(S)milestones

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Published: Monday, September 22, 2014 06:36 AM

Written by Katie Tyson

We’ve been talking a lot about Thanksgiving in our household recently. Maybe it’s the unseasonably crisp morning air. Perhaps it’s the sight of the nearby apple orchards and pumpkin patches laden with fruit, ready to burst forth with their fall harvests. It could be because this year it coincides with Callen’s birthday, and having just observed umpteen family birthdays in the months of August and September, Callen is eager for his day.

Or maybe it’s just because we’re so darn thankful.

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ReeseStrong 5k Recap

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Published: Sunday, September 14, 2014 10:16 PM

Written by Dave Erb

ReeseStrong strives to raise awareness of childhood cancer throughout the year. On September 13, 2014 they accomplished that by seeing hundreds of participants from their community and beyond come out to race at the 6th Annual ReeseStrong 5k & Gold Ribbon Kids Run. They gathered together, and had fun showing support for local families of children with cancer, and raising money for research. Huge, gigantic thanks to ReeseStrong and all their hard working volunteers that came out to help make this event a success.

Team Callen, with over 100 members, was crowned first place for largest team, followed by Savanna Smiles and Emmy's Army. Team Callen was also the #1 fundraising team. We'd like to thank everyone that came out and walked with us, or that donated to our team, we couldn't have done it without your support.

As far as the actual race went ... Scott Crow, who for the 2nd consecutive year, won the Reese's Cup with a first place time of 17 minutes 43 seconds. On the ladies side, Lauren Hopper was the first place female finisher with a time of 20 minutes 19 seconds. If you participated in this event and would like to see the race results you can do so at CommonwealthTiming.net. We hope everyone the participated had FUN! We know that we did. Thanks again.

Child's Play

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Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 04:23 AM

Written by Katie Tyson

During one of our recent chemo hospitalizations, Jim, Callen, Olivia and I sat down in the pediatric playroom for a round of Chutes and Ladders ™. The kids squealed with delight as Jim – who was frustratingly close to a win – was sent down a chute and back a good 20 squares, ensuring the game would go on (and on, and on, and on…!). “They ought to call this game leukemia”, Jim quipped: “you take a few steps forward, then get knocked back again”.

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Running to Stand Still

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Published: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 05:47 AM

Written by Katie Tyson

In just a few hours we will head downtown to begin our fourth inpatient admission for chemotherapy. The final two-weeks of interim maintenance are upon us! Having “been there, done that” now three other times, it makes no sense that I am up at 2 a.m. to ruminate. This is a particularly ill-timed bout of insomnia: given that the days in the hospital are long, and the nights interminable, I would do well to take advantage of a few more hours in my comfortable bed, dark room, and peaceful surroundings. But instead, here I sit - the first of many hot cups of coffee in hand – in quiet anticipation of what is to come.

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