Madison's Web Page

This is a web page made for friends and family to be informed on Madison's progress and to leave her messages of encouragement!

Journal

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 5:46 AM CDT

Hi Friends and Family,

Sorry for the long pause since the last entry! Things are going very well for us here in Dalton having Madison back to her "ol self" and being able to enjoy the summer together.

Our visits to the Oncology clinic in Bethlehem,PA. are not as frequent now. Madison gets her bloodwork done locally now. Her numbers are looking very good and she is practically off all the medication! Follow-up visits now happen every 3 mths. at the Oncology clinic and every 6 mths. with the Cardiologist and Hearing Specialist. Madison was told she has a hearing loss due to the high level of chemo and anti-biotics she had been on for so long. She will be using a special amplification device at school to hear her teachers' lectures better. She does not qualify for a hearing aid, it is not that kind of a hearing loss. It is a high frequency loss. Background noises interfere with her hearing. She also cannot hear all the sounds in words. We are thankful that it is not a total hearing loss, which can happen in the situation Madison was in.

Last weekend Madison attended a special weekend program called,"Moving On"; for young adults who have or have had cancer. It was at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. She said it was alot of fun and that she met some really nice people. Next week she will be flying out to Gold Creek, MT.(60 mls. east of Missoula at the foot of the Flint Mts.) for a week-long Oncology camp, Camp Mak-A-Dream. This is a wonderful opportunity for her to see a beautiful part of the US that she has never seen (nor I!) and to be with other kids her age with similar issues and histories. I am so thankful that she is willing and excited about taking advantage of these wonderful opportunities! Later this month Madison's Make-A-Wish will be finally becoming a reality. She wished for a trip out to Maui, Hawaii! We haven't gotten too many details yet, but are anxiously waiting to hear what hotel we will be staying at and what activities we will be doing. There is one more Oncology camp that Madison and her younger sister Jenny will be attending (August). It will be in the Pocono Mts. Jenny has never been away to a camp before, and she is so excited to be going with her big sister, Madison. Casey spent 3 wks. at a camp in NC already this summer, Camp Merrie-Woode; so this is Jenny's turn.

Well, we all wish the very best for all of you out there! We are so blessed to have our Madison back and our family together! Thank you all so very much for the unbelievable support you gave us! We also thank all those who came out to Madison's Celebration in May in Dalton, PA.! It was a beautiful day that I will never forget!

God Bless!

Jim, Cindy, Madison, Casey and Jenny Chibirka

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: She's home now!

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Division of Oncology/S.Tower, 3rd floor
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104-4399
215-590-2810

Email address  : flacal7262@aol.com