Clinical Trial Update

Caroline has officially completed her first month on the DFMO clinical trial drug, which is hopefully going to significantly reduce the risk of a relapse.  She had a clinic appointment this morning, and her labs looked great!

It's been a really fun month for Caroline to be a "normal" kid, and for us to spend a lot of time together doing things we haven't been able to do as a family in the past 19 months.  Some highlights include:

- getting to go to "real" school and ride the bus...even go on her first field trip
- losing (another) front tooth
- taking swimming lessons and being able to get back into the pool
- visiting the "American Girl" doll store for the first time
- being able to finally go into a movie theater (she saw "Penguins")
- Going to Andrew's baseball games
- 3 Easter egg hunts
- Preds Playoff Game
- Franklin Main Street Festival
- Play dates and the park with friends
- Walking as an ALUMNI in the Rally on the Runway Event, where she was interviewed and created original artwork that raised $7,500 for the foundation!

Other than one day in the ER after catching a virus 2 weeks ago, we've really had an awesome month.  Her hair is growing back quickly, and relative to what she's been through, the 6 DFMO pills per day that she needs to take is not a big deal for her. 

Assuming all goes well, Caroline will go back to clinic in a month for a check-up!  It's a surreal feeling to be on the other side of that daunting and devastating treatment, but it makes us so grateful for each day.  We feel so thankful, blessed, relieved, and happy to be able to look ahead. 

Thank you for the love, support and prayers!
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

Rally on the Runway 2019 - Holding up her 2018 Rally Card

Field Day at school

Easter 2019

Recovering / Break Until Dec. 26th

Caroline is finally recovering from a very challenging late November and early December.  She is starting to eat better, and is getting her energy back a little bit more each day.  She is still on a 4x/day antibiotic medication for her intestinal infection, which will hopefully get resolved by her next admission.

Thankfully, she has still been able to enjoy some fun holiday activities this week: baking with friends, a fun visit with Santa, a drive-thru Christmas lights display, making gingerbread houses while on FaceTime with her Baltimore family, a playdate in the yard, and some long overdue homeschool work with Ms. Elise!  Caroline was super excited that her hair has grown out just long enough to clip in a bow!  When she was first diagnosed and started losing her hair, she wanted us to hide all of her bows because she said it made her sad to see them...but this week she pulled them all out and has been having fun trying them all on again!

Although we are both still feeling a heightened sense of anxiety right now, we are extra grateful for this time at home with family.  Barring any setbacks, we should be home until December 26th, when she's scheduled to be admitted for Round 3 of Immunotherapy.

Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers this Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas!

The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

First Day Kindergarten (Homebound Instruction)

Today was Caroline's first day of homebound instruction for Kindergarten!  She met her new teacher, Ms. Elise, and they had a great morning discussing the upcoming year!  Caroline will take classes at home (or in the hospital) a couple days a week, as she is able medically and physically.  She will also have a homeroom class at Trinity Elementary that will be including her and rooting for her from afar.  She is very excited to learn and grow with Ms. Elise!

Still no dates from Cincinnati...

Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf

First day of Kindergarten!

~Proud Parents~

What a difference a week makes!  Last Thursday in ICU...this Thursday, Kindergarten!