CAN-cer

7 months and 2 weeks.  She's done it, she's in maintenance. Today I put my brave mommy face on, I smiled through the tears of joy and squeezed my baby tight, she has hit another milestone in this long journey.  I cannot believe that we're here, looking back I always knew we'd make it, but the reality is setting in and it's overwhelming.

I am so grateful for the people in my life, for the friends and family who have given us unconditional love and support from day one.  I am amazed by this little 4 year old girl, who has taught me more about life in 7 months, than I have learned in my full 28 years of life.  Brinley handles her reality with such ease and finesse that I'm often left speechless. 

Things I have learned:

1.  There is never enough pepperoni, spaghetti, hot dogs, or milk in our house when dealing with a 4 year old on steroids.

2. No milestone is too small

3. Cancer does not define Brinley

4. My daughter has to ingest medication that I have to wear gloves to handle

5. My son is a very compassionate protective human

6. lemonade from lemon's/silver linings do exist

7. Sometimes all you can do is laugh

8. I can learn, adapt and cope at the blink of an eye in means to keep positive.

9. My husband is a phenomenal man and father. He keeps me sane.

10. Cancer gives you perspective

I would love to be sitting here saying that Brinley's journey is over.  But it's far from over.  We have 2 years of maintenance left before she is off treatment.  However reaching maintenance is a huge success.  The brunt of the treatment is over, the lumbar punctures are now 3 months apart, and she will only get doses of vinecristine once a month.  There is oral chemo to be taken at home, as well as methotrexate, but we're down to the nice spaced out monthly visits. 

It couldn't have come at a more perfect time, summer is around the corner, Disneyworld is a bit over a month away, and I feel like I've had a piano lifted off my chest.  Time to regroup, refocus, and heal.