Welcome to Marlinspike Hall, ancestral home of the Haddock Clan, the creation of Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
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Showing posts with label Aaron and Holly McRae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aaron and Holly McRae. Show all posts
a quick note to ask for good thoughts, vibes, prayers, and meditations for kate mcrae, her mom holly, dad aaron, brother and sister, will and olivia. kate began having seizures a few weeks ago, and instead of things improving, the seizures have become more frequent. they may be a result of the intensive radiation she received and that sent her into a remarkably long period of remission, or... cure. they may also be signs of a recurrence of her cancer. until now she's been doing remarkably well, balancing physical therapy and a triumphant return to school. she is again walking a tightrope...
It's been unfortunately eventful. In short after an ambulance ride we are in the ER awaiting a transfer to CHLA for admission. They are hoping to repeat her EEG tomorrow while inpatient and hopefully do her brain MRI. There is much going on. Much to ask and pray for. Join us. Not least of all that cancer will not be present. And that they can stop these seizures for good.
From Kate McRae's CaringBridge site, here is her mother Holly's update on the latest clean set of scans. Yes, 2 years post relapse, when her likelihood of survival was, honestly, nearly nonexistent, Kate goes marching on!
Kate's MRI was great, indicating no evidence of cancer! It was probably the most encouraging appointment we have had to date. Even good news has always been laced with the reality of heinous side effects. So after we gasp for air celebrating the clean, we simultaneously guard our hearts for the disappointing realities that may follow. But this was different. We spoke candidly about where we were, 2 years from relapse, and what that meant. And what the ugly treatment side effects meant for her now. Her Dr said the reality that she had survived 2 years post relapse, was incredible. Statistically that was few and fleeting. But he seemed even more surprised that she was thriving. I won't go into unneeded detail as some things we just keep close to our hearts, but he was positive. And hopeful. And then he ended with "now maybe I can say to a family that is not offered much in the way of statistical hope, BUT I know this little girl....." Oh thank you Jesus.. In the next few months we go back to tackling the issue of growth hormone and return to Houston for followups with her radiation oncologist and for a battery of neuro-cognitive tests. Praying for the same bit of impossible.
[T]here are days I fear losing sight of what God has done for Kate if I don't voice it. If I don't reflect on His provision in the past, and trust He will continue to carry us into the days ahead.
My reflection is due in part to the angst for the days ahead this week. First, Wednesday Kate will go in to see if her kidneys are strong enough to receive the current chemotherapy she is on. We opted to take it a month ago, despite guidelines against it. Two weeks ago, we didn't. And the drug was held. If her labs are not within parameters for her to get it this week, we will be forced to discuss the possibility of discontinuing this treatment.
I have spoke to various institutions and am so grateful for their kindness in helping us sort through the very limited treatment options for a recurrence of this disease. Our most likely option would be to stop all treatment and watch and see if new tumors arise. Exhilerating to think of her not being on treatment. And equally as overwhelming knowing the heavy risk involved.
Which brings us to the MRI. We have opted to move it to this week, as there has been significant changes in the strength of her right leg. It is tremendously frustrating for Kate as she sees the last year of therapy quickly slip away in an instant. It's gut wrenching for us. So this Thursday at 1:00 she will be getting her full brain and spine MRI under general anesthesia.
Not much else to say... the implications are enormous. And our hearts feel them well. The emotions hit erratically and without warning. And yet I would be remiss to not say that we feel your prayers and love for our family. God will continue to be faithful, regardless of test results. We continue to cry to Him for mercy and healing for Kate, knowing He is able. Cry out with us. He hears the pleas of His people.
This photo was taken on October 23, 2006 in San Francisco, California, US by The Jof.
Kate McRae has another MRI of her brain and spine tomorrow morning. I cannot imagine the stress she must feel in advance of these tests, and her mother Holly writes in her Caring Bridge journal that the last few weeks have been difficult as their anticipation grew. She tells us, however, that:
[T]omorrow has fast approached, and a sweet peace with it. We are far less anxious than last week. I have no doubt the result of many prayers manifesting themselves as very real in our lives. We will find out the results to the MRI tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 when we meet with Kate's oncologist to review the scans. We would love your prayers. Prayers for Kate's full and complete healing here on earth. The statistics are terribly grim. And yet, we pray. And ask you to join us. Thank you, and we will update tomorrow.
The McRaes have established a Christmas tradition in Kate's name, through which they are helping other families dealing with pediatric cancer. [You can read about the beginnings of this project HERE.] I've copied the details below about how to participate in Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas 2011.
C'mon, My Dear Readers -- Perfidious, Jaded, Scrooges, Defenders of the Faith, and All -- Let's! Let's!
We can participate:
Kate
1. by donating any assortment of new toys, movies, or games for the families. Everything must be new.
2. by donating gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations, and various stores for the families (ie. Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Visa, Clothing Stores, or Sporting Goods stores, Barnes and Noble, Amazon and various Restaurants). We need lots of these to provide for all of the families.
3. by visiting Sign Up Genius to donate a very specific item for a family. MANY more items will be added in the coming days and weeks. ALL items can be sent to: Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas PO Box 220 Higley, AZ 85236
Good news for the McRae family and their many friends and supporters (We're everywhere!): Daughter Kate's MRI yesterday was unchanged from the one in July. Her mom Holly explains in her journal post on CaringBridge how difficult it is to plan treatment in this type of cancer after remission. They've decided to continue her current chemo regimen for a year, contingent on continued good scan results. Her next scheduled scan is in November.
Her father Aaron tweeted yesterday, as they faced the anxious period of waiting for results:
Hoping @hollymcrae and I can watch another episode of
'Hillbilly Handfishin' to distract ourselves tonight!
{rolling::eyes}
Say it ain't so, Aaron and Holly, say it ain't so!
This whole family is on a journey and so here's a shout out to Kate's Most Excellent Siblings -- Olivia and Will. Maybe the three of you can influence your parents' television choices?! As always, Kate, you are very special and much loved by everyone here at The Manor. Keep up the great work in school and at therapy. I so much admire your good attitude, too, about chemo and all the testing, appointments and stuff. My dear friends Captain Haddock and La Bonne et Belle Bianca Castafiore are also big fans of you and your family, and want to send along their best wishes. The Captain is thinking of naming his next miniature pink submarine The McRae, and Bianca loves to sing "Little Light" in the shower...
Uploaded to YouTube by Brian Wurzell on Jul 12, 2009
This song was written by Audrey Assad, a Nashville Singer-Songwriter, during an online Global Night of Prayer for Kate McRae. The lyrics came in one pass that night and the chords/melody came the following morning.
Little Light
(Audrey Assad)
Look at all the angels watching you
They’re singing songs that we have never heard
Their voices ring like bells over the mountains
Oh, if only we could hear their words
God is near, little girl.
Your eyes are brilliant, deep sky blue.
Your quiet wisdom is an evening song.
The angels must be breathless at your beauty
Like the world catches its breath before the dawn.
Kate McRae's scan has been moved up from Friday to this afternoon, and her parents are requesting prayer. This is a family of inspirational, fierce faith, so when they ask, we strive to deliver!
You can read about their journey at CaringBridge, here.
UPDATE from Kate's Mom:
Words could not possibly express our joy and gratitude for today's scan. Stable! Never have those words sounded so sweet. We are still trying to let the news soak in.
Kate's oncologist said the scan looked good.... there appeared no new growth from the one 2 months ago. And the enhancement and flair on the scan was actually somewhat less. We could not have been more excited!
We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers. We were in a very precarious situation knowing we could hear one of two drastically different reports today. We are rejoicing that the news was great, and we get more time with our precious daughter. Thank you Jesus.
