Hello all - so sorry it has been so long since my last post. Since Taylor has been moved to testing every other month, I forget to update.

Things continue to go well. Taylor is doing great. She is in the process of getting all of her immunizations again. The chemotherapy wipes out her immunizations so we have to basically start over. She is not happy about getting the "shots" but as usual is being a very brave girl.

Savannah is also doing great. Both girls are extremely excited about starting Kindergarten in August....I on the other hand can't believe they will be starting!!!

Taylor's next test is in April so I will update with results.

Over the past month, I have been introduced to a wonderful family....The Blagen Family. Unfortunately, we were introduced through similar stories. Their beautiful 2 1/2 year old son, Brody is fighting AML. Taylor and Brody's stories are so similar. I have talked to the family a couple of times and my heart goes out to all of them. Friends of the Blagens have put together a golf tournament to help with medical expenses. Please visit the website and help if you are able. Also, please add the Blagen family to your prayers. www.brodyblagen.com

We hope you are all doing well....thank you for your continued support of Taylor.

Happy Valentines Day. We received a great gift today....Taylor continues to be NED (No Evidence of Disease). Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

On another note, it is with much sadness that Sean and I had to put our 12 year old dog, Harley, to sleep today. He had a great life but in the end was taken by cancer. We love him so much and thank him for so many great memories.

Taylor will be tested again in April.

Love,
Kristen

So...it has been a really long time since I have "blogged". I apologize for the delay. I was so busy with the holidays that time really got away from me.

First, Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! We hope that 2011 is off to a great start for everyone and that the new year has brough HEALTH and HAPPINESS to all.

Things are going well for The Souza's. Taylor continues to be doing really well. She has been moved to every other month testing instead of monthly testing. This brings relief and stress at the same time. Relief that Taylor doesn't have to undergo a blood draw every month but stress not knowing each month what is going on "inside" of her. But.....I try to be positive and trust that the oncology team would not move her testing out if she was not ready!! So.....she is doing wonderful. She is enjoying normal life so much. Her next test is February 14th, so please join us in praying for continued NED!! We celebrated Taylor's 1 year anniversary from being home from the hospital on January 19th......very exciting!!!

Savannah continues to be GREAT and is such a joy. She also is doing really well in school and puts a smile on my face every day.

Once again, cancer has entered our family. Our 12 year old dog, Harley, has been diagnosed with a Sarcoma and is not doing well. Sean and I are struggling with what to do but know that we will most likely have to put him down soon. He has a tumor on his head that is causing pain. He is our baby and we are really having a hard time with our options but do not want him to suffer. So....please pray for strength for Sean and I to make a very hard decision in the near future.

Cancer has also reared it's ugly head again with our dear friend, Kate MacRae. We are devastated by this news. Taylor, Savannah, and I just had the honor of celebrating Kate's 7th birthday with her. We are just devastated by the news. Kate was our roommate and dear friend in the hospital while Taylor was receiving chemotherapy. Our hearts go out to Holly, Aaron, Kate, Olivia, and Will....we love you guys.

I will post after Taylor' blood test on Monday.

Thank you for your prayers and strength.

Great News.....Taylor's monthly check up once again shows NED!!! We could not be more thrilled. This month's test brought a ton of anxiety. I think it is because of the holidays. It is just so hard to believe that this time last year Taylor was getting another round of chemo and was very close to moving into the ICU. Her last round was her toughest and it is still so hard to believe that I am taking her to school every day with Savannah instead of watching the chemo drip into her little body!!!! Miracles do happen!!

Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers.

Happy Holidays.

Happy 5th birthday to Taylor and Savannah.....I truly can not believe the girls turned 5 on November 11th. To say that our life is different this year is an understatement. At this time last year, Taylor was in her 4th round of chemotherapy and not feeling well at all. It is amazing to me that a year later she continues to be in remission and has so much energy that I can hardly keep up with her. Miracles do happen and prayers are answered.....

We took the girls to Disneyland for their birthday. We had an amazing trip. The girls loved every minute of it. Disneyland started their "Christmas wonderland" while we were there and it was truly amazing. There were so many times while at Disneyland that I had to truly stop and remind myself that last year I was living at PCH with my child who has leukemia....amazing!!!

Anyway....it was a magical birthday and I will cherish every moment of our trip. I have attached a few pictures from our trip. My favorite is the one with both girls sleeping in the stroller.....this was from our last day at Disney....we got there at 8:00am and left at 8:15 pm......we were all exhausted!!!!

Happy Birthday Taylor and Savannah!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

NED again this month. For some reason, I was very nervous about Taylor's check up this month but today ended on a very positive note....another month of remission!!!

Taylor and Savannah are both doing great. Their 5th birthday is November 11th and they have chosen for Sean and I to take them to Disneyland instead of having a birthday party. So....we are off for 2 days of Princess Fun at Disneyland. I will post pictures when we get back.

Thank you all for your continued support and concern.

Quick post to let you know that Taylor's monthly test was changed from today until Friday. I will post results late Friday afternoon.

Thanks to all that checked in today....