MY HERO'S

We have started the Day bright and early "I" and I. The minute she goes out the front door, she heads for the fence, barking. She is so sure there is something out there she doesn't want out there. Its a comical ritual we have every morning. I'd like too think it keeps me young.

Sunday I went with my daughter and son-in-law to Kansas City to visit my grandson and his family. Since I have started this blog about a month ago, I have not mentioned Mikayla. Not because her and her family are not a constant on my mind. But because they have a blog for Mikayla. It's called " Mikaylas Fight." I did not want it to look like I was trying to get attention for my blog by talking of her. But I have decieded today I will talk about her. Their family to be more exact.

On July 6th 2009 Mikayla was diagnosed as having Leukemia. She had only been sick a few days. The diagnoses came from way out of left field. They never expected when the Doctor ran blood tests that would be the result. What a terrible blow to hear your five year old has cancer. The way they reacted to this besides pain and horror was what has touched my heart so much.

In the first moments of in the diagnosis there is always fear and confusion. But they immediately closed ranks. Pulled their family in tight. Buttoned up so to speak. Their unit was never divided. When they were rushed to Kansas City, they all went to Kansas City. When school started in August, Mike brought the two older children back for school and they all went back for the weekends. Many people offered to keep the older two here but their constant goal was to keep them all together. And they did. Together at the hospital, together at Ronald McDonald house. Always together. As a family.

The months have been full of very painful, hard times. At times faith faltered but always came back with a vengeance. They said, "No Lukemia, not my child. You cannot have our Mikayla." And they fought. Through long hours, painful times, long and sleepless nights. But they were always there for her and their other three children. Always together, always united.

In November little Malachi who just turned one gave his marrow in a bone marrow transplant. The transplant went well. In a couple of weeks they moved to Ronald McDonald house. Then within days a terrible reaction and a long painful bout for Mikayla that threatened her life once again. But they fought, together.

I watched them Sunday, all six of them in a small apartment at Ronald McDonald house.The kids laughing, teasing their Dad for cooking breakfast. Mikayla stays at Ronald Mc Donald house now, her and her Mom during the week, all of them on the weekend, going to the hospital on a out patient basis. I see them with love. And they don't even know they are hero's. Malachi, who gave his bone marrow to save his sister's life. Damien and Darian who have went to Kansas City over and over,spending long hours at the hospital, tense desperate hours. And still they smile. These kids are at a age where kids gripe when they have to be around their parents for more than twenty minutes. Hero's they are hero's.

Then we come to Mike and Rea. How do you find words to say, "I am in awe of you." You have endured, been brought to your knees but you never let go. Not once. Mike you with your soft voice trying to explain to Mikayla each step of what was going on. Trying to be a constant strength for your family. When there was times I know when there was no strength for yourself. I am proud of you. Then Rea who many times had to be at the hospital alone. Fighting Doctors, nurses, whatever it took to get the care, the explanations that were needed to keep your daughter safe. Who crawled in bed with her child so she wouldn't be afraid. A mother bear. Who fought to keep all her family together. A hero, both of you my hero's.

Then Mikayla. I looked at pictures on facebook today. Of Mikayla in that terrible chair when they gave her radiation, strapped in for hours.It was like a torture chamber.Most of us would have screamed, complained but she endured. And after all was said and done, she was still smiling. The chemo took her hair, but nothing took her smile and her spirit. A hero. My hero.

Mikalya is recovering, slowly but recovering. There will still be a long road ahead of them. They want to go home. I want them to go home together. Who would have thought a year ago here was a family of hero's. Everyone of them. The Bassetts!