2/2/12- Ever since our scare with the reaction to Zofran things have been relatively calm for Izzy. In fact thanks to her ANC counts refusing to come up, she’s been chemo free for a few weeks! I think she actually misses being at the hospital. The other day she asked to put her EMLA (numbing cream) on her boo boo (her port), so we could go bye byes. Sometimes she’s too much! Next week I’m pretty sure her counts will be where they need to be though, so we will be there every day. Monday will be for fun though! We started going the Music together program at All Children’s on Monday mornings and Izzy loves it! Then Tues-Fri will be chemo and a spinal tap on Wednesday. 
We do finally have some exciting things happening in the Dean house! For starters the house is coming together, which is making things a lot less stressful. And I have the amazing opportunity of being a part of a group called 46 Mommas. Here is a little letter I wrote up to explain what I’m doing. I’m hoping to spread it around as much as possible so please help! 
Hello,
My name is Christine Dean. I am the mother of an amazing little girl, Isabella “Izzy”, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August of 2011, when she was 21 months old. I’m writing to tell you about an amazing thing I have the honor of being a part of this year. This July I will be going to Los Angeles, California and shaving my head with 46 Mommas.
We are 46 Mommas on a mission to raise awareness, raise funds for research and inspire others to help fund a cure for childhood cancer.
Each year a new class of 46 Mommas is inducted into the cause to empower and engage mothers of children with cancer. The number 46 is significant. On average, each weekday, 46 families receive the news that their child has cancer. Through increasing awareness of childhood cancer and raising funds for childhood cancer research by shaving our heads, we hope to one day be a group that no longer needs to exist.
Our goals are:
- Raise $1 million for St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s childhood cancer research programs
- Hold an annual head shaving event, uniting cancer mommas and their families, to help raise these research funds.
- Increase awareness of key childhood cancer issues in our local communities
- Advocate to increase funding, both nationally and locally, for childhood cancer specific issues
- Collaborate with other childhood cancer organizations to help produce a stronger, united childhood cancer community.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Since 2000, more than 187,000 volunteers — including over 16,800 women — have shaved in solidarity with children with cancer at events in dozens of countries and every U.S. state.
So today, I’m asking you to please take the time to help us in any way you can. Whether it’s spreading the word, making a donation, or simply taking the time to become more informed on childhood cancer, your help is very much appreciated!
Thank you,
Christine Dean
Proud Class of 2012 Momma
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/509395/2012
Learn more about Izzy:
http://izzyvsleukemia.wordpress.com
