Surgery went great!

Taylor has done it again...she makes all of this seem easy! Taylor was in and out and back home within hours. She up-chucked on the way home, but no big deal. She spent yesterday post-surgery stuffing her face as well as today.LOL She always seems to do this after surgeries (seeing as she cannot eat for hours before surgery due to anesthetic). Mindy says she was a total monkey today and up to her old tricks! So yeah she is doing great! Thanks for all the prayers and positive thoughts!

I-VAD removal tomorrow

Well Taylor has been doing great! She is in tomorrow for the removal of her I-Vad...one step from putting the last 1year plus behind us. I am told it is a fairly straightforward procedure and surgery. So I a hoping all goes well and they are in and out in no time. Landon is taking Taylor for the surgery and I am under the impression they will be out either tomorrow or the next day? I will keep you posted on that when I know more.

Still think it would be good to send our little wiener positive energy so she gets through it all safely and with as little pain as possible.

CLEAR MRI!!!!!

We have been blessed today with a clear MRI. It is a day to be thankful and celebrate. There is an African proverb that I am sure all have heard "it takes a village to raise a child"...it also takes a village to save a child.

I want to thank everyone for the tremendous support they have given Taylor, Mindy and Landon. It is a true blessing to know all of you and have you supporting Taylor. I hope no one ever thinks that their unimportant. Each and every person is so integral in this battle that I hope you give yourself a pat on the back today for helping save someones life.

I read the newspaper and listen sometimes to peoples comments lately and I know I was feeling very down and frustrated that there "seems" to be so many negative, mean people out there...and then I remember all of you and the kindness, prayers, wishes that you have given through this battle and I know I will continue to look for the good, the positive and the love that does exist in the world. We need to remember that there are a lot of complainers...or that is how it seems, however that is not true, they are simply the loudest. There are more people who every day offer kindness, love and compassion, they are just quieter as they do not seek praise for all they do...THANK-YOU!!!

It has been a horrible wait for Landon and Mindy up until today as they had to live in the "unknown" yet again, but it is over for this battle. There may be more, but we are stronger with each passing success that occurs. I feel only hope when I think of Taylor. Miracles do come true

MRI Friday

Well time goes by way too fast! Taylor has an MRI this upcoming Friday April 9th. She will not have results back until the 15th. Please make sure you are sending Taylor all the positive thoughts prayers wishes and dreams as we really need this to be cancer free! Love you all

Well hello there!

Hi,

Of course I have been busy and enjoying that Taylor is off all the treatments, etc for now. It has been a blessing! Taylor is growing like a weed (well not super tall, but turning int a "big" girl...and not fat! LMAO)

Taylor is talking up a storm. She is super duper smart. I was asking her where Ruby and Abby were when we were at the Kids with Cancer house and she was lime "puppy"...then she took her little hands and arm in the air and did the "beats me" gesture.LOL too funny.

Taylor has been having a blast with Daddy. Landon has little chores or "jobs" for Taylor...in the morning she collects the dog bowls and puts them away, she throws all garbage out and shuts the doors, she loves flushing the toliet...very important stuff!

Taylor has a kidney test coming up apparently this week. I will keep you posted to what is going on with that. Other than that she had her teeth looked at and it seems there has been corrosion probably due to Chemotherapy and Radiation. She will need some fillings and caps. Not a huge deal considering!

Hope everyone is having an amazing time enjoying the Olympics! Yeah for Canada and all the amazing athletes!

Update

Hi Everyone,

Since Leah is too busy and feels there isn't much for her to report, I figured I would post a little update. Landon has posted new pictures on our website www.landonandmindy.com

Taylor is doing AMAZING, she is enjoying being at home with Landon during the day. They usually go for a sled ride with the beagles - they pull her on her sled, and she loves it. As soon as she sees the sled she gets excited and climbs in - grabs her snow suit and hat and tries to put them on. She will also bring you shoes and a coat if she can reach them.

She is saying more words lately, she says puppy, daddy, mommy, yucky, hot, uh oh, and alot of other words that we don't know - she talks all day.

Things have been plugging along, I have been busy being back at work, spending some time with friends, and trying to go to the gym a couple of days a week. Taylor has a check up on February 5th to get her central line flushed, and get some blood work done. She only has to go in once a month now. She also is going to meet her new Paediatrician that we were referred to from the Stollery. Other than that, she hasn't had to go to the doctors or for any hospital visits since Leah's last post.

While we were in Banff two weekends ago, we met up with an old friend of ours - Kat Yeomans - she is shaving her head for cancer in Taylor's honor. She has a facebook group set up that I sent to all of my friends, as well as you can find her name on the following link to make a pledge. We will be going to Canmore on the weekend of June 8th to watch Kat shave her head for this wonderful cause.

http://www.kidscancercare.ab.ca/kccf/sylfak.htm

http://secure.csfm.com/kidscancer/events/profile.php?participant_id=214850501263783591

My aunt Ruth is also doing the ride to conquer cancer for Taylor and other family members and friends that have been impacted by Cancer, as well as Enbridge, my work, is one of the sponsors of this event, they have a large team riding this year.

So, if you have a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket, or are looking to make a donation to a good cause, there are a couple that are being done that are close to home. You will get a tax receipt, so you can claim it on your taxes too!

We are getting closer to April, when Taylor will have her first MRI post radiation, and we are getting a little nervous, the MRI is April 9th, and we will get the results on April 15th, so keep on praying and sending your positive thoughts, as we aren't free of this nightmare yet, even though Taylor doesn't let on that there is still a fight going on.

Hope everyone is well, take care.

Landon, Mindy & Taylor

taylor had her "End of Treatment" release!

Well now that Radiation is done the doctor's rounded up the small Thiessen family for the "end of treatment" meeting (just a technicality). The meeting was to forecast a potential plan of action for the upcoming months and years for Taylor. So I would like to share what may happen:

• Taylor will continue to have tests monthly that test blood and flush her line for the next 3 months.
• In April the i-vad should be removed (another surgery to remove it)
• April 5th MRI, GFRI (Kidneys), hearing tests, etc...basically see that everything is working and functioning as it should after all the Chemo and radiation.
• MRI's will be every 3 months for a year. After 2 years (not her age, I think after a year after treatment) it will be every 4 months, after 3 years every 6 months and 4-10 years every year. This could be age, but I am thinking it is after treatment...I will correct when Mindy laughs at me for screwing up the information.LOL

So everyone was very pleased with Taylor. The remarks tended to be towards the amazement that Taylor has done so well through all of this as well as thrived. That it is crazy she is exactly where she should be for development, etc. Taylor has not shown any mental development issues as of yet, she is top of the class! (LOL that was more my opinion, but she is above average in her development). All her nurses were around to see her and cooed over how big she is (they have known her pretty much from birth).

Compliments went out to how amazing Mindy and Landon have been through all of this...They are proof that this can be done!

I know Mindy is wanting to get a party together so I will update when I get some news. Remember this is a forecast if things stay perfect. Things will change quickly if anything happens.