It’s like standing in the sun, feeling the healing warmth of it, when someone grabs you by the back of the neck and throws you into a meat locker. But now this place has become familiar. You’ve started to count on being there from time to time. You’ve stashed a parka, some snacks and a book in the back. You know this place and you know you’ll get out. Suddenly, you’re back in the sun, blissful again, a little giddy. You have a secret knowing; this won’t last forever either, but you rejoice in it fully while you’re here, and ask no more of it.
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Upon our return from Palm Springs, we headed directly into a spinal tap with intrathecal chemo for Lulu, IV chemo, and the rest of the usual monthly torture. It’s always difficult to shift gears from bliss to this, but we’ve become very familiar with it. Lulu still has a hard time with many aspects of the procedures, but she is light years ahead of where she used to be. Her coping skills improving, her understanding growing … which is good and bad, as she has become more vocal about it: “Mama, why did I get in this awful mess to begin with?” “I HAAATE LEUKEMIA!!!” “I HAAATE taking these pills every day!” And my very least favorite: “WHY did I get leukemia?” I can explain almost all the questions except that one. I wish I had an answer.
Life has been so great lately that I almost forget we are still in this crazy cancer world. The reminders pop up though. When I give her chemo every single night. When I see a picture of her before treatment. When I recently read a touching story Sarah, a little girl from her school, wrote about her. But the lows are not as low as they used to be, and the highs feel higher. I’ve been continuing to take in and feel all the blessings that have been coming our way, and there are many: Lulu is doing well overall, going to school more consistently, learning to read. The What if Book is getting some buzz and likely published soon, as well as another big what if I’ll tell you about if it happens. Then there’s the Make a wish trip to Hawaii. I have an editorial that will be published internationally. Jimmy’s indie film in an international film festival nominated for 3 awards, Hawaii. Max landed a role at a professional children’s theater. We continue to feel loved and supported by our friends and community in so many ways. Hmm, have I mentioned Hawaii?
Lulu had her Make-a-Wish party last week, and we surprised her with it. I’ve included some pics below. I had gotten the rough draft of the speech from Sarah on the way to the party, which somehow set the tone. Her assignment was to give a speech about someone who had inspired her. She is 11 years old in 6th grade. Please read:
Lulu, a 6-year old girl, has fought many battles and continues to do so everyday. Lulu attends my school. Last school year on November 7, 2011, just days before her 5th birthday, she was diagnosed with A.L.L., acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In an instant, Lulu and her family’s lives changed forever. The journey Lulu and her family have been on has taught them many lessons. These are lessons that Lulu can teach us.
Since her diagnosis, she has spent days, weeks and months at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Lulu has endured chemotherapy, its side effects and a burst appendix. Lulu is now in remission and is going through months of maintenance chemotherapy. Her mom T, her dad Jimmy and her brother Max have played a big role in Lucia’s fight against leukemia. Lulu’s mom has maintained a blog to provide family and friends with the latest updates. The blog has connected all those touched by Lulu’s amazing story.
I’d like to share a few examples of her courage and wisdom. One night in the hospital, when her liquids were restricted for medical reasons, Lulu was very thirsty and kept asking her mom for water. After not getting any, Lulu shouted: “My tummy is a desert, and there are animals there! And it’s hot and dry and they’re gonna die if they don’t get some water! ALL THE ANIMALS!!!” Then after her two sips of water, Lulu with a knowing smile said: “The desert is now a garden”.
Lulu’s mom has described their journey as a roller coaster or marathon. One day Lulu described their journey this way to her mom by saying: “I know Mama, storm, rainbow, storm, rainbow”… while drawing an invisible rainbow in the air with her finger.
Lulu continues to share her wisdom with her family and with all of us. One time telling her mom: “Mama, just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not real. We can’t see air or the wind, and that’s real. We can’t see God, but that’s real too.”
On another day, her mom is talking to her and tells her how proud she is of her and that she is going to grow up to be a strong, wise and beautiful woman. She looked at her mom with big green eyes and says, “So, I’ll be just like you, Mama.” A greater compliment was never given.
Lulu has met many extraordinary families battling cancer while she was at Children’s Hospital. Lulu wanted to help them and had the idea of starting a lemonade stand to raise money for Children’s Hospital and cancer research. With two lemonade stands last summer, she raised over $2,300. I was fortunate to go to Lulu’s house and donate money to the lemonade stand. I got to see Lulu. We talked and played in the sandbox that day. I could see that Lucia was getting better every day.
Our school has been with Lulu on this journey, too. For the last two years, we held a Pennies for Patients drive to raise money for the Leukemia Society, raising over $3,000 in Lucia’s honor.
Last year, Lulu was in K4 for two months prior to her diagnosis. She wasn’t able to return to school last year but did visit them in May. Her mom tells the story: When we entered the classroom, a hush fell over the room. The kids were instructed not to touch Lucia to avoid exposing her to germs. Lulu was beyond excited, bouncing up and down. Gingerly, the little ones approached. One little dark-haired boy came up to her and quietly said, “Hi Lulu, you look just beautiful”. The kids were curious, but completely respectful. Happily, Lulu has returned to school this year joining the K5 class.
Lulu is an extraordinary person and her story is worth telling to the world. I hope someday to be wise and courageous like Lulu and her family.
What a reminder of how much our little one has gone through. How much we have all gone through… We went to the party and Lulu was bubbling over with excitement … and if she can revel in these moments after everything she’s been through, shouldn’t we all?
Love,
a.l.l. of us
