Hi everyone!

The weeks since Hailey's surgery, MRI and PET scan have passed in a blur. We are desperately trying to not think about her follow-up chest CT and MRI on Friday, May 17 at CHOP. It is exhausting to force yourself to not think about the one thing that is constantly on your mind. Kevin and I function well at work, and most of the time are able to keep our minds off things, but when we get home we are so tired and worn down. Hailey has sadness wash over her at night that is heart-wrenching. We do our best to comfort her by sleeping with her, singing to her, praying with her, rubbing her back... but sometimes nothing seems to help. We are careful with what we say to reassure her because the future is so unknown. We can't say her cancer won't come back. We hesitate talking about exciting things we have planned for the future because we aren't positive they will happen. 

Each morning, I remind myself what we have to be thankful for, which is so much. We find it comforting to be outside in nature and the sunshine feels healing. We absolutely love spending time with our friends and family. We try to live moment by moment and allow ourselves to feel joy in the midst of our sadness and worry. 

One of our recent joys was traveling to Nashville to have a sports/running leg made for Hailey. Amputee Blade Runners makes prosthetic legs for kids at no cost in hopes that they will be able to live active lives. They are an amazing team! If you would like to donate towards their efforts, check out their website at www.amputeebladerunners.com.

Adjusting to a new prosthesis is not easy. Hailey loved her new leg from the beginning, because it gives her so much more spring than her old leg. She actually has not put the old leg back on for more than a minute, because the new one feels so much better. She got some bad blisters around her heel after the first couple days of wearing it that are finally healing. She is able to run better than she could in her old leg, but still has a lot of work ahead of her. She needs to build up her cardio strength and stamina so she can work towards running longer distances. Hailey has been adjusting to life with her little leg for almost 2 years now. She is tired of having to work so hard to do things that come easily for most kids. We are trying not to push her, but encourage her with how far she has come.

Hailey and Quinn have been getting along so well lately. They are best friends. They both did amazing in school this year, learning and making new friends. Hailey is becoming quite the artist and musician. Art is therapeutic for her and often seems to calm her or cheer her up. This year, she has been learning to play the flute at school and has her first band concert coming up. She loves practicing and sharing videos of her playing with her friends and family. Sometimes she even gets help from her Nana, who is a talented flautist. She also is an avid reader. She loves reading stories about kids who were dealt a tough hand in life, but get through whatever it is they are facing. Quinn is such a happy and helpful child. It is not uncommon to see her folding laundry or clearing the table without being asked. She my little side-kick and helps me make dinner most nights. She learned to read this year and enjoys snuggling up and reading aloud to Kevin or me. She has formed close friendships at school and enjoyed going to some classmates' birthday parties this spring. Quinn loves to sing and sang her heart out at her school's spring concert. It was a joy to watch her! Both the girls love playing outside with their neighbors after school.

Please keep praying for us. It means so much to have people who truly care and are there for us. We love you. 

Jackie and Kevin