Phase Four Update

Maddy's counts were good last Tuesday, so we were able to start Phase Four on schedule last Wednesday. This phase started with a spinal tap with chemo, two additional chemo drugs through the port, and seven days of steroids. It was a rough start. (Those steroids are NOT nice!) Maddy wasn't feeling the best, but is better now. She had her second chemo treatment today. Her counts were good, so the doctor told her to go do something. She and her dad stopped at the Imagination Station (formally COSI) on the way home from the clinic. Maddy had a lot of fun. The doctors predict that her counts will drop in 10-14 days, so we will try to squeeze in as much fun as possible this next week.

Bald IS Beautiful Again

Today, Maddy and Russ participated in the St. Balderick's hair shaving event that was held in Archbold. As usual, we are amazed by all the support of our family and friends. As of 6:00 PM on Wednesday, just three short days after Maddy and Russ decided to do this event, we had $930 in pledges. The entire event raised close to $6000.00 and counting. We want to thank everyone who came out to support Maddy and Russ.

Channel 13 was at the event and interviewed Maddy and Mom. Below is the link to the article and video from their website. (The interview aired on the 5:30 news.)

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7335958

St. Balderick's Event

We just found out about an event taking place on Wednesday, March 17th at Terry Henricks in Archbold. St. Balderick's Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. They host "head shaving" events. Maddy and Russ have decided to participate. In turn, we are asking for "pledges". If you are interested in making a pledge, please go to:

https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/maddy

You can make your donation at this site. Below is the "before" picture. We'll be sure to post the "after" picture! : )

God Works in Mysterious Ways

Maddy is still "on schedule". Her blood work came back good on Friday. We took advantage of this and the beautiful weather to get out a little this weekend. We went to the Outlet Stores in Angola to get a few new Spring outfits. Then, our family went out to eat supper at Ruby Tuesday. While at supper, we were once again reminded of God's presence in our lives. Half way through our meal, our waitress came up to our table and said that a gentleman at another one of her tables asked her to give us something as he was leaving the restaurant. She slid a $100 bill across the table to us. This complete stranger did not say anything, did not give his name, and was gone before we could say anything to him. All I could say was "thank you" to our waitress as she stood there about in tears. This was yet another act of kindness and generosity that our family has been blessed to experience. We sat wondering what this person was thinking and what made him perform this act of generosity.

Russ and I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. There have been many times in our lives when we wondered "why" only to realize later that God had a plan for us. (What's that country song about unanswered prayers...) When Maddy was diagnosed with leukemia, our first reaction was to ask "why". Now we have faith that this is part of God's plan for Maddy and for all of us. It may take us a long time to figure out what this plan is and we may never fully realize it, but one thing is for certain... we now realize we are surrounded by God's presence each day and our lives have already been changed for the better. Our family says "I love you" a little more, we pray together as a family a little more, we recognize what we are thankful for a little more, we play together a little more, and we appreciate the little things in life (like the generosity of a complete stranger) A LOT more.

Our hope is that Maddy helps others experience God's presence. Instead of feeling sorry for her, we hope when people look at Maddy with her little bald head and her toothless smile, they realize just how precious life really is. We hope they see the strength that God has given her. If looking at Maddy causes just one person to realize this, then maybe it will make this journey worth taking.

Hi!

Hi! It's Maddy. This has been a good week. Tomorrow I have to go to get blood work done, but I don't have any treatments. With Miss Heckel having surgery, I missed my class this week since we did not Skype. I hope to see all of my friends again soon.

(I am thinking and praying for you Miss Heckel. You took care of me when I got sick. I hope to help take care of you now. I wish I could come visit you! Maybe we can both Skype into the classroom when you are feeling better. )

Love,

Maddy