3 chemo treatments for her 3rd round of 14. She has had a bit of nausea/stomach pain and isn't eating very well, but her spirits are good as always!

On our way to be checked in, Delaney lost her first baby tooth! Actually, it had to be pulled but a bit of numbing gel and the Dentist actually pulled it out with a bit of gauze and two fingers. Our Team Leader was pleased as punch! The staff at the hospital made a big deal out of it, which pleased Delaney to no end!

When she woke up this morning she found that the "tooth fairy" had left $10 under her pillow, and then was shocked to find a peculiar envelope (with the Children's Hospital of Columbus address on it) with ANOTHER $10. Additionally, there was a basket with a beanie baby, a note from the Tooth Fairy and a bit of candy! Since the Tooth Fairy I know didn't put the last two items there, it's safe to assume their was a bit of monkey business going on at the nurses station last night! (Thanks guys!) What a treat!

She left a note for the tooth fairy the night before asking her not to take the tooth yet, because Grandpa Diggs was going to get her a special box to put it in. Note to Grandma Diggs - tell Ben to go "little box shopping!" Lol

So, chemo is going well, she's resting and Mom is getting a bit too! I hope this finds you all doing as well! Will write more when we get back home or if something changes!

Love, Delaney via Mom

P.S. Emilie and Joshua!!! I miss you both so much and I love you! Delaney

Sunday, August 04, 2002 at 10:50 AM (EST)

Wow... time flies when you have three kids, doesn't it? Sorry, making excuses for myself again! Things have been very busy... we are trying to move to a more "feasible" apartment complex after canceling the contract to build a home up in the north end of Powell. We'll save that endeavor for when Delaney is finished with treatment and cancer free. Worth the wait, I'd say.

Things have been good... packing, normal day-to-day stuff, getting ready for school in the fall. It's actually nice to be able to focus on the mundane in between the chemo visits to the hospital.

Delaney's clinic visit went very well on Friday. Her white blood cell count is way up to 37,000 and her hemoglobin and plats are good too. She stopped taking the G-CSF (to build up the WBC and is doing great! Of course, getting to this point in the cycle means it's time for more chemo - so Thursday the 8th - Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve's birthdays, we go back in for another round - 3 of 14.

Please say a prayer for Delaney's Aunt Teresa... she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes with RA. She will be starting treatment on Thalidomide at U of M. (Go Blue!)

Hope this finds you all well!

Take care!

Renée

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at 08:39 PM (EST)

Delaney, true to form, pulled a wonderful trick on me and let her blood counts come up just enough to avoid transfusion... she is still quite pale (we should really start using lipstick to find her mouth!)

Her temperature has been between 100 and 100.5 since Monday a.m., but the clinic decided to give her a one-time antibiotic through her Broviac (15-minute pump) as long as I promised to bring her right into the hospital if her temp goes 100.5 or above again.

WHEW! Near escape!

Anyway, no blood and thanks to a visit to Tria (owned by the most wonderful family and our favorite Greek restaurant in Powell, OH) we're doing quite well! Delaney and I stopped for a "light lunch" and shared a "Spanokogyropita" (spinach pie with gyro meat ground up inside) a Greek salad and a wonderful ice cream dessert of vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon apples, and lots of crumbled baklava... She probably gained 5 pounds on that meal alone - but it's good to see her eat! (Yes, I know, I probably gained a few too, but it WAS yummy!)

We will share more tomorrow and possibly add more pictures if all goes well! Take care!

Renée

(P.S. Delaney is busy holding her tummy and watching the Phantom Tollbooth - very busy, no time to write! Lol)

Monday, July 29, 2002 at 04:37 PM (EST)

Hello to everyone!

Delaney has been doing quite well since leaving the hospital after chemotherapy visit Two... today, we learned that her blood counts are going down - as they should - and we may be in for a transfusion tomorrow at clinic visit. We will, of course, do as needed - always moving forward!

We want to thank the people from St. Joan of Arc who have been sending gifts to Delaney and the family. We have a small zoo of stuffed animals at this point. We are in the process of setting up a "Financial Relief Fund" for Delaney, and those who have sent donations in cash in lieu of gifts will soon be receiving their cancelled checks back! Sorry to have held them, I had no idea how to process them so that the debits and credits could be properly accounted for - thank you all for your kindness - the funds will help to pay for rent and medical bills and is greatly appreciated!

I will update Laney's page again after clinic tomorrow - or on Wednesday if we end up on an overnighter for the transfusion!

Thank you and God Bless!

Delaney & Renée

P.S. Delaney and I are amazed at the number of people who have been signing her guest book and at how many have come to learn about Team Delaney!

She especially wanted to say hello to Joey Biesieda and his mom, Lori, the "Ladies from Cozymel's" and friends, all of Aunt Pam and Aunt Linda's friends, classmates, parents and instructresses from Dublin Montessori, Chase from DMA who sent her a lovely picture that now hangs in her room, and to mommy's new friends and support group E-Sarc @ ACOR.

Keep those little "hello's" coming! We will continue to pray for those of you who are dealing with Ewing's sarcoma, cancer or other illness and have taken the time to come visit. Please leave your email addresses so that we might address you individually when appropriate!

Take care!

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 at 1:32 PM (EST)

Hello all! Sorry I haven't written much, but I've been reading printouts of the communications and you have all been in our hearts and prayers!

Since Delaney was diagnosed, she and I have become well-educated in the area of inpatient vs. outpatient:

6/20 - 7/02 - 13 days diagnosis and first chemo
7/04 - 7/12 - 9 days fever/nausea/neutropenic
7/18 - 7/23 - 6 days second chemo

Obviously, there is no real timetable, right? Although there are specific times to be in the hospital for chemo/radiation/surgery, there are other "just because times in between."

As you know, we learned after the CT Scan Delaney had that the 8cm*8cm*7cm tumor they initially found in her facial
bones "dramatically decrease" with little residual that can be found on the CT scan... They were careful to tell us not to become "complacent" and that the cancer is still there in the bone and still has the ability to metastasize to other parts of her body. Okay, we're still surviving - we'll cope!

BUT JUST NOW!!! Stacy, our nurse clinician at Children's Hosp here in Columbus, Ohio, just called: But the spinal
tap they took while she was in this time came back with no cancer cells!!!!!!!!

I need to go hug our fearless leader! I'll write later!

Love, Renée
Team Delaney!!!

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at 04:52 PM (EST)

Hooray! We just got home and both intend to sleep for the next 24hours!

Delaney's chemo treatments (Ifosfamide, VP16 & mesna) were uneventful save a bit of nausea and tummy pain. She kept her spirits up most of the stay and was a good listener and roommate for mom!

She had a spinal tap yesterday, to determine if the disappearance of the large mass (8*8*7cm tumor) she presented with could possibly have melted into her spinal fluid. The pre-read says they found one red and one white blood cell in the sample they took, but not to worry about it. We are waiting for the official pathology report to come back and are refusing to speculate.

Thank you all for the emails and the letters of support we've received. We are changing the email address back to teamdelaney@adelphia.net until our next scheduled trip to the hospital on August 8 - Vincristine, cytoxan & doxyrubin - a three-day stay.

We will continue journal entries on her progress at home as her blood counts rise and fall. We will try to get newer pictures of Emilie, Joshua AND Delaney up as well!

Take care and God Bless!

Renée & Delaney

P.S. Happy Birthday to my cousin Kristy Ann La Forest!!! See you on Thursday!

Monday, July 22, 2002 at 09:45 AM (CDT)

I just read my guestbook; I want to thank all of you who have been writing to me - I want to especially thank Brody and Kaylee Blaine for the Spongebob Squarepants Joke! It made me laugh! I love Spongebob, but my mom says it's a silly show. Here's a joke for you guys:

How do you make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogie in it!

How do you know that a little girl is a cancer patient?
She makes CT Scan and MRI machines for her Barbie’s!

Anyway, I want to say Hi to the people who live far away, my grandparents in Arizona and Michigan, my aunts and uncles from all around the world, my friends at Big Bear farms, my dogs Savannah Jane and Murphy, and everyone who has signed my guestbook. I don't even know some of you, but I have loved the prayers and love and best wishes you send to me in the hospital. I want to tell Grandpa La Forest that I am taking care of your daughter like she takes care of me, and when she gets tired, I let her lay on my bed and cuddle me - so don't worry Grandpa! I will take care of her for you!

Love, Delaney!
"Your fearless Leader"

A note from Mom:

Delaney's CT Scan came back with "dramatic improvement" from the visuals found on the first scan 6/20/2002 - only an MRI can tell for sure, but it looks as though this chemo is working with the team against that tumor!

We will have the spinal tap today, and I will let you know how things go!

God Bless and Thank You all for everything!

Renée

Sunday, July 21, 2002 at 07:29 PM (EST)

Wow!!! What a great weekend! Yesterday my mom and I rested and relaxed around the hospital. I think she got frustrated because I wasn't eating much, but today my dad brought Joshua and Emilie (my brother and sister) to the hospital and spent time with me while Josh and Em went with momma to her house. They brought back TWO Donato's pizzas and I was so hungry I ate six pieces. I am sooooo full!

Jordana came to see me Saturday and Sunday even though she is a volunteer for the hospital and wasn't even working! She stayed two hours both days! Jessica is going to come back and see me too! She is really nice and her mom and friends left me messaged in my guestbook!

My chemo is not bothering me to much this trip... just a little feeling like I want to hurl, but I fall asleep instead. Tomorrow I get to have it one more time and then I can go home early Tuesday morning. I can't wait!

On Thursday, Aunt Karen and Uncle Eric and Kristy are coming to visit and we will get to have a sleepover with Kristy and she's bring a friend with her for me to meet!

I'm going to watch Harry Potter now! I'll write to you guys tomorrow!

Love, Delaney
"Your fearless Leader!"

P.S. Mimi, of course you can be on my team!!! Anyone who signs my guestbook and prays for me and the other kids at the hospital is on the team!

To all from Mom:

All is as Delaney declares. She forgot to mention she had a repeat CT scan last night. Tomorrow we should find out if the tumor is shrinking (reacting to the chemo) and then, if it is, Dr. Ranalli is planning a spinal tap to ensure their are no little microscopic bits of the Ewing's traveling through her body. I feel tense, but Delaney is doing quite well. She knows the procedures are being done, but not why - and she doesn't ask. I will tell her when the results come back what we know, and move forward one step, one moment, one day at a time, but for the grace of God we go...

Keeping you all in our prayers!

Love, Renée

Friday, July 19, 2002 at 12:18 PM (EST)

Hello from the hospital everyone! I really like seeing all of the messages you have signed in my guestbook - did you see I have some from Thailand and Russia and Ireland and Australia? I even have some from the nurses at the hospital!

Last night was the first night they gave me chemotherapy this time. It only takes two hours, and then I get medication to protect my bladder. I only got a little tummy ache and my mom told me to go to sleep so I didn't hurl, so I did. I slept all night and feel great today!

I am going to have a cat scan done while I am in the hospital this time to see if my tumor is going away. If it is, they are going to make me sleep so they can put a needle in my back [sic-spinal tap] to make sure the cancer isn't going into my body. I'm scared, but mommy says I'll be sleeping, so I'm not too worried. : 0|

Well, I have to go now, check back later and I will tell you more about how things are going!

Love,

Delaney
"Your fearless Leader!"

P.S. This food is awful! Somebody send me a pizza!

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 08:21 PM (EST)

Delaney and I are getting ready to go back into the hospital at 8:30 AM tomorrow for her second chemotherapy treatment. This will be her first time receiving Arm 2 of the Regimen A protocol for the ESFT Study... VP16 and Ifosfamide.

In truth, she knows we're going back tomorrow, but she's more interested in her new loose tooth! She can't wait to share the news with her sister Emilie and brother Joshua - they have been up in Northern Michigan with their Grandma & Grandpa Diggs and Aunt Karen Hill and Aunt Pam Farnstrom!

I hope they are as excited as Delaney and I are to be back together in the apartment at the end of this hospital stay, come next Wednesday if all goes well!

Keep us in your prayers, as the members of Team Delaney are always in ours... look for updates to be posted from the hospital - complete with pictures, of course! We will try to post a new one every day!

God Bless!

Delaney & Renée

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 at 03:22 PM (CDT)

Thursday, Delaney will be back in the hospital for her next chemo treatment. The preparations have begun! I am putting a great deal of thought into what the three kids and I will be doing over the next year as far as living quarters, schooling and finances are concerned since I’ve come to the realization that I will need to quit working and thereby put my computer consulting business on hold for a while. It will be difficult to make commitments and market myself until I get an idea of how Delaney is going to progress. Unfortunately, since I’ve been consulting rather than working for any one firm, I have found myself in the unfortunate position of being ineligible for both health insurance and unemployment.

It is obvious that living on child support and a small military pension will soon present monetary factors and finances will become a challenge. Hopefully I will be able to reopen the business and make enough small business contacts through home or church that will allow me to keep busy and generate enough funds to keep us going without having to seek public assistance.

Instead, I have decided to home-school Delaney with the assistance of the first grade tutor the Dublin School District is obliged to provide. I can't bear the thought of sending her to the "germ farm," but she is too bright a child to not keep challenged mentally when she feels up to it.

I am with Delaney 24/7 from here on out – whether inpatient or home in my care. Her father Tim doesn't seem to be cut out to perform the "technical" tasks that are involved in her homecare, yet I thank God he has been able to handle the other side of this all, the home front and keeping Emilie and Joshua busy and happy at home. I miss them terribly! It is a difficult to focus on one you may potentially lose without worrying about losing the others in the process. This is something I will have to learn to balance. I look forward to a lifetime to be spent with all three of them, yet I know that while Delaney is fighting the Ewing’s it has to be me that takes care of her because if I lost her I'd worry forever about whether being in my care could have changed things.

I can do this, I've been taught how to care for her Broviac catheter at home, with dressing changes and heparin once a week, giving daily Glucocyte Colony Stimulation Factor (G-CSF) shots for quick growth on new white blood cells, all of the rest as it comes...

Feel free keep the prayers coming and, if you like, send upbeat jokes and notes via email... a little humor goes a long way these days! As for Delaney? She is getting HER sense of humor back, enjoying the people who are positive, and shying away from those who are "sympathetic." That’s my girl!

Thinking of you all!

Renée

Monday, July 15, 2002 at 03:18 PM (CDT)

Sorry no updates over the weekend, the fact of the matter is that Delaney and me have been having to much fun!

She's felt so much better over the past few days and except for the fatigue, we've been able to spend time together like we normally do!

Emilie and Joshua left Saturday to go up to Northern Michigan with their paternal grandparents and aunts to spend time at the lake cottage - but not before we all had a bit of a pizza party and overnighter back at the apartment. I'm sure they are having fun as well and Delaney and I miss them tremendously!

On Sunday, we went to church with her father and then to lunch and on a few errands - it was good for the two of them to have some "normal" time together too.

Will write more soon!

Renée & Delaney

Friday, July 12, 2002 at 10:06 PM (EST)

We're HOME!!!

We're home - Delaney is doing great - big smiles - had me take her to the barber to take the rest of her sparse hair off. She is quite pleased with her new "shiny head!"

We'll be home until next Thursday, when she goes back for round two of 14 cycles of chemotherapy.

Renée & Delaney

Friday, July 5, 2002 at 02:28 PM (CDT)

Last night Delaney went back into the hospital on July 4th, neutropenic, with nausea, vomiting and fever - they put her on TPN's while she was in and we were discharged on Friday, July 12th. While she was in the hospital she lost her hair... all of it. And she laughed! She thinks it's great... I'm getting a constant feed of strength and reassurance from knowing she is aware of what's happening, and she is willing to face this challenge together with me. Her motto is "I'd rather be bald than dead." (Said with an impatient "Duh!" in her voice... she is very pragmatic, for a six year old.)

Renée

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 at 02:27 PM (CDT)

She is really not feeling well, sleeping a great deal. We will be in and out of Children’s for the next year or so. She has chemo every third week as well as two clinic/lab visits a week. If she gets a fever >=101, we will be admitted to determine if there is a bacterial infection present, ditto if she vomits, bleeds, etc. SHE is pretty tough. She is announcing to people that she will soon be bald, and encouraging them to shave their heads. Thankfully, she has asked me not to!

I have spent a great deal of time in prayer, and now it occurs to me that she is not mine to keep. BUT if He wanted to take her, He would have done so already. It brings me peace to know that what is, simply is. It is all out of my hands except for caring for her, and that is what I am doing. I have quit my just begun of the house. If I am going to lose this child, I want to be with her until the last moment. I want her to live or die knowing I love her unconditionally, that she has been cared for and that I did everything in my power to keep her with us.

I have to give her shots in the morning each day and the first day home she fought me so! I cried and she cried and I told her she HAD to take this shot, every morning, because it will help to make her better (it stimulates the regrowth of white blood cells between chemo treatments and rebuilds her immune system).

I walked away to calm down and five minutes later she called me in, very calm, and said: Mom, you can give me my shot now. I'm not going to fight YOU anymore, I'm going to fight this cancer." Then she lay still, the shot was given quickly, and we both cried in each other's arms. Relieved, actually. I think we are learning to come to terms with the things we BOTH need to do to get her better - we're both going to have to be very strong and have great faith in God to help us through this.

Renée

Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 11:58 PM (EST)

Today is June 20, 2002.

Delaney had her CT-Scan. Her father, Tim, was able to come for the test, and it seemed to pass uneventfully, except for the sudden decision to add contrast to her veins and take more pictures. When we went back to the waiting room, Tim returned to work.

Forty minutes later, before the ultrasound of her abdomen began, the techs that performed the “routine CT-scan” came to color with Delaney so that I could talk to the doctor. I was in a small room with one of the nurses and one look in her eyes told me all I needed to know. I asked through my tears how big it was, where is it? The nurse looked empathetic and told me to call Tim back to the hospital. I dialed his number and in a quivering voice told him to come back, then through tears I said, “Delaney has something on her brain.” After I hung up, I composed myself the best I could and called the pediatrician.

Dr. Barrett told me that they had found a large mass, a tumor – probably malignant. I asked him the questions the nurse didn’t answer. How big? Where is it? His voice became unsteady and he said he was so sickened by the radiologist’s call that he didn’t write down the information, and there would be more testing to determine “exact” information.

I remember asking him when we would come back for testing? In the next couple weeks? He said, “God, no! You’re being admitted, you won’t be going home anytime soon.” Within an hour we were admitted and taken up to the “Hem-Onc” ward at Children’s Hospital of Columbus, OH. Room 5303. All three of us, Tim, Delaney and me, knew our lives would never be the same.

Renée
Team Delaney

Monday, June 17, 2002 at 05:21 PM (EST)

Today is June 17, 2002.

The blood tests were taken on Saturday, and today the pediatrician said the only unusual result was an elevated sedimentation rate. He has ordered a routine CT-Scan of her brain as well as an ultrasound of her gastrointestinal system. These tests are scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2002.

Friday June 14, 2002 at 09:05 PM (EST)

Today is June 14, 2002.

We saw her pediatrician today and he too was very concerned about he facial changes. Tomorrow, Tim (her father) will take her to have blood drawn for the blood tests the doctor ordered,

Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 9:00PM (EST)

Today is June 12, 2002.

I called Delaney’s pediatrician, who previously sent her to a psychologist who has been treating her for depression. No one has any idea what is going on, not even her father and me. Her personality has been changing and her eyes first had bags under them. Now, her eyes are enlarged to the point I where I KNOW something is medically wrong, I just can’t tell what.

I ask the pediatrician to see her again so we could run whatever tests needed to find out what is medically wrong with Delaney, as I no longer believe it is just “depression.” We made an appointment for June 14, 2002.

Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at 12:37 PM (EST)

From: Renée La Forest
To: Dad, Mom, Bernie, Matt, Alicia, Linda
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 3:37 PM
Subject: A note re Delaney...

I'm a bit frustrated here; to say the least... wanted to let you know what has been happening.

Delaney is really not doing well - ever since these transient eye tics last January it's been something. Eye problems and stomach "flu's" they thought. Then she started being disinterested in school and unable to focus on the harder projects. In the last six months, they've determined she has depression, but after being evaluated by the psychologist, they feel the "depression" is actually a symptom of whatever is happening. She now has eyes as large as saucers, they appear to be popping out of her head (initially looked like stress bags) and the doctor really took notice when I brought her in on Friday.

They ran a battery of blood tests and he was certain it was thyroid, but it came back negative to the doctor's surprise... they also ruled out Epstein Barr Virus as well as the main scary stuff (leukemia, lymphoma, liver, kidney, white/red blood cell, etc.) no infection. Sedimentation rate is the only thing that's really wacky, it should be around 13 for her age but it is elevated to 35... they were certain it was hyperthyroidism, now they have no clue. Tomorrow, she goes to Children's Hospital as her doctor today arranged for a total head CT and an ultrasound of her abdomen.

She continues to have no energy, she is lethargic, very irritable and whiny, cries in her sleep and the like... funny when you look back over the last year it's all the same things, just symptoms have added and nothing seems to help. Despite the frequent vomiting, she is hungry all the time, but her weight keeps going down - she is only 40 pounds right now. I'm really starting to worry, but I'm holding out for the rest of the blood work and results of the tests she's having tomorrow. As always, Emilie and Joshua remain healthy and active... Keep us in your prayers!

Love, Renée

Monday, July 15, 2002 at 07:20 AM (CDT)

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----End of History----

* * *

Preface:

A Moment of Clarity…

Dedication to my parents:

And especially for my three amazing Children:

A
Moment of Clarity…

Dedication
to my parents:

And
especially for my three amazing Children: