One Down, Five (or Six) to Go

Georgia has completed the first 85-day cycle of maintenance! Now we start the second cycle tomorrow with her 15th day surgery, IV medicine, and the ever-popular steroids! She's been tolerating everything very well so far, with only the occasional headache and some minor gait issues. Her stamina level isn't back to "where it was," but that's to be expected, and it really hasn't slowed her down that much. Part of the LIVESTRONG mantra is "attitude is everything," and after watching Georgia greet each day with a smile, I can tell you that it's absolutely true!

We've got some plans for the weekend - we have to celebrate the end of Cycle 1, doncha you know - and hopefully, our girl will feel up to it all. For now, we really appreciate all of your well-wishes, prayers, and support, and we hope you'll continue to keep Georgia, and all the other survivors out there, on your mind. Thanks, y'all!

Super Sister

Ivy is participating in a wonderful program for siblings of kids in treatment called Super Sibs. She eagerly anticipates her monthly letters and emails of encouragement, plus the occasional package containing special treats like a Super Sib pillowcase. She takes great pride in her trophy and bead necklace and decided to incorporate them into her annual birthday picture this year.

As hard as Georgia has worked throughout her treatment, Ivy has held her hand and supported her every step of the way, and we are so very proud of her. Thank you, Super Sibs, for recognizing and celebrating these amazing children and their own unique journeys.

To learn more about this important program, which was recently awarded Community Impact project funding from LIVESTRONG, please visit their site here.

Make Change, Beat Cancer

Announcing the kick-off of the 2010-11 school year's Pennies for Patients campaign! Over the past 14 years, through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School and Youth Program, kids from across the country have raised over $100 million to further LLS's mission to find a cure for blood cancers. Yes, 100 MILLION DOLLARS - one penny at a time. Schools participate in three-week long fundraising drives, collecting change and earning incentives like pizza parties, while doing their part to help kids like Georgia beat leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. If you'd like to bring Pennies for Patients to your school, contact your local LLS chapter here, or email us!

And you might recognize the poster girl for the Austin chapter's campaign ...

What Georgia Did This Weekend

Made a tote bag at The Stitch Lab

Worked her brain

Laughed her buns off at Megamind

And what did you do?

Happy November!

We've been so busy celebrating Halloween, followed by Trevor's birthday on Monday, this week has just flown by. Not to mention this year! And while we were eating candy and cake, our dear Dianna was running the Marine Corps Marathon (her first!) in Washington, D.C.! She worked so hard, we're very excited for her - and Will was there to cheer her on to the finish line.

While she's been training with Team in Training, she didn't fundraise for this event, BUT she IS still fundraising for the Dallas Whiterock Marathon in December! Click on her picture in the sidebar if you want to help her support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's incredible efforts in research and patient services. Thank you, Dianna and Will, for running with Georgia on your mind!

We're back to the clinic tomorrow and then looking forward to a three-day weekend. Gotta get those Thanksgiving decorations up, don't you know?!

Also, stay tuned for some very special announcements - coming soon!