Message of Joy

I wrote a post on Tuesday evening March 4th. It was a sad post about how I was feeling like my strength was dwindling and was very fearful for what's to come in Philadelphia. I didn't post it because well, it depressed me and that's not what I think this journey through Ania's cancer is about. The fear of the unknown is scary sometimes. Yes, sometimes I feel my strength weakened. However, I've come to learn that I *think* this journey is meant to show me, to show my family, and to show Ania that despite a scary life threatening illness, there is joy in this world that cannot be diminished. Blindness in one eye can not take away joy- unless you let the fear of it drag you down. My sweet Ania, has no fear about her lack of vision. Therefore- her joy is still fully intact and it's not only intact- it's spreading!!!

The following day, March 5th (my dad's 60th birthday!! Happy Birthday!) was such an uplifting day. It started by spending my morning with the kids at a parent child class at The Chicago Waldorf school. Those classes are so beneficial- not just for the kids, but for me as well. The play-learning atmosphere is so pleasant and quite relaxing. I always leave feeling like I just left the spa- really! I room full of toddlers can be relaxing! Kellen always takes a nice long nap after and Ania rides the same zen-like wave as I do :) We come home and have snuggle time together. 

At 3:00pm I got a call from Rob Elgas of NBC Chicago. He said NBC wanted to come do a story about Ania- at 6:00pm that very night!! Mike and I had planned a little date night out so he had planned in coming home early anyways. Our date would have to be postponed - but for a once in a life time experience! Rob asked if Ania might paint for the camera but I said no guarantees since she's really only ever painted in front of me or her dad. I set up the canvas with the ballerina she had been working on the day before, set out her brushes and thought at the very least it would be a nice camera shot set up. Well... When Rob and his camera man showed up, Ania quickly warmed up to them. She was not afraid of the big camera or bright lights! I think Rob has some magical child voodoo powers because Ania was comfortable talking to him immediately! He knelt down to her level when he spoke to her which was nice because he is very tall! He asked her if she would like she show him how she paints. I held my breath and she happily replied "ok!"  and then ran to her easil, grabbed her apron and started talking about mixing colors to use for the ballerina's tutu. I have seen her paint many many times by now but even I stood back and was in awe of her confidence and joy in painting in front of these strangers! 

After she finished painting the ballerina's outfit, Rob asked if Ania would talk to him about her paintings. Their interaction was adorable as she talked about her special paintings, the colors she used and the subject matter. Her little tiny voice, so dainty, but confident and joyful again as she spoke with him!

If you have not seen the video, or just want to watch it again, here is the clip:

Video: NBC Dainty Warrior Story

Since this video aired on TV and online, Ania's art sales have boomed on her Dainty Warrior Etsy Site! In total, Ania has sold over 400 prints and any of the originals that we put up for sale. I have had to restock some items 2 or 3 times! People have sent so many kind messages to Ania and our family. Ania's art has been packaged and shipped all over the country! It fills my heart to know that Ania's joyful work has spread. As each order is filled, Ania will stick a butterfly sticker on each package. I think of that little butterfly as a messenger pigeon in a way- it carries Ania's message of joy onto someone else!

 

 

So thank you again to all who have been moved by our story. Thank you to all who have reached out with messages of love, support, & prayers. All who have purchased art in support of Ania, may your package filled with joy, symbolically carried on the wings of a little pink butterfly, find it's way safe and sound into your homes! 

God bless,

Erica

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Tune in TONIGHT!!!

Ania, the Dainty Warrior will be on NBC 5 Chicago TONIGHT at 10pm!!! 

Just found out today! We will be talking about our journey and Ania's art!!!

I'll post a link later for non-Chicago people when it becomes avaliable :) 

Stay tuned to Facebook for updates-

Www.facebook.com/daintywarrior

God Bless,

Erica

Philidelphia Update & Fundraisers

We are still going back and forth about our daughter's future. What should we expect out of Philidelphia? Miracles? Is more treatment in the cards for Ania? If so, will it be too much for us to watch her go through? Will it be too much for her? Will it even work? Should we just throw in the towel and remove her eye so she will be cancer-free immediately?

Cancer free.....? Please pray for clarity and peace in our decision making. 

It looks like we will be traveling to Philadelphia March 9-17 tentatively. Still working out details, appointments and travel plans.  

It's been a tough week for our family. The stress is so painful at times. I don't feel like the fun, happy mom I want to be for our kids this week. I don't feel like fun, happy wife either sometimes. I need my husband. He needs me. Sometimes it's just so painful bearing this upcoming decision together.  I look at him and think back to the 17 year old kids we were when we first met and it's unbelievable that we are going through this together with OUR child 14 years later.... We never would have imagined.

Just kids back in 2000....

 I just know we will be ok. She will be ok. Right now is painful though. And exhausting. But gotta keep the love flowing and be supportive for one another. Be a shoulder when he needs it. Lean on him when I need it. It can be a delicate give and take at times. That is family life and unconditional love. 

Pouty face and all....our family is a solid unit of Love <3

The one bright spot in the last few days has been all the donations coming in through Ania's art sales and a fundraiser page that a friend set up for us. I initially just liked the idea of keeping donations tied strictly to Ania's art so people could actually receive a gift of a Ania's talent in return. However, I know some people just like to give and expect nothing in return and I guess that is ok. As humans, we act as the spirit moves us.... Thank you to all who have acted.... From the bottom of our hearts, THANKS.

Here are your 2 options for support/fundraising:

Dainty Warrior Art Etsy :
Ania's Etsy Page of original paintings and prints.  New items were added yesterday and more will be added today! Pirate ships, castles, hockey players, big fish, little fish, more birds..... check it out and check back often! Share with family and friends too :) All proceeds go to medical/travel expenses.

Dainty Warrior Ania GoFundMe Page:
This was created unsolicited by a friend who felt compelled to help.  I am overwhelmed with the support demonstrated there thus far.  Again, all proceeds go to medical/travel expenses.

That's all for now.  I will update when I know more details.  For now, I am going to try and have a little fun with the kids and give Ania a normal week next week free of doctor visits.  She will be at school, with her friends, or being creative as much as possible next week!

God Bless,

Erica

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Unfortunate Change of Plans...

Where to begin.... I wish I had a more "pretty" or "eloquent" way of saying it but cancer is ugly so it doesn't deserve it.

 My daughters cancer has gotten worse. 

There, I said it. And feel free to add any choice swear words to that unfortunate statement. Yes, I'm afraid our current doctor determined in this mornings exam that the tumor seeds are spreading/growing/multiplying....... Whatever.... They are not responding as they should and he is referring us to a new doctor because he no longer feels confident in treating her. I'm not mad at him for passing us along. I'm mad at this wretched cancer. 

Today's appointment was cut short due to his findings so she had no chemotherapy done today. We are home resting and digesting this new news. I have connected with our new retinoblastoma specialist in Philidelphia and most likely will be bringing Ania out there very very soon ( a matter of days). We will talk about what our new course of action will be. We will weigh those options and decide if we should go forward with a new treatment plan or perhaps just enucleate (remove) the eye and be done with this whole cancer "adventure" in one fell, extreme swoop. 

Our beautiful, strong, & inspiring child. Your daddy and I love you so much and want nothing more than to see you well. 

I don't know what else to say right now other than pray Hard. Pray that we are being put in the right hands. Pray that we make the best decision for our daughter. Pray for Ania. Pray for me. Pray for her Daddy. Pray for our family. Just pray....

God Bless,

Erica ( Ania & family too!) 

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Dainty Warrior Art 2/15-2/20

More fun paintings from this week to add to the collection!

But first, a HUGE thank you is due to all those who have purchased art from the DAINTY WARRIOR ART shop so far! As of right now, she has sold 35 items from her shop!! That is just amazing and we are thrilled to be able to share her art with others in this way! I am excited to get more of her work made into prints and am tossing around the idea of getting them made into notecards as well! Dainty Warrior stationary would be fun right?!

Anyways, here's what we've been up to this week:

A Clown Fish

A Swallow ( we are big fans of creating birds- we've done lots of different varieties now)

Being shy... Hiding out beneath her apron

This last one has been on many suggested painting requests lists....

A Hockey player

Daddy has been telling her he should be Blackhawks colors and his persuasion paid off because he is now sporting a red, black, & white uniform :) 

I had left the background blank and was not sure I wanted to draw up a crowd but Ania insisted there be spectators. She also knew who she wanted watching the hockey hero.... 

The spectators....

Ania, Kellen, Daddy, Mommy & her dear friend Lily :) 

Such a happy hockey hero!!

Hope you enjoy! We may take a little painting break as we have Ania's Uncle G , Aunt BB & new baby cousin in town this weekend. Ania is so excited to see them! Also, next week is chemo week so we will take things day to day depending on how she is feeling. 

Thank you again for all the support! 

God Bless,

Erica

Play Imitating Life

All kids play doctor. Ania is just really good at it. The way she talks to her dolls as she shines a flashlight in their eyes echos her experiences accurately. She tells them what she is doing and explains why.

She says, 

"Welcome to my "Hopipal" (aka hospital)

"I have to check your eye Dolly to see if it's broken." 

" I'm going to check your temperature to see if you feel good." 

" I'm going to give you a pinch and it might hurt a little bit. Be brave and strong Dolly"

"I'm going to help you Dolly so you can be better."

Play imitating life at it's finest. 

A week from today is Ania's 5th round of chemotherapy and I'm starting to get a little stressed. We are going to try to administer prednisone in grape flavored tablet form the night before since the liquid version is impossible to get her to take. If the tablet doesn't work, we will get it IV administered again like we did last time. Next Wednesday will be long. There will be her exam under anesthesia first where Dr. S will tell us if the seeds have been growing still. There will be the intra arterial malphalan & topotecan drugs in her femoral artery. And the cherry in top is the shot of drugs directly into her eyeball. That one just sends shivers up my spine when I think of it. But- I must echo my dear daughter's words and be brave and strong for her. She has little fear and lives each day to it's fullest. I am thankful for that. 

God Bless,

Erica

Dainty Warrior Art 2/8-2/14 & ETSY Shop OPEN :)

Finally! I am pleased to announce the Etsy shop offering originals and prints of Ania's work to help fund her cancer treatment is UP & RUNNING!!!

Here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyWarrior 

There are many prints available right now and a few original paintings. I plan on adding some more recent works over the next few weeks as well so be sure to keep checking back if you don't see something you were interested having available yet :)

Here are her works of the week too :) There are some GREAT ones!

A sassy little piggy!

Oink oink!! :)

An awesome humpback whale she calls "Percy".

Percy is actually a bath toy she has and named- you can see him resting on her knee ;) 

 

I LOVE the water :) 

A Happy Farm! If you go to the Dainty Warrior Facebook Page you can see a video of her painting the farm!

Tiny little chicks :)

I want to live here :)

And just because he's so darn cute, here's little brother Kellen attempting his first canvas finger painting work! 

Hope you enjoy and find some art you like in the new Etsy shop! Again, check back often and share with family & friends! We've got lots more work up our sleeve so keep watching for what Ania will create next!

 

God Bless,

 

Erica