Olivia recently got her Driving Permit! She had to work hard over the summer to catch up with online school, but Olivia also found time to work on online drivers training course work!
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It has been just over a week since the Liv It Up block party in downtown Angola! We are again amazed by our community! The outpouring of love and support towards Olivia, Conlei and Nomalee was unbelievable! Olivia still can’t believe her dream of someday helping others has become a reality and it’s all do to YOU! Thank you...Thank you...Thank you! We look forward to another block party in 2020!
Olivia has enjoyed the last 5 days with other youth from her church at CIY Move, a youth Christian conference! She had the opportunity to share with the group of over 400 youth, what she has done to be a Kingdom Worker. I (mom) picked her up early from the conference to go to her monthly checkup at Riley Hospital. As much as Olivia is tired of visiting the hospital and dealing with the effects of cancer, she wouldn’t have the opportunities as a Kingdom Worker without those experiences!
Olivia and her sister Evelyn are home from “cancer” camp! They are exhausted and have so many stories to tell! We are beyond grateful to Camp Watcha Wanna Do for giving so many kids a week to just be a kid and not worry about cancer!🎗
In 2017 Olivia spent a week at Camp Watcha Wanna Do (CWWD)! Last year her cancer relapsed and so during the week of camp she was Olivia was busy with tests to prepare for her upcoming bone marrow transplant.
The transplant was grueling! Olivia’s body went through more than any one person should have to endure! The one thing that Olivia would talk about during that process was getting better so she could go to camp! On Sunday, Olivia and Evelyn (she got to take one sibling) were dropped off for a fun filled week at CWWD! They have no way to communicate with family and friends (no phones, iPads, etc) so we are thankful for CWWD updating their Facebook regularly with pictures! Every camper is all smiles! This years theme is Wizard of Oz, so it looks like Olivia got to take a ride in a hot air balloon this week! We love that the girls are enjoying themselves and getting to not worry about cancer this week! Today Olivia, Evelyn and I (Megan) met Conlei as well as many of her friends and family! When we arrived they were all sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather, the great view of the lake and the best part....enjoying Conlei being home! We spent about an hour getting to know one another, sharing advice and making plans for future get togethers! When one family member has cancer, the entire family is fighting as a team! Conlei is one lucky little lady to have this strong team behind her! Join us in praying for Conlei and her family as she heads to Cincinnati tomorrow to start five days of chemo for the next five weeks! Pray that her body allows the radiation to shrink the cancer and that she continues to have strength to fight this nasty disease! We finally want to pray to find a cure for cancer!🎗
Last year we had an amazing fundraiser for Olivia, downtown Angola. This year we’re doing it again to benefit families in the community!
Plan to attend June 28th around the monument in downtown Angola, IN! All 4 quadrants will be full of fun and entertainment! Dinner begins at 6pm. The Hubie Ashcraft Band plays from 7-9pm. It is going to be an amazing night and we want to see you there! Where white or your Liv it up shirt! Shirts will be available to purchase the night of the event! if you are interested in sponsoring a table or an auction prize contact Sutton’s Deli or email livitup422@gmail.com! Today marks three years since Tom and I heard the words, "We believe Olivia has cancer". I remember not believing what I was hearing. Olivia's first words were "Mom, am I going to die?". I assured her she wasn't, but what did I know? There was a rush going through me and I had to leave the room before I passed out. Nurses helped me sit down and get something to eat before I put a smile on my face and went back in the room with Olivia to power through whatever was being thrown at us.
For 1,095 days Olivia has been going through physical and emotional things that I, as an adult would never want to have to endure. At times it seems like yesterday, then at other times I wonder when it will be over. It will never be over. Our little family will always hold our breath on Scan Days, hoping we get another 3 months knowing our girl is cancer free. It sucks, but in some way we find it as a blessing. Olivia is mature beyond her years, her presence can encourage and inspire anyone and her heart for taking the pain away from other childhood cancer patients and their families is incredible! As much as we wish this day didn't happen 3 years ago, we chose to celebrate! We celebrate Life....the life that Olivia has, as hard as it was for her to get to this point. We celebrate Family....our family is closer because of the last three years. We celebrate Love...the love we have for families in our situation and the love Olivia has for other children struggling with cancer and other illnesses. We celebrate Strength...the strength Olivia has showed physically, emotionally, and spiritually is something we never knew one person could have. We celebrate Prayer...Olivia and our family have made it this far because of the prayer of family, friends and total strangers. Thank you for being with us for the last three years! Your love, support and prayer are more than we deserve! Today, we hope you can find a reason to celebrate and "Liv it Up...Life is Short!" |
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September 2022
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