2 years and 4 months. What a journey it has been. And now, it’s time to ring the bell! 🌞🛎🎉
It has been a little while since I last shared an update about Freyja (or as we call her, Fig, though if we’re being honest, she prefers to go by Princess Freyja). But as we step into this new chapter, it feels like the perfect moment to share her incredible progress. The journey is far from over, but we are celebrating a huge milestone today.
Freyja finished her last dose of chemo. She’s turned 4 years old, and tomorrow—Wednesday, April 30th—she’ll finally get to ring the bell, signaling that she has officially kicked cancer in the butt!
When Freyja was first diagnosed with Leukemia two years and four months ago, she was in critical condition. To say we were all overwhelmed would be an understatement. The days were filled with terrifying code blue calls, endless blood transfusions, and a cocktail of drugs to try and stabilize her little body. But even as we watched her start to slowly turn the corner, we were hit with more heart-wrenching news: her vision was impacted by the treatments. That meant a long and uncertain road ahead.
For those closest to her—myself, Todd, and her big sister Neea—it’s hard to truly describe the impact this journey has had on our lives. Even though we’ve been by her side through the entire process, we can only catch glimpses of the reality of what it has meant to live through this. The countless procedures, the uncertainty, the constant need to stay vigilant. But throughout it all, Freyja has remained an amazing little girl, full of strength and resilience.
Months of shots in her legs three times a week became routine. The eye surgeries—four of them in total—didn’t stop her from staying strong. Lumbar punctures, transfusions, weeks of steroids, and daily chemo treatments all became part of her life. And perhaps one of the hardest things to witness was seeing her lose her hair—not once, but twice. Yet, through every setback, through every difficulty, Freyja remained the bravest little fighter.
And of course, the effects on her family were profound. Todd and I had to make countless sacrifices to ensure she remained safe, including making sure we were always within a few hours of a hospital. We had to adapt our entire lives to keep her as safe as possible. Travel plans were made around medical appointments, and everyday life became something we had to navigate with caution.
But it wasn’t just the medical aspects that changed. It was the normal, everyday experiences that children usually take for granted. Freyja learned to recognize her left and right not in a classroom, but at the labs. In fact, she has never once cried at the labs. I’m not sure many adults would be able to handle the way she does, but Freyja’s calmness and ability to handle the discomfort with a maturity far beyond her years is a testament to how incredibly strong she is.
Now, as we look ahead, we know that Freyja is in remission. 🌟 While the future is still uncertain and there will be regular checkups and lab appointments ahead, for now, she is free from the weight of chemotherapy. She can finally go to school, start making friends, and for the first time, she can enjoy things like running around in stores without worry. Simple, everyday joys that so many of us take for granted are now within her reach. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest of battles, there is light and joy waiting on the other side.
I am so grateful for the community of family and friends who have stood by us every step of the way. Your love, support, and prayers have carried us through the darkest days and have been a beacon of hope. The kindness we’ve received, the words of encouragement, the help when we needed it most—it has all meant the world to us.
Tomorrow, as Freyja rings that bell to signal the end of her treatment, we invite everyone who has been part of this journey with us to join in the celebration. If you have a bell, ring it in honor of Freyja, and send some goodness into the world. It’s a small but powerful act, a way of sharing joy and love with others who need it, just as we have needed it so much over the last two years.
To my sweet, brave Freyja, you are a miracle. You’ve fought harder than most adults ever will, and you’ve shown us all what it means to be truly resilient. Your strength, your spirit, your laughter—everything about you is a gift to this world. Watching you grow and overcome every obstacle in your path has been the greatest privilege. You are truly a princess, not just in name, but in the way you handle everything life has thrown at you with grace and strength. Keep shining, my beautiful girl. The world is yours, and I know you’re going to continue to amaze us all.
To Todd and Neea, thank you for your unwavering support, your sacrifices, and your love for Freyja. This journey hasn’t been easy for any of us, but we’ve made it through together. And the journey is far from over—we will continue to support one another as we face whatever comes next.
And finally, to everyone who has been part of this story—thank you. We are not just celebrating Freyja’s victory today, but the love and strength that has surrounded us all throughout this journey. Together, we have made this possible. Let’s continue to share love, spread joy, and ring those bells in celebration of all the victories, big and small. 💖🛎
Here’s to Freyja’s future—full of promise, hope, and endless possibilities. Keep shining, sweetheart. The best is yet to come. 🌟
Maylani Jean’s Battle for Breath: A Mother’s Prayer for Strength and Support.2425
There’s a special kind of pain a parent feels when they watch their child struggle, especially when that child is so young, so helpless, and so small. It’s a pain that no parent should have to endure, yet it’s a reality that many face. Right now, in San Antonio, a mother is sitting beside her 2-month-old baby, watching as her little girl fights for every breath.
This is Maylani Jean—a brave, beautiful baby girl lying in a PICU bed, battling three life-threatening conditions at once: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), bronchitis, and pneumonia. Her tiny body is working overtime, fighting to overcome these fierce infections that are attacking her lungs and making it difficult for her to breathe. For five long days, her strength and resilience have been put to the test. And in every breath, in every fight, Maylani is showing the world just how strong she truly is.
When Maylani’s mom, Mickaela, first noticed that something was wrong, it started with a seemingly small sign—a little cough. But within a matter of hours, that cough escalated, and her baby’s condition deteriorated quickly. Maylani’s appetite faded. She couldn’t keep food down. She stopped urinating. And worst of all, she was struggling to breathe, gasping for air as her tiny lungs worked harder than they ever should have to.
As a mother, Mickaela must have felt like the ground was falling out from beneath her. Watching her baby in pain, not knowing if she would be okay—it’s a terror no parent ever wants to experience. And yet, Mickaela remained by her daughter’s side, her heart broken, but her love and strength unwavering. She didn’t let go of hope, even when every moment felt like an eternity.
RSV, at this stage of life, can be incredibly dangerous. It can escalate quickly and become life-threatening, especially for a baby as young as Maylani. The fragility of her situation made each passing hour feel like a battle. Mickaela couldn’t help but cling to the hope that her daughter’s body would fight back, that she would find the strength to pull through.
At first, Maylani needed full oxygen support to help her breathe. The doctors acted quickly, knowing that time was of the essence. With their expert care, they’ve been able to wean her oxygen levels down gradually, a small sign of progress that Mickaela holds onto like a lifeline. Every little improvement—no matter how small—has been a reminder that her baby girl is fighting with everything she has.
But even as the oxygen support decreases, the fear hasn’t gone away. Mickaela’s heart is heavy with worry, and every moment is filled with uncertainty. Will her daughter be okay? Will she make it through this battle? The fear of losing a child is the worst kind of fear a parent can face, and Mickaela is feeling that fear with every breath she takes beside her daughter’s crib.
Still, despite all the uncertainty, Mickaela holds on to something incredibly powerful—faith. She believes that her baby, Maylani, is stronger than anyone realizes. That even in the midst of this terrifying battle, her baby’s strength will carry her through. And even though it’s heartbreaking to watch Maylani fight for every breath, Mickaela knows that her daughter’s spirit is resilient. The tiny body lying in that bed is fighting with everything it has, and that’s something no mother can ever forget.
Mickaela has asked for prayers from her community, and she shares this message with other parents who know what it’s like to sit by a hospital crib, watching as their child fights for their life: our babies are stronger than we think, even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world to watch.
If you’ve ever had to sit beside your child in the hospital, you know the helplessness that comes with it. You know what it’s like to see the tubes, hear the beeping machines, and wonder if your child will make it through. You also know the deep, unconditional love that you have for your baby, and the hope that somehow, some way, they will make it out the other side. Every small victory, every breath they take, becomes a monumental triumph.
To Mickaela, and to every parent who has watched their child fight for their life in a hospital room, I would say: You are not alone. This journey is long, and it’s hard, but it is also filled with love, courage, and strength. Your baby’s fight is a testament to the powerful bond you share. Your love is their fuel. Every moment of support, every prayer, every act of kindness from others, it all helps carry you and your child through. The journey might be uncertain, but the love you have for each other is certain, and it will continue to guide you through every challenge.
Mickaela, as you sit by Maylani’s side, I want you to know that you are not just holding her hand—you are holding her spirit up. You are the light in her world, the one who is there when the world feels too dark. Your strength is a source of power for her, and she feels that love, even when she can’t express it yet. You are a mother who is showing the world what it means to never give up, to never stop fighting, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Maylani, baby girl, your story is just beginning. You are already showing everyone around you the strength you have inside. Keep fighting, little one. Every breath you take is a victory, and every moment is a step closer to healing. Your journey has just begun, and you are surrounded by love and support every step of the way. You are stronger than you know.
To everyone reading this, please continue to lift up Maylani and Mickaela in your prayers. Maylani needs our love and support now more than ever. Let us rally behind this family and send them the strength they need to face each new day. Together, we can show them that they are not alone in this fight.
And to Mickaela, I would say: You are a warrior mother, and your strength is beyond measure. Keep believing, keep hoping, and keep loving. Maylani’s strength is a reflection of you, and together, you will get through this. Your daughter’s fight is not just her own—it is yours, too. And in this fight, you are never alone.
