Disney is truly a magical place. We enjoyed six days at the parks and had an amazing time. I have never been in the fall before and loved all the fall and Halloween decor. The crowds were not terrible and despite rain I can say that we accomplished just about everything on our list. Spending that time together was priceless. We were able to get a disability pass for Calleigh that shortened our wait time and we experienced random acts of kindness everywhere we went. The compassion and the love people have there for children is so sincere. A gentleman approached me in a store where I was paying for some items for Calleigh and asked if he could buy her one of the items. I was stunned. He had just seen us walking in the store. Another young boy ran up to us at Epcot and handed me $20 to buy her something. What a fine young man his parents have raised! Each cast member took time to speak with her and comment how beautiful and brave she was. After the Enchanted Tales with Belle, they asked me to leave her autograph book under the seat as everyone was leaving the room. They then called us back in to have a special meet and greet with Belle. On our last day Disney employees stopped us and asked us if we would be interested in participating in a Magical Moment. They took pictures of us as Calleigh led the group into Stitch's Great Escape. They may or may not use the pictures in a publication but said they would send them to me no matter what. Calleigh received a stuffed "Angel" (another experiment like Stitch???) as her prize. My favorite memory will always be the Cinderella at Akershus. On this trip Calleigh was much more shy and did not talk to the characters as she did before. This particular Cinderella came by, asked for my chair, sat down, and pulled Calleigh into her lap. She rocked her, kissed her, and just comforted her. Many of you may have seen the video I posted of that. I cried for a good five minutes afterwards. She and Cinderella have a secret which she still won't tell us and Cinderella told her she would love her forever. She could have signed her book and went on by but she chose to stop and make a difference. I tell you these things not because I'm excited about "special treatment" but that they assure me that people have decency and kindness. I hate the stares, the questions, the sympathetic looks. I've told her story more times than I can count but I try to keep the perspective that this has a purpose and may have an impact on people. I can't wait to go back to Disney again. It truly is the happiest place on earth.
Calleigh did have her first followup MRI Thursday and we received the results today. It was not completely clean as we had hoped. There is a very small spot that they are unsure what it is at this time. It is unlikely, but not impossible that it could be tumor. So for now we wait. We do the first round of chemo. She will be hospitalized Wednesday and stay at least one night. I am terrified of what they are about to put in her body. I'm also devastated, angry, fearful, and feeling downright defeated by the MRI results. Today was not a good day for me and I'm glad I did not get the results till after school. If the spot is gone or unchanged on the next scan they will be much less concerned. If it grows, we would have to come up with a new plan. I did not even want to share this but as Lance and I were talking we know that you genuinely love and care for Calleigh and that you will pray with us for no growth or complete disappearance.
I see so many posts about people reminiscing when their children were small and wishing they wouldn't grow up as the Taylor Swift song says and I used to think that too, but now all I want is for her to grow up. I want her to go to school, college, fall in love, experience life, get married, and be a mother herself. I pray for that everyday.
Thank you everyone for the prayers, food, donations, and gifts that you have sent. With going back to work I have fallen hopelessly behind on writing thank you cards, but your kindness has certainly not gone unnoticed or unthanked. We appreciate everyone who supports us on this journey. As September ends Childhood Cancer Awareness month, please know that cancer doesn't end for Calleigh or for any child and their families just because October rolls around.
