Danielle was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on November 1, 2004. She underwent surgery, a bone marrow aspiration, a spinal & chemotherapy. She is currently in phase 3 of treatment and is responding well. Following is an excerpt from Danielle's mom's online journal:

In a world full of pain and disappointments it is sometimes hard to keep a level head and appreciate and count your blessings. Sometimes it seems like the walls are closing in on us and there is no escape....we go to clinic every week filling our daughter with poisons not even safe to the touch in the hope that these poisons will save Danielle's life. It is a hard situation to be in and to witness, but what choice do we have? We have watched children fight a good fight and it is ended in a family's anquish and grief and we have seen children go through treatment for cancer and make it with a clean bill of health only to pass away from complications unknown to the parents. I wonder why anyone should have to undergo such harsh treatments and I wonder why there has to be horrible things like cancer in the world. I wonder why it seems that the people who try their best to be good natured, compassionate and generous sometimes suffer the most. Why is it that it takes tragedy for people to appreciate what they have be given and realize what is important in life? Why can't every parent appreciate, love and respect their children and see what a miracle God has given them? I have so many questions that I know I may never have answers to.

I am so thankful that Danielle's side effects have been minimal and seemingly tolerable, but I ache for Danielle to be through treatment so she can do the things that other children her age are doing. Danielle has had to lead such a sheltered life the past four months due to the risk of infection, nutropenia and not feeling well and I long for her to be able to lead a "normal" life. But will our "normal" ever be what it once was?

Please take a moment to think about all the blessings in your life. If you haven't told your spouse you love them today or made them feel appreciated, take the time to do that. If you haven't played with your children or hugged them and told them you love them today, take the time to do that now. Realize that tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us and the things we do today could effect another person for the rest of their life.

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