Our move to Florida

The week after Leila ended treatment, was spent getting ready for our big move to Orlando, FL.  The movers came on July 6-8 and packed up all of our furniture and belongings. 

We spent several days saying goodbye to our good friends in Las Vegas.  We stayed at the Red Rock resort for two nights, and our neighbors joined us for our last goodbyes!  We flew out of Vegas on July 10, 2010.  It was an emotional trip leaving everyone that we had become so close to over the three years of living there.  We will miss all of the wonderful people who were a part of our lives.

We have moved into our new home in Orlando now, and are adjusting slowly.  Grandma and Grandpa Brown came to help us get things unpacked and settled in.  We are trying to get used to the humidity and bugs! 

Leila has her first doctor appointment here in Orlando this week.  She has been dealing with some skin irritation and itching problems since going off the chemo.  Other than that, she has been doing well!  We are anxious to meet her new doctor this week.  Leila will continue to go once a month for blood counts and check ups. 

End of treatment June 30, 2010!

On June 30, 2010, Leila took her last chemotherapy pills!! This officially ended her 2 1/4 year treatment protocol for Leukemia. Leila's last doctor appointment with Dr. B and Jenny was July 2, 2010. The entire staff including Dr. B, sang Happy No More Chemo to Leila and we had a wonderful cake from Candlelighters. It was a moment to remember!

That evening Leila had a Spa party at our house with all of her close friends. We had the Giggles and Glitter company come with all of the supplies for facials, pedicures and manicures. Leila and her friends had a great time and enjoyed the special treatment.

Moving to Orlando, FL

It is official that we are moving to Orlando, FL. Ziad received a promotion with Pepsico and we are being transferred to Florida. Leila, Rami and Deena were shocked by the news and at first were not thrilled about the idea. We told Leila that we will stay in Las Vegas until her treament ends on June 30, 2010. We are planning on moving in early July. Leila has already shed many tears about leaving her friends and school. She is also not happy about switching doctors. We continue to stay upbeat and explain that it is a good move for daddy and we will be living near Disney World and the beach! Our house here in Las Vegas is up for sale and Ziad is starting to travel back and forth for his new position. We will continue this way until July.

Two Years and counting!

On April 28, 2010 it was two years to the date of Leila's diagnosis. Leila has been doing great with her treatments and has been very fortunate and successful in getting through all of this. We are down to nine (9) weeks left of her treatment protocol. Her ending date is June 30, 2010! It doesn't seem possible, but we are all so excited and anxious for the date. After June 30th, Leila will only be taking an antibiotic as long as she still has her port in. Her port will probably come out at the end of this year. She will continue with the Oncologist on a monthly basis for check ups and blood tests.

In Memory Of Oscar

On March 26, 2010 we received the unfortunate news that our dear little friend Oscar Soriano had passed away. We first met Oscar in the hospital on the day that Leila was diagnosed with Leukemia. Leila and Oscar quickly became friends, and Oscar was by Leila's side when she received her first chemotherapy treatments. We continued to see Oscar at Leila's weekly chemo clinic visits as well as Candlelighters events. Oscar and Leila enjoyed calling each other and checking up on each other. Oscar was also in treatment for Leukemia and had to have a bone marrow transplant. He made it through all of that and was doing fine for the year following his transplant. He suddenly became ill with an infection and was admitted to PICU. The infection shut down many of his organs and he could no longer fight it. We are all deeply saddened by his loss and will never forget him. He was a kind and loving boy who brought joy to everyone who knew him. We will miss you Oscar!

First Haircut

Leila recently had her first haircut in almost two years. Her hair has been growing since her chemotherapy was reduced. Now she has long brown curls that are beautiful.  She decided that she was ready for a small trim, so we started with half of an inch.  When the stylist was done, Leila said she wanted another half of an inch taken off.  Leila was very pleased with how her new style looked. She enjoys putting barretts, pony tails, bows and headbands in and styling her own hair each day.