Home Sick Again

Kerstin stayed home sick again today. She was lethargic, no appetite, and just didn't look good. The about mid-morning she got sick to her stomach. She was not happy about missing another day of school, but we knew we had to keep her home. We contacted the clinic about her nausea (and four day headache). They advised us to take her off her meds for a few days to see if that helps. It all seems like trial and error. After a long nap she seemed to feel a lot better. She even ate TWO pieces of pizza for supper and looks to have plenty of energy. We're ready for the weekend and some R and R.

Just A Reminder

We've been having beautiful weather the past couple of days, so the kids have been spending a lot of time outside playing. Kerstin, of course, has to keep up with everyone else. After going to the park with Annie and playing with Jeff in the back yard this morning, Kerstin started complaining of a stomach ache, and she looked wiped out. She didn't have any appetite and really didn't seem herself. We ended up keeping her home from kindergarten where she slept most of the afternoon. Even though she is looking like any other cancer-free six year old (minus some hair), I guess it's just a reminder of the disease and chemo that is going on inside of her. No complaints though. We still count our blessings everyday.

Kerstin is 6!

It was a fun and busy day for the Leaf family! Kerstin turned 6 today! Actually, she isn't officially 6 until 11:58 tonight. She was 2 minutes away from being a Leap Year baby.

Annie made Kerstin a Barbie doll cake. Thanks for the idea, Sharon! She made one for McKinsey on her 4th birthday. Now she remembers why she waited 5 years to make another one! All I can say is you need LOTS of frosting! Kerstin and McKinsey were very pleased with how it turned out. We had cake tonight for our bedtime snack. Yummy!

Kerstin got to visit her friends at Annette's house this morning. We brought doughnuts to help celebrate. It was fun to see all the kids having a ball together again. Kerstin especially liked holding baby Porter. She loves babies. She told me that she likes babies the best when they are "real." She even got to feed him a bottle. I am sure he was ready for a nice nap by the time we left.


Of course birthdays are extra special when you are a kindergartener. Her friends made her a birthday book and she got to wear a birthday hat and sticker all day.

Kerstin opened a few gifts tonight. Her favorite was a toy electric guitar from her sister and parents. It even came with a built-in microphone. We were treated with quite a concert tonight. I am sure that there will be many more to come. Tickets anyone???

We can certainly count our blessings today and every day. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to celebrate the big and little things in life.

Wonderful Weekend

We have had lots of company lately, and we are loving it! Annie's cousin, Todd, got married at Sheridan this weekend. Uncle Brian, Brenna, Grandma Clarice and Grandpa Gene were able to come and stay at our house. We also got to chat with many other aunts, uncles, and cousins at the wedding. It was so nice to see everyone. Best wishes to the happy couple.

Brenna, and the girls got in quite a bit of play time in the new basement this weekend. They played house, polly pockets and prom (Yep, prom is a new one for me, too. It involves pretty dresses and Uncle Brian with a bow tie). Kerstin continues to feel great. She went in for lab work and a check up on Thursday. Her ANC is over 1,200 and everything looks great. Dr. G is very pleased with her progress, and we are too! She is taking her meds like a pro. Kerstin is also very excited for her big 6th birthday on Tuesday! Thanks for checking in on us and have a blessed week!

Early Birthday

Kerstin's grandparents from Colorado will not be able to come back for Kerstin's "birth day", so they held an early party for her complete with presents and an ice cream cake.

Fever...

Dance fever that is. Grandma and Grandpa from the mountains showed up Sunday evening to stay for a few days. The girls were very excited to have a new audience for their dance routines. The grandparents got quite a show.

Kerstin continues to stay healthy. We still get very nervous when someone coughs or sneezes around her. Her doctor has also cleared her to travel, so we are trying to make plans for spring break in March.

As Kerstin remains healthy, are thoughts and prayers are with all of our new friends who are fighting secondary illnesses in addition to their primary cancers. Please say a special prayer for them and all those who need the extra attention.

Thanks for checking in on us and we hope you have a blessed week.

Uncle Brian

Things kind of slowed down after Valentine's Day. The weather got really cold (single digits and below zero), so we basically just hibernated when the girls weren't in school.

Saturday Kerstin had the idea of going out to breakfast, so we bundled everyone up and headed to Perkins for "brunch". We braved the cold weather and the crowds and did some shopping after we ate. That afternoon Kerstin's Uncle Brian stopped by to play. He was actually in town to see his girlfriend, but knew he would be in trouble with the girls if he didn't come see them. They had a fun time using Uncle Brian as an indoor gymnasium.

Valentines Day

Kerstin had a great time at her Kindergarten Valentine's Day party. Her dad was also able to be at the party to help with the kids and read a story. See more pictures by clicking on the title "Valentines Day".

Spinoza Bear

Kerstin received a Spinoza Bear over the weekend. This is a great addition to her collection because this bear actually has a tape player built in and comes with several Spinoza audio tapes. She can also play regular music tapes in it as well. Thanks again Faye. If you would like more information on the Spinoza Bear, go to www.spinozabear.com .

Back to Gymnastics

Kerstin was thrilled to go back to gymnastics on Monday. It's great to see her getting back to a lot of her old activities. See more pictures of gymnastics by clicking on the title "Back to Gymnastics".

Visitors

We had visitors from the west today (Aurora, NE). Jeff's Aunt Shirley and Cousin Crystal made Kerstin and her sister each a blanket. Also pictured is Crysta's son Brian. Not pictured is Jeff's Uncle Max and Crystal's husband Jason. It was a very nice visit with some relatives that we haven't seen for quite a while.

Brownie Fun

McKinsey's Brownie troop got to celebrate a successful cookie sale by going to Paint Yourself Silly today. Kerstin and Annie got to got along to help supervise. This is a wonderful and generous troop. This group of girls sold popcorn for Kerstin a few months ago. We want to say a big "Thank you" to them for their kindness and generosity.

Kerstin continues to feel well and has been having a great time at school. She got to go to the lab at St. E's today for a finger poke(not fun in her book). Her ANC is 1558, right where they want it to be. Her hemoglobin and platelets were just fine, too. She will be able to continue with the same doses of her medicines she is currently taking.

Kerstin's friend, Abby is out of the hospital, but now has RSV. Another friend of ours from Children's, Hannah, is having surgery tomorrow to rid her body of her tumor. They are two very special little girls. Please add them to your prayers and visit their websites if you can. Tell them Kerstin sent you. www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahknudsen and www.caringbridge.org/visit/abbybridgewater . Thanks for your words of hope and encouragment.

Super Sunday!

Today was a Super Fun day (not just because of the football game!) Kerstin, McKinsey, and Annie got to go to Omaha for Abby's birthday party at Build-A-Bear. It was fun to see Hannah, Elissa, and Emma, too. It took Kerstin a while to get rid of a case of the "shy's", but we all had a very nice time. Thank you Bridgewaters, and Happy Birthday, Abby!

We were also able to visit our friends the Holsteins while we were in Omaha. Joshua, Jonah and the girls had lots of fun playing and even put on a little music show (with dinner, of course!) Thank you Holstein family!

It's back to school for all of us tomorrow. Have a super week! Keep all of our friends in your prayers, especially Hannah as she will have surgery on the 10th.

A great week

Kerstin enjoyed her first three days back at school. Today she didn't even need Mom to walk her to the front door. McKinsey and Kerstin helped Annie up at Cavett after school today. She goes back to work next week. Annie seems to be ready to get back at it. She misses her class and her teacher friends quite a bit. She is very happy to be going back only part time (in the afternoons while Kerstin is at school). Mrs. Adams did an awesome job the past few months and plans to continue to teach the fourth graders in the morning. What a blessing! Kerstin wasn't happy to find out that she doesn't get to go back to her favorite babysitter's house, but Mom sure is glad not to have to wake her up before 7:00 each day. School is wearing her out, and we are glad she can sleep in if she needs to. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, good thoughts, and encouraging messages. Know that we appreciate it all. Thanks for checking on us! Have a blessed weekend!

Back to School!

12:44 P.M. couldn't come soon enough today! After more than 3 months, Kerstin is thrilled to be back to school! Mrs. Swiatek brought special celebration treats for the whole class. The kids also made her a beautiful card. Annie got to spend a little while at school with Kerstin and her friends. They are such a caring group of kids! Kerstin felt a little bit like a celebrity today! She had a great day, and we are sure she will sleep well tonight! God has taken especially good care of our little girl!

Waffle Man Fund Raiser

The Cavett Elementary PTO put on a "Waffle Man" fund raiser for Kerstin tonight. It was a great time, and there was a huge turn out. It was really nice for Annie to see some of her students and fellow faculty members. Kerstin was only able to eat half her waffle, but she said the half she ate was pretty tasty. I think it was almost completely covered in whipped cream and strawberry syrup! We would like to say a big "Thank You" to all of the teachers, staff members, parents and students who helped with this event. The fourth graders did a fabulous job of keeping the tables cleaned and ready for the next dinner guests. Kerstin and McKinsey had an especially great time watching the many students perform during the talent show. Thanks also to everyone who came out to enjoy a delicious meal and premier entertainment. We feel richly blessed to have such wonderful support from our family, friends, and school community. 

Haircut

Kerstin actually has some new hairs coming in, so we decided she better get those long "fly-away" hairs trimmed up. 

Just To Say Thanks

We have nothing extra-ordinary to post today. We just wanted to take an opportunity to say thanks. It seems like our world moves so fast, and there are so many life altering events that catch our attention. Sometimes it's easy to forget about other peoples' situations unless it is in front of you every day. We have been fortunate not to have that happen with Kerstin. It's four months after her diagnosis now, and we are still blessed to have people (some we have never met before) still reaching out to us with offers to help in any way needed. So, to all of you who read this blog (and to all who don't as well), we just wanted to make sure you know that all of your prayers, well wishes, and gifts are greatly appreciated.

As for Kerstin, she is loving life without her central line and seems to be adjusting to her new chemo meds just fine. She is also very excited to be going back to school this Wednesday.

Thanks for checking in on her. We hope you all have a blessed week.

Park Time!

It was absolutely gorgeous out this afternoon. McKinsey and Kerstin and friends played at the park for a while after school today. They claimed that almost everyone pushed faster on the Merry-Go-Round than I (Annie) could. I just didn't want them to get sick! They also created a new sport by going "Slide surfing" down the little slides.

Kerstin continues to feel really good. She has been taking one of her new meds for a couple of days now. She starts another new one tonight, so we are praying for the best! Kerstin is still looking forward to going to school again on Wednesday! Kerstin and Annie spent a little bit of time at Cavett today helping Annie get ready to go back to her teaching job on February 6th. Thanks for checking on us! Keep praying for our friend, Abby. You can visit her website by going to www.caringbridge.org/visit/abbybridgewater 

No More Central Line!

We took Kerstin to Omaha this morning to the Oncology clinic. After some lab work, we got to go to the Pediatric surgery wing where the doctor removed her central line. Kerstin has been so excited to get rid of it, but was a bit worried about how it was going to get done. She did not realize that she was going to get a shot (she says 3 shots) to numb the area. The anticipation of the shot was much worse than the actual shot. It wasn't a very fun procedure for her, but she hung in there like a trooper! We are very proud of how tough she has been. We also met with Dr. G who outlined the plan for her Maintenance Therapy which began this evening. She will be taking a total of four different medications, all but one are in pill form. She will really be a pro at swallowing pills after this! We are hoping that the side effects of these drugs won't be as bad as the labels sound! She will get her blood checked every two weeks (at St. E's in Lincoln) and a check up by her doctor every 4 weeks (in Lincoln, too). This maintenance therapy will last for one year from today. We still will have to be careful and keep try to keep her from catching any major bugs, but we won't have to be as cautious as we were at first.
Grandpa Gordon and Grandma Joann were able to come to Lincoln for a little celebration. We went out to dinner and even had time to play a game of Fast Track. It was so nice to be able to spend some time with them. They hope to be able to stay longer next time.
Thanks for checking on us and for all of your encouraging messages!