Update

It's been awhile from my last post.  For the last few months leading up to February Sophie was in a maintenance period.  This meant she was only going to the hospital about once a week and was taking a chemo pill orally at home.  It was nice knowing that she was able to celebrate the holidays as normal as possible.  Her hair was growing back and she was even attending school frequently. 
In February she had started her aggressive treatment again for about 7 to 8 weeks.  If her blood counts don't dip too low hopefully her this treatment will be done by March.  When her counts are low she requires blood transfusions and the treatment is delayed.  Her hair will start to fall out again and she will become more weak and nausious from the chemo.  She will have to go to the hospital probably every weekday.  The treatment started off again with the two VERY painful needles in the legs.  Lombard (sp?) punctures are a common occurence which I do believe they put her under for.  With this treatment they give her steroids as well that causes her to puff up.  The good news is that after this treatment she will be in a maintenance period for the next 18 months.  This will mean she will continue to be given a chemo pill orally at home and the hospital trips will probably be about 4 times a month.
When I last talked to my brother he had mentioned the cancer was considered stage 3 as it was in more than one spot.  The mass behind her lung has shrunk considerably if not gone completely and there may be only one little spot left on one of her kidney's.
The fundraising has been a success.  So far I have raised approximatley $2000.  I sent them a $500 visa card shortly before Christmas and I have another $500 money order on the way in the mail.  Stephanie's maternity leave will end at the end of June and they have decided she would stay home another 6 months on short term disability.  They are very appreciative of the money and are amazed at everyone's kindness and generousity.

Thanks again for all the help

Dianna & Tyler

Lap quilt winner

Carolyn Malcolm is the lucky winner of the lap quilt! Selling the tickets raised $350! With the bottle drive,craft sale,online yardsale and cash donations we are over $1200! I've decided to set a goal of $2000. 


Sophie is still in an aggressive stage of treatment where she has to go to the hospital everyday. There have been the odd complication where she had to stay overnight for about a week due to a fever. Blood transfusions are going to be common as her good blood cells deplete. Spinal taps are also a common occurence in her treatment. I believe December will be a maintenance period where her treatment won't be so aggressive. Apparently the treatment comes in stages of varying aggressiveness and this first one wasn't even the worst. So it's the little things we have to appreciate and that's what I'm trying to take away from this whole situation.

PS I am still accepting any bottles/cans for the bottle drive. This will be ongoing for as long as Sophie is sick.

Halloween Buckets massage winner

I forgot to let everyone know that purchased Halloween buckets who won the massage.  The lucky winner was Jill Lauay!!

Lap quilt

From November 3rd to the 30th friends and family can purchase tickets for a chance to win a handmade lap quilt donated by Sandi Bakka, a friend of my Aunt Dedrha.  Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.  All proceeds will be donated to my brother and sister in law to help their daugther Sophie's fight against cancer.  The lap quilt is 59 inches long and 39 inches wide.  This quilt is the perfect companion to a good book and a warm fire.  It would make a great Christmas gift.

Thank you for the support and good luck in the draw!

Round 2 and 3 of bottles

Hi again everyone.
I just wanted to let you know that we have made two more trips to the bottle depot. One visit we made $90 and the second visit we made $130. With the money from the bottles, money we raised from a Halloween craft sale and cash donations we are over $500 so far!!

This weekend Sophie was able to enjoy Halloween for a bit on Sunday. She was dressed up as a pirate. The Friday before she ended up being in the hospital all day as her hemoglobin was extremely low and had to have a blood tranfusion. At least with Halloween she had something to look forward too and be excited about.

Thank you all for your support.

Round 1 of bottles

On Saturday Ty and I did our first round of bottles at the depot and we got back $130!!!  Hopefully we'll collect more bottles this week.  Every little bit helps as after talking to my mother she said that Sophie has to go to the hospital everyday this week.  Each time they go to the hospital it costs $1.50 just for the bridge.  With gas and parking it'll add up quickly.  Unfortunately Sophie is starting to show the effects of the chemo and medication.  Her hair is starting to fall out and her cheeks are puffy from the steroids she has to take.  Poor thing.
That's all for now.

Buckets for Sophie

My friend Andrea is making and selling these Halloween treat buckets to help raise funds for Sophie and family. They are $7 each in a variety of colors and characters. $5 from each bucket will be going to my brother Andrew and his wife Stephanie to help cover costs of Sophie's treatment.  The other $2 will go to cover materials.  Order early!  Please email me at dianna.eastcoastgirl@gmail.com with your orders.  For each bucket you buy your name is entered into a draw to win a half hour massage.

Thank you,

Dianna & Tyler