Monday, September 22, 2008

A True Warrior







Every once in a while, we recieve somene in our lives that makes a lasting impression. And, every once in a while, we're blessed to call that person family. Such is the case with my niece, Robynn.

Robynn is my brother's child, just six months older than my youngest child. They're both 8 years old. For five years Robynn and her parents lived close to me on our family's farm. For five years, I got to see Robynn every day and watch her grow. With my daughter in school, and the boys into everything, Robynn became my girl. There were plenty of evenings when I sat with my son in one arm and Robynn in the other, rocking them to sleep.

Summer 2007, Robynn wanted to join the Little League Cheerleading squad and a trip to the doctor for her sport's physical ended up in a battle for her life. You see, Robynn has Leukemia, Acute Myelomonocyctic Leukemia. She has been an awesome cancer warrior throughout her ordeal. She has made some great friends while in the hospital, and even lost some to this awful disease, but she has managed to keep her spirits up and her fighting will alive. She has endured long seperations from her brothers and dad while hospitalized, she missed Christmas at home because she was hooked to a ventilator, and she only got to attend 2 months of second grade.

InFebruary this year, Robynn was announced Cancer Free and had her central line removed. We were so happy for her, she had finally made it into remission! March was a tough month as she learned of the deaths of several of the friends she had made through her experience. Relasping was her greatest fear, she had anxiety attacks over the thought of it.

April she got to go back to school and, even better, her hair started to grow back in. She wasn't happy that it was full of curls, but I thought it was adorable (I quickly learned not to say this to Robynn, though, for she couldn't be convinced).

The summer passed in a whirlwind of activities for Robynn and her family-they got to go to DisneyWorld through Make A Wish foundation, she got to attend her first week long camp, and she finally got to go swimming again! (My brother's family is very into camping and swimming in the summer months, weirdos)


But in August, we learned that Robynn had relasped. The month of August and most of September was a whirlwind, also. But this time it was a hard round of chemo and preparations for a bone marrow transplant. The transplant is this friday, September 26, and Robynn has asked that everyone wear a butterfly in her honor on that day.

I am passing her request along, with one of my own. I would ask that anyone that prays, I don't care if you call him God, Allah, or the great Alien in the sky, please remember Robynn and her baby brother, Braden, in your prayers. Robynn has fought a fight worthy of the nobelest knight, and poor little Braden is only 3 and doesn't understand what is asked of him, he only knows he's going to help his sister get better.

So, please, remember my niece and nephew in your thoughts friday, and if you feel like it wear a butterfly and tell everyone it's for Robynn McGlothlin, one of the greatest warriors that has ever lived.

I Love You, Miss Robynn B!

All scrapbooking pages made with products from Digital Scrapbook Place

15 comments:

Kelly Krysten said...

I'm so sorry, Terry. That's so sad. And your niece and nephew are so courageous. I pray for them and your family.

Terry Stone said...

Thank you, Kelly.

They are troopers, I swear. I am constantly amazed by Robynn and her upbeat attitude. I would be a whining, sobbing mess, but she just keeps smiling and going strong.

Gillian Layne said...

Bless them both, Terry Jo, and you as well. I'll keep them in my prayers.

Terri Osburn said...

What a beautiful story about a beautiful and couragious little girl. All my prayers and thoughts go out for both these angels. May the surgery be a success and the recovery a full one.

Janga said...

My prayers for healing, strength, and grace will be with Robynn, Braden, you, and your whole family.

Hellie Sinclair said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Robynn, Braden, and your whole family. *HUGS* May God hold and keep you in His arms during this difficult time. May the surgery go wonderfully; and may Robynn make a full recovery (and get to be part of the cheerleading squad...)

J.K. Coi said...

What a beautiful story, I'm keeping you and yours in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

1. Hello, Terry Jo. Your niece. Robynn and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless them & watch over them during this difficult time.
Julie

Elyssa Papa said...

My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Robynn sounds like she has a beautiful spirit, and I hope her surgery is successful.

Unknown said...

Oh, poor babies. I hope all goes perfectly for both of them, and that your family is showered with love and healing. There is nothing so heartbreaking and helpless-making as a sick child. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers

Sara Lindsey said...

I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Terry Stone said...

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. The transplant went great, Braden was up and playing by evening time. The doctor's thought he would be sore today, but nope, that tough little boy is up and about. The only time he complains is when he goes up stairs.

We've entered a wait and see stage with Robynn, it can take up to 21 days for symptoms of the transplant to show up. She is undergoing four more rounds of chemo, to keep the leukemia cells from growing while the transplanted cells take over. Robynn is hoping it will cause her new curls to fall out and her hair will come back in straight. :0)

Again, big hugs and thank yous to each of you for praying for them!

Anonymous said...

Terri, I'm sorry I didn't make it over here in time to add my prayers and good wishes beforehand - but I'm so relieved to hear that things are going well. What a fighter Robynn is, and how well you tell her story...I have tears in my eyes just reading about her. I can't imagine the emotions you're going through. Please accept all my best wishes, thoughts, prayers, and hugs for your whole family.

Santa said...

I will keep all of you in my prayers and add them all to our circle prayer. What a remarkable family God has sent Robynn's way.

Blessings.

Darcy Burke said...

Sorry I'm late, Terry, but I'll be keeping Robynn in my thoughts. We are close with a family whose nine-year-old daughter is a cancer survivor. Children have such courage and endurance - it's truly heroic. I hope the transplant went well and I wish her all the best.
Darcy