Maddi Plays Soccer

On Saturday morning I finally made it to Maddi’s soccer game.  We had to bundle up because it was freezing, but we had fun cheering for Maddi.  She is a really good player!  Ashlynn would get really excited when the kids were running by her on the field.  During the game we took some time to warm up and play on the playground.  Ashlynn loved going down the slide, playing on the see saw, and swinging with me!  

Halloween & Chemo

Since it was just a couple days before Halloween they were having a little Halloween Party at the clinic.  Ashlynn was really happy to wear her kitty costume!  She loved crawling around, and dragging the tail behind her.  Every time she would see someone new she had 'Meow' at them.  Everyone thought she was too funny!  This weeks Chemo was almost smooth sailing… When Ashlynn had her exam Dr. Chaffee noticed there were lots of little bruises on her, so she wanted us to hang out until Ashlynn’s blood work was back from the lab.  We thought they were just from her failed attempts at walking, but sure enough her platelet counts were low.  While we waited for the blood work Ashlynn had a ton of fun playing with the baby.  She would take the baby out of the car seat and put into the stroller and push it around.  Then she would take the baby out and give her loves.  After her blood work was back and her platelets were ordered from the blood bank her chemo was started, and then her platelets were started.  The transfusion took about a hour and a half, just long enough to watch Aristocats!  After the movie was over we just had to have Ashlynn’s blood sent to the lab one last time, and we were on our way!

Kitty had to break for a bottle

Snacking on an Apple- Ashlynn's favorite food by far!

Playing with the baby

Spirit Stick

First off this post is long overdue, but it took me a little time to get the spirit stick hung up in Ashlynn's room.  My mother's friends wanted to make sure Ashlynn had lots of positive thoughts coming into her life at all times, so they made her a spirit stick (NO- not a "Bring it On" Cheerleading type spirit stick).  It's along the same lines as a dream catcher, but much more personal.  All of the different object hanging from the stick has personal meaning to the person who added it to the stick.  The stick they found on one of their hikes this summer.  There are some heart shaped rocks in a little bag that Mary found they day Ashlynn was born while they were on a hike.  In the middle of the stick they hung a pictures.  We hung this spirit stick above Ashlynn's crib so she is always surrounded by positive energy.  Thanks to the 'Sole Mates' Hiking Club for keeping Ashlynn in your thoughts always!

Fundraiser for Ashlynn from her Farm Hands

Here is the flier from the fundraiser that my Mother's good friends have put together for us!  We couldn't be more thankful!  We are blessed to have such caring and generous people in our lives!

                                                                                                                                                                     

                    ASHLYNN'S FARM HANDS

Be a Farm Hand for Ashlynn! Your gift of time, money or both will help a young family fight cancer.

November 12th and November 19th. Hire a team to rake leaves, be on a team or just send a check!

Support Fall Clean-up for Ashlynn's Farm!

                           

 We would like to tell you a story that begins with our friend, Lynne. She married Joe, her high school sweetheart, and for thirty years they were best friends. Joe was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 50 two years ago. In June he lost the battle for his life. On the very day of his memorial service,a lump was discovered on his 11-month-old granddaughter. It was diagnosed as sarcoma. Baby Ashlynn, has been undergoing chemotherapy. With an excellent prognosis, she will have a total of 46 weekly treatments.

Ashlynn’s parents are dedicating themselves to the task of beating Ashlynn'
s cancer. They drive an hour and a half each-way to the hospital,often staying overnight and taking off work to support their little one. The family has been through an ordeal we never like to think about. They are managing all this in a remarkable way surrounded by their love for one another.

They could use a hand right now Join “Ashlynn’s Farm Hands” in a  FALL CLEAN-UP!

When: Nov. 12^th and 19^th , Rain dates Nov. 13^th and 20^th

$100 an hour for a team of 3-4 Ashlynn’s Farm Hands + truck as needed

VOLUNTEER -  work on a crew raking/blowing leaves

OR HIRE US-$100 for an hour of  labor(team of 3-4 Ashlynn’s Farm Hands)

ORGIVE A GIFT-  All donations assist Ashlynn’s family with expenses related to her illness.

Checks payable to: Ashlynn’s Farm

Please contact: Peggy at pjnkimball@comcast.net (603)686-0003

                         or Sue at theq387@comcast.net (603)686-3356 by  Oct. 26th to volunteer

Deadline to schedule a yard clean-up  Nov. 5th     Deadline for giving a gift: None!

Check out Ashlynn’s Blog at:   http://onashlynnsfarm.blogspot.com/

Thank you for giving a hand to help Ashlynn

Chemo Session 2- Round1

Well we are back at it again.  We start off with Ashlynn's tough treatment that has typically been an overnight at CHaD, but we decided to try something different this time.  We decided to try to do the treatment in 1 very long day instead of having to stay overnight.  Nana offered to come with us, and to make thing easier we stayed at David's House the night before.  We got to sleep in the ship room,  it was a lot more sutbtle than the Cat room we stayed in our last visit at David's house.  We got to the clinic for 7:30 sharp, and that was even with no coffee.  We got up extra early so we could hit up the Dunkin Donuts down town before the clinic opened, and I went in to order our coffees, paid for them, and then was told that they had no cups so I couldn't actually happen. HOW CAN A DUNKIN DONUTS HAVE NO CUPS????  I thought this was not they way to start out a LONG day.  Somehow we still made it to the clinic by 7:30, half asleep, but we were on time. 

Once we got settled Nana went down to the cafe in the hospital to get some coffee and save the day.  Ashlynn's port was accessed, to get some blood to send to the lab and test her counts, her IV fluid was started to make sure she was hydrated enough, her meds were ordered, and then we waited for 2 hours....  The Pharmacy took and abnormally long time getting her Chemo ready this week.  At that point we knew we were in for a long day.  Once her Chemo was started we knew it was going to be another 8.5 hours till we can leave.  Thankfully Ashlynn was in a great mood, and even took 2 naps.  In between naps we got to look at her beautiful pictures that were taken by the 'Flashes for Hope' program a few months ago, she also got some more pictures taken.  Her first set she was very serious, and today we got some more smiley faces.  I can't wait to see them in a few months.  We spent the day watching a movie, playing with the iPad, reading books, and playing.  Ashlynn was so much happier to be down in the clinic fishy room, than upstairs in the CHaD wing.  Overall I would much rather have a really long day in the clinic than an overnight at CHaD, even if it means we need to stay at David's House the night before.  Hopefully next time there will be enough coffee cups for me to get my fix.

The Ship Room

 Ashlynn was working really hard at walking, she took 2 or 3 steps a bunch of times!

 Resting after walking wore her out

Ashlynn decided she needed some purple gloves to help Kami!