Delaney's Diary

June 6, 2000-July 27, 2004
EVENTS SINCE DELANEY'S DIAGNOSIS

July 16, 2003: Delaney had a headache while at the beach on vacation

July 30, 2003: Took Delaney to pediatrician because of 2 headaches inwhich she grabbed the back of her head and said it hurt.

July 31, 2003: Delaney had another headache and went to sleep afterwards. Took her to the ER and a catscan showed a golfball sized mass in her cerebellum. She was shipped to University of VA Hospital.

August 8, 2003: Delaney had a craniotomy and total resection of the tumor which was malignant, a medulloblastoma

August 27, 2003: Delaney had a broviac placed in her chest to recieve chemo which we began that evening at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

January 2, 2004: Delaney had her last stem cell transplant which concluded chemotherapy

February 23: Started 6 weeks of M-F focal radiation at National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD

April 2, 2004: Last day of Radiation

April 27, 2004: Surgical consult for Delaney's broviac removal

May 3: MRI @ Children’s showed “spot” on spine at T1-T2 vertebre

May 13: Started Oxillaplatin (new chemo in Phase II Trial)

June 6: Delaney’s 4th Birthday

June 21: MRI @ Children’s showed T1-2 spot 3x bigger, spot in Cerebellum, spot lower on spine, and spot in “top of brain, between the two lobes”

July 2: Began new chemo O6 & T________________ which are in Phase I trial

July 3, 2004: Delaney lost use of both legs

July 7, 2004: Began 1 of 10 radiation treatments to the tumors on Delaney's spinal cord

July 27, 2004
Our little angel left this Earth while laying on Mommy's chest with Daddy, Trevor & Corrin at her side



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Journal

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:26 PM CDT

In coming to Delaney's page today, I am amazed that it has been exactly 1 year since I'd mustered the strength to sign in and update it. Although I visit here to check the guestbook, it is so hard now to actually type a journal entry. It's as though I'm taken back to those late nights at Children's Hospital in DC during inpatient stays for chemo or neutropenic episodes which were with each cycle of chemo, or our basement during treasured time at home with the entire family there. Delaney's last question to me before going into the coma 3 days before she went home to be with the Lord was, "Mommy are we going back to the hospital?" She was so relieved when I told her that we'd never go to the hospital again.

1 year since I've typed here... what are the chances of that, 1 year. Chances? I don't believe in chance. I believe that each of our journeys here on earth are guided by our Lord. I believe that each and every experience can produce blessings and insight if we allow them to.

Our family was so blessed to have met so many wonderful people during Delaney's illness. Delaney taught us how to truly live and what a blessing each day is. She never EVER complained through surgeries, chemo, radiation, and death- never. Although our family dynamics have changed since Delaney's death, we are still joined by the common theme of loving Delaney and by the effort to keep her memory alive and help others.

I know Delaney is so proud of her family here on earth who continue to love her and keep her memory alive through so many ways including: The best Daddy ever, Al Yeatman III, The best Mammee & Popoo (John and Becky Harrington) heading up the Relay for Life in Montross, VA; Bubby & Sissy (Trevor Yeatman & Corrin Roy) helping with Relay and being the best brother and sister ever, Mommy (Michelle Francis) being involved with Hospice and continuing to nurse, Meme (Melissa Yeatman) being involved with Relay for Life and being the best Aunt ever and making the best corn pudding for Delaney, Aunt Beth and family for all of the visits, goodies, and pet-sitting Anastasia; Uncle Ken and family for painting Delaney's new room perfect pink, and for letting her "cruise" in the front of his 'Vet with her pacifier hanging from the mirror still today; Aunt Kathy and family for her strength and bringing the firetruck; Grandma Elizabeth for her generous donations to Relay for Life, teaching Delaney to make fruit salads and loving so deeply, Meemaw for keeping the family together and loving without end; Grandma Percy for her love and Blonde replica babydoll of Delaney which Delaney loved; and Granddaddy Phillip for always bringing garden vegetables and for keeping Delaney's puppy Charlie safe still today; and Granddaddy Alfred who always made Delaney laugh and always brought something "Sponge Bob" to brighten Delaney's day.

Delaney was blessed with a wonderful family here on earth, and I'm so proud of how each of us loved her without restraint and cared for her.

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Please pray for a cure for all cancers and the children, adults, and families that are facing cancer.

Much Love,
Michelle

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: Heaven

No more hospitals ever again

Links:

E-mail Author: nathalie24577@yahoo.net

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Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.