Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Monday, December 15, 2008

Phase 2 Complete!






Sorry I have not posted in a while. We had family Christmas over the weekend.

Bella completed her second phase of treatment today, we are on to interim maintenance which will involve intervenious chemo every 10 days and a spinal tap every 4 weeks. We have 2 months of this before we go on to the next phase which repeats the first month of treatment. Bella did great today and has been in a sweet fun mood all day. Upon coming home from clinic, she received a package in the mail from our friends, the Wheelers! Thank you Lindsey, Chris and Eliana...this was a wonderful gift for Bella and one she will treasure always. It's a wonderful reminder that our hope is Jesus.

As you can see from the pics, Bella is maintaing keeping her hair. She has lost a 1/3 of it, but it has just thinned out, not fallen out in clumps. Some children hold on to their hair longer than others, another wonderful blessing from God.

Sweet little Abby continues to need prayer as well as her family, she is back in the hospital. We are also asking for prayer for our friend Hannah who is fighting Rhabdo, she too is back in the hospital.

I so appreciate you checking in and hope to post wonderful pics soon with more good news on the chica.

Blessings to all, Susie

27 comments:

Chris and Lindsey Wheeler said...

We love you guys....and are continuing to pray and HOPE with you!!

Anonymous said...

awwwwwww Bella looks soooo good!!!! I love the pic on the couch!! What a great looking family you have!

hugs,Leslie

nikki said...

So glad today's chemo went well. I always think of you guys every Monday knowing that it is Bella's clinic day.
I will add Hannah to my prayer list. It was Rabdomayosarcoma, that I was treated for also.

Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

Just found your blog...I will be praying for Bella. I, too, have a little girl from Guatemala and unfortunately know the pain of losing a child. My oldest son died at the age of nine months.

I just wanted you to know your button is going up on my blog and my heart-felt prayers are with you.

Blessings,
Sandy

Gail said...

YAY!!! Phase 2 is done!!
I noticed the "Hope" gift in the picture. What an awesome reminder.

Alex and Sam said...

what a beautiful family pic... continued prayers coming your way

alex

Kara said...

Hair or no hair Bella is just beautiful. Glad to hear she had a "good" day.
Best wishes,
Kara
www.hanksadoption.blogspot.com

Vanessa said...

Congrats on the completetion on Phase 2!! I'm continuing to stand with you in prayer!!

The Adoption Journey of Baby King said...

So glad to hear Bella is doing better and another phase out of the way. Your family is adorable and you are truely blessed. Prayers still going out for everyone. I hope your family has a blessed and happy Holiday.

Susie said...

Praise God! It seems like it was only yesterday that you got the diagnosis--it's so hard to believe that the first two phases are complete. I'm so glad that Bella gets somewhat of a break. It will be wonderful to have your sweet girl being herself for awhile. Praying that Bella does well during this next phase.

Mary Ann said...

I am so happy to hear good news with Bella! Just hearing she is having a good day is a blessing! And God knew how hard of a time you were having with loosing her hair so praise God for the little extra time with it!

Joe and Erin said...

Can't wait to see my little Guatemalan princess again! It's been so long!!! She looks too cute Sus! We love you!

AMY, ROB, JAY, DREW & EMMA said...

I don't always find time to post but I do check your site all the time. I am so happy she is doing so well! She looks beautiful. Please know you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

((((HUGS)))
Amy

Robyn said...

I'm glad Bella's second round of treatment is over. I am continuing the prayers for her!!

Cheri said...

It was awesome hearing your voice today and you actually sounded RESTED! I love and miss you! Cheri

Stacy said...

So glad to hear Bella is doing well! I wish you could hear our Easton(3 year old) pray for Bella, it is so cute, and he does it morning, noon, dinnertime, and bedtime~"hewp Bewah's bones feew betto!"(help Bella's bones feel better!) Blessings to you this Christmas,
Love the VanderZwaags

The gFamily said...

So glad to see a new pics of Bella! She looks great! We continue to pray for Bella everyday and believe!!

The gFamily said...

Oh, and the house is coming along pretty well! They painted the walls today. You are so thoughtful to ask!

David and Marianne said...

Praising God for continued success and completion of this long process. She looks great! And I'm so glad she still has a lot of her hair.

Heidi Sue said...

Hi, Susie... I've read sections of your journey over the course of the last couple of days. Wow. Bella is beautiful and your faith is beautiful.

A friend of yours, Jeralyn, heard about my story (my daughter went through cancer treatments at DeVos when she was 3-6 months old) and connected me with your story.

It looks from your blog like you have amazing support. I'm glad to be joining that web of support through your blog and, although my journey with my daughter's cancer was so much shorter and not layered with the wonderful mystery of adoption, I would be happy to be a listening ear any time.

Praying for you and eager to see each new update.

The M. Herndon Family said...

Glad to see Bella looking so good. Totally no big deal, but I was wondering if you ever got my package with the Broviac holders? If not, I can send you some more. Let me know! micheleherndon@charter.net

:)Michele

Pineapple Princess said...

Yea! Phase two is complete! Bella looks wonderful! I love seeing new pictures.

I wonder if the little hat with the "B" fit her?

Believing and praying every day!

Mama Bear said...

Thank you for updating us. We were so wondering how things were going. You and your family are in our prayers, Hugs, Rhonda

Jesse, James and Lindsey's mom said...

We have never met but I want you to know I am praying for your precious daughter. May God keep all of you close now.
Kathy

Courtney said...

Sorry I have been out of touch. Still checking your blog. We are waiting for the storm to hit.I can't wait to play in the snow :)
Enjoy the holidays. Kiss Bella for me. Courtney

Jennifer (Kids Cancer Crusade) said...

I found my way over here from Faithful Froggers. I just wanted to write to let you know I'm thinking of your family and praying that you have a blessed Christmas together.

The gFamily said...

Just popping in again to say that we have been praying so much for Bella!!

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!