- December 2022 - Oral Chemo

Grace began taking the oral maintenance chemotherapy drug, Cabometyx, at home after finishing infusion chemotherapy as an attempt to stop her cancer cells from growing and spreading. The medication turned her hair grey, caused serious stomach discomfort and rashes and she elected to stop taking the medication. In January during her schedule 3 month scans, we found more lung metastasis.  

Friends in Columbus, NE host a decorated tree raffle fundraiser for Grace to celebrate er favorite Christmas holiday. Grace and Carrie had so much fun decorating trees, making giant snowflakes and crafting for the event. 

The family was down with COVID during Christmas and New Year's. As a cancer patient, Grace received Paxlovid to reduce her symptoms and was only sick a few days. She commented, "COVID is nothing compared to cancer and chemo." Carrie did not get the drug and fought secondary lung infections for another 90 days. The family spent the holidays streaming movies in bed, Grace played Minecraft with friends, and got lots of cuddles in with Snickerdoodle.

Grace finished her final chemo treatment in August (her second year of therapy). Grace couldn't wait to finish this chapter of her cancer care because chemo was so on her body and she hated being apart from Snickerdoodle for in-patient stays.  

After months of training, Snickerdoodle made her first trip with Grace as a service dog and she did amazing! For never being in a hospital before she was confident and did an incredible job of leading Grace, pacing with her wheelchair and helping her to stay calm during her appointments. 

Grace was so excited to open the mail to find a special t-shirt with signed messages of encouragement from a girls youth group back home with her FAVORITE bible verse: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength Philippians 4:13.

Grace was in the hospital for another round o inpatient chemo. She struggled with eating and sleep a little more than usual, but rested like crazy once she got home. 

A new French bakery opened up not far from UNMC and Grace couldn't wait to check it out. She found some of her favorite treats like macarons, but tried new pastries for the first time. Carrie sipped strong espresso coffee while Grace gobbled up milk bread, croissants and a cranberry bun.

Grace and Snickerdoodle enjoy a strawberry popsicle on the back deck together.

Grace continued with in-patient chemo as prescribed by her oncology team. She was more tired for this chemo as it was the first chemo after her invasive VATS thoracic lung surgery. 

Grace received a GIANT bag of toys, treats, craft supplies, her favorite pour painting supplies, and more in a huge backpack from Bags of Fun in Omaha, NE.

Grace was admitted to UNMC with a 102 neutropenic fever. After admission, her fever spiked to 105 and she was moved to the Pediatric ICU. Only 12 hours after being transferred, doctors confirmed she had sepsis and pneumonia. She was placed on a ventilator for over a week and received high dose antibiotics with 14 whole blood and platelet infusions to help her fight the infections. 

After a week on the ventilator, Grace wakes up, but is unable to speak for three days. When she recovers her voice she shares her near death experience meeting Jesus and refusing to go into the gates of heaven because she's not ready to die. She refused to leave mom and Snickerdoodle without saying goodbye. She spends another 5 days in the PICU before being moved to the pediatrics floor.

Carrie took Grace's Easter Basket to the PICU not knowing if Grace would make it. She asked for prayer on social media and the request went viral wit over 40,000 people viewing the post. Prayers and messages of encouragement flooded her inbox. After Grace woke up, she was able to enjoy the fluffy bunny ears and necklace, but wouldn't be able to eat the sweets for another week. 

After a year of treatment for the cancer in her shoulder in 2021 , Grace learns the osteosarcoma has spread to her lungs. She must have an invasive VATS thoracic lung surgery to remove the cancer nodules then resume chemo for the next 7 months. The news is devastating to her and her mom. They are told Grace has a total of 17 nodules.

Carrie caught this adorable moment with Grace playing with Snickerdoodle in the yard when she was a puppy. Snick LOVED to be chased. It was one of her favorite games. 

Grace chose to rehome her Serama therapy chicken, Mr Beans, to a young boy from Iowa involved in poultry with 4H. She was sad to see him go, but knew she couldn't give him the time and attention he would need if she was going to go through surgeries and chemo again. 

Grace was granted service dog training for Snickerdoodle a week before her first lung surgery. The team also brought her favorite celebration cake from the Cheesecake Factory. 

After months of training, Snickerdoodle made her first trip with Grace as a service dog and she did amazing! For never being in a hospital before she was confident and did an incredible job of leading Grace, pacing with her wheelchair and helping her to stay calm during her appiontments.