The Results are In

We got Ashley's test results yesterday. And the results are....NORMAL. Ashley has no other heath issues, no other diseases and her liver disease is stable. YIPEE! What's even better, one of the three masses in her liver is smaller. And the best news of all, Ashley doesn't have to go back to Shands Hospital until August! When I told Ashley she busted out laughing, she was so excited. I swear if that girl could do a back flip she would have done one but instead she was dancing the jig. NO MORE DOCTORS, TESTS, NEEDLES, ETC. FOR 5 MONTHS! Doing the happy dance in the Johansen House!

Speaking of dance, Joey and I are working on our budget for next year. We want Ashley to stay in the dance company; it has been so good for her. However, we were thinking, "Hey maybe Ashley would like to learn to play tennis." Ashley's so laid back, when we asked her what she wanted, she said, "I'd like to stay in company but if I can't stay in company then I want to take Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Ballet." She paused for a minute and then said, "and Tennis too." Joey and I just looked at each other and smiled. So whatever we decide for next year, Ashley will be okay with our decision. God, I love that girl!

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ALF vs COTA - Loosing Sleep

What would keep a person up past 3:30 am? Decisions... As most of you know we have been using ALF (American Liver Foundation) for Ashley's Liver Transplant Fund. However, in the past year, we have found that ALF is not offering us what we need among a few other reasons which I will not blog about. When we opened Ashley's account with ALF we did so quickly after the death of my dad during Christmas 2006 and New Year 2007, we did not have time to research the best fundraising organizations. There are so many organizations out there from ALF , COTA , NTAF . But because of my dad's untimely death and because his dying wish was that friends, family, etc. donate to Ashley to help defray our medical costs, the first organization that came to mind was the American Liver Foundation. After all, Ashley does have a liver disease. Now, both my husband and I are wondering if we should have used COTA. We have also thought and inquired about opening up a local trust fund for Ashley. Howeve...

Living through Dance

In just about six weeks Ashley will dance, not just any dance; she will be competing in a big regional dance competition by dancing her very first solo. It's completely amazing, seeing Ashley dance, watching her live through dance. When Ashley was born almost 11 1/2 years ago, I never ever thought, we never thought Ashley would live to dance much else do her first solo. I can't believe I am crying as I type this. I didn't think I would get emotional. It's just amazing! When I put her in dance at age 3, I did it because I knew I needed to stop sheltering her. She needed to be around other children. She needed to feel normal despite what is trying to zap the life out of her; despite her disease. Honestly I never thought Ashley would be a good dancer or even a great dancer, I just knew dancing was safe; it was the one activity the doctors felt didn't put Ashley's life at risk. Little did I know how much dancing did and still d...

It's been a while. Did you know...

that Ashley was in the hospital after Thanksgiving and before Christmas? She had a bleed. She has varices. Just a little reminder that she is not healthy and has a life threatening liver disease. that we lost our beloved beautiful puppy, Sarge, on January 2. It was sudden, shocking, and sad. We think he had leukemia based on his symptoms. Not sure if we will ever get another dog. Sarge was one of a kind and a perfect fit for our laid back, drama free family. that Ashley made the Principal's Honor Roll her 1st Semester of high school while taking all honors courses. She is beautiful and smart. that Ashley is still dancing for her high school dance team minus a solo this year. She loves being part of the team but really misses competing in her favorite style of dance, lyrical/contemporary. that after a couple years of not having a dance studio to call home. We think we may have finally found just the place. Maybe som...

Love For Ashley

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