Julia

Julia was born a healthy child at 36 weeks and had real no health issues... how many times have you heard that?!... until October, 2004 when she had what I will call cold and flu symptoms. She was 2 years old and her older brothers had the same symptoms so I really wasn't concerned. At the time I was very involved in my middle son's health issues and was so relieved to have a "perfect" child. On Thursday we got flu shots at the Library because there was a crazy shortage and my girlfriend ran the Children's Dept. and got Julia in. I was furious that the nurse bruised my daughter with a simple IM! What kind of nurse can't give a simple IM?! Anyway, I went to work that Saturday night and came home that morning to a bruised beyond belief baby girl!!!!!!! I called my pediatrician to tell him what was going on. He of course sent us to the ER, where I was sure they were going to tell me she had some kind of ITP due to a virus or something. Of course they had to rule out leukemia, but after they ruled that out, we would figure it all out. Well, as you know they did not "rule it out." It was in the ER that they told us she had leukemia and we would be admitted right then and there (October 24, 2004) and starting chemo that next day. There are a lot of other details I am sure you don't want to hear, but 5 days later she was in remission and we started out journey through hell. She has had some set backs, but I guess she really is doing well and she is the cutest, smartest, strongest little girl I have ever met.

Kathy N, proud to be the mother of Julia, 3 1/2, Greg, 5, and Thomas, 7. www.caringbridge.org/visit/julianesbitt