Chemo begins today.Today at 5pm Rachel will begin her first round of Chemotherapy. It's crazy to think that on Saturday morning she was running around digging and spiking at Volleyball camp.
Yesterday Rachel was given a dose of chemo in her spinal column, and tonight she will be hooked up to an IV drip that takes around 10 hours for the medicine to be administered.
Thanks to Karen Wynn who stopped by to french braid Rachel's hair. Her hair looks beautiful and it helped take her mind off of things.
We will continue to keep you updated as to how the chemo is going- we will be waiting for the results of her bone marrow biopsy for the next day or two.
Rachel- I wanted to send a quick note letting you know that we have been thinking about you and praying for you. Mike's Dad was diagnosed with the same type of Lukemia back in September 2008. He ended up having a Bone Marrow Transplant in January 2009 and has been in remission for over a year. They did genetic testing and determined he had M2 AML. Please let me know if you have any questions and I can ask my fater-in-law. We really want to come and visit but Caleb is sick and dont want to risk anything. We love you very much and will keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Pam, Mike, Kade & Caleb
Rachel..
ReplyDeleteI would really love to come and see you.
You know I am horrible with directions.
Today, Lori and Karen told me how.
So if you are ok to have visitors, I will try to come
very soon.
I can't wait to see you!
Hang in there!
Love, Chiaki
Rachel-
ReplyDeleteThe braids look good!! Love ya!
Lori
Hey Rachel keep up the good work. We are all praying and cheering you on. I know when I am not feeling well a little joke or funny can be nice.... so here I go.
ReplyDeleteThere's two muffins in the oven.
One says "Man! Its burning up in here!"
The other one says "Hey look! A talking Muffin!!!"
Rachel ! How you been ? Dude ima pray real hard for you ! I miss you and your family! Well im gonna stay updated on yr blog spot yeahh? Thanx for being such an awesome pal...
ReplyDeletexo
Haileyy
Rachel! I could not believe the news when I heard. My roommate from college has a 4 year old who was diagnosed with the same leukemia just a few months ago. (Their names are Amanda (mom) and Millie Flamm, watch for them!) Her chemotherapy is going great, so you are in good hands! I wish I could be there in person to offer support, but know that our hearts and minds are with you as you face this challenge.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Missy, Ben and Adelaide
Rach babe!!!
ReplyDeletegotta say, you looked BEAUTIFUL today!! :) I'm sorry I couldn't stay long, but I'll be back on Friday accompanied by Andrea and Lindsay, which should be fun :) I love you girl!
Shel
Rachel!
ReplyDeleteHello my friend! So last week Chelsea K, Samantha, Jessica, and I were watchin videos from girls camp and young womens... and we were all laughing and talking about how much we love you and how hilarious you are. We're all praying and cheering for you, one hundred percent! :)
Thanks for always brightening my day and making me laugh. You are a blessing and example to me and many others and I am grateful for you! Sure love you!
as a wise wrestler once said:
Hug hug, kiss kiss, hug hug, big kiss, little hug, kiss kiss, little kiss,
Carissa
Hi Rachel! Just wanted to let you know we love you & are praying for you! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am IN on this ... I don't know you personally but know of you through friends ... you're going to do great. I just know this. I had cancer 13 years ago and have done well and know you will too. Hang on to that thought ... and those prayers and friendships and the goodnesses that are coming your way and be so grateful ... you will be forever affected by the goodness of others ... for the rest of your (long) life you'll think of this time of goodness and actually feel grateful. I don't know you but I love you and pray the very best of circumstances during this very annoying time ... you'll get through it with flying colors!! XO Gail Berry, Highland UT
ReplyDeleteLove you Rachel!!!
ReplyDeleteFYI I ordered wristbands- they'll be here at the end of June :)
ReplyDeleteI love you Rachel! Muah!!! (big kiss on the cheek!) Oh and I was just thinking about your lovely paintings and how fun it was to see them up at your school last year. Looking forward to more :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your 1st round went well. We know too well how you can be living a completely normal life and then a couple days later you're getting a chemo drip. You will be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
(I was just told about your blog by another great friend, your cousin Missy. She was my roommate at USU)
Camp just won't be the same without you patting me on the head. We love you and are praying for you. You are one of my favorite BRATS!
ReplyDeleteRachel, You were asleep yesterday when I had the opportunity of meeting your wonderful parents. They are so strong. Though I have not met you through all that I have read and seen I know that you are a fighter. You just stick with it and keep that strong spirit to fight as hard as you can. You don't know me, my name is Lacey Abbott. My oldest daughter Taylie (4) was diagnosed with AML in August of 2009. She just finished her treatment in March of this year. She is in REMISSION!!! She is the cutest little girl, full of spunk and life. Ask any of the nurses and they will agree. She was a friend to all. Her will to fight is what made her get through tough times. I wish you could have been able to see her yesterday. Together my Taylie and our whole family put a goal in mind to Kick her Cancers Butt! She did it, we did it together. Chin up sister, you will too. You have so much support behind you. What a darling person you are. We now are on a monthly check up schedule in Out-Patient Clinic. So we will be stopping in to see you if that is okay! Can't wait to meet you. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you, anything at all. Stay Strong!!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI wish I were there creating posts instead of home in Colorado sending a comment:(
I am glad I can send this comment to you, just to let you know how beautiful you look! I am glad you got that first day of chemo behind you!Keep that chin up! All will be well, You have more support than the nurses know how to handle!! Those sweet nurses just let everyone in! I know that is good for you!
Whether your room is full of people or you are just there with your dad pay attention to the sweet Spirit that is there with you!
You CAN do this Rachel, I know you can.
When times are tough for me I go to this scripture:
"...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88
He will always be there, even on a quite day when your room isn't packed with friends and family. The Lord will be your very best friend.
I love you and your family so very much. I am grateful to have been given your friendship in my life. I hope I can bring you a little bit of what you all have given to me over the years!
Much love from Colorado Springs
love ya, Shelley (sorry this comes up as The Cake Lady:( don't know how to change that!!
Nothing better than getting your hair done! :) Good luck Rachel and know that the White Family loves you and is praying for you! You are so amazing, you're still making people smile and laugh even in with the craziness going on for you!
ReplyDeleteRachel I don't know if you remember me, but your cousin Nicole is my best friend. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers!! I can already tell that you are a fighter and you are in inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteRachel - we love you! Alisha is missing you while she is away and wishes she could visit again. Soon, I promise. You are on our minds constantly and in our prayers. Keep smiling and hugging your mom!
ReplyDeleteThe braids look beautiful! Nothing like a great hairdo to make you feel like you can conquer the world! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteJen Gibson
We love the idea of "SteeleStrong" wristbands. Karen, if we can get some from you we would be happy to pay for them. What a great way for all of us to remember Rachel in our prayers and have her in our thoughts each day. Rachel, you have touched so many lives. I was telling your mom how amazing you must be to impact so many people. "Go Rachel".
ReplyDeleteDale and Caren Martinez