Ani needs your prayers! She's at Children's Hospital in the great care of Children's nursing staff and Specialist's. She's fighting a tremendous battle and resting a lot. Most importantly she's with her mom, dad, and brothers quietly spending time together. Dr. Foreman had a pick line inserted this afternoon for medications that will keep her comfortable and without pain. Dr. Foreman has shared with the family that Ani's time is very limited with us - perhaps a week. She's beat the odd's before and knowing Ani, she'll continue to do so.

So many people have offered to help the family - they truly need your thoughts and prayers right now and some time to spend with their little girl.

Yesterday, in the hospital Ani was watching Blues Clues. When music came on, Ani lifted her arm and was pointing and swaying to the music. There's an I.V. in her foot. She lifted her foot slightly and whispered "it doesn't hurt". True to form, in her own way she's letting us know that she is and will always be o.k.

She has always been very independent, wanting to do most things herself. However, she's become more reliant on her family to help her with things that used to come easy. Her brother helps her down the stairs, dad carries her to the couch, and when she's tired and ready to take a nap she holds out her arms and tell's her mom “I hold you now.” Which translates to “mom will you cuddle with me while I sleep”.

It's been quite a year filled with sorrow upon learning of Ani's condition at the beginning of the year, through a summer filled with laughter and joy from a 4 year old that refuses to do anything but live life to the fullest. We maintain hope and faith because she has taught us that anything else is unacceptable. We'll have strong courage going into the new year because she leads the way. And we'll continue to pray for a miracle because she's already proven that miracles do exist.

Ani's Christmas.

9News Story - (click here)

One Christmas wish: To spend the holiday with Ani - and we will! She's doing good and keeping herself strong. Though her balance is off her spirit is extremely strong! She's laughing, playing, living life to the fullest and remaing a great teacher for us all! And the other Christmas wish: That we get to spend a lifetime of more holiday's with her!

On Christmas Eve 9 News (local Denver news station) will air at 10 p.m. the story about Ani, her family, and the Christmas spirit that was displayed when some 20 individuals come over one Friday night in November to decorate the family's house in what Aunt Sophia created "an Extreme Holiday Christmas Makeover"

(Ani with Dad August 2006)

Ani had a busy week.  Her friend Avery came over to play last Tuesday night and then her grandpa from North Carolina came to visit.  They took James and John's friends from school out on Friday night, but Ani and her brothers came down with a stomach virus so the rest of the weekend wasn't so great. 

We didn't have Ani participate in her dance recital, because her coordination is deteriorating.  Stephanie of Cherry Creek Dance dedicated the recital to Ani and sent a beautiful basket of cookies.  She also got homeade cookies from our friends the Shouberts in Charlotte.  They were wonderful! 

Yesterday, Ani had a local news station reporter and photographer come over to her house to do a story on the holiday decorations that just appeared one Friday evening in late November.  The story will be featured in a couple of weeks.

Thank you everyone for thinking of us with all of the wondeful mail and treats and gifts.  We feel very blessed that all of you are still praying every day for Ani. She is definitely slowing down.  Her speech is slurring alot and she doesn't have much energy but her spirit is amazing and we still have great faith! 

Hospice is coming every week now.  Ruth and Linda are very loving people, and the boys like them very much though Ani doesn't like anyone messing with her.  Her Aunt Dawn and cousins Tatum and Banx come to visit this week, and everyone is very excited.

Please continue to pray for our little angel....

Ani's favorite thing, other then the beach - which she loves and frequently talks about, is something "round". She often says to her parents "I'd like something round". Of course her parents know what this "round" object is that she's requesting.  It's a cookie.  She loves eating them and making them!

She's doing what Ani does best - remains tough and is fighting! She's wearing her glasses to help correct her eye sight and is resting and relaxing when not playing with her brothers or helping her mom shop or cook.

(Ani declaring "I a Rock Star")

Ani being, well Ani, one Sunday evening when she found a guitar at Yia-Yia & Paupo's house. She then asked her mom for her sun glasses, put them on and declared "I a Rock Star!"   And she is!

We would like to thank Katie Van Buren (Van Buren Photography) for capturing the essence of this family and showing us all who Ani, her brothers, James & John, Mom and Dad and even Chappy are and the love that they have for one another. Please click on Ani's picture on the Home Page of this site to view this amazing tribute to Ariana! 

Thank you Katie for all that you do and have done for the family!

We all ask the question "why Ani? Or any other child in a similar situation?" So full of life with so much more to live and experience. In a season filled with the spirit of miracles shouldn't we instead keep the wonder of the season and the belief that miracles do exist!

Ani is getting a new pair of glasses - pink rimmed of course. Her eyes have crossed causing her vision to be blurred. The glasses should correct this a bit. She loves to take baths and play in her new Dora Kitchen with her brother John. She still insists on going to the store. Her favorite item is cookie dough and spends time in the evenings cooking with mom.

She's tired a bit and at times not herself but she is Ani - an amazing little girl full of life. Miracles do happen! We pray we're witnessing one in her - please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Yesterday, we received the news that Ani's tumor had returned.  Dr. Foreman notified April and Paul that Ani has four to six weeks left in her young life and there is nothing that is medically known that can stop this horrible illness.  Mom and Ani are flying to Charlotte, NC today to visit Ani's Grandparents, friends, and Father Michael of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  Please continue to pray for her and the family.

(Ani & Mommy - August 2006)

Ani's best friend Abby came to visit!!!! Ms. Stacy and Abby came from Charlotte to spend the weekend last week. They got to see some snow, and Abby took a dance class with Ani Saturday morning. They had a fun weekend, playing with the boys, playing Dora and watching videos. Abby's grandmother sent them fun dress up toys (shoes and hats and wigs and boas). They had a wonderful time.

Ani is feeling pretty good after a having a minor cold. She's a little irritable lately, but that could be because she starts each weekday off by getting mad every morning when her mommy leaves for work.

She and her mom and Dad and brothers got to go see The Lion King when it was in Denver. Everyone had great time, especially Ani, who loved the chanting and the drums. Thanks so much to Red Rocks Church and Brian and Kelly Zibell for getting the family tickets.

(Ani & Gal Pal Avery 2006)

Ani is feeling very good lately and enjoying spending time with her Dad during the day.  She went to work with Mommy a few Friday's ago and got to see Aunt Sessy and watch the Incredibles with her pal Avery! Now every morning she takes a bath and gets dressed with her mom at 6:30 a.m. and yells at Mommy that she needs "to work, too"! It makes her Mom sad, but usually Dad can distract her with an episode of Spongebob Squarepants while mom quietly heads out the door.

Ani, her brothers, and her mom participated (along with 65,000 other Coloradans) in The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She was impressed by all the Pink but it was a bit cold for her that morning. Her brothers will participate next year, but Ani's response was "Sorry, I am not racing ever again"

Ani's best friend, Abby, and Miss Stacy are coming to visit in 2 weeks. Ani can't wait and talks every day about seeing them.  The whole family is so excited though the boys are disappointed that Nathan and Noah aren't able to make the trip.

A Message from April:  Thank all of you so much for all the support and prayers! We want to communicate to each of you personally and just have been so busy with work and getting the boys established in school and a new routine. It means so much to all of us that we aren't alone in this. Please continue to pray for Ani, and the many other kids we have met and heard about going through this!

(Ani and her brothers and cousins at a picnic this past summer)

When asked on any given weekend what it is that Ani and her bothers would like to do for the day they will tell you "spend time with our cousins!"  Ani's doing great and enjoying her girl time with cousins Alexi & Tiffany!

Ariana capped off a great end to the summer by spending the weekend in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with her family, including cousins, Aunt Sophia & Uncle Scott, and of course Yia-Yia and Papou. She definitely enjoyed the hot springs pool and riding the Alpine Slide, not just once but three times, with her mom. She's now enjoying some one-on-one time with dad and Chappy since James and John started school. In the evenings she's busy in the kitchen with mom.

{The 2006 Morgan Adams "Concours D'Elegance Road Tour"
Event Table Tent}

Yesterday, family and friends attended a charitable event hosted by the Morgan Adams Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Foundation.  The 2006 Morgan Adams “Concours D’Elegance road Tour” brought attention to all the children who are suffering from cancer.  Ariana’s Mom was able to meet and talk with other parents.  Due to the hard work of the foundations and the many sponsors of the event, much needed money was raised to benefit pediatric cancer research.  Ani and family thank everyone involved.

Almost half way between Phoenix and Tucson Arizona, in the middle of a desert, lays a tropical oasis.  This weekend Ani visited St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence Arizona.  Father Ephraim, the spiritual leader of the Monastery was able to dedicate some time with Ani.  Mom, Dad and Ani spend a couple of days at this truly holy place and were able to attend church service at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.  Ani received Holy Communion as the sun rose over the Crosses that top the many Churches on the grounds of the Monastery.

The family had a wonderful day at the Colorado Horse Park on July 22nd.  Ani enjoyed riding on the horse and carriage.  At the start of competition, she was given a ride with her cousins to center field where the announcer told the crowd about Ani’s fight against the disease.   Ani listened to every word and afterwards, while the horse carted her and the family off the field, she looked at her mother and said, “is everyone celebrating that I am better now?”  Mom answered, “yes Ani, they are all here to help you celebrate that you are all better now”.  Ani sat in the VIP section and watched all the beautiful horses competing. 

The Colorado Horse Park is an international equestrian competition center with more than 30 events annually.  Every year the Horse Park host a very popular international equestrian competition event called the Grand Prix. 

At this year’s Grand Prix event on Saturday, July 22nd Ariana and her family are the honorary guests!  Ani will get a carriage ride around the track at the beginning of the event.  Additionally, The Colorado Horse Park is donating $1 for each ticket sold to Ani’s medical fund!

Ani returned to dance class for the first time in seven months.  She had a great time performing tap, ballet, and hip-hop with all of her new friends!  She spent the rest of the day talking about her dancing to everyone she met.  Her coordination and balance seems to be normal.  She really loves her dance instructor and is looking forward to next Saturday’s class.

Ani was at the hospital at 5:30 am on Wednesday, July 5th to correct the Strabismus (misaligned eyes) caused by the outset of the tumor which was located on her optic nerves.  She was very excited to get her eyes back to normal and did great with no complaints.  After nearly a week, her eyes appear to be less red and much straighter.  She decided to dress up in one of her favorite outfits (this one she got from Yia-Yia) and pose for some pictures to show off her new peepers.

    
(Ani at the beach during her Make-A-Wish trip)

Ani had an amazing time during her trip to Holden Beach, S.C.  She enjoyed the surf, sand and especially her friends and family being there with her.  We'll continue to share more about her trip so please check back soon.

Ariana and family are getting ready for their Make-A-Wish trip to Holden Beach next week. In the meantime, Ani's spending time at Yia-Yia and Papou's swiming pool getting her merimaid tail back.

Make A Wish! 
Ani is going to the BEACH - or as she says, "I go to the beach"!  Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado she and her family will be spending a week at Holden Beach, SC in the beginning of June.  Thank you Make-A-Wish Foundation and the kind volunteers who helped make Ani's wish come true.  Additionally, thank you Dr. Nick Foreman and members of Children's Hospital for working to make this wish get granted so quickly.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America's mission is to help put a smile on the faces of children with life-threatening illnesses. The charitable organization grants wishes to ailing kids between the ages of two-and-a-half and 18 from its 70-plus chapters in the US and its territories. Funded primarily through donations, grants, and chapter fees, the not-for-profit foundation boasts a volunteer network of 25,000 people, and has granted wishes to more than 135,000 children since its creation in 1980. The organization was originally named the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial, after the first boy to receive his wish: becoming an honorary Arizona state trooper. 

 
(Happy Birthday James! May 5th)

Ani and family had a busy weekend. Saturday morning was spent going to the park and watching Denver's annual Furry Scurry event. Ani looked on has over 3,000 dogs (and their owners) walked around the park. She had a blast watching all the Benji, Snuggles, Bailey, and Chappy look-a-likes. On Sunday, the family celebrated James' 9th Birthday! Ani, aka Little Mermaid, spent hours splashing around the pool with her mommy, brothers, and cousins.

She's doing good. Her tastebuds seemed to have changed a bit but she is eating fairly well. She likes to bake cookies and talks a lot about going to the beach.

Yesterday was a big day for Ariana. While the results from her scan were as good as the doctors would want them to be Ani is not out of the woods quite yet. The type of tumor that she has does not come with great recovery statistics. Unfortunately, reoccurrence of this type of tumor is considerably high. However, we want to remain as optimistic and positive as possible and celebrate every milestone and every moment that we have Ani happy, healthy and here with us.

The next 6 months will prove to be an important time for Ani and her family. Yesterday, she passed a good milestone! Within the next six months and 2 more scans if the results remain as positive as yesterday's result then there is a bigger reason to celebrate! She still needs you to fight with her through this battle - Prayer Angels - continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Today Ariana went in to get her scan which is six weeks after her radiation treatments. As she said after her appointment, "I get a check-up!" Dr. Foreman said that the scan and the results went "as well as it could have gone" - the scan came back CLEAR! Which means that the tumor for now, and hopefully forever, is gone. Ani will be back in 3 months for another check-up and scan and then the same in another 3 months. In the meantime, she will continue traditional and non-traditional therapies to stay healthy.

Ani insisted on picking out what she was going to wear for this appointment - a dress and hair bow, she is very smitten with Dr. Foreman. Dr. Foreman was extremely happy with how great she looked - so much so, that he was moved to tears. He prescribed a good dose of going to have fun now. On the way back from the appointment Ani celebrated by listening to her favorite CD - the sound track to the movie High School Musical. She with her mom were on their way back home to pick up "her boys" and daddy. They are going to spend the rest of the day celebrating, which means of course a trip to Ani's favorite store - Target.

Words alone cannot express the gratitude for the love and support that the family received and felt during this extremely difficult time. We'll continue to provide you with updates on Ani and how she's doing. At the onset we asked for a large force of Prayer Angels to help Ani fight this and you came through! Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers so that she can continue to beat this! Your support for this very special girl will hopefully be realized when she has the opportunity to grow up and be the dancer or doctor or….

With Hope * Faith * Courage * and Love you are helping and Believing in Ariana to beat this!

 
(Ani and Bubba during his visit to denver)

This past weekend we celebrated Greek Orthodox Easter. It was a special weekend for so many reasons in addition to the fact that it was great to have Paul, April and family back in Denver. Ariana participated in a Friday night service that allowed her the opportunity to walk down the church aisle hand-in-hand with cousin Tiffany. The two looked very beautiful in matching all white dresses and white golves. They two stood side-by-side with other girls, also dressed in white, on the alter next to our Priest and Bishop and dropped white rose pedals. Ani had an amazing smile across her face while tossing all of her pedals from her basket. She was such a big girl during the whole service and even stayed with Tiffany and walked outside and around the church during the candle light procession.

On Sunday, Ani and 15 of her cousins had an amazing time tracking down all the Easter eggs and candy that Uncle Scott, Aunts Sophia and Sessi, and cousin Alexi hid in Yia-Yia and Papou's front yard.

Tomorrows a big day for Ariana. It has been six weeks since the end of her radiation treatments and she goes in for a scan to determine the extent of the tumor at this point. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Hope * Faith * Courage * Love         Believe-Ariana!

(Ani on our way to Boulder, Co. & Ani, John & James excited to have Dad home!)

Dad and Bubba (grandfather) got in to Denver late last Friday. They were welcomed by a sign that Ani, John, and James made for them and some very happy kids.

(James, John, and our gal Ani)

Dad comes home this weekend! The kids and the entire family are all very excited to have Paul back in Denver! There's no better medicine then to have a family under one roof again.  Dad will be driving out this weekend with grandfather Bud. It's been sometime since the two of them have seen April and the kids so no doubt it will be a great reunion! We wish them a very safe journey to Denver and look forward to the celebration of the family being together again!

Thank you Aunt Dawn for your hard work in organizing a fund raiser for Ani in Charlotte, on Saturday, April 1st. Additionally, on behalf of Ani and her family thanks to the many other moms clubs, consignment stores and others that participated to make this event so special for one very wonderful girl and family! Questions about this event and other fund raisers in the Charlotte area can be directed to Aunt Dawn dawnking1@alltel.net.

(Cousins Tiffy & Andrea, Miss Bailey & Ani)

Ani is doing as Doctor Foreman said she would - dancing again (and singing)! She's also into making cake and cookies (with mom's help), and of course playing with James & John.

Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and pray that the tumor goes away. Remember, miracles are all around us - we just have to look close to find them and God willing we're witnessing one in Ani!

 (Ani loves accessories)

Thank you Nouna Sophia and Nouno Brent (Godmother & Godfather), Aunt Gigi and Yia Yia for helping April, Ani, and the boys move! The family rented a cute little house that's extremely close to one of Denver's largest parks (big enough for the boys to burn off extra energy) and right across the street from Aunt Sessi's house. Ani said that Miss Sessi and Miss Bailey (Aunt Sessi's dog) can come over anytime.

In Charlotte, tomorrow Aunt Dawn and many others are helping to raise money for Ani and the family. On Saturday April 1st. four consignment stores and  two moms clubs are participating in a fund raiser. Flyers are posted with Ani's web site to let the community know about this special little girl and why proceeds are being raised. Questions about this event and other fund raisers in the Charlotte area can be directed to Aunt Dawn dawnking1@alltel.net.

Messages from Ani and, as she calls them, "my boys"

 (from Ani)

Thank you for visiting my website.  I am feeling much better and hope to see you all real soon.  I want to go to Target then Toys 'R' Us and then I would like to go the beach and I want everyone to come with me. I love you, Ani.

 (from John)

Every day Ani says to go to target.  She loves to go to the grocery store.  She likes getting videos at Block Busters.  I think that Ani likes cookie dough and pancake mix.  Ani says she wants to go to all of the stores with Abby.  Ani' s favorite grocery store is Wild Oats.  Pray for Ani every night. 

 (from James)

Ani likes to play with the dogs.  She likes to ride Chappy's back.  She doesn't like it when yiayia says she wants to send Chappy and Benji to the moon.  If Chappy goes outside Ani will be behind him. Ani likes to chase Chappy and Baily around the house.  Ani likes when Benji gets in trouble.  At night, Ani brings Chappy's toys and food on the bed so he will sleep with her. 

 
Ani and cousin Tiffany playing around on Sunday. She enjoyed the day going to church and then to her favorite store Target where she proceeded to stay in the baking aisle deliberating and then finally making two selections: chocolate chip cookie mix and pancakes. 

 (Ani & Mom having fun at dinner)
Ani is working on getting her taste buds back. Radiation can have an effect on taste and now that she's off the Steroid medication she's gone from eating a lot to not wanting anything. Her appetite should improve in the next couple of weeks. Until then, there's plenty of her current favorite, milk and chicken, to go around. She's also playing more with James and John again. They definitely have fun together and true to big brother form, James keeps a close eye on his little sister.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Ani celebrated the day with her family. John's Godparents (Nouna Kikki and Nouno Nick) are in town visiting and give the kids some lollipops - which they definitely enjoyed.

Radiation treatments are over! Ani has been such an amazing big girl throughout these past 6 weeks, handling very early morning radiation treatments like a trooper. The radiation technicians celebrated Ani's last appointment by blowing bubbles, giving her some chocolates (which were quickly eaten) and singing a requested song from Ani - Zippity Do-Da Zippity Day (a very appropriate song selection).

After this last treatment she said "I went to the doctor and now I'm all better!" We certainly pray that she knows something in this wise statement.

(relaxed after doctors appt.)
Radiation treatments end this Friday. Ani is doing good. She saw her eye doctor and there is no damage to her optical nerves and her eyes are moving more closely in alignment. She and April met with her Specialist today, Dr. Forman and Dr. Lea Gore. Dr. Gore heads up two clinical studies currently being conducted on brain stem glioma. Ani will see Dr. Forman every couple of weeks and will have a scan done in six weeks. The family will spend some time deciding whether or not Ani should be introduced to the clinical studies Dr. Gore is involved with (both involve chemotherapy and are at this point experimental). In the meantime, Dr. Forman shared with Paul and April, Ani should soon be dancing again. It's time for Ani to enjoy doing what most 3 year olds do best…being a kid. So, providing Ani and the boys with a great quality of life right now is priority. Though there is a lot to be discussed and decided - some of the decisions may come from how Ani is doing in the coming weeks. She's tough and we believe and pray that she will get better!

(doing what all kids ejoy doing-playing games!)

5 days of radiation treatment left. Ariana has been off the Steroid medication for almost a week. Her cute little features are coming back - the medication made her considerably bloated in the face and belly. More importantly Ani is being Ani!  She loves to play (pictured above playing a new Dora The Explorer video game), laugh, and joke around.

Her doctors, family, friends, and even people who have never met her before already know that she is one special girl!  God has a plan for her and our hope is that this plan includes having her with us for quite sometime - we have a lot to learn from this little girl!  Miracles do happen - believe and pray that the tumor goes away and she that will get better!

Happy to see dad! Paul got in yesterday afternoon and was immediately surrounded by three very happy kids to see him. During the weekend Ani got to play with her Nana (Grandmother) and Mrs. Stacy. She's completely off the Steroid medication and trying to handle the multitude of other medications like a trooper - she's definitely grown up considerably in the past 30 days.

 (Ani hanging out with Chappy-2005)
Ariana's radiation treatment ends next week. April and Paul continue to explore next steps after radiation. Ani has done wonderful with the treatments. There haven't been the usual side effects like loss of some hair and nausea that is frequently experienced with this type of treatment. Ariana will be completely off the Steroid medication this week and continues to eat strong. April and Ani will be meeting today with a nutrition specialist that has some success in helping individuals with cancer.

Ani's grandmother (Kaye) and the family's good friend Mrs. Stacy will arrive this afternoon from Charlotte for a long weekend visit. Dad will also be here for a few days beginning this Sunday. Please keep Ani and family in your prayers!

People all over North Carolina - Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill and Monroe are helping to donate to Ariana's Fund. Currently children's clothing is being accepted to be sold at an event the second week in March. All proceeds will go Ariana's Fund.

Thanks to the following groups that have reached out to Ariana and family: Kid's at Heart, Karrosel Kid's, Teddy Bear's Closet, Trendy Tots, Members of Mint Hill Mom's, Members of Charlotte Mother's of Multiples, and many family members and friends that have already contributed to Ariana's Fund!

The outpour of prayers and contributions have been incredible. Other items are also being accepted for a fund raiser event coming soon. The date will be announced asap, a local group is wanting to sponsor it and has idea's to raise even more money. All funds will go directly to Ariana's Fund. Additionally, pink bracelets are also being sold with proceeds being donated as well. It's a real blessing to have one. Any other thought's, questions, or donation idea's for the Charlotte area may be directed to dawnking1@alltel.net (Thank you Aunt Dawn!)

Thank you Nouna Sophia & Wagner Equipment:  Last week Ani and the boys got to explore some heavy machinery and play in the dirt. Thanks to Nouna (Godmother) Sophia, who works for Wagner Equipment, the kids got to experience driving some Caterpillar trucks outside. Ani sat in mom's lap as she, and a wonderful Wagner Equipment Engineer, maneuvered through a dirt course. According to mom, Ani did great job - turning on the radio and air conditioner (what every little girl would do first prior to driving a big truck). Needless, to say it was quite the experience and a great opportunity to allow these kids to be kids. Thank you Nouna Sophia and all the amazing individuals at Wagner who treated the kids with such kindness and allowed them to play in the dirt for one afternoon!

A message from April:  The generosity and support that the family is receiving is overwhelming. Each day she, Ani and the boys receive many cards, gifts and messages.  They are very blessed to have such a network of compassion and strength and now have a very large extended family made of some individuals that they haven’t even met yet.  Please know that the family feels your prayers, support, encouragement, and is “blanketed with love”. 

April wishes that she could personally thank each and everyone for all that you’ve done.  For now, she is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and when Ani beats this they all look forward to thanking you personally!

(Ani & friends - Summer 2005)
Ariana is in her 3^rd week of radiation treatments with 3 more weeks remaining.  Ani’s holding tough!  Her favorite nurse, nurse Flori, got to see for the 1^st time today Ani’s signature great smile as she flashed nurse Flori a big toothy grin!

Wednesday’s tend to be very long days with back to back medical and consultation appointments.  Ariana will be off the Steroid medication by next week.  She’s still eating quite well.  For lunch today, she asked for more “juice balls” in her soup.  What she meant was more meatballs (Yia Yia made Greek soup).  Though, we suspect that Ani could have really wanted juice balls as an attempt to sneak some sugar into her lunch. 

April and Paul are researching alternatives after radiation.  There’s a lot to explore like the Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Cancer Cell therapy, and others. 

Support & Fundraising for Ariana:  So many people have offered assistance to help Ariana and the family.  Our sincere thanks to everyone for your kindness and generosity.  Paul, April, and family greatly appreciate your love, prayers, encouragement, and support!

An Ariana Fund section will be set up shortly. This fund will directly assist with the mounting medical bills and to help the family get their lives back in order so that they can be under one roof and all together again.  Please check Ani’s web site soon for more information on how you can help.   

 (Ani drawing - 2005)
Ani was fighting a cough this weekend which kept her fairly quiet and napping.  Unfortunately, she had to skip a trip to the Aquarium with her brothers, Christopher, Tiffany, and Aunt Sessy.  We’re look forward to having her join us, with mom, this weekend for a return trip so that she too can see the men feeding the eels, mine for gems, and have her picture drawn and included with her brothers and cousins as part of the Star Wars cartoon.

Our prayers go out to the Scott family of Charlotte, NC.  Five-year-old Tyler Scott was diagnosed last month with brainstem glioma. His family traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee for treatment, but Tyler passed away less than 10 days after the diagnosis and just two days after flying home.  May Tyler's memory live strong! (www.tylersteam.org)

Ani's becoming more of her little self. She'll be down to taking the steroid medication just 1 time per day and will hopefully be off completely in the next couple of weeks. She's remaining strong and still eating very well (she's gained 7 pounds). She's got a great little sense of humor when not keyed up from the steroids. The doctors think that she's a great candidate for some experimental treatments - She'll beat this thing one way or another!

We've had bracelets made (similar to the Live Strong wristband). These are pink (Ani's favorite color) and help to provide a visual reminder of keeping strong for her. Please email the address provided in the Contact section of this web site if you would like an Ani bracelet.  Include in your email the address of where you would like the bracelet(s) mailed.  We have quite a few Prayer Angels wearing these wristbands already!

Week two of treatments is going good. Ani has the weekends free from any doctor's appointments. On Monday's trip to resume treatments, mom opened the car door Ani looked around and declared "Oh, not this place again!" It's good to hear that nothing can take away her sense of humor!

James and John started Tai Kwan Do and go every Monday evening. Ani goes with to watch the boys as she always did in Charlotte. James will start a new Home School program every Friday. The program is very similar to what he was used to. James greatly misses his friends and was visibly upset last night. Ani quickly reassured him that everything will "be all right". Not only does she have a great sense of humor but also strong wisdom at 3 1/2!

(Pictured: Ani during her 3rd Birthday party)
Last Sunday, February 5^th, was Paul’s Birthday.  The family had a quiet celebration.  Paul was presented with a birthday cake and a cheesecake with candles.  Ani got to sing happy birthday in Dad’s arms and managed to help blow out some candles even while smiling ear to ear. 

Yesterday (Thursday) marks the first week of the overall six weeks of radiation treatments for Ariana.  The Doctors have now lessened Ani’s dosage of the Steroid.  Their goal is to completely remove her from the drug.  Ani also saw her eye doctor yesterday.  The tumor is pressuring the optical nerves which causes her eyes to cross.  She’ll begin to wear an eye patch every four hours to help ease double vision.  She’s remaining tough and so is the family.

The GOYANS basketball tournament was held last weekend in Richmond, Virginia.  The boys and the girls teams wore Ariana's name on their jerseys during their tournaments. Both teams requested that their winnings be donated Ariana!  Thank you GOYANS!

Many, many people are keeping Ariana and her family in their prayers. Please click on the date link and accompanying Pictures link.

Dad, James, John, Chappy and Aunt Sessy got to Denver at 7 p.m. Ani was sitting on mom's lap when the boys came through the door. They were anxious to share their road trip experience and immediately started talking about what they had seen. Tennessee seemed to be their favorite area.  Perhaps because they had gotten the chance to see Aunt Gigi there during a dinner stop. James pulled out of his pocket his Build A Bear gift card and said "here Ani, this is for you".  Apparently, he was carrying this during the whole trip waiting to give it to her.  They all proceeded to jump on the couch and give mom and Ani big hugs (Chappy even managed to get a hug in).  After dinner Ani made her way to dad's lap and curled up in his arms - head buried in his chest. 

Ani’s now had two radiation treatments and is quite the little trooper during the approximately two hour sessions. Once these treatments progress a little further Ani will be slowly removed from the steroid medication. For now, unfortunately she has to remain taking this medication 3 times a day. They greatly affect her appetite and mood in an adverse way. Please keep your thoughts and prayers coming!

Treatments will start next week for Ariana.  She's recently had a procedure done that will assist in pinpointing the exact location for the radiation.  This also helps to minimize too many 'pokes' during her daily treatments.  She's remaining tough and staying close to mom.

Dad, James, John, Chappy, and Aunt Sessy leave this afternoon for their road trip to Denver.  Their trip will be approximately 3 days (depending on overnight stays and stretching stops).  James and John will be keeping a journal and collecting items to share with Ani from their road trip.  Everyone is looking forward to having the family together again!

The trip to the doctor yesterday was a long one. The consulting specialist is top in this field so Ani is definitely in good hands. After review of all medical records and scans the best course of treatment right now is radiation therapy. This is the most common treatment for children with brain stem gliomas. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation from x-rays and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The tumor is approximately the size of a small egg so shrinking it is first and foremost. Ani goes to Children's Hospital one more time today and then will begin daily out-patient radiation treatments for the next four weeks. Please keep in your thoughts and prayers that this tumor shrinks and Ani remains the tough little girl that she has proven to be thus far! April is extremely strong and very focused on getting her little girl better right now.

Yia Yia (Grandma) gets back to Denver tomorrow from Charlotte. Dad, and bothers James & John, dog Chappy and Aunt Sessy will load up the car and leave Charlotte on Tuesday, February 1st and are anticipated to arrive in Denver around February 4th. Having the family together will no doubt be great medicine for Ani!

So many people have reached out and for that we are so very appreciative. Our apologies if we're not able to respond to your calls - Ani and mom are definitely going to need some quiet time to get through these treatments.  They love you all very much and wish that they could have arrived in Denver under better circumstances to see and visit with everyone.  We're very hopefully that once Ani gets back on her feet we'll have a very wonderful celebration with all.

April & Ani arrived safely last night. They were tired but good. Ani kept asking for "snacks". The steroids she's taking makes her hungry a lot and a little bloated.  Ani and Benji (grandprents dog) became instant friends.  She's very sweet with animals! 

The have their consultation appointment this afternoon with the specialist.  Hopefully, we'll know a little more about treatment options shortly. 

April took Ariana to the hospital yesterday for a follow-up visit and to remove her bandages on her head and stomach. Ani is eating very very well though all sugars and salt have been removed from her diet (as to keep her eating healthy). Oatmeal seems to be her current favorite. 

The two of them arrive in Denver this evening. It's going to be a major transition for the family and it may take a bit for Ariana to get used to her new surroundings. Their arrival will be a quiet one as to not overwhelm Ani too much with new places and faces. So many people have offered assistance and for that we thank you! Once mom and Ani are settled we'll have a better idea as to what they may need. Right now, continue to keep them thoughts and prayers!

Ariana and April arrive in Denver Wednesday.  Their week will be spent getting settled and used to their new surroundings.  Ariana is due to see the top specialist in Denver at the Department of Oncology, Children's Hospital on Thursday afternoon. 

From Dad:
Thanks for keeping Ariana in your prayers.  Ariana  is acting "close" to her normal little self today.  It took a little while for her body to recover from the surgery (Ariana had a shunt placed to help relieve fluid and pressure in her brain).  The steriods that she is taking is making her a little uptight from time to time and hungry all the time. 

Family moving to Denver.  Ariana and April will be visiting Children's Hospital to begin treatments next week. Paul and the boys are driving out and will likely be in Denver on February 4th.