Piper Lardes Piper:1 in a Million

Instead of Trick or Treating this Halloween, our 4-year-old daughter, Piper, was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer typically found in the bone. The annual incidence of Ewing Sarcoma is about 2.93 children per 1,000,000.  Her tumor is localized and found in her neck, pressing against her spinal cord.  When asking the oncologist about the uniqueness of her tumor's location compared to what's typical, he replied with, "Yeah, that's weird. 1 in a million."  So there you have it...Piper is truly 1 in a million! 

We are using this site to keep family and friends updated in one place.  Professionals at the Children's Hospital and people we've met have suggested this method as a way to not only communicate, but also for its therapeutic benefits in facing, processing, and talking about this whole life-alterning, disoriented-feeling experience.  

This is so hard. Easily, hands down, the hardest thing we have ever experienced as a family.  Clearly.  Just as we practice face-to-face with Piper, being positive in the face of adversity is how we'd like to try (really emphasized) using Caring Bridge.  No, it's not just smoke and mirrors to hide behind the terrifying sights, sounds, emotions, etc. that we are all experiencing, but more so a way to get "as close to normal as possible", as the doctors and nurses mention.  So with that, we hope you find comfort and some happiness in the "normal" that was, and still is Piper. A spunky, silly, playful little girl that also happens to be one heck of a fighter! 

There's no way we could end this in introductory blurb without thanking everyone, and we mean absolutely everyone for the  support.  From  words of hope/encouragement, ears to listen, stories to share, gifts of joy-ease of life-food, you name it, we are humbled.  Thank you has an entirely new meaning as each time we say it we're instantly lost,  for the moment,  in the emotions of gratitude, love, and  hope! 

Thank you!