February 5th, 2020 (one day after World Cancer Day) our little family's world changed. That was the day we found out Kaylee had cancer. We will never forget how scared we were when Dr. Gilbert broke the news. What did we learn? We learned that Kaylee is a very tough kid. She was our strength when we wanted to worry and be sad. Kaylee wasn't going to have that! Three surgeries later she is doing great both physically and mentally. We are a stronger family for having gone through this for sure. We couldn't be more proud of this kiddo! A cancer diagnosis and three surgeries in the middle of a pandemic is a lot. But we know we are very blessed and grateful for each other and the way things have turned out.
Kaylee has went back to life as normal and that is definitely the way she wants it. She is playing soccer of course. She currently plays for the Monrovia Middle School team. Kaylee also has earned a spot back with the Alabama Olympic Development Team. She will represent our state when they play against other states in the 2021 ODP Inter-Regional Showcase in Memphis. Kaylee will go back to playing for her club team AYSO United when school ball is over.
Kaylee is in the process of signing up for high school classes (I Know Right!!!). She plans to take College Prep classes and one AP class (History) next year at Sparkman 9th Grade School. More than anything Kaylee wants normalcy (or our new version of it). There are a few things we have to take care of. Sometime later this spring Kaylee will go back to St. Jude in Memphis for more scans and decisions will be made by her doctors there regarding how to best follow up with her.
What does the future hold? No way to be sure but we plan to assist Kaylee with fundraising efforts for St. Jude. Look for more on that later. We are a St. Jude Family now and will always have a relationship with them. Our debt of gratitude is impossible to measure.
Here's to a better 2021 for all!!!
Kaylee in her United kit
Kaylee playing volleyball for MMS
Kaylee loved performing with the MMS Choir
Singing with the choir
