Shannon update July 8

Here is Shannon's senior school portrait taken on 6/29 in the Johns Hopkins Children's Oncology Play Room seven days after her diagnosis. She has written the following prayer to you to be placed with her picture. Thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time. It's truly made a positive impact on my healing process, spiritually & physically. I just ask that you don't forget to keep my doctors & me in your prayers especially over the next few months.


As Shannon's chemo is starting to have it's difficult side effects, she has asked that you pray for the intercession of St. Faustina. Shannon has had a special devotion to the Divine Mercy for the last 2 yrs. Audrey (a young saint who is being considered for Beautification), a little girl who died of leukemia, and influenced the vocation of a man who is now a priest, was requested to intercede for a friend of ours who was cured of leukemia a few yrs ago, and we believe was aided by her intercession. Please consider additionally asking for her intercessions.


God Bless,
Bonnie and Greg

Shannon's update July 4 2007

July 4, 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

This is the first time I've had an opportunity to personally let everyone know of Shannon's leukemia diagnosis.

She was diagnosed on June 22nd with a very aggressive type of leukemia. She's currently received 5 blood transfusions, bone marrow aspirations, and surgery. Her leukemia is rare and there is no track record for a cure. The docs at Johns Hopkins have discussed her case with others around the world and have planned 90 days of aggressive chemo and radiation followed by a bone marrow transplant. They say, "if all goes as they hope" their plan will be a cure. We are placing this in God's hands.

We have experienced so many blessings prior to this diagnosis, which we have just begin to realize, and each in their own way prepared us for this journey. Daily we experience many blessings through the people and events around us. We realized there is never "nothing happening" around us, but rather God is constantly working miracles all the time, we have just been too blind to see them.

Her first blood analysis (day 8) since the start of treatment showed wonderful results - we believe this is due to the multitude of prayers. All your prayers we have felt as though a blanket of peace has descended upon us despite our feelings of fear. Please don't forget to pray for Shannon as the next 80+ days are most critical.

I will continue to try to update everyone, but please pass this along to all those whom I have missed.

God Bless,

Bonnie and Greg