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!