Doing sooo well!

We just wanted to update everyone and let you know how well Madalyn is doing. She is eating, eating, and eating some more! She LOVES to eat. It's almost like she is making up for lost time, which we love to see. At first it was so fun to watch her sit and eat because it was something we hadn't seen in such a long time. Now it is the norm to see her sitting in her high-chair nibbling on toast, yogurt, or cottage cheese which are all her favorites but she'll eat just about anything. She is putting on weight and even getting a little bit of chub on her legs! YEAH! She still has to have her feeding tube because of all the meds that she has to take.
She is so happy and so much fun to be around. She loves to shimmy around the house. If she's not in her high chair eating she is toddling around the house. She loves to dance to music and her favorite show to dance to is "The Sound of Music".
Recently Madalyn's eyelashes and eyebrows have started to grow back in. They are so dark and it just brings out her beautiful big brown eyes. She has also got a little patch of "stubble" in a little "U" shape in the back of her head!
All in all we are just enjoying watching Madalyn be a little girl. She continues to have her out-patient chemo treatments every 14 days and so far is handling those very well.
We are so thrilled about all the positive that has come since her MRI results and feel so very blessed. We know that those blessings continue for Madalyn because of all the faith and prayers of so many of you. Thank you so much for continuing to keep Madalyn in your thoughts and prayers and for checking up on our little Madalyn. If she could she would blow each of you a great big kiss!

MRI results

Doesn't she look so good?! She has gotten most

of her appetite back and is putting on some weight.

This past week has been a good one for her!!

Yesterday at 5:30 A.M. Madalyn, Trish, Terrell and Karleen headed down to Primary's for Madalyn's MRI. Madalyn was her usual helpful self being oh so willing and cooperative to help the staff in whatever they needed to do.The day was long and full of emotion as we waited for the results to come back. After reviewing the test results Dr Bruggers called Trish today to tell her that after completing her radiation Madalyn shows no sign of the cancer in her spine and the shadow at the base of her brain and spine is significantly smaller! Word spread quickly and tears, laughter and shouts of excitement were shared by all who had been anxiously awaiting to hear the news.

Trish and Terrell continue to send their love and gratitude to all those who continue to keep Madalyn in their prayers. It is because of all of your faith fasting and prayers as well as that of your little ones that Madalyn continues to beat this cancer. Those prayers and faith in her behalf continue to be needed as she continues to fight this aggressive cancer.

Madalyn now gets a week off of getting any chemo treatments and then she will start up a new round of chemo where she will be treated as an out-patient every 2 weeks.

We couldn't be happier with the results today and continue to stay positive and hopeful that Madalyn will return to having a normal life. Thank you again to all of you.

DONE WITH RADIATION!!!!

Madalyn dressing up in some "pretties" Madalyn in her Reggae Raggedy-Ann hat (as Trish calls it)

with Aunt Cam
Hanging out with cousin Macy

The girls with their babies

Madalyn got a Baby Alive doll like her cousins Macy and Kate

after graduating from Radiation!

She loves her cousins

Eli doing what he loves best...eating, and wearing Madalyn's hats

It's been a long day!

Madalyn fell asleep on moms lap

only wanted to be with aunt Cam today

A pretty aristocats pen for Valentines Day

We are so excited to update everyone that Madalyn is done with Radiation!!! WOO HOO!! Madalyn was such a little trooper through her many days of radiation. Every morning Madalyn and either Trish or Terrell would head down to Salt Lake around 5:30 a.m. for her daily dose of radiation. The nurses commented on what a good little patient she was. They couldn't believe how well she came out of the anesthesia every time, with a little smile on her face, ready to move on to whatever came next! This was through the pain it gave her in her throat, eventually to the point where she stopped talking because of the pain and through the intense burn on the back of her neck where they directed the radiation. Madalyn has been such a trooper and our little ray of sunshine. Even through it all, she always seems to give one of her Madalyn smiles or blow a kiss. We love you Madalyn! Congratulations on graduating from radiation!

Update

Madalyn was able to be home for her birthday because the scheduled stem cell transplant did not happen. The doctors have decided to postpone the procedure temporarily. A new spot is showing up at the base of Madalyn's brain and some spots on her spine are still there. Because of this the medical staff working with Madalyn have decided she needs to undergo radiation. We are hoping and praying that this will get rid of any cancer that is in her body. Because of the severity of radiation on young children and the possible side effects, we ask you all to please continue more than ever to pray for our little Madalyn, her parents and the medical staff that continue to fight her cancer. Thank you so much for your faith and prayers. As Madalyn's aunt, I know how much this means to Trish and Terrel. Please feel free to leave comments of hope and encouragement, even if they do not know you. It is always nice to hear from those of you that are checking in on Madalyn! Thank you.
*SCROLL DOWN TO SEE UPDATED PHOTOS OF MADALYN!!!

Madalyn's Birthday

Madalyn and her twin brother Eli celebrated their second Birthday on January 8th.

We decided to go all out and have a day full of fun and partying!

Madalyn was feeling so well she walked a little and with some help kicked around balloons, played hide-and-seek with her cousins and Eli, ate some birthday cake and rode around on her new set of wheels for a very long time! It was so fun to see her happy and having so much fun.

Madalyn doing what she loves, looking out the window and playing with the blinds.
One of Madalyn's melt you smiles
Madalyn's carousel birthday cake.

Opening presents with dad

She had quite the audience!

Our princess trying on her princess crown...not a big fan though!

"How long do I have to wear this?"

The birthday kids in their birthday hats.

"Thanks Aunt Carleen! They are just like yours!"

My new set of wheels!

Pinata with mom and grandma

A bedtime puppet show!

Mom singing me to sleep after a long day!

Highlights and a special fast

Although no one would consider a stay at the hospital fun, Madalyn has had some fun times at Primary Children's over the last couple of weeks. A few of the highlights included an early visit from Santa! Not really but almost. A representative from Child life Services came to Madalyn's room and brought an arm full of gifts that had been donated. Some of the things she got were: a barbie blanket, a puzzle and a doll. As if that wasn't enough to make a little girls day she also got visited by the Utah Jazz and Jazz dancers. Madalyn was lucky enough to have Kyle Corver come visit her. Because of the fuss that aunt Karleen made over him when he entered the room (and because Madalyn is so dang cute) Kyle hung out a little longer with Madalyn. And because of her sweet little face, her infectious smile and the way she blows kisses to you and melts your heart, she gained a new fan club out of all the dancers and even some of the players. At one point Madalyn crawled to the end of her bed and held her arms out to one of the dancers. Everyone in the room, including players, was touched by our little angel. She knows how to get ya! *We will post those pictures soon!*
Some other good news came from one of Madalyn's doctors, Dr. Afifi. She told Trish and Terrell that in all the years of dealing with patients with cancer, she has only ever seen one other person handle chemo as well as Madalyn. Madalyn seems to fight harder against the exhaustion and weakness that comes with each round of chemo. She is very determined to make the most of her hospital stays and play her little heart out, even if she does feel lousy. She is such a strong little girl which is really helping her beat this cancer.
Madalyn will be home for Christmas. However, she will be undergoing many different tests the whole week before and after the holiday. Some of the tests include replacing her broviac and several spinal taps. Trish has been informed that she will be sedated for those and that she won't feel it. I know that this brings some comfort to Trish but will still be a little rough on her.
There will be other tests run after Christmas as well as her bone marrow transplant. Trish and Terrell and family members are holding a fast for Madalyn on December 28th (the Sunday after Christmas). We invite whoever would like to join us to do so.
Trish and Terrell would like to say thank you so much to all who continue to fast and pray for Madalyn and for the many acts of kindness that have been shown at this time.

Home for the Holidays

Madalyn has been doing good. It is so fun to see her smile and laugh. That is something that was rarely seen before her tumor was diagnosed. She got a small fever right before Thanksgiving. We were worried she wouldn't make it home for the big day but on the eve of Thanksgiving, Terrell was able to bring Madalyn home. Trish had spent the week cleaning and putting up Christmas decorations. She wanted it to be special for when Madalyn got home. It must have worked. Madalyn couldn't get enough of the lights and all the ornaments and holiday decor. She just kept going around saying "aaaaaahhh" If Madalyn stays on schedule she will be able to be home for Christmas. We are so glad that our sweet little Madalyn gets to be home for the holidays and have some normality in her life for a couple of weeks.