Today has been a rough one, not on the information front (we don't have anything new) but the mama bear front.. Georgia literally cries every time she sees nurses or doctors. First thing this morning was a blood draw, her IV was shot so they took it out and attempted unsuccessfully FOUR times to get a new one in. I read recently that at Georgia's age she understands communication mostly through tone so I am focused on keeping a calm tone while watching these people hold her down and poke her with needles when all I want to do.. all I have wanted to do since we arrived is wrap her up and RUN out of here. I know this is an amazing hospital with world class doctors and nurses, I know we are lucky to live here and be able to get the kind of care that people travel far and wide from to get but it really doesn't feel that way.
Every morning I wake up and think.. how are we here.. this is not my life, not her life.. I did my cancer "stint" with my mom and think that I more than filled my quota. Regardless of that I will be here every second with Georgia because although Brian and I are going through this with her we aren't the ones who are examined, poked and uncomfortable. Georgia is my heart, soul and everything in between.
Thank you for sending emails and facebook posts.. today when I thought I might lose my mind I was able to get on the computer and read such kind words from so many people who care about and are praying for our girl

You tell 'em G!

Today was another waiting game that ended much where the day began.. no real new information. Georgia was closely monitored today by both the oncology and orthopedic teams.. checking her bandages and keeping a close eye on a fever that spiked yesterday. The fever is concerning because it is coupled with a higher white blood cell count - could mean infection, could mean that she just had surgery.. because of this she started the day with another blood draw and they will continue to be very watchful.
The hope was that pathology would have some sort of preliminary result for us by tonight but that didn't happen.. as our oncologist said she wishes she could tell us something but wants to be certain she is telling us the right thing.. so far Georgia's test have puzzled everyone.
I am happy to report that by this evening she was acting pretty much like her old self.. chatting, we got a few smiles and in classic Georgia form was chewing on her IV cords, leg splint and pulled off her blood oxygen monitor. I think the best was when the oncologist came in to give us her (non) update, Georgia was sitting next to me in bed, looked up at her, stuck out her tongue and blew a big raspberry.. you tell 'em G!
There is a chance we'll have results tomorrow but if not than it looks like Monday, regardless we have been told that we'll be here at least until late next week.
I am going to start posting updates on our blog that is open for anyone to see.. I will say though, keep sending your emails, texts, facebook posts because they really help - when things are as scary as they are right now it is comforting to read through such kind words and know that so many wonderful people are pulling for our girl.

http://handsakerfamilyblog.blogspot.com/

We can't thank you enough for all of your support,

Alison, Brian and Georgia

My baby girl needs some prayers

Below is an email that I sent out yesterday evening, we have been rocked to the core, are still waiting for answers and know that our baby girl is a fighter and will get through this with us behind her every second.. that along with the prayers and well wishes from so many people we will make this part of our past.

To some I am sending this with updated information, to others this is the first of hearing it but all of you are important people in our lives and we need your support now.
Last week we noticed that Georgia's knee was bothering her, Monday we saw her doctor and thought it was just a pulled muscle but came to Children's hospital to get an xray to rule out something like a hairline fracture. The radiologist instead found what was either an infection or a tumor and sent us straight over to the ER to get further testing done. I was blown away thinking I was going to just be sent home to ice her knee.
After arriving in the ER more tests were done and they ruled out the possibility of infection which left us with a tumor. All of a sudden people were throwing around words like "the oncology team" and "cancer". Needless to say we absolutely could not believe what we were hearing. Later that night we were admitted to Children's. Yesterday Georgia has a CT scan and an MRI to get a better look at what has been called a large tumor on her femur (just above her knee).. there also appears to be a hole in the bone. From those tests we went from "if" cancer to "what kind" so today she had surgery to biopsy the tumor and also take bone marrow as well as a skin biopsy as they think the rash she has been dealing with might be tied into all of this. They said that the surgery went well but it will still be a few days before we know what we are dealing with but it is a malignant tumor.. not the news we were hoping for.
We have an orthopedic team, a oncology team and a few other docs in between. I still can't comprehend that we are on the SCCA floor of Children's. It is hard to try and figure out what she might have because one doc is somewhat certain it is one thing than another is certain it is something else.. not matter what it is we were told last night by an oncology doctor that we WILL deal with this and make this a part of Georgia's past. After our latest meeting with the oncologist she said that they are about 99.9% sure this is malignant and will require some sort of chemotherapy (and or radiation) and likely another surgery.
Our feisty girl in true fashion is mad as hell when they check her vital signs, take her blood or really when she sees anyone in blue scrubs. Today after surgery the recovery room called our nurse to have me come and calm her down because she was so mad when she woke up.. they tried to give her a bottle and first she turned her nose up at it.. on the second try she took it and threw it on the floor! It is going to be this spirit - the one that we saw right from birth that is going to get her through this.
We need and so appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers and that you are all so willing to help. Right now we are waiting for more answers and making it through the day .. right now the best thing that all of you can do is to continue to send love, prayers and positive thoughts to Georgia.
i will send updates as we have them, hope to know more in the next couple of days.

Love,
Alison, Brian & Georgia

Peas Please..

Ahh the joys of parenting.. we have a rash, allergies and now a swollen knee! We noticed that Georgia's knee was bothering her and that she wasn't using it normally when she crawled, on further investigation we saw that it was swollen. After talking with her doctor the thought was to ice it over the weekend and see where we're at next week... Georgia was a trooper and kept the frozen peas on for a good five minutes so hopefully we'll be back to normal in no time!

What is wrapped up in this towel?

Peas?

Come on mom, I can't take it straight to the knee

Afternoon outing

This afternoon Georgia and I headed down town for a little fun and a little culture. First we hit up a photo booth and took some pictures.. Georgia was a bit confused in the little booth when the lights came on and the screen in front of her lit up with us in it then started flashing.. at least we got one smile! After that we went to the SAM Gallery to check our some artwork of a friend - very impressive Barry, we loved seeing your work!

Grocery Store Girlfriend

Today Georgia and I were out running errands and made a much needed trip to Trader Joe's.. we were pleasantly surprised to see our friends Meredith and Charlotte there.. they made grocery shopping fun! Here are the girls comparing shopping notes..

Happy Anniversary!

Today was a big day.. Brian and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary and Bawdy had an ablation which is a form of heart surgery. Thankfully we are happy to report that Jim made it through surgery and is doing well!

Brian and I typically ask each other (usually last minute) if we're doing gifts for each other.. yesterday I said something to the effect of I hope you like your gift.. his response, "what? we're doing gifts?" I just smiled and thought surely he'll at least get me a card and flowers. After visiting his dad in the hospital he came home just in time to pop some champagne and get in the shower.. I had his gift and card on the table. He said, "well, here's your gift.. sorry it was last minute" .. it was a six pack of Redhook (my favorite beer) and flowers. I looked at the six pack, swallowed and thought I will tell him tomorrow how unhappy this makes me. A few minutes later he came in the kitchen and said "look what I found" it was a big gift bag.. inside I found a really sweet card and a beautiful bracelet... YES, he REMEMBERED!!! We had a really fun dinner at Zoe reliving the past three anniversaries and lots of memories. It was the first time in over a year that I wore a dress and heels.. I felt like a grown up.. a really tall grown up. Thanks to Nana for babysitting, we had a great time!

Leaving for dinner