My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis. See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a> from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing. Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless. After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia. Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing. When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing. Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom. In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore. After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra. Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles. Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it. I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today. Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022 Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi
Paula, Thank you for sharing this news. I did not know about Misha's cancer. I cannot even imagine how it is been for all of you to carry this. Rebekah's letter is beautiful and powerful. May you all bask in your love and care for each other. Marsha On Monday, November 14, 2022 at 08:43:02 AM PST, Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis. See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing. Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless. After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia. Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing. When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing. Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom. In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore. After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra. Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles. Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it. I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today. Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022 Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Blessings 🙂. Sarah Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 14, 2022, at 11:06 AM, Marsha Hahn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Paula,
Thank you for sharing this news. I did not know about Misha's cancer. I cannot even imagine how it is been for all of you to carry this. Rebekah's letter is beautiful and powerful. May you all bask in your love and care for each other.
Marsha
On Monday, November 14, 2022 at 08:43:02 AM PST, Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it.
11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thanks for sharing, Paula. Love, blessings and health to Misha and all the family. Ellie :) -----Original Message----- From: Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> To: OE DIALOGUE <oe@wedgeblade.net> Cc: Paula Philbrook <paula.philbrook@gmail.com>; Paula Philbrook <pmp1600@outlook.com> Sent: Mon, Nov 14, 2022 10:42 am Subject: [Oe List ...] Wonderful News to Share My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis. See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it.11/11/2022 Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Congratulations to Misha and the whole family, for the great success of his cancer journey. What a relief to complete the final treatment! Here’s to health & happiness for the Gottesman/Philbrook family! Nancy T On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 10:43 AM Paula Philbrook via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
-- “If you love it enough, anything will talk with you” ~George Washington Carver
Dear Paula, Rebekah, Misha and everyone else, It's great to hear this news that you have made it through this trial. I wish you courage and hope this experience will be a source of strength for many more years. Dharma On Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 04:18:23 am GMT+8, Nancy Trask via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Congratulations to Misha and the whole family, for the great success of his cancer journey. What a relief to complete the final treatment! Here’s to health & happiness for the Gottesman/Philbrook family!Nancy T On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 10:43 AM Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis. See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing. Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless. After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia. Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing. When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing. Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom. In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore. After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra. Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles. Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it. I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today. Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022 Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net -- “If you love it enough, anything will talk with you” ~George Washington Carver_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you for sharing this good news. May the days ahead be filled with continued healing ❤️🩹 Grace & Peace Wanda Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 14, 2022, at 2:18 PM, Nancy Trask via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Congratulations to Misha and the whole family, for the great success of his cancer journey. What a relief to complete the final treatment! Here’s to health & happiness for the Gottesman/Philbrook family! Nancy T
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 10:43 AM Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it.
11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net -- “If you love it enough, anything will talk with you” ~George Washington Carver
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Dear Paula, Thank you for sharing this story and we wish you blessings without number on the days to come. With greetings from Australia, as in Sydney as in Leichhardt, as in our inner west suburb. Isobel and Jim Bishop isobeljimbish@optusnet.com.au
On 15 Nov 2022, at 3:42 am, Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it.
11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Indeed that is Wonderful news!!! Dear Bekah--BREATHE!! Much love and a bunch of hugs 'n kisses!🤗😘🥰 On Mon, Nov 14, 2022, 10:42 AM Paula Philbrook via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
what a powerful story. Thank you for sharing. Jann On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 3:15 PM Joyce Sloan via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Indeed that is Wonderful news!!! Dear Bekah--BREATHE!! Much love and a bunch of hugs 'n kisses!🤗😘🥰
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022, 10:42 AM Paula Philbrook via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you for sharing your wonderful news about Misha! Beret & Paul On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 6:02 PM Jann McGuire via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
what a powerful story. Thank you for sharing.
Jann
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 3:15 PM Joyce Sloan via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Indeed that is Wonderful news!!! Dear Bekah--BREATHE!! Much love and a bunch of hugs 'n kisses!🤗😘🥰
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022, 10:42 AM Paula Philbrook via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
I celebrate with you all as you lived life on life’s terms and shared your journey with all of our beloved community. Love, Ellen Sent from my iPad
On Nov 15, 2022, at 12:02 PM, Beret Griffith via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you for sharing your wonderful news about Misha! Beret & Paul
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 6:02 PM Jann McGuire via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: what a powerful story. Thank you for sharing.
Jann
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 3:15 PM Joyce Sloan via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Indeed that is Wonderful news!!! Dear Bekah--BREATHE!! Much love and a bunch of hugs 'n kisses!🤗😘🥰
On Mon, Nov 14, 2022, 10:42 AM Paula Philbrook via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it.
11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
How Wonderful! I dance with you as you celebrate the end of a long journey welcome the sunrise. On Mon, Nov 14, 2022, 11:43 AM Paula Philbrook via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
My dear league of Colleagues, I wanted to share this wonderful news: Misha (child of Marjorie Rebekah Otto grandchild of . . . and great grandchild of Marge and Phil Philbrook) is doing really well, and as of Friday Nov 11, he is done with cancer treatment. Thank you all for your support, prayers and energy in the two years since his diagnosis.
See Bekah's reflections below and Raphi's beautiful words and pictures at this link. Raphi's update with pics Raphi's update with pics <https://www.notion.so/Good-News-21079a9b584c4333994ab81dbc3b473a>
from M. Rebekah Otto We’re done
I have always been a “words” person. If I am not talking, listening, reading, or writing, I would rather be talking, listening, reading, or writing.
Then cancer came, and my words failed. They failed to protect my baby. They could not save him, only his doctors and his treatment would. I felt so powerless.
After weeks of unexplained fevers and doctors dodging appointments because of COVID, our pediatrician finally examined him and saw that Misha had small red dots on his stomach and legs, petechiae, a sign of low platelets. He ordered labs. After dinner, our pediatrician called and said Misha’s blood labs are abnormal. Something is suppressing the bone marrow. It might be an unusual infection or it might be leukemia.
Misha and I were sent to the emergency room immediately for more testing.
When we got admitted to the hospital that night, the first team of residents told me, “it’s not a slam dunk” for a leukemia diagnosis. Wow! What a choice of words. They meant that the labs weren’t completely indicative, and they needed to do more testing.
Then in the middle of the night a chatty nurse was taking Misha’s vitals and checking on me. I could not admit to myself that my baby probably had cancer. She said, “If it is leukemia, it will be a hard few years. You will all get through it, and then you will know that you can do anything.” Oh, what wisdom.
In the weeks and months after diagnosis, we were terrified and treatment was its most intense. He had frequent procedures with sedation. He had a port placed in his chest. His nurses had to stick a needle in it to give him chemo. He had multiple blood transfusions. His meds made him put on a lot of weight, and he lost his hair. He didn’t look like himself anymore.
After about nine months, we graduated to maintenance, with mostly at-home meds, and it felt manageable. It was full of blood draws and meds, learning new words like ANC and 6mp and Septra.
Most of the time has been deeply normal: playdates, soccer practice, tantrums, TV, school. Somewhere in there we got COVID, went camping, moved, made new friends, loved each other, argued, watched the bears wrestle at the zoo, ate a lot of noodles.
Cancer has been a fog, dangerous and unknown. I couldn’t see beyond it.
I haven’t wanted to start writing about this journey because it hasn’t been over. I haven’t known how our cancer story ends, but now it has been a little more than two years. We are done with treatment today.
Our baby has been in cancer treatment for half of his life, and I don’t have words for how happy I am that it’s over and he’s made it. 11/11/2022
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
participants (13)
-
Beret Griffith -
Dharmalingam Vinasithamby -
Ellie Stock -
Holcombe Wanda -
Isobel and Jim Bishop -
Jann McGuire -
Joyce Sloan -
Judi White -
Marsha Hahn -
Nancy Trask -
Paula Philbrook -
RICHARD HOWIE -
Sarah Buss