Brooke The Queen

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long since the last update. It’s so much harder to do when we are at home! The past week has been a tough one for me. One of our NB friends, Jolee, from CHOP relapsed just after Easter and the cancer spread quickly and she passed away last Thursday. Jolee was originally diagnosed last summer while Brooke was in for her transplant and I quickly fell in love with the whole family. She had been doing so well. She had just flown through her first stem cell transplant, celebrated her 2nd birthday and was due to start her 2nd transplant the day after Easter when they found out that the NB was back. My heart is breaking for Jolee’s family…please pray for them. It’s been a brutal reminder of how nasty this cancer is and how much we still need everyone’s prayers for Brooke to remain NED (No Evidence of Disease). We go back to CHOP for end of study Bone Marrow Biopsy, CT Scan, MIBG Scan, Ophthalmology, Audiology, and Oncology clinic May 10-12. Every little thing that Brooke complains about I panic…Could it be the NB is back? She mentioned once today that her leg hurt a little last night when she was sleeping…Is it back? Part of me can’t wait for the scans for peace of mind but part of me is scared to death for the alternative…

On happy notes, Brooke has been doing great at home and at school. The staff, students and parents at Salisbury Christian School have been wonderful and have made the transition back to school such a positive experience for Brooke.

Some of the highlights from the past 4 weeks:

4/10- Brooke was supposed to go to her friend Alex’s birthday party (she hasn’t been able to go to a birthday party for almost a year and a half so she was so excited) but she got a fever that morning and couldn’t even get out of bed. She had 2 low grade fevers and they told us if she had another we would have to bring her to the ER but by early afternoon the fever broke and she hopped out of bed ready to play but had missed the party.

4/11- I had a blast participating in “An Amazing Race” The Great Clue Caper with my girlfriends (Chris, Kellie, Laurie & Margie) to benefit Village of Hope. We were way out in front in first place until clue #9 (out of 10) totally stumped us and we wound up finishing 10th out of 55 teams but we had such a great time and hope to do it again next year.

4/14- Oncology Clinic at CHOP. Everything went well and Brooke enjoyed visiting everyone but her hemoglobin was a little low so her doctor wanted us to have a lab work done locally in 2 weeks to make sure it didn’t drop any further. We went today to have the blood work drawn and will know the results tomorrow (Fri) at some point.

4/16- Some amazing men came over to put together Brooke’s new swing set! Thank you Jeff Anderson, Joel Beiler, Jerry Sipes, Ed Wilgus & Kevin Hayes! You have made Brooke one happy little girl! I don’t think a day has gone by that she hasn’t played on it.

4/17-Brooke was the Elk’s Team Queen for the Fruitland Little League Opening Day Parade and Ceremony! She rode in the back of a convertible in the parade with a tiara and flowers and mastered the princess wave! When they announced her during the Ceremony the crowd really cheered her on and it brought such tears of joy to my eyes.

4/18- Brooke’s first day back to church. Rev Patterson brought her up to the Alter and told everyone how great she was doing and when we walked back to our seats she got a standing ovation (more tears of joy…don’t you just love happy tears?).

That night we went to The Crab Cake Factory, USA in Ocean City where they were having their 14th Anniversary and so generously decided to have Brooke be a part of that by raffling off 2 round trip airline tickets and raised $2500 for the Brooke Mulford Foundation! Thank you so much John, Krista, Mr. & Mrs. Brooks, and Lollipop the Clown!

4/28- Brooke took her last dose of Accutane which I guess means that she is now officially done with her treatment! Woo Hoo!

Well, I guess that is it for now. We have a lot going on in May so I’ll be posting when I can to fill everyone in. Thank you so much for the prayers!

God Bless,

Amy