Hey guys! My computer is still broken, but this one at school has an FTP program that I can actually use! Unfortunately, this is my last day in this building until next Fall. I'm leaving for Europe in two weeks. If your address has changed since Christmas or I do not have your address, you can email it to me and I will check my email right before I leave, on my teacher's computer. That way, I can send you postcards from Italy! I'll be back at the end of July, and then we'll see about the computer issue, I guess. I miss you all very very much! I keep seeing things that remind me of you or that I would tell you about, but I can't. And, one more story before I have to go:
I met Miss Lacey Elizabeth Taylor (as she likes to be called) three years ago, during my first week of working at the pediatrician's office. She was seven years old, and she had just gone into remission from her leukemia. The nurses were teasing her about her hair, because it was growing back curly when it had been straight. I got to celebrate with them, even though I didn't know them very well at the time.
Over the next year, I got to know them very well as Lacey and her brother came into the office for various reasons. The family was always funny, always happy, always ready to make some jokes with us. And for good reason, they'd beaten the odds.
However, in the winter of 2002, Lacey got sick again. It was leukemia. Again. She was sent to a specialist who told her that she had to have a bone marrow transplant to survive this time. And they found one. She was gone for a few months, to have the transplant and recover, but last summer, she was back. And we could celebrate again.
But, in December, the cancer came back. And it was really, really bad this time. She was in and out of the hospital for months. But Miss Lacey Elizabeth Taylor was always positive, always happy, always ready with a new joke to tell us at the office. Then again, she would always admit that, of course, she was scared of dying. But no matter how many needles, tests, whatever she had to go through, she never complained.
Two weeks ago, she was at the office to check her blood levels. I wasn't there at the time, but she had a seizure and they literally thought she had died right there, in exam room one. But no, she was alive. So they sent her to the hospital immediately.
Last week, she had complete kidney failure. On Sunday night, she told her mother that she "wasn't scared anymore." And she died Monday morning at 9:30.
I didn't really think about it at the time, but I literally watched that little girl die. Our whole staff did. I mean, apart from us and her family, no one knows how sick she really was. What they went through. How hard she fought.
The office staff all went to the viewing tonight and I'd never been to one before. I mean, my grandfather's a few years ago, but not a nine-year-old girl's. We pretty much all rode together and got there right on time. We talked to her fifteen-year-old brother first. He's kind of had to become the responsible one in that family. Her mom is, completely understandably, a wreck, and Lacey's dad is taking care of her. Ryan was out there, greeting people, thanking them for coming, asking other people if they were okay. He talked to us more, though, because we saw what he saw. He told us that he really was okay. He said that he wasn't okay before he went inside and saw her body, but that he is now because she finally looked peaceful and not sick.
So we went inside and into the viewing room. And it was completely surreal, I guess. It was like she was going to sit up and stick out her tongue at us, like she always did. She had her favorite doll and her pillow and pink and purple flowers. The very, very hardest part was talking to her mom. I had absolutely no idea what to say, so I didn't say anything, but that's okay.
We didn't stay long. The funeral is tomorrow, but I can't go. Which, I have to admit, is a relief. As bad as that sounds, it's true.
Anyway, here's to you, Miss Lacey Elizabeth Taylor. We love you!
April 4, 2004
I've been gone because my computer crashed. It works now, but the internet doesn't, for whatever reason. At least I can do my homework. *nods* Um...I'll be around, but I don't really have access to a computer at school. And I'll work on fixing this one as I can't afford a new one. We'll see. *loves everyone*
March 8, 2004
Chris (TAS) called me Friday night, I think it was. This was our entire conversation. Well, I paraphrased it, but it's close. *winks at Chris*
Me: Hello?
Chris: Hey, this is Chris.
Me: *thinking, why is Chance calling me?*
Chris: Chris Priestly.
Me: Oh! I thought you said Chance. I had no idea why Chance would be calling me.
Chris: I broke my hand while I was skating!
Me: What? I can't hear you!
Chris: I broke my hand!
Me: What? How did you do that?
Chris: I was skating at the skate park.
Me: Oh. Did you get a cast?
Chris: Not yet.
Me: I really can't hear you! Where are you?
Chris: I'm still at the skate park. I just thought I'd call you and get some advice.
Me: Um...okay.
Chris: Should I go to the doctor?
Me: YES! Of course! You haven't been yet?
Chris: No, I'm just sitting here. My hand is at this funny angle.
Me: Go to the doctor! Go now!
Chris: Okay, I will! Thanks, bye! *click*
Me: *staring at phone* Okay, that was really weird.
So yeah. And I took some quizzes.
Your Energy is Blue. You are a creative thinker
with an active imagination. Artistic and
talented, you want to reach the stars and bring
them down to form. You are trustworthy, honest
and reliable. Others feel comfortable in your
presence as you project a non-threatening,
serene energy.
You would do well in any of the helping
professions, as an artist, singer, diplomat,
orater, or clergy member.
What color is your energy?
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Oh, good. At least I'm in the right profession.
