Two friends brought together by Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Erin and Rachel - THEN
November 2010
Erin and Rachel - NOW
April 2011
Yesterday during some quiet moments in the day I found myself browsing through our old videos and photos of the kids. It amazes me how much they have grown up. We waited for a long time to get kids from Heaven and then they decided that they all needed to come together in a whirlwind 34 months. Those earlier years when I had 3 babies is finally over. Now we have three little kids. It's so much fun on so many new levels. They can all talk and put on their own shoes, we haven't seen a diaper in this house for months now, and everyone sleeps through the night.
The last year has been a big blur for all of us. I happened upon some photos of Erin a month before we found out she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (May 2010). You can see in her face, skin color, and bruising that she was really sick.
She is such a different looking person now.
I cannot believe how much she has changed.
Sometimes I look at her and I still see that little blonde fragile toddler, and it startles me to see this rambunctious energetic brown haired fireball girl.
Yesterday Erin had her last day of preschool. Cecily wanted to be in the picture with Erin. I cannot believe we just finished preschool. It seems like it has all gone so fast. It was such a blessing having Erin attend preschool. It gave her some wonderful social interactions that she had missed while isolated in the hospital.
And here are the kiddos at an Easter Celebration at the Country Club.
This morning I gave Erin her first little haircut. Well, it was more of a mini trim - I only trimmed off 1/2 inch in the back. The hair at the base of her neck was starting to look so scraggly, like a boy haircut that is too grown out. So I trimmed it up a bit. Wow! Can you believe I just gave my once bald little girl a haircut. That is something to celebrate!
Tags: "Acute Myeloid Leukemia"
celebration indeed! hooray for haircuts!
ReplyDeletethe difference between erin's "before" and "after" pictures is so striking! i don't know if you feel this way, too, but when i look at "before" and "now" pictures of elena, i get a little sad that the little girl i knew "before" isn't ever coming back in quite the same way. although i am BEYOND grateful for how much better she looks now! does that make any sense? anyways, seeing those picture of erin just reminded me of that feeling.
she looks beautiful and full of life. i love to see it!
Yes Briana, I feel exactly the same way. I miss the "before" Erin. I am eternally grateful to have her here and healthy, but it's all different.
ReplyDeleteHow fun it is to see her looking so healthy and full of life! She looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI agree! A haircut is something to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteJill...I hope you dont mind but I shared your blog with a family in Texas whos daughter was just diagnosed with AML. She is the neice of a friend. They got the diagnosis exactly one week after she had a baby! I cant even imagine. Their blog is www.FayesFight.blogspot.com. I figured you'd be ok with it, but wanted to make sure in case she contacted you...THANKS!
ReplyDeleteHi Erin
ReplyDeletemy name is Jenna and I came across your site. U are one special and precious child. U are a brae courageous fighter and a real inspirational hero.
www.miraclechamp.webs.com