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April 9, 2005 -- So much has been happening, I thought I'd update before Katie's next clinic visit on the 19th. All is well!! We've almost made it through another month OT!! Katie's energy level continues to increase and she's been acting like a regular kid again!!! Katie looks great despite the rash on her face and head. Another child, who went off-treatment just a couple of weeks before Katie, has the same rash. We're going to try some of the things her mom is doing for her. I hope it works. Katie's OT party Shortly after my last update, the KISSES FOR KYLE FOUNDATION celebrated Katie going OT by throwing her the "funnest celebration party ever!!!" Katie invited her cousins and neighborhood friends. There was music, singing and dancing, face painting, balloon animals, pottery painting, pizza and THE best spread of food donated by CATER TO YOU. At the party, we announced that part of the proceeds for the Katie's cookbook will go to KISSES FOR KYLE FOUNDATION. Sharon and Bob founded the KISSES FOR KYLE FOUNDATION in memory of their son, Kyle, who lost his battle with ALL. They were very surprised and thrilled that we were doing this to help their foundation. (KISSES FOR KYLE FOUNDATION provides financial assistance to families with children going through cancer treatment, and provides gifts to the children on the oncology floor at CHOP.) Katie's Cookbook project SOARS!! We have MANY famous chefs, restaurants and national food companies donating recipes to help with Katie's cookbook. The response we have so far is amazing!! Each day that I check my email, we have another restaurant or chefs from somewhere around the country, sending us recipes! Katie is SO excited!! Katie has been invited to cook lunch with Stefano at "Stefano's Ristorante Italiano" in Huntingdon Valley, on Wednesday, April 13. She is really looking forward to being a chef for the day!!! From what I hear, there may be some media coverage. If so, I will let everyone know where and when. OT support group for parents The constant worry about Katie relapsing, what late-effects will hit her, and the threat of secondary cancers from all the chemo still plagues John and I. I doubt it will ever go away. I can say, for myself at least, it is getting better as each day goes by and I see Katie running, playing and smiling like she did before she had leukemia. John and I went to the first monthly OT support group for parents of kids newly off cancer treatment, at the Specialty Care Center. It was very comforting to hear that others are going through and feeling the same things we are. We are looking forward to the upcoming meetings (first Wednesday of each month). Family cooking day at GILDA'S CLUB Katie had a blast with her cooking class today at GILDA'S CLUB. They made lady bugs (apples, peanut butter and raisins), ants on a log (celery with cream cheese and raisins) and ambrosia. Kyle wouldn't sit still, so he played in the playground and Noogieland before falling asleep in one of the meeting rooms. It was a very nice family event!!! Katie's shops benefit GILDA'S CLUB Katie has some online shops where she sells apparel and gift items celebrating life, hope and cancer survivorship. For the past seven months two of the shops (Cure Childhood Cancer & Katie's Wish) have raised over $150 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thank you to everyone who has purchased from her shops!!! For the spring, we have added some new shops (which are still in development), and have new designs for the Katie's Wish Shop. Starting April 5, 2005, proceeds from all of Katie's shops will go to GILDA'S CLUB DELAWARE VALLEY. We are very excited to be doing some fundraising for this wonderful organization. GILDA'S CLUB has been a source of support and fun for our family, as well as many other families and individuals in our area who have been affected by cancer. Thank you for everyone's support in our ventures and for your unending prayers for Katie's return to good health!! |
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