Little Miss Rockstar

Our very own, Sydney Dawn, is a rockstar! Her body is so fragile and achey because of all the meds and chemo drugs. A simple stomp of the foot results in horrible bruising. She just keeps on plugging along with the best attitude. She has been a part of some really awesome events in the past few weeks!

Last Friday, Sydney was invited to be a judge at the Salt Lake City Dancing with the Stars! "With stars on the dance floor and in the audience Friday's event raised money to build a "Hope Lodge" so cancer families from out of town have a place to stay."She was even in the news! If you missed it, you can see it HERE. 

The next night, Sydney got to be honorary Miss Cache Valley in the local pageant. She got to pass out roses to the winners. She even got a new dress for the occasion. 

Sessions for Sydney with Radiance Photography by Rachel Humphreys raised $1400! We can't say enough thank yous to this generous gift from Rachel and all those that contributed!

Sydney's cousin, Luke, is putting together a fundraiser with some classmates to raise money for Cache Valley for Hope. This organization has helped Team Sydney as well as many other cancer families in the Valley. Sydney and Luke went out together to collect some donations for the Silent Auction. There were many local businesses and people that have been so generous. If you would like to donate, please contact us. If not, we'd love to see you on March 20th! There will be some really awesome items being auctioned! More details here!

Thanks for being on Team Sydney. We have been overwhelmed with love and support!

P.S. The 5K was also a HUGE success. Thank you Marci, Running Group, Jeri Kay, Sandy, Barbi, local donators and all participants! There will be a full blog post when Sandy gets back from Cancun with all the photos :)

Sessions for Sydney

Alright, friends, family and strangers! I have something really exciting to announce. My friend, Rachel of Radiance Photography, just started her photography career here in Cache Valley a few months ago. She heard about Sydney and wanted to offer her help. She set up this event: "Sessions for Sydney." She will be donating all the money she makes from her sessions from now until March 1st to Team Sydney.

Make an appointment directly through Rachel Humphreys. Here is some contact information for her:

Phone: 435-893-1118

E-mail: radiancephotographybyrachel@gmail.com

Website: Click this.

Thanks guys, Kylee

Just a quick little update on Sydney.  Thursday was chemo day and she got to spend it with her Daddy while I stayed home with a sick baby Ava.  They went down Wednesday evening to Mom and Dad Mecham's house since clinic was at 8 am Thursday morning.  They had a great visit and didn't have to get up quite so early, so that is a plus.  Sydney got to see her friend Kenton at clinic and also met a new friend, Sarah, which happens to be the daughter of one of Justin's high school classmates.  Small world!  We have gotten to know some amazing people through this cancer journey.  Anyway, back to Thursday.  We love our docs, especially Dr. Luke.  He is who we see the most and connected with from the very beginning.  As usual, docs were impressed with her and had a good visit.  She has stayed healthy for the most part and that has really helped her handle chemo.  She had 2 chemo meds injected into her port (vincristine & doxirubicin) and then a lumbar puncture to inject a chemo med (methotrexate) into her spine.  She has the hardest time with the LP because of the anesthesia, but this was her best yet and she came out of it great.  Along with those we have 2 oral meds we give at home for 5 days.  Prednisone is a steroid that seriously messes with her moods and emotions and makes her hungry ALL the time and 6MP which has been giving her the hardest time.  She has been having LOTS of headaches, some nausea and just all around feels crummy.  We are thrilled that tomorrow is our last day of meds until our next round on January 24th.  This has definitely been her hardest round yet, but she is handling things like a champ.  Thank you for all your support, love and prayers! 

Photoshoot!!

Sydney let me take her out in the freezing cold to take pictures of her in some of her favorite hats! We'll do it again with all 50+ of them in the spring when it's warmer. She's a natural in front of the camera...and the most gorgeous girl in the world.

Check the rest out here.

The Bald Bond

Yesterday Sydney made the decision to finally shave her head.  She said it was too hard to see it come out every time she touched her head.  She had sweet "Aunt" Mollie come over and do that for her.  Mollie called me after, in tears, saying that was the VERY HARDEST thing she has ever done!  She even kind of hated being a hairdresser at that moment. 

Afterwards, Syd got the opportunity to take the clippers to her dads hair!  He is such a wonderful support to her and has said many times he would do "anything" for her!  This is just one of those small things he can do! 

When cousin Dylan Weeks (Stacie's son) found out Syd was sick, the first thing he said was that he was going to shave his head for her!  Any of you that know Dylan, know that this is huge for him.  He is one who always has to look, smell and dress "perfect."  Kind of vain :) The first day she even had chemo, he wanted to shave it!  I told him we could wait a few weeks til Syd lost hers. He said, "Well the day she loses it is the day I am shaving!"  His cousin Landan Knowles heard him talking and said, "I'm doing it too!"  Last week Dylan told Sydney this and asked her if she would be the one to shave his head.  She agreed.  So the big event was last night.  There was so much emotion and such a sweet spirit in that home last night.  Something I will truly never forget!  As a mom, I couldn't have been more proud of my son!  He is truly an example of Christ-Like love to me!

 First Dylan...

 Then Landan!

 Syd and her Dad!

 Don't forget Bald "Uncle" Rex...

 Bald IS Beautiful---but ESPECIALLY Sydney!  You are my hero!

Family Pictures

Kylee came over this morning and snapped a few family and individual pictures before Sydney and Justin shaved their heads. They are such a beautiful family.