Update on Peyton

Peyton is doing great.  Everything with her eye seems to be fine.  No complaints from her so all is good.  We are stilll waiting on the pathology report and are hopeful to hear some news early next week.

Peyton will be going back to school on Monday.  We are going to bling out some patches for her to wear while she is at school.

Peyton will see Dr. Varenhorst on March 16th to see if  everything has healed correctly.  Then on March 19th we will head to Denver for Peyton's appointment with Walter Johnson, the Ocularist, at Denver Optic.  We have seen first hand the amazing work he does and wanted to make sure that we sent Peyton to the very best.  If you are interest the about the process, his website is www.denveroptic.com.

I will try to be better about updating everyone on the good news, not just the bad.  I have hoped one day of turning this blog into "Funny things my Kid says".  She is full of great material.  I need to start writing them down, so I can share all of her wisdom with the world.

Thanks for all your prayers and support throughout all of this.  We couldn't make it without all of you.

With Love,

Ang

Peyton made it

Peyton's surgery went great.  Dr. Shields said the tissue and socket looked great.  It is a 6 week recovery.  Then we meet with Dr. Varenhorst at home and find a ocularist to paint Peyton a beautiful new eye.

As I type this, Peyton is sleeping off the Morphine.  Every once in a while she pops up with a witty remark about a conversation Grandma and I are having.    This girl never misses a beat.

We are headed home tomorrow on the 6 am flight.  We should be home in time to have lunch in Wichita. 

I am in a much more settled state.  I can now say the Peyton is truly CANCER FREE!  I know that in the coming days there made be some very hard questions.  I may have some of my own, but I am in a peaceful place.  I can tell Peyton that we all fought for her beautiful eye, but God has a bigger plan for her.

Please continue your prayers for sweet little P.  She is braver and wiser than any 5 year should ever have to be, but all of your thoughts and prayers will continue to guide her.

Love to all of my great prayer warriors.  I could not have done this without all of you.


Ang

Peyton is Amazing

So I finally found the words.  I told Peyton that she was going to have surgery tomorrow and that she would wake up with a big patch over her left eye.  She asked just to make sure that is wasn't going to be on the eye she could she out of.  Once I reassured her that is was the other eye that she couldn't see out of everything was great.  She asked if she would have to go to school with the patch.  I told her that we would be out of school for a while, but we could go talk to her class. 

Basically, the conversation ended with "after surgery can I have whatever I want to eat?" 

Everyone said this would be harder on us.  Guess that is the truth.

Relieved for a minute in Philly.

Ang

How do you say it

We spent the day doing Peyton things.  The hotel has an indoor pool so we swam a little.  She also wanted to get outside and explore Philly.  We walked to Washington Park where the tomb of the unknown soldier is laid.  Thought we would make the extra few blocks to the Liberty Bell, but Peyton was done with all the walking. 

We made it to one of her favorite eating places, Cosi.  She downed a banana parfait, a banana, and fruit cup.  Tried to get a peanut butter and jelly in her, but no luck.  Maybe tonight there will be another swimming session.  Who knows.  It is Peyton's day. 

As I sit here in the hotel.  My thoughts keep drifting to how in the world I will ever find the words to explain to Peyton what is happening tomorrow.  She knows that she is having surgery again tomorrow, but HOW do I tell her.

I sit here and mourn her beautiful blue eye.  The ONE I gave her.  The special Gilllaspie Blue that changes the color of blue based on what color she is wearing.  I know in my heart that this means that CANCER is completely gone.  Her journey to recovery will be smoother.  All the trips to Philly will come less often.  But her beautiful Blue Gillaspie eye. 

What are the words?  How do I ever begin to explain?  I know that God will give me the strenght.  He will give me the words.  I just keep thinking How can I be the strong one?  She needs me more than ever to be. 

The words that have not come yet without tears. 

Peyton's Surgery is scheduled for 10:15 tomorrow.  It should take a little over an hour.  I will keep the blog updated as time allows. 

Please continue to pray for my sweet angel.  Her new story is just beginning.

With a worry heart and a racing mind,

Ang

We Lost the War

Today's visit brought some very unexpected news.  Peyton has developed a cataract in her left eye (the bad eye) which makes it hard to see if there is any tumor regrowth.  Dr. Shields explained that since the Peyton since Peyton had no vision in the eye the risk of removing the cataract was greater than the reward. 

We had the very difficult decision made for us.  Dr.  Shields said the only option was to remove the eye.  Peyton has been scheduled for the enucleation on Friday here in Philly with Dr. Shields.

Please pray for Peyton.  Please pray that she understands why all of this is happening.  Please pray for Rich and I.  We will be needing all the strength we can get through this time.  Explaining all of this will be one of the toughest things we will ever have to do.

Bummed out in Philly,

Ang, Peyton and Grandma EE

And the waiting begins or continues

Here we sit at Will's Eye, waiting.  Peyton's appointment was scheduled at 11:45.  It is 12:30 here and we are still waiting.  I guess I should be happy that the "I'm hungries!" haven't started.

We met a family from Kentucky that has been battling RB since their daughter was 5 months old.  She is now 3 and in her second round of IAC.  They waited for almost 2 hours past their appointment time to be called back.  YUCK!!!!!

As I hear their story and the story of many others facing the long road that is RB.  I have to stop and remember to count my blessings.  We have been blesses to date that only one eye has been affected.  We have been blessed to date with no relapse. 

So we sit here and wait.  Sit and hope.  Hope for continued good news for all the family affected by the terrible cancer.


Just waiting,

Ang

Back in Philly

We made it with no delays.  This may be a first.  

Peyton's appointment is at 11:45 am tomorrow.  I am hopefully that we can get her to sleep in and not have to fight the hungries in the morning.  Here is to hoping anyway.

All Peyton wants to do is going swimming.  That will probably be a Thursday event.

So glad to have made it here and praying for a good report tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who is praying for us in this journey.  We couldn't do it without you.

Angie

Headed to Philly

So it has been forever since we have updated all of you.  It seems like life gets busier by the second. 

Peyton and I are headed back to Philly for her checkup.  I will keep you all posted on the results.

Please prayer for my sweet little girl. 

Thanks a bunch,

Angie