RELEASED

Today is a big day! Mikayla is released from the hospital. It is a big milestone in her treatment and re-socialization into society. She will spend a few months close to the hospital for careful observation and routine treatments. When the doctors are comfortable they will release her back home with check-ups and treatments on a bi-weekly to monthly rotation here in Kansas City. This is something we will have to do for about the next 5 years or so. Public outings will have to wait, but the joy of not having to see her in a hospital environment is unmeasurable. Our road ahead is still chalked full of uncertainty. Mikayla will always face the prospect of relapse and infections due to a weakened immune system. Risks of other cancers and complications from radiation, chemo, and transplant will diminish with time. Our lives will slowly fall back into place and Mikayla will gradually become "normal" once again. She is looking forward to being out of the hospital. With less than a month to go until the older kids are put back into school Mikayla is making fast progress and may end up coming back to her house when her brother and sister do. We have to thank many people for their support, but above all I want to thank her doctors, nurses, CAs, and Malachi. These are the folks that done everything needed to get us to the point we are today. We as a family will always be indebted to them for their wise choices and excellent knowledge in fighting her cancer.