David

Saying goodbye to David, who works at the front desk of the outpatient oncology clinic. He was literally the first person we met when we walked into Seattle Children’s Hospital for the first time. It was on March 6th 2018 at 8:30 a.m., 17 hours after arriving in Seattle. It was a day that started with a dark and heavy feeling as I navigated a city I didn’t know with a daughter sick with leukemia. Ashtyn had just left home and everything she knew to fight cancer for the third time. I felt the weight of being her rock while finding out where we were going to live, meeting everyone we needed to meet, and making sure I was one step ahead of the demands. With those feelings, we got off an elevator and approached the first desk I saw. “I’m looking for where I need to go to get my daughter’s blood labs.” David responded with the most genuine happy smile, upbeat energy, and a total friendly vibe. “Hi! You’re in the right place!” That day, and many days after, I mentioned to him what a ray of sunshine he is. The cancer fight can be overwhelming and drag on me sometimes, but when David was there to welcome us to clinic any heavy feelings would immediately lift. He talked with Ashtyn as if they were the best of friends and could always find common interests. He consistently showed genuine interest in her life and excitement each time he saw her. It wasn’t just Ashtyn he impacted with each appointment, I watched David connect to every single patient he checked into clinic. I would be amazed and in awe at how he opened his heart and life to everyone and everyone responded by opening up to him. He’s one of my heroes. I hope to be more like David.

Planning The Homecoming

After nine and a half months in Seattle, Ashtyn is returning home to Salt Lake City!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE SHE DID IT? It’s been such an unbelievably long battle, and they’ve got a long way to go, but they’re coming home!! We invite all those to the airport who would like to welcome her home. Let's cheer for her as we celebrate what she accomplished and give her support as she starts the months of recovery ahead. She is arriving on Tuesday, December 18th at 7:04 pm (DELTA FLIGHT 198.) This is our chance to gather together and celebrate this miraculous young woman. We hope it’s a moment Ashtyn will never forget. *If anyone has a cold, cough or fever, please stay home and show your support when you’re germ-free. (Bring extra hand sanitizer and pass it along as you wait!)

Being days before Christmas, we thought it would be extra special to shower Ashtyn with Christmas ornaments. Friends will be collecting cards and ornaments at the airport for Ashtyn to put on her tree for years to come. If you can’t make it to the airport, please pick out a special ornament for Ashtyn and send it in the mail! (Even if it arrives after Christmas!) We hope to give Ashtyn a collection she can keep her entire life and hang each year to remember this triumphant homecoming. Please send your ornaments to this address: 6666 S Cristobal St, Cottonwood Heights UT 84121. #ornamentsforashtyn

 Xoxo, Janet