Hello Everyone,

I’m happy to let you all know that Jessica is now officially in the 2nd half of her 4th stage of treatment for Leukemia. Here is an excerpt from the latest Caring Bridge update that her dad wrote:

“So, if you remember back to a post we did that called out our little Jessica's flamboyant behavior coming out of her post spinal procedure (sedation) and how cute it was...well today was what you may call a little different. 

We went to the clinic at 9AM and had her port accessed, her blood drawn (for counts), exam and consultation with the doctor and then into the "sleepy room".  Jessica loves the sleepy room because they have cool toys for her to play with...she played with the toys and away to sleepy land she went...all is quiet on the western front.  She woke up way earlier then the previous 18 times she has gone through similar procedures and she started to get a little agitated...ok she was like a boiling pot that simmers with gentle droplets only to erupt with large exploding bubbles.  She went into the recovery room demanding more toys and to get out of the room.  We took her to the infusion room (she still needed more chemo today) and Jessica was fighting us like a trapped wolverine (I am 260 pounds and she is not...but you couldn't tell!!!).  The nurses, Susan, Jenna (and anybody else in the neighboring county) scrambled to make her happy...nothing worked.  To make this long story short, after about an hour and a half (it usually takes 15 minutes to make the transition to infusion) we had to give her a little help to get her to calm down.  When we call her a Warrior we are being very literal at times...You have to love her!!!

Anyway, we drove around North Seattle (I got us lost...famous Canadian trait) until she fell asleep and we got back to a little normalcy.  Right now, she is sitting on her bed in the RMH with sunglasses on (it is 7:30PM...inside) and building little fairy paper models.  Besides throwing a few things, not listening and being a little concerned about taking her pills (chemo and anti-nausea meds tonight) all is once again quiet on the western front... How was your day?”

I have been busy making plans for the August 21st fund-raising bike ride which I have named “Ride For The Warrior Princess”. There will be a 10 and 25 mile ride which will allow almost anyone to ride. The cost will be $10 or $25 and there will be pledge sheets to take pledges from your family, friends and neighbors who won’t be able to ride. Registration forms will be available soon at some local businesses and on the little warrior princess website.

I am in great need of volunteers to help on the day of the bike ride. I am also hoping to have a BBQ at the beach following the ride so I could use some volunteers for that as well. Could you please respond to my email to let me know if you are planning to ride, pledge or volunteer your time so I can get some idea of how many will be involved.

Please feel free to email or call me with any questions or comments at 332-4470.The Northern Light and Bellingham Herald are going to be printing articles about this so I’m hoping that will bring more participants.

Thank you all for your continued support! I know many of you don’t know this family but you can be sure that they are extremely appreciative of any, and all, the help, thoughts and prayers they continue to receive.
Don’t forget to pass this on to all your email contacts and go to www.LittleWarriorPrincess.com

Olivia Sellinger