Sunday, November 30, 2008

This is a picture of Carmen and her brothers a couple weeks after her initial surgery.
Reed and I have found peace! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We have decided to continue on the course we are on. We are still going to look into other hospitals and their options, but we know our doctor is doing a great job. We don't know what the future holds, but we know that Carmen will find joy in every day. We feel really blessed.
Carmen, some of her aunts, a few of her cousins, and I went to the American Girl Store in LA this past week. Carmen loved the trip, and could not stop smiling while she was in the store. Thank you to everyone that helped make this a fun trip for her.
This next week we should get Carmen's blood drawn, and we'll see how she is doing. She seems to be doing great, but sometimes she is good at hiding her need for blood. Thank you to all who have written her so far, keep it coming, she loves to hear what you have to say.

6 comments:

Naji said...

Hi Carmen,
Boy it was cold at school today. My hands are still freezing!

I was glad to hear you had a nice trip to the American Girl Store. What fun you must have had! I remember seeing all of your American Girl items you got last year. They must be keeping you busy.

We had a nice Thanksgiving. We spent it with my mom, dad, and brother and of course my husband and Zayd and Naji. We all think of you often and wish you all the happiness in the world. You deserve it! You are still my brightest shining Kindergarten Star!

I love you,
Mrs. Othman

Naji says: Carmen it's me Naji again. We had a fun Thanksgiving did you? It was awesome. I really still miss you. I'm drawing a penguin right now, it's for you. I will send it with Mrs. Taylor. It is a macaroni penguin. I have been working on writing my name in cursive. It is lots of fun.

I hope I can see you soon.

Your Friend, Naji

barngirl said...

Hi Carmen! It's Kristine, your cousin in Georgia. I'm your great Aunt Sylvia's daughter. I am glad to see that I can keep in touch with you this way. Love your new photo on this site -- you look snug as a bug in a rug!
Aunt Sylvia told me about your trip to the American Girl store. How fun! I hope to take my daughter, Katrina, when she is older (she's 3 and a half years old). We have a store close to our house with the cafe and all the trimmings. I heard the food is good!
I also have a son, Jonathan. He is five and in kindergarten. His preschool class made a sign for you last year -- maybe you remember receiving it? We are all glad that you have been feeling better lately. You are such a brave girl! I wish we could see you often, that we lived closer to you. Georgia is too far away! My husband Chris and I talk about coming to see our California cousins in the summer some time soon. Summers are a good time to come because he is a science teacher. Maybe we could visit the beach together.
We love you very much! Everyone here is praying that you feel much, much better -- back to your old self! People at our church are praying for you, too -- over 200 of them in our special prayer ministry. They have seen your picture and I bet you will receive something from them soon. Isn't it great to know that so many people, even people you have never met, love you and want the best for you? That's pretty awesome!!!
I hope you have the best Christmas ever. I want to hear all about it later. I'll send a photo to your Mom so you can see what we look like. Katrina reminds me a lot of your Mom and you with her big, dark eyes and dark hair. You can tell you are related!
Much love,
Kristine, Chris, Jonathan & Katrina

Mindy B said...

Happy Holidays, Carmen!

Can you believe it's almost Christmas? The weather we have been having this week sure feels like it's Christmas time....it's been very cold! Are you reading any Christmas books right now? Do you like to watch the Christmas specials on television? I think my favorite special is Rudolph, it's just such a cute cartoon!

Tomorrow our school is going on a field trip to see the Nutcracker ballet in Walnut Creek. The students are very excited to see it!

I hope you are having a nice day. God bless you!

Love,
Mrs. Bello

Korrine Croghan said...

Dearest Carmen and Family,

This is Korrine Croghan's mom. Korrine loved you Carmen and she always thought about you. She loved when the two of you would visit each other in the hospital. The picture you colored for Korrine at the hospital is still hanging up in her bedroom.

Dorothy, I am thinking of you and I miss you. We pray for Carmen and will continue to do so.

I want to wish you a very blessed Christmas and would love to come out and see you and Carmen.

What I learned so much through Korrine's cancer is the Power of Prayer, the meaning of Hope and the comfort of Faith. We love you and your family.

Always,
Dana Croghan
Korrine's Mom For Eternity

Bridget Homer said...

So happy to hear that you have found so much peace in your decision to move forward with the treatment your Dr. is recommending. We have been praying and will continue to do so. We love you all so much and are here if you need ANYTHING! Let's set something up for Payton and Carmen so they can watch Kit Kittredge and just have a girls movie night! Love you - Bridget, Evan, Payton, Mason and Addison P.S. I have some special goodies to deliver this weekend! I'll call you!

anadeane galbraith said...

It was fun reading your blog. How did Carmen's blood test go? What is the result? Carmen, we love you and keep praying for your health and strength. Lots of love from Gramma G.