Two Years

It's been two years since the night we found out that Evy had a brain tumor- a day that starkly divided our lives into a "before" and "after". We coincidentally had a routine MRI today which again showed no evidence of disease.

When we were presented with Evy's diagnosis of AT/RT, all of the survival rates were based on children two years out from diagnosis. Two years seemed like a lifetime. We were pretty sure, based on the evidence in front of us, that we would be pretty lucky if we got some more months with our baby girl.

We got lucky: an amazing neurosurgeon, a top-notch oncologist, a new protocol that had just started producing some survivors, a lucky break when we found out that Evy did not have chromosomal issues affecting her ability to fight tumors, and a cancer that has not returned.

Two years might as well be ten. I know, for me, I barely remember life before this fight. For now I consider myself in some ways to be a lucky mother. I get to be a mommy to the two sweetest little girls I have ever met. I know how fragile life is. Our family is rock solid.

I hope to continue on this lucky streak and have one of the first blogs in which a teenaged AT/RT survivor is shown in all her glory. I hope for Evy that she continues to heal from her wounds as beautifully as she currently is. I hope that Stella and Evy get to grow up together forever, seeing that they are best, best friends. Hope is the best elixir for fear. I have plenty of fear, but a boatload of hope.

Thank you for supporting us in our journey. xoxo Jill