And there is a lot of progress and a lot of joy being had by both the Stewart and Madden families. We are all tired, and stressed, and feel like we should all go go to therapy or take a long vacation or both. We’re getting a good routine down; Ella is with dad and Deb from Tuesday afternoon to Friday afternoon and then is off to mom and daddy Mark. Her rehab is everyday, but we’re doing proper physical therapy on Tuesday and Thursday. Ella is getting a lot of strength back since losing so much while in the coma for all those months. She can roll on the floor, hold herself sitting up for 30 seconds, and is really getting much faster and more fluid with her movements.
Alycia and I are not going back to work anytime soon, and thanks to the support from so many of you, along with Arnie and Susan Cohen from carouselfund.org , we have been able to afford to put all of our time into helping Ella recover from the last 6 months of battling brain cancer and 3 month long coma.
We also were invited, but unable to attend, the clambake for a cure charity event, held annually in Pebble Beach and put on by mother and daughter Susan and Brandi Curtis, who lost their father/husband to brain cancer. The event website golfandgrapes.org is where all of you can go and donate to this great cause.
Please also know that Arnie and Susan Cohen who run the Carousel Fund and hold an event every year in Petaluma, have been helping our families since Ella went into the hospital, they are amazing people who have been raising money to support the families of children with cancer. Ella will hopefully be walking up on stage at their next event, to give both of them a big hug. Please visit their website, donate, tell your friends and family members about these great organizations, and help them continue to do so much good in our community.
Ella has some big hurdles to overcome still, she is slowly starting to realize that she is going to have to work very hard to get back all that she has lost, and that even in doing so, she may never be the same as she was before. I see this incredible 7 year old girl realizing and accepting things that most adults would struggle to discover and that most would purposefully use denial to avoid these realities. She is my biggest inspiration, she is making me a better man, a better father, a better human, every day I spend with her. I love her so much and I’m so hopeful for her future.
Bless you, Dad. You have been given an opportunity to grow that few of us will ever know, or wish to know! After reading your posts for several months, I see such an amazing family growing from your love for your daughter.
Jeanie Blacksher
So happy to hear that she is thriving at home. Home seems to be so much better than hospitals hands down. I hope that she continues to do well and learning to move again.
As far as Arnie and Susan go they are sent from somewhere amazing as they too are helping our family. It would not have worked without them. They are truely amazing people and a wonderful organization.
Many good healthy wishes for you and your family but especially for Ella!
Sarah Kirkbride