Written 3 hours ago by Amy MulfordThis is the journal update that I hoped to never have to give...Brooke's scans confirmed yesterday that she has relapsed with Neuroblastoma. There is no cure for relapsed Neuroblastoma and the treatment plan will be to prolong her life as long as possible...A miracle is the only thing that can save my baby girl. Please pray for that miracle. I can not bear the thought of life without her...she is my entire world. There is nothing fair about this...Brooke is the sweetest, kindest and most loving little girl that ever walked this planet. She is pure joy...
The light of Jesus shines through her in all that she does. She loves life like no other. How and why is this happening??? There's so much I want to say about her but I can't because this is killing me and she is sitting across from me right now and I can't bear for her to see the pain that I am in...
I will stick to telling you the events of the past 2 days:
Tues we arrived for CT scan and it was chaotic as usual...took two hours before they gave her the contrast to drink and to make matters worse she was not feeling well with a tummy ache. It took her 3 hours to not even get through the first bottle of contrast and then she threw it all up. They told her to stop drinking and they would just do the scan. It was a long exhausting day.
We arrived Wed morning at 9:00, registration was fast and we were taken right back to get started. This is rare so I thought it was a good sign and we were going to have a good day...smooth sailing. Typically I watch the monitors while she is being scanned but every time I peeked there was nothing for me to see. The scan ended after 45 min and the tech walked out of the room so I went and took another peek and clear as day I saw a spot lit up on her spine...I knew what I was seeing was relapse...and a few minutes later the tech came back in and said they were going to the spec scan (which they only use if there is a problem so that confirmed my fear). They started the spec scan immediately and it lasted an hour. I had to keep leaving the room so that Brooke would not hear me crying...I knew...
We had plans to meet our friends Lisa and Robyn (Robyn came to CHOP from England for the immunotherapy clinical trial that Brooke was in back in 09/10 and relapsed a year later and is now back at CHOP) at POD for a sushi lunch. Brooke was starving when she finished the second scan and still wanted to go and I was still trying to act like nothing was wrong but I think she knew as well...
While at lunch, I sent Dr. Weiser and email. I told him I saw the spot...I know what it is...please make sure Brooke is in the clinic playroom before you see me in the treatment room. I did not want her to witness what I knew would be my breakdown...
After lunch we headed back to CHOP (with Brooke in the clinic playroom making snowflakes) and Dr. Weiser walked through door into the treatment room and he and I both broke down...He loves Brooke so much and I know that giving me that news was almost as brutal for him as it was for me to hear it confirmed...
When Brooke was first diagnosed it was like being the whole deer in the headlights thing. You have no idea what is going on and you can't even begin to process it all. This time around I am all too aware of NB and what relapse means...
I had a glimmer of hope at least the first time around and I held on to that with every ounce of my being...the only hope now rests in a miracle.
For now, Dr. Weiser will meet with all of the NB greats at CHOP and brainstorm to see what options are out there and what they think will be best for Brooke. They have sent out her original tumor from 4 years ago for further testing. Hopefully the results will be back by next week and Brooke and I will head back to CHOP on Wed or Thurs.
As I laid awake all night holding onto my baby for dear life, I decided that in the time that she has left, I am going to make sure that every dream she has comes true. We will go everywhere and do everything...Last time around I didn't want to ask anyone for anything or ask for help...this time around I don't give a damn about that - I just want to make sure that she lives every day with the same joy she has now and then some. Nothing else matters...If you think of an experience that Brooke might enjoy - let me know!
Time to head back to Salisbury...please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for that miracle.
Amy
66 comments:
Make memories every chance you can but don't give up a miracle happening. It's time to pull out our Brooke tops to show her and her family that we are thining of her.
I can make anything happen in Ocean City that her little heart would ever want. Winterfest, Hotel relaxation, rides, tours, anything ... Joe knows me.
I do. God Bless You my Friend.
I will light a candle for her on Sunday. God be with your family.
I'm so heartbroken right now. I just so wish there was some way for us to make this all just go away for the Mulford's. I can't imagine the anguish and frustration the parents and family must feel and I wish I could shoulder some of it for them.
Everyone please! Start storming the Heavens with prayers.
I can't even imagine what you are going through...Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless your Brooke and your entire family
We can make her a decorated cake of ANY theme. A 3-D Christmas tree, a princess castle. Just name it!!.
Cakes by David
God Bless Brooke and the Family
With HOPE and a MIRACLE -- cause Cancer fears Brooke!
God Bless Brooke & her amazing family! I will pray very hard for all of you!
So sorry to hear this news. Will be praying!
I have been praying since last night when I first heard and will keep praying till the miracle does happen because it will!
Look into Get Well Gabby foundation (http://getwellgabby.org) ... they may have leads that may assist in reaching all her dreams, as well as, a great wealth of resources.. praying for you and your family <3
Please do not give up. I know her prognosis is grim, but miracles happen everyday. I am praying for your precious daughter everyday!
I am so very sorry to hear this. My eyes swelled with tears as I read your descriptions.
I will say a prayer for her as soon as I send this comment in.
I cannot even imagine what both of you are going through. It must be devastating on you.
Miracles DO happen. And I know everyone who read this and/or knows her and you are praying hard for one.
I wish both of you the best.
Godspeed and God bless.
Help them Jesus. Amen.
Praying for Brooke and your family.
amy i am so sorry and i will be praying for you and brooke...my heart hurts for you and i will pray that the miracle you need happens .
love,
jason smith
My heart breaks for the mumford family. As I pray for this family I ask That God Gives Amy every avenue to makingg Brookes dreams come true. I pray for the miracle that Brooke needs. As a community we have done it and can do it again lets give this family what they need to live that dream.
God Bless....!
Hold onto your faith no matter what happens. Your family has been an inspiration to so many others in our community; know that you have many, many people praying for you all. Wherever this journey takes you all, God is with you the whole way.
I'm praying for a MIRACLE for your precious little girl!!!!!!!! IN JESUS NAME...AMEN!!!
I will pray for this miracle because I do know they happen. Sorry to hear of this anomaly, but we all need to keep out faith in new medicine and new attacks. God is in charge, so let's all pray to Him.
Hold her dear, make scrapbooks, take her to her favorite places, paint, laugh, kiss, pray. I will be praying for your family as well. I hope you can feel all the love I send you both.
Look into The Justin Jenning Foundation. They have a beach house in Bethany were families can stay and enjoy a week away from Doctors and Hospitals. It is a beautiful house at beach that my cousin set up after her son died of cancer at 18. Please look into it. IT'S Justin's Beach House on Rt 26. I will pray for your family.
Praying for Brooke, Praying for Amy and Rob, Praying for that Miracle.
You have our prayers.
I am a grown man and the tears started flowing upon reading this heart wrenching account of little Brooke. I just cannot imagine what this must be like for Rob, Amy and extended family. I have followed your story from the begining and prayed for her cure a many a night. My prayers are with you and may God Bless you and your presious little Brooke.
As a father/stepfather of 6 girls, I cannot imagine what you are going through. My family will be praying for you.
My heart hurts for you. Its so hard to make sense of what seems so senseless. A child. A beautiful innocent child suffering. The only thing I know is...that God created her. God loves her. God knew her when she was conveived her in her mothers womb and knew the number of her days. She will not go home to be with her heavenly Father until her work her purpose on this earth is complete. Gods ways are not our ways. We can't understand now but one day. When reunited in heaven we will. We must trust in God..we must put our faith in God. This world is full of angry hatedred sin..but in heaven...in heaven our precious ones will know joy. & Peace and perfect health. As someone who lost her nephew in a car accident. 11 years ago....I can on some level relate to ur intense pain. But hang on! Hang on. There are people praying you thru
I hope that prayers can sustain you through this fight that is yours. Be vigilant for that precious gift of yours! I don't know what your limitations are, but the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia is a wonderful trip. May your memories hold you.
I am praying for a miracle!
Heavenly Father...I ask that you wrap your loving arms around them right now as they take each step in this journey with Brooke's Doctors, Tests, Treatment and living life to it's fullest each day!
I work at toys r us in Salisbury and Brooke is one of our most adorable customers! Always so polite and excited with anything she gets! Tho I love seeing her at the registers!thoughts and prayers go out to your family! no child should have to go thru this
As a mother I went through something like you are going through when my child was very young. Please take care of yourself too because she needs her mom. I will pray for your family and if you ever need another mom who has been there to talk with..that would be fine too. This is something you will never fully recover from...but with Gods help life goes on and miracles do happen. Some times I think the children are much stronger than we are as parents. They bounce back while we are still hold our breath. They are here as a gift to us. She is an angel. You will get through this I promise.
Another Mom
You are so very strong. Praying for a miracle for your beautiful daughter.
The thought of your little girl came to my mind just a few days ago while in Salisbury. I prayed she was doing well. I'm so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. This is so sad. I will pray for our Heavenly Father's healing touch on Brook and comfort for your family. God bless you all.
There are no words as I sit here crying for the pain of a mommy who is watching her child suffer through the imaginable...AGAIN! Please know that this community has had your back since day 1 and Brooke is SUCH an inspiration to so many. My eyes will close tonight with prayers in my heart and mind that, if it be God's plan, your baby girl will be released from this. If God has other plans, please know that no one person in this little town will ever forget the courage and smile of your child. Prayers, love and comfort...The Wilkins Family <3
Keep the faith..... miracles do happen! Praying for Brooke and your family,,,, God Bless you all!!!
I am praying for Brook's miracle and your family. Draw strength from God and all the prayers going up. Please don't hesitate to ask for whatever you may need there are many here for you!
I am so very sorry that your having to once again fight this, however god is wonderful and performs miracles everyday. Keep your faith, you have prayers coming your way from everywhere! If there is anything I can do to make sure she gets to do something or go somewhere that she has always wanted, please let me know. I will donate my money, time or whatever else it takes!!!!!!!! She is a lucky little girl to have you. All my thought, prayers and love to you and your family!
Sending Prayers for your baby girl and to you. God Bless
Disney World! Every little princess loves it and you can make so many wonderful memories there :) my prayers are going out to you all!
The faith of a mustard seed can move mountains , with love , we will pray for her. Mary Ann and Wayne.
My heart is breaking with this news. I am and will continue to pray for all of you, that you keep the faith and continue to look for the answer.
I've had a not too bad life; sorry I can't shave a few years for you.
It doesn't work that way. I pray anyway.....
blessings
I can get y'all a condo in Orlando for a week! Take her to Disney world!!
Sitting here wiping very wet eyes over this news. I don't know the family, other than through the postings here, but I sincerely hurt for this family.
GOD is the great Physician and HIS will is perfect. HIS will does not always line up with ours.
Mulford family my prayers are with each of you at this time. Praying for a miracle and strength for each of you; hoping for the very best, and many great memories to be made.
Six years ago a man I know was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. The local dr said there was nothing that could be done and it was basically a death sentence. He sought treatment at Hopkins and he is still with us today. There are many experimental trials that have shown promise with all types of cancer. Miracles happen every day. We lift all of you up in prayer. Stay strong and keep the faith. I honestly believe that you have the best medical staff and that they will do everything they can to help Brooke. She kicked cancer's butt once and will do it again.
My heart is so heavy right now reading such sad new. I stopped reading half way through and said a prayer to God for Brooke and your family. I will continue to pray. God Bless Brooke and her entire family!! Praying for a miracle for such a sweet little girl!! :(
Can't comprehend what you are going through. I can tell you that I am confident in my belief that God will not allow anything into your life that you (with God's help) can't handle. My heartfelt prayers are with you Brooke and your entire family!
God bless Brooke and help give strength to the family
You are completely right. Please, as i know you will Lord, take Brooke into your loving arms and embrace her as a father would. When her time comes, please, Lord, let her parents understand, though w we all love her here, the immense love she will feel and have in Heaven will not be comparable. I am so sorry for her family and i know it's easier for me to see and say this w/o ever being in this situation. However,i know the power of God and His love. Be ever grateful that you know Him.
Amy, I will keep you and Brooke in my prayers. My heart is aching for you. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN.
We are praying for Brooke and your family ! Our God is a miracle working God and I am believing in full healing for Brooke. He is in control no matter what the scans say. Please know that you are in our prayers!!! Keep believing!
with faith in God!! ;-) prayer is just prayer= and faith 2 or more people= God's favor= miracles= God's Word= God's wisdom
This breaks my heart so sorry to hear this, i will say a prayer for both of you.
God is still in the miracle buisness, he hasn't changed. BELIEVE..such as the woman who touched the hem of his garment..
Having felt my son die in my arms and then watching helplessly as a team of doctors and nurses brought him back to life, I know your pain. I know what it feels like to live in a hospital for months on end. I know what it feels like to put my child to bed and wonder if he'll wake up the next day. I know the feeling of many, many scenarios which no parent should ever have to know, and I'm sorry that anybody has to know the same things I know.
Love and light to you and yours
This family has opened up to the community through the worst trial of their lives. Thank you Mulford's for letting us in and giving us the chance to pray for Brooke. She is a precious child of God. So much we as humans cannot understand. Miracles do happen and hope is what we have. God bless and keep you all.
Toughts, Prayers and positive energy coming you way.Is Brooke strong enough to visit my ponies, maybe sit on one? You would be suprised how well the ponies pick up on ones needs. Perhaps take her way from it all for a little while.
Praying for you and brooke and your medical team.
Miracles do happen to those who truly believe. Look to Jesus, not at the circumstances. Only believe!
Amy my heart goes out to u as a parent.I lost Caitlin (my first born) and life has never been the same. Love and enjoy Brooke as much as u can, make beautiful memories together. I will pray for Brooke everyday and remember miracles do happen. Believe, Believe,Believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't imagine the pain and sadness that your family is feeling right now and certainly won't try to assume that I do. God blessed me with a daughter that is now 2 1/2 years old and I have a very hard time watching her get a shot or blood drawn. To hear the gut-wrenching news that you have just received iso much of a shock that its hard for me to comprehend. By looking at all of the comments that people are posting, you have a lot of prayer support. Is there anyting that people could do to help Brooke have the best Christmas ever?? Is it possible for you to post an address that people could send gifts, cards, or flowers to help brighten her day? I know that there are a lot of people out there who want to help. God Bless Brooke and all of the family. My family continues to have you in our prayers and I hope that you are somehow able to have a Merry Christmas.
Malaki Greer
To Amy and Rob and Brooke,
I am so sorry for the news. I would like to give you something. My name is Terri Nichols. My husband and I live on Rockawalkin Road and we would like to extend an invitation for you to come visit us. We have a mini mare 38 inches tall that adores to be groomed. She is my grandchildrens and they would love to share her with you. She is very safe and would give her a wonderful experience. Please give us a call and anytime will suit. Of course she loves carrots if you want to bring some. We really want to do this. She has a nice big stall and it would be really special. Phone us 443-944-3058 or 410-742-1213
Our prayers are with Brooke, Rob and you.
Amy, I am a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine knowing I would lose one of my children or my beautiful granddaughter. You sound so strong and will make every moment you spend with Brooke special. I will pray for the miracle that will save Brooke. I can happen, God is good.
I dont know brooke or her mom or family. I just learned about this last night... I wanted to thank you for the kindness u have shown... Ive cried most all night i couldnt sleep . 2 nights ago i was told by my big sister thelma she has thyroid cancer. Also pulminary hypertension. That killed another big sister that i helped and cared for for many many years.. God bless.. Big mama in ferrum va.
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