We were pleased to bring Mackenzie home last month after four long months in the hospital.  She is healing and improving every day!  She loved reuniting with her toys, dolls, and the comforts of home. She was especially happy to reunite with our family dog, who could not visit her in the hospital. We celebrated a belated birthday with her and have been enjoying every minute.

Mackenzie continues to receive medical treatments and assistance. But thankfully, she’s requiring less and less as her condition improves. She is learning how to walk again and breathe on her own with less oxygen support. She is receiving visitors and reuniting with friends and family.  It’s clear to us how well she responds to all the love, prayers, and positivity surrounding her. It gives her strength, and her improvement after those moments is palpable. Thank you for supporting her. We are grateful for her community of friends and loved ones - you all have contributed to Mackenzie’s happiness.

We have come to believe that Mackenzie’s healing has been somewhat miraculous, and we are incredibly grateful. She consistently surprises her medical team and us with her rate of recovery.  Her personality has returned.  She is returning to the joyful, confident daughter and sister we know and love. Jackson at one point during her hospitalization said he missed her annoying him.  It’s unclear if that remains true, but he loves to see his sister everyday. :)

This was our “Golden Month” at home.  It’s been wonderful. If you haven’t heard from us, it’s because we’ve been enjoying this precious time. We needed a break after the extended time at the hospital. She’s enjoying life at home.  She needs to heal quickly and wholly before the next battle.

Speaking of next battles, Mackenzie begins CAR-T immunotherapy next week, then a bone marrow transplant shortly thereafter, possibly in mid-Fall.  We will fight her disease until it’s gone. We will fight for every smile, for every step, and for every day with Mackenzie.  We believe she will win.  Her disease is on the defense.  Mackenzie is on offense.  We still have strong hope that she will overcome her disease once and for all. The stakes are admittedly high, and the reward is her life.

Thank you for keeping our sweet Mackenzie Rose in your prayers. She is so precious to us.  We will post again as she moves through treatment.

Happy Summer and love to you all!