The week leading up to your diagnosis is something I relive often.  We celebrated my birthday with grandma and Cooper at Timber Ridge Waterpark. We set your new playset up in the morning and ventured to the St. Patrick's Day parade for the 3rd year in a row with friends. We then went to Madison's 16th birthday party with family. Later that night, we had a family sleepover on the couch and you chose to watch the original Cinderella.

 

Looking back, that weekend was such a blessing and a reminder of what makes a family: love, hugs, and laughter.

 

The next week we were back to our routine-ish. Rob left for Dallas early in the morning and you were off to swim practice with grandma and Coach Gabi in the morning. Then it was day care and play time at home. However, we also started to notice things that were different. You started feeling more fatigued, looking more pale, and your foot just wasn't getting better. School noted how you were not participating like you normally would and there were less smiles. 

 

On Wednesday, Grandma took you to the doctor and they started running a bunch of tests. They thought it could be lingering symptoms from your bronchiolitis, mono or a different infection. Thinking of that now, I would take all the above! Unfortunately, we received news personally from your doctor that you needed to go downtown to Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital. 

 

I packed a bag, picked you up from Grandma and Grandpa's, asked them to watch Cooper, and told Rob to take an Uber from Ohare to the emergency department in Chicago.

 

We arrived and waited... you could tell the residents, fellows, and nurses knew more than us. Their wavering voices and intermittent glances led on to something more serious than we initially anticipated. The transfusions for blood soon started and after 7 hours in the ED we were moved to the hematology/oncology floor. 

 

On the morning of Thursday, March 21st, we received the diagnosis that no family should ever hear. Your daughter has leukemia. At that moment, the ground under our feet collapsed. But if the diagnosis has taken the ground away, how about learning to fly?

 

Kinsley, you, took it the best, as your little body slightly shrugged as you continued to watch Elemental on the screen. Our tears fell upon your soft and warm hands that were covered with bandages and wraps. Rob and I wept and were given our space. 

Looking back, we thank you for keeping us strong. Your smiles and squeezes were exactly what we needed to start our healing journey.

 

I thank God for giving you the power and strength to get through that day and for the 54 days since then!

 

xox