Joy!

Today was a good day for Emilie.  No chemo, JOY in a blue can and canine love!  Thank you for your comments...they made Emilie very happy!

A New Chapter...Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Eight days ago, our lives were flipped, twisted and turned upside down.  Emilie was diagnosed with leukemia and is now being treated at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto.  It all started with what we thought was a tummy bug.  Her little body was not getting better, so we took her to the Domincan Hospital ER thinking that she was just dehydrated.   A few hours after we were admitted, we found ourselves in an ambulance on our way to Lucile Packard's Children Hospital.  This week has been a crazy ride with lots of tests, MRI's, CT Scans, Ex-Rays, spinal taps, set-backs, discouragement, etc...  Emilie has finished her first phase of chemotherapy today, with two more phases to come.  I don't know when she will be discharged as we are running a marathon and not a sprint.  She is in great care; the doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers are amazing.  As horrible as this week has been, I know that God is still in charge and I am truly grateful that Emilie is here and that her bubbly, feisty personality is filling our room with joy.

We are totally blessed with wonderful family and friends.  Everyone's phone calls, emails, letters, gifts, care packages are so very appreciated.  Please know that we are grateful for your prayers, concern and gifts and wish that we could thank each of you personally, but for now, here is our BIG BLOG THANK YOU filled with lots of love from the Erickson family!!

You can leave a message for Emilie by 1.) leaving a comment on our blog, 2.) leave a post on Facebook (friend me... Patti Nelson-Erickson) or 3.) email pattiaerickson@aol.com .  I'll be certain to share with Emilie.

I'll leave you with a bit from Emilie's journal written exactly one month from when she was diagnosed.

"Praise the Lord always.  He made me in my mom's womb and he made me special just the way I am.  I should praise the Lord always." 

A Beautiful Weed!

I have been watching this "weed" grow in my yard and not quite ready to pull it because the foliage was so beautiful.  I think this beautiful weed is actually some sort of poppy...one of God's many blessings!