UPDATE 5:

Yesterday was a rough one for us all. Hutton had two procedures (second biopsy and bone samples) and port installation. She was very brave in the morning, she was asking questions about her port and the procedures she would be going through, and the nurses and doctors were amazing with her. I could tell she was curious about it all and wanted to understand it more so that it wouldn’t be so scary for her. 

When the nurses came in to transport her for her first procedure and anesthesia, everything became real, and she was very scared. We were able to stay with her until she was put under. It is heartbreaking seeing your child crying and telling you she doesn’t want to do something, knowing it is one of the most important things she needs to do, and not being able to tell her the full truth as to why. 

Only one of us could be next to her while she fell asleep, which was Steph. As Hutton was crying and looking her in the eyes begging “No, no, no!”, Steph showed amazing strength and courage keeping it together and being an example of courage and strength for Hutton. 

The procedures (second biopsy and bone samples) and port installation took a little over 3 hours. We were able to be waiting next to her when she came out of it, and that was pretty rough as well. Once she was completely coherent, though it took a while for her to get used to the port being in her. Hutton again showed a lot of strength, resiliency and courage dealing with the pain and uncomfortableness of having a foreign object inside her. She is amazing.

You only have what you know and see to compare things too, so as she was freaking out about the port, I couldn’t help but think if we failed in preparing her for it and if there was anything else we could have done to make it an easier thing to accept. But talking to her nurse outside her room, she told me Hutton was doing amazing and being really brave, and dealing with it better then other kids she has seen, and reassured me that the pain and uncomfortableness she was experiencing was normal. She also told me that she thought Hutton was such an amazing and sweet young girl, another example of her light shining bright no matter what the circumstance. It is this light and strength that I guess sometimes makes me forget the she is only 9 years-old. 

A nice surprise that I think really got her mind off of the port and everything sher had gone through that day was a surprise visit from a friend. It may have only been for a few minutes, but they were probably the best minutes out the entire day for her. #huttonstrong  #prayforhutton #fuckcancer 

UPDATE 4:

Last night we checked into “Hotel UCLA” as we are calling it to begin Hutton’s chemo treatments. 

Tomorrow morning she will be having another biopsy as well as getting her port placed. Once the port is placed she can begin her chemo treatments.  We will be in the hospital at least through the weekend.

Hutton has had some rough moments so far, but she has been meeting her team of doctors today, asking them very good questions, and is very excited to spend some time with the therapy dogs.

Thank y’all for your continued support as Hutton begins her journey and fight this week. Please keep her in your prayers and continue sending her Good Vibes.

UPDATE #3:

First and foremost we want to thank you all. The outpouring of love and support we have received for our miracle baby. It is amazing and humbling. It reminds us of how much of a testament she is to God’s love and light.

The common theme we continue to hear from the lives she has touched is that she is a shining example of God’s love and kindness and that she lights up any room she walks into. At only 9 years old, we have to believe that the fight she is in is just part of her story and testament and that this journey and struggle will only increase the love and kindness she has to show the world and we have to have faith that God has a bigger plan for her.

With that being said after 3 weeks we have an initial diagnosis and Hutton has what is called Undifferentiated Sarcoma. Though CHOC has been amazing, due to this diagnosis, we will be consulting with a sarcoma specialist to get a second opinion on Hutton’s treatment options. Though we do not want to delay the start of her treatment, we believe that having a specialist give their diagnosis and prognosis is important to ensure that Hutton doesn’t just start to receive the treatment she needs but that she receives the correct treatment she needs and not just the “standard operating procedure”. Will will hopefully know the what, where, and when of her treatment then. We will hopefully know more after Monday.

Again, we appreciate all the support we have received from the financial, to help with the upcoming medical costs, the gift cards and meals, which takes one more daily decision off our plate, and the Amazon purchases which will give Hutton a much-needed distraction both in and out of the hospital…but most importantly thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the love and prayers you all have shown Hutton.

Please continue to support her in any way you feel called to do so. More than ever before in my life I have been saying, there is no such thing as too many prayers, and I honestly believe that. We know Hutton has a very long road ahead of her and most likely things may get worse before they get better, so one thing we will continuously ask for over anything else is your prayers for Hutton; for her to be given extra strength, encouragement, love, and tenacity to fight this disease and for her to be given the peace, understanding, and strength to stay positive through the difficult times ahead.

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#huttonstrong

#prayforhutton

##fuckcancer

UPDATE # 2:

We met with Hutton’s oncology team today to go over what we know so far and the PET Scan she had done yesterday. We still do not know what type of cancer she has (“normal” cancers have been ruled out and her biopsy samples are now at a 3rd pathology lab for testing), but she believes it is a type of sarcoma growing from her pelvic bone. The PET scan also showed that it has metastasized and is in her lungs as well. Hutton’s doctor is hoping for the final pathology to come in this week so that we will know the specific type of cancer we are fighting. As of now, Hutton will be admitted to CHOC next Thursday to begin her chemo and radiation treatments.

We don’t know how this will look as we don’t know how her body will react to the chemo and radiation but the plan now is a few days in the hospital and a few days home. She will have to be home-schooled during this time (which she is excited about ). We appreciate all your love and support and ask that you continue to keep Hutton in your prayers. This is going to be a very rough and long journey, and though statistically the long-term outcome at this time does not appear to be good, we know she is strong and we have faith she will defy those statistics.

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#huttonstrong

#prayforhutton

#fuckcancer

Never In A Million Years

Never in a million years did we think we would be dealing with something like this, more so involving our little miracle baby. She has always been healthy and strong and we pray that will continue as she battles this cancer.

We are humbled, amazed, and blessed at the outpouring of support she has received. The common theme we have always heard from friends, teachers, and aids is that Hutton has such a warm heart, is friendly, kind, and selfless, and lights up any room she enters. God has put her not just in our lives to change and influence who we are and have become, but also placed her in the lives of others. I have to believe God again uses her as she goes through this journey…I just wish He chose a different method to do so.

Please continue to send good vibes and as many prayers as possible her way.

We want to reach out to every one of you individually to thank you from the bottom of our hearts…but that may take some time as we are helping Hutton battle this disease, and also as we try to find the right words to do so.
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#huttonstrong
#prayforhutton
#fuckcancer