Yesterday Ellee Duke, an aspiring song writer, contacted us regarding a song she wrote for Lexe.  The song is called, "I Came to Win".  Ellee and her mother came to Lexe's hospital room and shared the song with us.  We were touched beyond words.  We have attached the song and a video tribute to Lexe.

Today was a great day for Lexe!!!!!

DRIP, DRIP, DRIP....The chemo continues.  Today was day seven for Lexe.   We have not blogged for awhile sorry.  Lexe has had a rough time over the last couple of days.  The chemo is starting to take its toll on her.  She has suffered from headaches, fainting spells, and most recently an infection that have all added up to a period of very high fevers.  Last night she got up to 102.6 degrees which is not good.  She was given many doses of IV antibiotics and two blood transfusions.  However, Lexe had a good day today.  Mackenzie, her older sister, turned 19 yesterday and today we celebrated with pizza and cake.  

Yesterday, we received great news.  A preliminary analysis of Lexe's bone marrow showed that she should respond favorably to the current treatment plan.  No need to think about a bone marrow transplant at this time.  

We are overwhelmed by the support that we have received.  We are blessed to live in such a great community.  

Lexe spending time with a comfort dog Annie.
Annie is a Golden-doodle.

Lexe and her U fo A coach Lisa Oyen.  We can't say enough about the U of A.
They are standing strong behind Lexe.

Alta art history students lit a candle for Lexe today
 at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

Day 5 of 10-- Chemo SUCKS!!!  Lexe is still staying really strong.  She is starting to feel real fatigued from the treatments.  She has nicknamed one of the chemo drugs "the red devil" because of its effects on her.  The chemo is doing its job, all of her blood levels are down.  The chemo is killing the leukemia cells along with healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets etc.  It looks like tomorrow they are probably going to give her a platelet transfusion.  According to todays lab results her ANC score, a measure of the bodies ability to fight infections is .40.  It will be zero in the next day or so.

Today Lexe's University of Arizona coach, Lisa Oyen, came to visit her.  The U of A is unreal.  They are standing behind her 100% and will honor her scholarship at any time.  We made a game plan to come in next year as the class of 2013.  Lisa also said that in the unlikely event that Lexe is unable to play soccer, she still has a scholarship waiting for her.  What a classy institution!!  U of A has a great medical school and her current doctor knows all the folks in the pediatric cancer unit at the U of A.  Lexe will get great follow up when she attends next year.



The Alta Baseball team played today and dedicated their game to Lexe.  Each player wore an orange arm band with "#13" and "Lexe" written on each band.  Every time the team cheered, they yelled "Lexe!"  The baseball team played their arch-rival, Jordan High School, and beat them in the bottom of the 7th inning 7-6 with a walk-off home run.

The Alta Baseball team dedicated their game today to Lexe.
Each player wore orange and #13 in her honor.

Cole Myers, Chris Jorgensen, and Colton Nash.
Stay strong Lexe!  This one is for you!

Today was a good day!  Lexe is on day four with her chemotherapy and is doing great.  Lexe today became the first graduate of the class of 2012 at Alta High School.  Lexe was also awarded her seminary graduation today.

Awesome surprise!  Several of Lexe friends attended the Jazz game last night and were able to get Lexe's hero of all time, the great #13 Steve Nash, to sign a "Lexe Kicks Leukemia" t-shirt.  They also gave Lexe a gift ... compliments of the Phoenix Suns organization.  The gift is a Phoenix Suns Media Guide signed by Steve Nash.  Steve wrote the following to Lexe.  "Hang in there and stay strong!! - Steve Nash".  Lexe has worn #13 throughout her soccer career in honor of Steve Nash.

Lexe's future University of Arizona teammates.  The sign reads...
"We love #13  Love your family."

Today, Lexe busted out about 3/4 of a mile.

Megan Millerberg spearheaded the design of this patch which will be worn by all Avalanche, Sparta, OM, and LaRoca women's soccer teams.

Today's Sparta vs. Avalanche game.  Both teams honored Lexe by wearing orange (the color symbolizing leukemia) as well as writing her number 13 on their wrists.

Many people have asked us about what events led up to the diagnosis of AML.  Here goes..... Lexe had been suffering from a cough that just was not getting better.  The cold was about two weeks old.  Over the spring break, Lexe played a soccer tournament in San Diego.  During the course of play, Lexe developed an unusual amount of LARGE bruises on her legs.  She always had bruises from soccer, but these things were massive.  Laurie decided to take Lexe to our family MD to get a script for her cough.  During the course of the appointment, Laurie asked our MD, Ron Lopez, to check out the bruises.  At first, Ron thought nothing of them and explained them away as a byproduct of Lexe's sport.  Dr. Lopez decided to run some blood work on Lexe.  The following day, Dr. Lopez called Laurie and explained that the blood work came back with some very troubling results that pointed to cancer.  He asked Laurie to take Lexe to Primary Children's Hospital right away.  We went to the ER and were directed to the Hematology clinic within the hospital.  Additional blood work was ordered and within a couple of hours, the diagnosis of AML was confirmed.  We are grateful that Laurie pressed for the blood work to be done.  Lexe was admitted to the hospital that day.

Today was a pretty good day.  Chemo continues day three of ten.  Lexe is starting to get real tired and has seemed to have lost her desire to eat.  The biggest problem so far is the headaches.  Lexe was able to leave the cancer unit today and went down to the rehab facility and decided to run about 3/4 of a mile on the treadmill.  She also had a light workout!!!  Her support from family, friends, church members and especially the soccer community continues.  A patch has been ordered, we have posted the picture, that will be worn by several soccer clubs here in the state of Utah.

Lexe's Ward held a special fast and prayer meeting for her last night.  We were humbled and touched by the many ward members who were seated in the chapel when our family walked in.  Mark was asked to say a few words about Lexe's condition.  We were overwhelmed by a sense of peace and comfort.  LEXE, WE'VE GOT THIS ONE!!!!!!!

 All of Lexe's friends wearing orange to support her!

Lexe was able to go outside today!!

Well Lexe had her first round of chemotherapy yesterday, and continued to have it today. She is doing super good, and was actually able to go outside today!!!! All of Alta and Indian Hills students wore orange today to support Lexe! It was super cool to see how many people are there to support us, even though they may not even know us. We love our friends and family and are so grateful for your thoughts, prayers and fast on Lexe's behalf!

Well Lexe made the decision to cut her hair rather than wait for it to fall out.  Instead of going GI Jane she went with the bob look.  Our good friends, the Nielsen family showed up and Lindsay Davies gave the extreme makeover.  It was fun.  If Lexe's hair is long enough she will give it to Locks of Love program. 

Today was the real start of the journey.  Because of a low platelet count Lexe was given a platelet transfusion this morning.  The platelets will help Lexe's ability to control bleeding.  After the transfusion down to the OR for a bone marrow harvest, a spinal tap and placement of a Broviac central line.  She was given chemo into the spine to fight any leukemia cells that might be in the spine.  Thanks to a very tough headache Lexe was given a generous dose of morphine.  At around 8:00 pm the first round of chemotherapy begins.  

FIRST BIT OF GOOD NEWS!!!!!!  an analysis of the spinal fluid showed no signs of leukemia cells--hurray!

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from family, friends and especially the soccer community.  All teams and clubs have now become one in our eyes.  As many of you know Lexe was suppose to report to the University of Arizona on July 8th to start her soccer career.  Lisa Oyen, the U of A head coach was blow away by the bad news.  She pledged to hold Lexe's scholarship until Lexe is able to play.  The entire coaching staff is the coolest! WILDCAT FOREVER.  Lisa is flying out this week to see Lexe.  

The first round of chemo will take 10 days.  Life is going to become more difficult for Lexe. 

We appreciate all the visits here at the hospital.  We would ask that you come in groups of 2.  Everyone will be required to wear a mask.  Please if your sick stay away for now and visit when your healthy.  Lexe will not have the immune system to fight germs.  

Okay then HERE WE GO the fight officially begins today.

            Lexe got her hair cut by our good friend Lindsey!

              First cut and off goes the ponytail!:)

                               Lexe's new hair!

                        Justin Bieber came for a visit!

                       Psych!!! It's only Carter Heslop!:)

   

         Lexe's team came by today. They played a game with Lexe's number (13) on their wrists.

                Lexe and her team face-timed their old team mate Vicki!