tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42464075779344497442024-03-13T18:07:16.017-05:00For the love of Ava & God's gloryjaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-65042251300324029772017-01-16T22:29:00.004-06:002017-01-16T22:29:53.448-06:00Meals on Wheels<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you may know, the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r5VZVXBiXEBu4pieji8LXPoHQWVkbkpbQeVal_PmgfU/edit#gid=0" target="_blank">meal schedule</a> for the Lee family is still active (and filled)! Thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meg Kelly has graciously offered to help me send out reminders to people a day in advance, since many of you signed up weeks ago. I'll try to keep the number of adults in the household updated, though I encourage you to verify that number closer to your date in case anything changes. If you want Meg to send you a reminder the day before, please include your contact info (either email or phone call or text) and she will do so. I will adjust the meal schedule as needed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your continued love and support of the Lee family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-73022820072405433192017-01-15T14:48:00.004-06:002017-01-15T14:48:50.841-06:00Celebrating the Life of Ava Bright Lee(From Esther):<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have continuously been blown away by the extent of love and support we've received. During a time of intense grief and loneliness, we have been entirely surrounded by the lavish love of God.<br /><br />Thank you for joining us at Ava's memorial services on site and online. Our prayer has always been to give God all that He deserves, which is our praise and our whole selves, even when it comes at a sacrifice.<br /><br />The pain is great and we anticipate it to increase as reality sets in and we learn to face the rest of our lives without Ava. In a sense, our journey has just begun. But this is a race we have been preparing for, much like a runner trains for months before the big day.<br /><br />These past few years, you have been our trainers. You have never stopped encouraging us, feeding us with truth and love, coaching us, praying for us, running with us, and getting us ready for this day.<br /><br />Thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts.<br /><br />As we begin the first steps into this new race, we will keep our eyes on the finish line. It will be a glorious ending, no doubt. We will run faithfully, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but never giving up. For we know who awaits us when we cross into heaven: Jesus.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And, perhaps, as we are running fast in the final moments of our lives, we will see Ava also running toward us, hand in hand with Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(You may wish to skip through the first 8 minutes of black screen before the service starts).</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i7CiSBmV9-A" width="480"></iframe>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-36660597775057389432017-01-14T00:17:00.000-06:002017-01-14T03:00:13.470-06:00Live countdown!<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your patience! We welcome all who loved Ava to join us via live stream for Ava's Memorial Service at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/JoeYoon/live" target="_blank">this YouTube Channel</a>. See you there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-48608224095257718112017-01-13T00:53:00.003-06:002017-01-13T00:53:36.112-06:00Parking Info for Saturday<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The plan is for Ava's memorial service to live stream on YouTube. Information on how to join is still pending. We'll post the information as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For those attending on site at Willow Creek North Shore on Saturday, you'll want to park/enter through Entrance A or D (the entrances are next to each other, as the building is circular).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your continued prayers for the Lee family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-14548104756249909022017-01-10T15:56:00.002-06:002017-01-10T16:05:02.605-06:00RSVP Deadline<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends and Family,<br /><br />In order to plan for our service, we ask that anyone who plans on attending the service <a href="http://shineavabright.app.rsvpify.com/">please RSVP</a> by tonight. Please note that the service will be held at the Willow Creek North shore location in Glenview.<br /><br />For those of you who already RSVP'd, we look forward to seeing you. For the rest of you joining us via live stream, we feel honored to have you celebrate Ava's life with us, as you have sent much love and prayers on our family's behalf these past three years. We hope to post information about how to join us via live stream by Friday.<br /><br />We ask that everyone come to the service dressed in whatever colors they feel comfortable in. Mike and I will not be wearing all black.<br /><br />In lieu of flowers, here is a list of three organizations/causes that we fully support:<br /><br />1. <a href="https://cog-foundation.networkforgood.com/projects/18979-target-pediatric-aml">Target Pediatric AML Project</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />2. <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/fhcrc/site/SPageServer?pagename=adf_agiv&experience=dna16&s_src=DNA16&s_subsrc=aegeo16112" target="_blank">Dr. Colleen Delaney's Cord Blood Research</a>: Be sure to indicate that your donation is "In Memory of" Ava Bright Lee to ensure all the donated funds go to Dr. Delaney's work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. <a href="https://www.calsangels.org/donate-now/">Cal's Angels Foundation</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />Looking forward to worshipping with you,<br />Esther</span><br />
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-51231449207547038632017-01-07T16:47:00.003-06:002017-01-07T16:54:03.232-06:00Memorial Fund<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A <a href="https://www.youcaring.com/ava-lee-472011">Memorial Fund</a> has been set up for people to direct monetary gifts to the Lee family. It's actually the same YouCaring site/link that was created over a year ago (and has been listed on the blog under "<a href="http://fortheloveofavalee.blogspot.com/p/ways-to-help_7906.html">Ways to Help</a>"), but has been updated with more current information.<br /><br />For those who are interested in donating miles, points, (even timeshares?) for the Lee family to use on a future trip to Asia, please contact Hannah at: </span><br />
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-57388656667419615102017-01-05T01:44:00.001-06:002017-01-05T01:44:42.936-06:00Ava's Memorial Service - Please RSVP<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">As previously mentioned, Ava's Memorial Service will be two weekends from now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ava's Memorial Service</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Date: Saturday, January 14th</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Time: 1pm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Location: Willow Creek North Shore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"> 2200 Shermer Rd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Glenview, IL 60026</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">For now, there will be a private service on Friday (Jan 13th) for family and close friends. However, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">if it looks like the Saturday service will likely fill to capacity, we will consider opening up the 13th as well to accommodate more friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">While Willow Creek North Shore church can accommodate over 1,000 people, we know that Ava's story has touched exponentially more. Due to limited seating, the service on Saturday will be open to those who <u>personally know</u> Ava and the Lee family: Mike, Esther, Uncle David, Uncle Matt, and the Lee grandparents. To help us get a scope on the numbers attending, <a href="http://shineavabright.app.rsvpify.com/" target="_blank">please RSVP at this link</a> to help us better assess what is needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you saw and already RSVP'd on the Facebook Event page created earlier this evening, please RSVP again at the new link above. The Facebook Event page didn't allow people to RSVP for more than just themselves, and required guests to have a FB account to do so. This new page will also allow friends to RSVP regrets and include a message if desired. Thanks for your help, patience and understanding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-24749413417084707922017-01-05T01:17:00.001-06:002017-01-05T01:19:53.940-06:00From Esther and Mike(Esther's post on Team Brighter Days FB page):<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since I have no words, I am posting Mike's letter to our church in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you. We know many share in the deep ache of missing our girl, Ava Bright. Though it is tempting for us to lay down and give up, we look to the example of our sweet girl during her last moments on earth.<br /><br />She galloped toward the finish line, even when the oxygen no longer reached her lungs - until the final beat of her heart.<br /><br />It will be my absolute privilege and honor to, one day, share about Ava's last few hours before going to heaven. For now, we look to God to provide the very next breath of air so that we do not suffocate under this heavy blanket of sorrow.<br /><br />Thank you for your continued prayers for us and for our girl, Gwen, who has been profoundly impacted by the loss of her sister. She cries out with us and lays in bed with us, understanding the depth of this experience in a way many children her age could not. That is how strong their bond was. I am so thankful that she was able to experience that kind of love.<br /><br />We will also include the tentative schedule for the memorial services below. We look forward to celebrating Ava's life with everyone who loved her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Dear Family,<br /><br />Esther and I, and many times Gwen, have been huddled in our room for the past four days weeping and crying out. Jude simply has no idea what is going on. Esther and I have been counseling each other, needing so much help from each other to deal with the endless sources of pain and sadness. Some measure of solace comes from the fact that Ava herself, less than a month ago, asked God to stop the suffering, saying that she wanted to go home. In God's mercy, grace, and love for her, He answered her prayer to the contrary of countless thousands that were asking that she be healed and remain here.<br /><br />We may always suffer the confusion of why she has suffered illness all throughout her life, and why the disease was allowed to persist till the end. But we rejoice in her being taken up by God out of this world and into His own embrace. Ava lived in such a way that has reached the core of what truly matters to me and what doesn't. For she kept suffering with such perseverance and continued to care deeply for her loved ones and show kindness to all people. She did this even when it was so hard to take one step or even a satisfying breath of air.<br /><br />It has been extremely difficult also to fight against the many regrets, failures, and missed opportunities we have had with her over these eight years, given how truly precious she is. We've even been battling against the conclusion that we somehow caused this terrible and ceaseless suffering upon her. Esther has been especially good to me in helping me fight against that.<br /><br />Our lives have been overturned. It's not just because we occupied so much of ourselves with her basic need to survive in the face of a barrage of attacks against her life. But it's also the Christlike character that God infused into her, from the beginning of her life to the final beat of her heart. All of this makes her absence so deafening.<br /><br />Yet we are beckoned to align ourselves with the irrefutable result of all of this: the glory of Jesus Christ. Despite how we feel, God has been and will continue to be glorified. We conclude that this must be the point of all her struggles, and we believe that her passing will somehow also be used for God's honor and glory.<br /><br />Our sorrowful state will likely evolve, as someone told us that this kind of grief is not linear but a journey of lots of ups and downs. Yet the Lord is worthy of all our praise, including the kind that comes out of horrifying pain.<br /><br />Thank you for being the church that we can worship our God with, in every mindset and every phase of life. We love you. Worshiping our Heavenly Father is what we need to do and what we long to do, knowing that our connection with Jesus is the only hope we have to persevere through this. So we hope to see you at church on Sunday, and want you to know that starting this evening, Esther and I will be attending the OIL Retreat in Wheaton so that we can be filled up and unite ourselves with corporate worship right away.<br /><br />Nothing is the same anymore. But God is the same.<br /><br />With fresh determination in her steps, Ava enters into His heavenly house of worship, lifting her joyful hands to our good, good Father.<br /><br />Looking heavenward,<br /><br />Mike</i></span><br />
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_________________________________________________<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ava's Memorial Service - preliminary info<br /><br />Thank you for everyone's patience. Details are still being discussed, but Ava's memorial service will be two weekends from now, January 13th (private service) and the14th.<br /><br />Due to limited seating, the service on the 14th will be open to those who personally know Ava and the Lee family: Mike, Esther, Uncle David, Uncle Matt, and the Lee grandparents.<br /><br />For now, the service on the 13th will be a private service for family and close friends. However, if the 14th fills to capacity, we will consider opening up the 13th as well. Please RSVP as soon as possible to the Facebook Event posted here to help us organize.<br /><br />We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,<br />Mike and Esther</span></div>
jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-14536753883567435032017-01-04T09:56:00.001-06:002017-01-04T09:56:49.341-06:00Ava's Memorial Service - preliminary info<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for everyone's patience. Details are still being discussed, but Ava's memorial service will be two weekends from now (Jan 13/14), with Friday night being a private service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is a wonder how far and wide Ava's story has spread; people from all over the globe have prayed, wept and supported Ava and the Lee family - family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. However, in order to keep attendance at a reasonable number, we humbly ask that the Saturday service be limited to guests who actually knew Ava and the Lee family: Mike, Esther, Uncle David, Uncle Matt, the Lee grandparents. (We know this will still be a lot of people). Everyone else is invited and encouraged to join in via live stream. (More details to come on how to do that). We may create a Facebook event page for people to rsvp in order to get a ballpark idea on numbers. Thanks for your understanding and help.</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-86763839633729343222017-01-01T17:33:00.001-06:002017-01-01T22:39:19.335-06:00In the Presence of His Glory<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As many of you already know from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamavabright" target="_blank">Esther's FB post</a>, Ava is in the presence of Jesus. We wonder what joyful things she is doing: singing praises with the angels, worshiping her Heavenly Father, dancing and using her pain-free legs, laughing and being free of wires, ports and tubes... perhaps even knowing all sorts of things that remain a mystery to us on this side of heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Despite the comfort of knowing that she is in the best place ever, the sorrow she leaves behind is real and deep. Mike & Esther have so appreciated your partnership in their journey, from near and far, friends and strangers. However, please respect the Lee family's desire and need to grieve privately at this time. Details about the memorial service will be shared according to their desires when it is decided.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At this time, the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/LeeMeals" target="_blank">meal schedule</a> will resume as originally planned, daily meals delivered to the Lee home. Frequency may be adjusted as needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your continued prayers for the Lee family. While we rejoice that Ava is done battling cancer and is free of disease, the family she leaves behind is beginning a different kind of marathon. Thanks in advance for continuing to pray for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-85337803741259280922016-12-30T15:29:00.003-06:002016-12-30T15:29:42.504-06:00Meals Pending<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for all the prayers, love and support that you have rallied around Ava and her family. For those who signed up to bring a meal, please wait until we have more information about where/how many would best serve them. (There is no expectation for you to deliver food to the hospital in lieu of the Lee home on your sign-up date, but let me know if you'd like to). We'll update with more info when we have a better idea. Thank you.</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-55356550114315188782016-12-30T07:51:00.001-06:002016-12-30T11:20:45.757-06:00Ava in PICU<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ava went to the ER last night and was admitted to the PICU. She has severe septic shock and has been intubated. She still has not been stabilized; your prayers are deeply appreciated. Thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From Esther:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ava is in severe septic shock and in the ICU. She is intubated and currently still unstable. Please pray for our sweet girl and for us. These broken hearts are too heavy to carry.<br /><br />“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”<br />Hebrews 4:16</i></span><div>
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-90631404607783404342016-12-23T15:26:00.002-06:002016-12-23T15:26:30.035-06:00Meal Train<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The <a href="http://tinyurl.com/LeeMeals" target="_blank">Meal Train </a>will begin again for the Lees starting next Monday. They will have various family members coming in from out of town, so meal support would allow them to focus on spending time together without the distraction of other logistics. Things to note:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meals should be delivered to the Lee home. You can contact Patty at: naisula (at) gmail (dot) com for their address</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The number of adults to feed might vary from day to day, but should be noted on each date. (Please check back as the numbers might be adjusted accordingly). Feel free to team up with others to provide food for a particular day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't worry about providing food for the kids.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At this time, a daily meal schedule has been set up. However, should the Lees start accumulating a healthy amount of leftovers, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly. Thank you!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-37271130704545389752016-11-22T00:30:00.002-06:002016-11-22T00:30:21.028-06:00Thanksgiving Week Meals<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hi, friends,<br />As Ava is admitted back into Children's in Milwaukee to receive treatment (see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamavabright/" target="_blank">Team Brighter Days FB page</a>), the <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/milwdelivery" target="_blank">meal schedule</a> has been reactivated for this week, through next Monday. Things to note:<br /><ol>
<li>Only lunch for one adult is needed.</li>
<li>We are not utilizing volunteer drivers this week, so we welcome you to order from restaurants that deliver. (You can see <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/milwrestaurants" target="_blank">this link</a> for suggestions).</li>
<li>It's possible Ava might get discharged before next Monday, but I'll let you know if a meal is no longer needed on your sign-up day. Thanks for your flexibility.</li>
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Ava should be able to go home on hospital pass to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with family on Thursday, so thanks for your prayers for that to be happen without any unforeseen hiccups.<br /><br />Thanks for your continued support and love for the Lee family!</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-45037430819808458532016-11-04T22:01:00.000-05:002016-11-04T22:01:15.075-05:00Discharge!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You may already know from Esther's post on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamavabright" target="_blank">Team Brighter Days</a> page, but Ava has been discharged from the hospital! What an incredible blessing this is; the meal schedule has been temporarily suspended for now, but I'll let you know when the need arises again. Heart-filled thanks to all who signed up, provided and delivered meals for the Lees. Please continue to pray for Ava and Esther during this critical time of preparing for transplant. Ava will get another bone marrow biopsy and the results will determine whether she is still a candidate for transplant. Thank you for your faithful prayers! You are helping to <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/girl-leukemia-clean-test-results-prayers/story?id=43300998" target="_blank">make news headlines</a>! The Lord is good.</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-49274383014957950902016-11-01T16:26:00.004-05:002016-11-01T16:29:27.300-05:00The Brightest Day Awards: Our NeighborsWe are still in the battle. Not a soul except God knows how this will turn out. But why not get the award ceremony going a bit early?<br />
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Let's call it, "The Brightest Day Awards." It's based on the middle names of our girls: Ava <span style="color: magenta;"><u><b>BRIGHT</b></u></span> and Gwenyth <b><span style="color: blue;"><u>DAY</u></span></b>.</div>
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Because these are the people who, through their ongoing friendship with us, have turned a rough experience of ours into the Brightest Day we could possibly have. Just a few comments before the award ceremony begins:</div>
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1) These awards are purely subjective, based on no scientific criteria. I just want to put certain people at ease, you know the kind of Christian who says, "I don't want any rewards on earth because then I won't get them in heaven. So please don't thank me, don't acknowledge me, don't give me any credit because then God won't give me any credit." [a very kind and gentle sounding] Hahahaha! If that's YOU, stop trying to cheat the system! Besides, let's say we never thank you, never appreciate you, and completely ignore you for what you've done for us on earth. Yes God WILL reward you. But who is going to stop us from finding you in heaven and thanking you anyway? How sure are you that we won't be able to feed you grapes in heaven, with our three kids fanning you with a semi-slow breeze on a hot day? So if we WILL BE thanking you in heaven, how different is that from thanking you on earth?? So take it easy. Let me and my family, and everyone who knows us say, "THANK YOU!" You can stop averting your eyes and keep reading, People!</div>
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All kidding aside, there have been hundreds of people - we couldn't keep count. So many people have done so many different things for us. But there is not a single soul of any of them who is "trying to do a good deed," you know - to feel good about themselves or to be recognized in any way. Maybe a family with a sick child draws out the best people on earth. But I just want you to know that these awards are an attempt to capture the spirit of the people who have helped us. They describe what cannot be put into words, so we call them the Brightest Day Awards. It's therefore purely subjective without any standard of criteria.</div>
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2) The ceremony may never come to an end. As long as we're here, no matter what happens. This is the one constant piece throughout our journey. It's been UP for us as well as it's been DOWN, but the people surrounding us have stayed the same - reminding us of God's presence and grace. So we'll keep "handing" these awards out maybe monthly, weekly, hourly - whenever we can. It's an attempt to release the tension that exists from being broken and unable to keep up with everyone who has blessed us. </div>
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3) Unlike common award ceremonies, it may be a challenge to identify the recipients of this reward. No one's walking up on stage and getting their pictures taken! Names will rarely be used. Part of that is a protection of people's privacy and especially to keep people from being squeamish when they're singled out. But recipients WILL KNOW who they are, because they'll be notified of having won the award. (Someone from the Brightest Day team will make a personal call or send a card - and invite them to visit this blog.) We do hope most recipients will have at least a small circle of people who are able to say, "I know them!" and give a virtual applause.</div>
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Okay, here we go. For the VERY FIRST Brightest Day Award, it goes to...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Our Neighbors!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">It had been just six months since we moved into our home, and I'm not sure how our neighbors found out that Ava was diagnosed with leukemia. But I know their hearts sank, and they somehow knew what might help. In Seattle, someone came to visit us in the hospital. It was a woman who lost one of her children to neuroblastoma many years ago. She is our neighbor's best friend, who happens to live in Seattle and would often come to the hospital to cheer us on. Our neighbor found a way to keep being a neighbor during our darkest times. From there, when we were away for months on end, our neighbors collected our mail, mowed our lawn, parked his marked car in our driveway (our neighbor is a Cook County Sheriff) to further protect our empty home from opportunistic vandalism, and many, many other things. They pretty much kept our home from the things that could happen even if we were home, such as the pipes freezing and bursting, weeds spreading everywhere, stale air breeding mold on the walls... They did a complete landscaping of the front and back lawns, which were being terrorized I think by an invasive species from Venus. Interplanetary moss and shrubs can no longer return. A HUGE job that was. They loved and cared for our dog, making him feel like a king, taking care of all his needs and even giving him a new best friend by taking in a rescue puppy so that he'd have a social life. One of our neighbor's sons is a firefighter, whose crew came in and helped rearrange all the heavy furniture in our house before we came home from Seattle. Another son is a musician who will probably be famous one day but is willing to spend every weekend mowing our lawn before I can get to it - that's all throughout the summer and fall when we've BEEN HOME - right now even when I've been perfectly able to do it! Their 3rd son is away in college, who has tons of friends that sometimes have parties in their backyard. They talk to Gwen and give her something to look forward to, which is to have lots of friends who are good people and make a neighborhood come alive. It's great to be surrounded by such wonderful neighbors. You don't have to live with the sense that, if you had to defend yourself from the many threatening things out there in this world, you'd be all alone. With our neighbors, we believe that if anyone or anything were to come against us, they'd have to face some strong people first - they'd have to get past a circle of true patriots who know what they're doing and will fight and defend us with everything they have. We love our neighbors - they're the kind that we wish everyone had, the kind we aspire to be. They're the neighbors that make what you do more effective, like when you try and have the kids run a lemonade stand, they boost the sales. When you're looking for the best place to enjoy the fireworks, they save you a spot. When you wonder if your block is going to have anything to be proud of when it's Halloween or Christmas, their property has things going on that make up for everyone else's. So much kindness, strength, and dedication poured into our feeble lives.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">That's Our Neighbors. This very first Brightest Day Award goes to you!</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048674888463762933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-9344386672907716972016-10-12T23:42:00.000-05:002016-10-17T03:26:41.916-05:00AML Research<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Esther recently posted a video on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamavabright/" target="_blank">Team Brighter Days</a> that she helped with, highlighting the need for <a href="https://bestrongfighton.networkforgood.com/projects/18207-target-pediatric-aml" target="_blank">AML research</a> for pediatric cancer patients. Most of you have probably seen it already, but I wanted to also add it here to the blog. There are no overhead costs, so 100% of donations go toward research. Thanks for watching, and for your continual support of the Lee family through a myriad of ways!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-86877551423101034122016-10-01T01:37:00.001-05:002016-10-01T01:37:12.840-05:00Feeling Better!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ava has been feeling so much better and has been more herself! She still has some GI pain even with a basal amount of pain medication, but she hasn’t needed the additional pain meds like she did before, which is great.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The LP results came back clear (hooray!), so Ava doesn’t need to get any more lumbar punctures or CNS chemo this round. Her GI biopsy results also showed no bacterial/viral infection causing her pain, so it’s possible these are side effects from her previous chemo... Ava started getting a tiny amount of food in her tube feeds (she's still mainly getting IV nutrition). Please pray that she'll be able to digest more food on her own without incident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ava is scheduled to get a PET scan next week to evaluate the efficacy of this round of chemo. If the results are clear (no tumors/cancer), then they will start prepping Esther for the haploidentical transplant as it takes two weeks to get her prepared as a donor. Thanks for persevering in prayer for full healing while trusting in the Lord with whatever will come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">P.S. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ava was switched to another room today, which is great! It's about 30-40% larger than her previous room, and when you've been staying in the same hospital room for weeks like Ava and Esther have, more room is a big deal!</span></div>
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-18719772663294496682016-09-28T23:31:00.002-05:002016-09-29T00:17:58.116-05:00Meal Schedule Updated Link<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you all for your overwhelming support in providing the Lees with meals! The meal signup and list of delivery volunteers has now been merged into the same <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r5VZVXBiXEBu4pieji8LXPoHQWVkbkpbQeVal_PmgfU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Google spreadsheet</a> for convenience and efficiency, so please refer to that instead of the TakeThemAMeal website. The links have been updated to reflect this change on the "Ways to Help" and "Meal Schedule" pages on this blog as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-27338487021274270702016-09-22T23:44:00.001-05:002016-09-22T23:48:47.410-05:00<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ava had a more active day yesterday, with visits from different services/disciplines in the hospital. She wasn't really up and about today and is still experiencing terrible stomach pains. The cause of her pain is still unclear. She threw up a few times today, which isn't helping her nutrition/weight. It seems the mere act of being upright is causing her nausea, so she's more inclined to stay in bed and not want to do much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The good news is that Ava's last LP a few days ago didn't show sign of disease! (Apparently, she's had two LPs that were negative for disease since the initial one that showed relapse). Ava has another LP scheduled for tomorrow (Friday), and if that remains negative, then she won't need to have any more LPs done this treatment. Hooray!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for praying for:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">resolution of GI pain and nausea</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">weight gain/keeping food down</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">increased activity/strengthening</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">healing and effective preparation for whatever God has in store next</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for all your prayers and support!</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-2130081772727805632016-09-21T02:01:00.002-05:002016-09-21T09:39:18.616-05:00Chemo is Finished<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ava's last day of chemo was today with her one dose of Mylotarg. She also had another LP (lumbar puncture). Today was another mostly sleeping day; Ava's been having a lot of GI pain again which they are thinking might be due to the stents she has in her ureters. :( Pain meds may need to be adjusted again. Ava's muscles have atrophied quite a bit with all the time she's spent in bed, so she feels too weak to get up and walk (plus it hurts), even though that's what she needs to do to help rebuild her muscles. Ava's cold sores seem to be holding steady for now - they're not spreading any more - thanks for praying that they will not cause any problems while she is immunosuppressed.<br /><br />Gwen will get to play hooky from school tomorrow (Wed) because she's really missing mommy whom she hasn't seen in 2 days. Attempts to Facetime with the kids often doesn't work properly because WiFi in the room isn't all that great or reliable.<br /><br />They are saying that it might take 4-6 weeks for Ava's counts to recover, so Ava may remain in the hospital a good while longer. Please pray:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For this round of chemo to be effective - MRD negative!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For Ava's GI pain to resolved</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For Ava's ability to ambulate, gradually rebuilding her muscles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For Gwen and Jude as they deal with transition, and for Esther's parents who tirelessly give of themselves for the kids/family</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For Mike & Esther: wisdom, patience, perseverance and peace around treatment decisions, caring for the kids, commuting between Milwaukee & home; physical and spiritual rest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For continued faith and surrender to God's plans, whatever they are, resting in His unfailing love.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For God to be glorified always!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=QCWK4763" target="_blank">meal schedule</a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> has been extended through October, but let's pray that Ava will be out of the hospital before then! Please read the meal schedule instructions carefully, as some changes have been made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your prayers and loving support!</span></div>
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-54840350171222836372016-09-19T17:25:00.004-05:002016-09-19T17:25:53.467-05:00Chemo - Almost Done<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ava's last day of chemo (Mylotarg) is tomorrow. She's been vomiting the past few days, possibly from the mitoxantrone. Ava usually feels better after vomiting, but she's lost a lot of weight in the past week or so. This round of chemo is pretty intense, wiping out her counts as planned. Her cold sores have returned and are spreading, so your prayers for that virus to be contained/controlled are greatly appreciated! Ava will need to remain hospitalized until her counts start to recover/climb back up. She's on some meds that are making her tired, so today has mostly been a sleeping day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for your prayers!</span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-6182470923001190992016-09-19T10:02:00.004-05:002016-09-19T17:15:11.462-05:00Meals on Wheels Delivery Help<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Milwaukee people: I don't know how many of you are out there, but I know there are several! :) There are many people ordering meals for the Lee family remotely, but we could really use local people to help pickup/deliver to the hospital if you are able. This will open up more food/restaurant options for the Lee family. I will post a list of suggested local restaurants later tonight for out-of-towners to order from, but If you are able/willing to help deliver a meal for the Lee family, please <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r5VZVXBiXEBu4pieji8LXPoHQWVkbkpbQeVal_PmgfU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">sign up here</a>. This info has also been added to the "Meal Schedule" and "Ways to Help" pages.<br /><br />Feel free to share the link with any other local Milwaukee folk! Thanks in advance!</span><br />
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-86849136763685773282016-09-14T18:39:00.005-05:002016-09-14T18:39:59.166-05:00CNS Relapse<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Official LP results confirm that Ava has CNS relapse, meaning that the cancer indeed returned to her CNS system. I don't believe the treatment plan changes any, it just reveals how aggressive her cancer is, and what a grave situation Ava is as she receives this next round of chemo. The treatment has that much more disease to eradicate in order to get her into transplant position. Thanks for your unceasing prayers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246407577934449744.post-28066123145134312772016-09-14T00:54:00.001-05:002017-01-19T07:59:40.884-06:00Meal Schedule Update 2<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>** Please note that for some reason, blogger sent out emails to subscribers this morning with this post back from September as if it was a new post. I don't know why. Nothing new was posted nor was this post updated. I apologize for any confusion!</b></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for the amazing meal train support! Some more information has been added to the <a href="http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=QCWK4763" target="_blank">meal sign up</a>. Here are the highlights:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you are ordering a meal remotely to have it delivered, please let Esther or Mike know if you have included tip for the delivery person. Otherwise, they will be prepared to tip the person upon receipt of the food. (Sometimes the delivery person may be unaware that tip was already included and expect to be tipped again).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you decide to order a meal through the website (TakeThemAMeal.com), know that meals are shipped frozen via FedEx; they strongly advise <b>against</b> shipping directly to the hospital, as the hospital typically isn't equipped to allow recipients to heat up the food (e.g. use a stove or oven). Moreover, hospital processing of mail/packages for individual patients may be slower than desired. Instead, you can ship these frozen meals to Liz Woo McCabe, whose address is listed in the meal sign-up details. She will take care of heating/delivering the meals to the Lee family. Thanks, Liz!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">* If you already ordered a meal through TakeThemAMeal.com,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">don't worry, your food has already been rerouted to ship to Liz instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Liz has also graciously offered to pick up and deliver any meals ordered by people out-of-town. This opens up more restaurant options, as not every place is in delivery range of the hospital. For your convenience, we are working on a list of area restaurants to choose from and we will post that as soon as we have it ready. Thanks for your patience and support!</span></div>
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jaemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04639807262289800682noreply@blogger.com0