PrayForAlethea

Alethea has glasses!

2008-11-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Eye Appointment August 2008

2008-09-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

We had a big scare at the end of August when Alethea went in for her (now state mandated) Kindergarten eye exam. The doctor found a mass in her right eye which he was unable to identify--meaning it could be scarring or it could be cancerous. We were very grateful to be immediately sent to a second, more specialized doctor who indicated that the mass was scarring and fairly large. He was surprised that she could see as well as she could with that eye.

After talking with St. Jude, Dr. Sima requested that Alethea be checked out by the eye doctors there so we took all the kids out of school and made the trek to Memphis. Here we found out most importantly that the mass was in fact scar tissue and not cancerous in any way. It is speculated that the scarring occured from a fungal infection, probably the one that occured in February 2004 which sent our little angel to ICU. The other thing that we found out is that Alethea cannot see "fairly well" in her right eye. When using a sticky patch that she could not maneuver around, the doctor at the Jude asked Ali, "Can you see what is on the chart?" Ali responded quickly and matter of factly, "No. You put the patch on my 'see eye' silly."

So Ali and her "see eye" went to see another doctor who reiterated the news and also reinforced the fact that there was nothing that she or we or anyone can do to rehabilitate the eye or get any of the eyesight back that has been lost. She was given a prescription for glasses (her left eye needs just a little correction) mostly for protection of the good eye and we were sent home with directions to continue to see our eye doctor in Sterling and visit the eye doctors at St. Jude during yearly visits.

The kids pose in fun chairs just outside the new and awesome "Kay's Cafeteria" built by Kay's Jewelers

St. Jude Appointments 2008

2008-06-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

A quick trip to the Memphis Zoo before we say goodbye for another year!

Oh, by the way. All of Alethea's appointments went well. Her heart is strong. She is smart and healthy--the picture perfect patient!

Making the most of Memphis and St. Jude

2008-06-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

A Day at St. Jude must include a trip to see pictures of Danny Thomas--this one is made of tiny patient pictures, several of which are of our very own Alethea

The Chili's Patient Care Center Rocks!!

Dr. Saab just happened to be in Memphis and was leaving for Lebanon in two days. What a blessing to get to see her!!!

A quick trip to Mud Island--lots of fun!!!

Ian introduces us to a new restaurant he saw from atop the Palmer Hotel--BIG FOOT LODGE--our new favoritest family restaurant!!!

Going to Memphis

2008-06-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

We all pose with our horse and driver after a wonderful and educational carriage ride around downtown Memphis

The Grizzly House sign--we're home

St. Jude's new Chili's Patient Care Center

We always have to stop in Sikeston, MO to eat at Lambert's Cafe "Home of the Throwed Rolls"

Sarah had her hands full--with a huge salad AND she was sitting next to Eli!

Our wonderful waitress, after hearing Ali was a St. Jude patient, showered her with gifts and everything Lamberts--including this stylish shirt, a soft and cuddly teddy bear and a squishy roll to throw

Memphis--our new puppy

2007-02-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

Summer Fun 2005

2007-02-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ali loves to slide

Walk for Life

2007-02-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed the American Cancer Society Walk for Life in Rock Falls. Alethea was the youngest survivor in our area. The whole event brought tears to my eyes. So many walking miracles--especially our little girl!

Alethea with Lauryn Kuehl (Rhabdoid Liver Cancer Survivor) and Elizabeth Meinsma (Hodgkins Survivor)--two friends from our church

Full of LIfe!

2007-02-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

"Ain't she sweet?!"

Look at my hair--almost long enough for pigtails!

Happy 2nd Birthday

2007-02-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

Look at Me! I'm 2!

What a celebration! Our little girl is two years old--our living miracle.

Alethea celebrated with her favorite character, Elmo

Merry Christmas 2004

2007-02-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas 3-ums!

Thanksgiving 2004

2007-02-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

So much to be thankful for!!!

Home Sweet Home

2007-02-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome Home from Emmanuel!

Our Emmanuel Church family welcomed us home by wearing pink,

Alethea's favorite color

A big Welcome from R.C. Smith

Mommy and Daddy and Alethea drove home in the middle of the night and surprised Karissa and Ian on the morning of June 19th. It's soooooo good to be a family again!

Pictures of Alethea at St. Jude in Memphis

2007-02-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Birthday Balloons

Alethea makes quick work of her first peice of cake on her First Birthday,

spent at Target House with Mommy and Daddy

Alethea poses on a St. Jude quilt made especially for her

Happy to be in Daddy's arms

I'm gonna get you!

Alethea loves her mask, just not on her face

Little Muncher

Diet Pepsi Girl

Pookie

Posing with her puppy "Sima" after Dr. Sima, her Primary Physician

Smiling despite her rash

Snuggly Ali

Hallelujah!!

Hello to everyone who's praying for me

Yummy!

Alethea plays with Carter Morris, Infant AML patient from New Orleans

More fun with Carter

St. Jude Staff Pictures

2007-02-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Alethea enjoys her "No Mo Chemo" party

with Nurses Beverly, Kate, Lauryn, Jean and Robyn

Alethea and Nurse Robyn

Alethea poses with her Primary Physician, Dr. Sima Jeha

Alethea with Dr. Reya Saab and Dr. Pui

Dr. Jeha poses with the McIlrath girls

Alethea fell in love with Dr. Nunez the moment she met him

Miss Jean and her little baby

Alethea with Nurse Kate

Alethea entertains Nurses Myra and Joy

Alethea and Dr. Egbe

Alethea and Dr. Collins

Alethea with Nurse Beverly

Alethea and Nurse Ron in the Medicine Room share a moment

Alethea with Nurse Reagan

Miss Cathy takes good care of Alethea

Alethea with Nurse Practitioner Emily

Alethea and Nurse Anita

Alethea eyes Ken, our Social Worker

Alethea and Nurse Tonya in Isolation

Alethea with Karen, Nurse Practitioner

Alethea and Nurse Yvonne

Alethea with Regina in A-Clinic

Alethea bonds with Bertha

Wonderful friends visit Alethea

2007-02-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

Jeff, Deb and Sarah Eissens with Jessica Fetzer brought Karissa and Ian South to see their sister--we even got to go to the Zoo together

Dawn Bird and Kristi Vaandrager

Dave and Natalie Hoskins

Becky and Dan Bierma

Tom Damhoff was such a great help during his many visits to Memphis

Childhood friends Wendy and Tasha join Heather for a fun weekend of reconnecting

Jeff and Judy Meinsma stop by for an afternoon with Alethea during treatment

in the Medicine Room

Doug and Judy Leech snuggle Alethea

The DeShanes joined us for lots of hugs and prayers on their way to Florida for vacation

Tom snuggles with Alethea while spending the night with her in the hospital to give us a much needed break together

Luke Kuehl shows off the lovely gowns that must be worn in Isolation

Amber Nelson visits while on a Mission Trip with Wheaton College

Family Visits to St. Jude

2007-02-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

The whole family at the Memphis Zoo--enjoying a field trip from the hospital (Alethea was given two hours away from the hospital to have a little fun before her next round of chemo)

Alethea and Daddy--two peas in a pod

Gramm and the kids make cookes to serve the rest of us

Late night ice cream party with Daddy at Target House

Alethea finds comfort in the cross--and resting on Grandpa Denny's lap

Grandma Boeck with the kids at the hospital (this picture of Ali smiling was taken just about an hour before her seizure on February 2, 2004--what a miracle she is still with us!)

Gramm McIlrath poses with the kids in the beautiful garden at Target House

Grandpa George bonds with Alethea

Aunt Hilary and fiancee Jason McDearmon were the first visitors to Memphis

Aunt Heidi, Uncle Lloyd and Cousin Anika visit Target House

Great Aunt Linda, experienced nurse, gives Alethea a bath in the sink at Target House

Uncle Steve offers Ali a popsicle during high Ara-C fevers

With Daddy after a trip to the Zoo

Ian and Karissa visit Alethea and Mommy at Target House

Alethea's Diagnosis--January 9, 2004

2007-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Alethea was diagnosed on January 9, 2004 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the St. Jude clinic in Peoria, IL. This is the last picture taken of our family before we left for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Alethea underwent treatment for six months in Memphis and returned home on June 18, 2004. She is currently in remission.

This site is not intended to replace or even detract from our main site www.caringbridge.org/il/alethea where you can receive daily updates and prayer concerns. This site is a place where you can see additional photos and stay connected to our family. Perhaps this site can also become a place where you go to pray and to be encouraged in the discipline of prayer.

Our greatest desire is that God be glorified in all that happens!!

We are so blessed to be called
children of God. Isaiah 43:1b proclaims:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
You are mine."

May that good news be yours

to possess, live and share through faith in Jesus Christ.