Letter to an amazing friend who survived....

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Dear Heather,
 
I'm for some reason so scared to communicate...write emails, make phone calls, etc.  I just have never understood why, yet I am still this way at mid-life.  I think I somehow internalized the idea early on that asking for help represented weakness.  That I could probably push through everything on my own...but of course, I miss so much by doing this.
 
I need your help and guidance.  On August 10th, our beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after a week of rising fevers and a visit to the Stanford ER.  We never left and have been in the hospital ever since.  It now looks like they may discharge her, based on her neutrophil counts, tomorrow or Friday.  We are scared, overwhelmed, and exhausted.  She hasn't walked in almost a month.  The steroids they've given her as part of her treatment have made her wildly hungry and kind of insane.  We have a long and confusing road ahead, that will last under the best of circumstances for about three years.
 
When we first went to the hospital and they got her bloodwork back, they weren't sure what was going on, although leukemia was immediately floated as a possibility.  Brian and I talked about you immediately, and I realized that I am embarrassed to say that I do not even know the details of your experience as a child.  Was it leukemia?  Something else?  You are an inspiration to us for so many reasons, and we would love to talk to you about surviving, if you were willing.  
 
Reino and Aila are only days apart in age, and I'm sure you understand in a way that most don't just what this diagnosis means for our lives and our spirits.  We know with all our hearts and souls that she will be a survivor...but we are just so scared.  
 
With all our love,
Vic and Brian

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