Idaho Appointments

A quick note to let y'all know that we got Izzy through her first appointment in Idaho and were very happy with the doctors and facilities. For her spinal tap, they did things a little differently. They gave her Propopol--a drug that puts her to sleep instantly and she wakes up within 20 mintues or so...just long enough to retrieve her spinal fluid and replace it with some Methotrexate chemotherapy. We had to go to the NICU and have a whole team of doctors there for it to happen due to the increased risk of putting her out. Izzy woke up and I told her she could eat and she was very surprised and ecstatic she had already had the procedure done. Usually she has to scream it out for 5 minutes through the pain. We were excited about the change-up.

As for the rest of us: We are loving being with family in Idaho and Utah. We love and miss the rest of you. Cory and his Dad are having the time of their lives in Greece, Italy and France. Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing mammas out there!

ROSS Kids Graduation

Today was a big day for Izzy and her sisters. They got to graduate from Ross Kids (notice Izzy shaking the Dean's hand...big time!) I was able to take some fun shots on the grounds of the Michigan Union Building. Also, it was Lorin's last day at Bryant Elementary and Izzy got to help throw her a going away party.

Cory graduates Friday. The girls fly to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa Costley on Saturday. And Cory and I start the long driving trek on Tuesday! Goodbye Michigan :(

Add-on to last post

Izzy caught Lorri's attention the moment her file showed up as a new cancer patient. She has been there for us in a major way! They're kind of bonded at the hip whenever they get the chance--two peas in a pod :)


Lori = Mrs. Claus! Known to pull the biggest stuffed bear out of the tiniest cupboard to surprise Izzy. One was so big I had to push it in the stroller instead :) We laugh a lot with Lori .

Goodbye UofM Cancer Center

Today was our last Cancer Center appointment before the move and it was very hard to say Goodbye to these special friends. I have never met a more concentrated group of amazingly selfless and empathetic people.

It was Pajama Party at the Cancer Center today. Dr. Connelly was upset he didn't get the memo. Dr. Connelly and Izzy have a race down the hall after each check. He usually cheats and grabs a medicine push-cart to roll on--all in hopes that Izzy will bust up laughing. Their giggle sessions together are a unique experience.
Judy is our Spinal Tap lady--thanks to how patient and loving she is, Izzy doesn't hate her for how bad those hurt. In fact she's a favorite!

Marcia takes care of all of Izzy's infusions and transfusions--we spend a lot of time getting TLC from her. She must never have a bad day--always happy!
More of our happy cancer center family. Jessica in the bottom right is a Childlife Specialist and becomes mommy to my children as soon as we step in the room. Izzy adores her. For me to get to talk to doctors, check email, or read a book is her goal--ready to take her to Dallas with me :)

I think we're the only non-employees who have a free pass back into the offices (we get in trouble if we don't sneak back and say hi). Anne made Izzy this blanket. Lorri, Lori, Deb and others shower Izzy with gifts every time they see her (Think Christmas once a month). As soon as they send pictures ;), I'll post a few more "family" faces.

Wish Ball

Last Saturday the UM Stars (a student run organization that supports Make-A-Wish) held their annual Wish Ball. The event was a formal dinner and dance to get support for fulfilling more wishes. Izzy was one of the honored guests, and the UM Stars did a fantastic job.

Izzy sang "I am Like A Star" in front of 200 peole--belted it out loud and clear.














(Izzy and Kevin, a doting UM Star) (Wyatt, Izzy, and Brooklyn dancing the night away)

People were very generous in providing silent auction and raffle items and in bidding on them.
Some of the items included sports memorabilia (e.g., signed Tiger's baseballs, Red Wing jerseys and a Rich Rodriguez signed football). It was an inspiring thing to see so many people willing to sacrifice for someone else.

As it turns out, Kerri was also one of the honored guests. She was the keynote speaker and got a standing ovation at the end. It was a great feeling to see Kerri be recognized for all of the amazing things she has done this last year (i.e.,mother a daughter trying to survive cancer, help two other children thrive and support a husband trying to fulfill his dream all at the same time).

Kalahari Waterpark and Easter

We continue to try and party as much as possible with Ann Arbor friends before we move and while Izzy is feeling well. We spent Thursday night in a 3-room suite at an indoor waterpark in Ohio with the Maynors and the Ingmires. We had such a fun time! Izzy was full-on swimming (coming up for air when needed) for the first time.

We celebrated Ryan's 2nd birthday and Willa's first while we were there.

The girls have loved the Easter festivities!
Friday Night / Saturday Morning the Easter Bunny came and hid our shoes (a long-time Kofoed tradition) and each girl's treasure hunt notes and dropped off some candy.
(The candy has put them into a trance apparently.)

I thought this was a cute shot of Izzy's hair growth.

One Year Anniversary and Ode to Red Blankie

Today is a fitting day for a little story as March 9th marks the year anniversary of Izzy's diagnosis. I let the Disney post linger a bit before telling the sad tale of Izzy losing Red Blankie on our trip:

The blankie I made her as a newborn, the blankie that has been her friend through all the rough times was lost (and I mean lost regardless of my blood, sweat, and tears trying to find it) in Florida. The first night without it she sobbed 'til about 2 a.m. But then amazingly she has not shed a tear for it since. I think she sucks her thumb less and has more energy without it here to lull her. So as much as I miss it :) I think it has been a positive thing altogether.

Izzy has a way of turning things postive as I was reminded today at church. Laura Hall told a story of babysitting Izzy once a few months back in which Izzy started really wanting me. Instead of crying, she found a toy keyboard of theirs and started singing a made-up song "I want my Mommy back." I thought it was a good example of Izzy's amazing coping skills.

I explained to Izzy today that it has been a whole year since she got cancer. I asked her what she thought about the last year of her life. She mentioned being at the cancer center a lot. I asked if she remembered all those leg shots we had to give her..."oh yeah I remember that." Then I said, remember when you couldn't talk for a while... "that was kinda funny," she said. Then when I asked if she remembers her seizure and ambulance ride and the doctors cutting her shirt off, she had absolutely no recollection of it. Strangely we had a nice little chuckle about it all as a family. And now, as recommended by Grandpa Costley, I think we're going to "cork it all like a bottle of fine wine and put it on a shelf: far far away!" :)

Red blankie used to have stripes on one side...
Red blankie used to be shiny and soft...

Red blankie got played with a lot...


Red blankie gave a lot of comfort...and got a little scuzzy...


Red blankie gave a last hoorah to Izzy and possibly found a new friend to cheer up...thus marking the beginning of a new year of feeling better and apparently not needing Red Blankie anymore.


THE END.