Avery's Recovery

Please meet Avery, my beautiful granddaughter for whom I am asking family and friends for their generous support. 

As Avery's "Grandma Sassy" I have been able to visit her many times in their new Montana home.  We have jumped on her trampoline together, made Monster cookies, taken many walks to feed carrots to the neighbor horses and watched and listened as this crazy woodpecker continued pecking at the top of the telephone pole.  She is a very fashionable young lady who enjoys her tap and ballet lessons, because that's what a princess does!

This past February 3rd she entered the hospital for what was thought to be a routine tonsillectomy. She stayed one night in the hospital then went home to enjoy the endless supply of popsicles and ice cream her mommy made sure was there to sooth her throat as she watched all of her favorite movies at least once, if not twice.  Then in the late evening of Thursday, Feb. 6th, Avery's doctor called with shattering news. The pathology report came back indicating Lymphoma Cancer.  My granddaughter has been diagnosed with cancer!  Not the news any parent or grandparent ever wants or expects to hear about their busy, active little princess.  Avery's parents, while being pierced to their core, jumped right into action.  Friends and neighbors made themselves available to care for the family home and pets while Monica and Chris made arrangements with their employers to miss an unknown amount of time from work.  They packed their car and began the grueling nine hour drive from Columbia Falls, MT to the Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA  where I flew to be by my family's side. Once at the Children's Hospital, I witnessed as Avery endured many days of very extensive and invasive testing.  Thankfully, all the results were in Avery's favor - test after test came back clean, indicating the cancer cells had been contained in her tonsils.  As a regular course of treatment, she has undergone one round of chemotherapy which she handled wonderfully, and with that first round complete they have moved into the amazing Ronald McDonald house.  Every day has been filled with doctor appointments to check her blood counts, teach mom and dad how to meet their daughter's new medical needs, and to confirm that Avery's recovery continues to move forward.

With another round of chemotherapy still to come and additional time required at the Ronald McDonald House, it is unknown when they will be able to return to their home and their jobs.  All generous donations made to Avery's Recovery will be used toward expenses not covered by insurance and the cost of being away from home. It will also help with their regular monthly mortgage and bills and give Monica and Chris piece of mind that they will be able to meet their obligations while staying at their daughter's side during this scary time in her little life.