Cancer Buddies

We had a great afternoon at Build-A-Bear celebrating with our cancer buddy Brylee. Brylee was the first cancer buddy we made. Presley and Brylee were diagnosed the same week. We both ended up at clinic together on our first clinic visit. I look back at that time and think, we both have come so far. That was not my favorite clinic visit. It was scary, but Lara (Brylee's mom) and I were able to connect and that connection is something I hold on to. These moms get what a crazy life I live. These moms understand and are living the nightmare right along side of me. They have also provided so much support. Going to clinic and seeing a familiar face gives me comfort and the will to keep going! Presley also loves when we find a friend at clinic. In about a month we will be hitting our 1 year mark together.
Brylee and Presley do not have the same type of cancer. Presley has a blood cancer (the majority of kids with cancer at clinic) and Brylee has a brain tumor. Its a rare brain tumor but nothing seems rare to us. Today we celebrated that she made it into the 5%! Only 5% of children with her type of cancer have a survival rate of more than 11 months. 5% of these children can live up to 3-5 years. Today was a good celebration for a hard 11 months for our sweet cancer buddy. We are on this journey with you and will fight to end with you. 
Paul and I had the opportunity to serve as scout leaders and Sunday school teachers to Travis who had the same brain tumor. He has touched our life forever. This whole year Travis has been close to me. Its been 6-7 years since we went to that amazing funeral for our brave scout. He is our hero. I know he is in heaven cheering us all on. 
Presley and Crew were so excited to go to Build-A-Bear. Ok...Presley was the only one that really knew what it meant. Presley wanted a valentine bear and Crew liked the camo bear (no surprise there). Crew was so cute...he loved filling the bear up with stuffing and wanted to really know how that machine worked. Very curious (just like daddy) and he was not really into all the details of kissing the heard and making wishes! He saw how the lady put hearts in and then sewed up the bear...so he did it himself. It needed help but he thought he had done it all by himself. Independent 2.5 year old. Presley picked out an outfit for her bear and Crew just wasn't too interested.  

When it was Presley's turn, she asked Presley if she went to school. "I don't go to school, I have Leukemia." Such a cute moment but man that breaks my heart she says that.

Like the box says....1 in a Million. 

Thanks so much for Children & The Earth and Jen Rogers, Olsen's the Mascot's, Fireman and all the those I was not aware of,  for making today happen. It was an exciting time to be at Build-A-Bear with all the camera crew and all! 

As a cancer mom, I know what it feels like to celebrate those moments. My heart is full. We are honored to celebrate with you today. Lara and Cory and your cute family, we are fighting with you!