Great Aunt Joan

Pictured above is my Aunt Joan holding me on Easter Sunday 2008.

On September 20, 2009 Great Aunt Joan joined my Great Aunt Nancy in Heaven.

We are so thankful to have Aunt Joan's wishes of gifts to Gianna and her hopes of Gianna having a better quality future and or thoughts and prayers for our little one.

Gianna is in the PICU at CHOP, and has been for over a week. We appreciate all your gifts, and we really appreciate your prayers for Gianna. Please pray for Gianna's return home to her brothers.

My GREAT Aunt Nancy

Today my mom and dad attended the funeral of my Great Aunt Nancy. Great Aunt Nancy is my mother's godmother, and her late husband, Joe, was my mom's godfather and grandmom's big brother.

I met my Great Aunt Nancy at my christening last year for the first time, she held me for a long time at my party at my house. She had short reddish hair, big beautiful eyes, and a distinguished voice. She wore a sharp outfit that looked very modern, chic, and classic. Her jewelry was fun, modern, and beautiful. I really loved the way she held me in her arms that day. I was held by a lot of my mom's friends, my aunts, my grandmoms, my cousins, and my godmother on my special day. I noticed something different about the way Great Aunt Nancy held me, like she was born to hold a child in her arms. She was very experienced at this maternal deliverance. Mom told me she has 9 children, and 15 grandchildren! She also has held all of her nieces, nephews, and friends' babies when they were my age.. AND she also has held her nieces', nephews', and friends' babies!! that's a lot of baby holding.

Great Aunt Nancy was Great at holding babies! And what is so Great about the way she held me? It was her way of telling me that she Loves me, and I felt her Love for me. I Love my Great Aunt Nancy for holding me and sharing her love with me. I am grateful to have had my Great Aunt Nancy praying for me, and being a Great Godmother to my mom. I will continue to fight through my ilness like she did through her illness. Aunt Nancy, you are truly Great. We will miss your Greatness here on earth, but will keep it in my heart.

Love,
Gianna

Firecracker!

On 4th of July I was rushed to CHOP to be admitted to the PICU. Familiar places, familiar faces on the 4th! When I catch a summer bug, I cant breathe very well. I not only rely on the oxygen, but I rely on a BiPap machine. I have one at home, but sometimes I need more sophiscated equipment to help me breathe while I fight these colds, viruses, and other setbacks. CHOP's PICU is really good at helping me through the tough times.

I came home today on an ambulance ride. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.

A special prayer goes to the Coffey family at this time. Mary, a special little girl who also has a family of strong faith.

Home Goods

Drive time with Brendan

Mom and Henry time

Irish eyes are smiling!

Teaching Stephen how to read, starting with "Hug me"

Chill time in my special chair/ stroller/ personalized vehicle

Crib time with the Binky! I cant eat food, but at least I've got the bink!

Playtime with my brothers.. I love when they play with me!

Mommy and Me, OT style... she tells me its playtime!

My brothers and I hanging out at home.

Stephen showering me with kisses! I try to kiss back!

Summa Time!

I have been home since May 21st, just in time for summer!

I got to go to Stephen's pre-school graduation, see my brothers finish school, and my big Brother Henry won his baseball championship game! He even hit a triple in one of the play off games!

Its good to see my homecare nurses again! Yesterday and today I had a milestone with my homecare therapist, Dot. She asked me to reach for my bunny, and I did! I finally can get my body to reach and touch on a command. I did it with the encouragement of my therapist, nurses, and family! My parents are soo proud of me!

I entered the ICU on March 31...

Tues March 31: I was heading back to CHOP to see Dr Goldfarb, and my stats were dropping. I then went to the ED. I went back to the PICU soon after. My home away from home.
Thursday April 2: They moved me to the Progressive Care Unit.
Saturday April 4: I didn't feel well, and it was a struggle to keep my stats up.
Monday April 6: I was seizing more than I usually would. It was by far one of the worst days in a long time. I couldn't get it right. It was a struggle to breathe, the seizures kept coming on. I am not used to this being this bad. Mom and the nurse tried everything to keep me comfortable and to get my breathing right, but the seizures pressed on and it took a toll on me. It wasn't til about 7pm, Mom got me to sleep. Things calmed downed. I was able to sleep.
I am looking forward to having good days.

Saturday April 25: Bet on miles for Gianna's smiles at the Kite n Key

Please join the Mashett and Clark families along with The Kite n Key for a benefit for Gianna Mashett. Gianna is my one year old beautiful niece, who has Aicardi Syndrome: The number of identified cases of children (only females have Aicardi) with Aicardi syndrome has been estimated at 800 worldwide. http://www.aicardisyndrome.org/site/
Gianna is a very fragile child and will need very specialized equipment as she grows. This benefit will help fund these special needs and provide a little fun for her friends who care so much about her!

This 2009 race season Gianna's Aunt Sue Anne will be racing The Broad Street -10miles, NJ Devilman half lite Ironman -50 miles, The San Diego Marathon -26miles, Eagleman Half Ironman -70miles, Ironman Kentucky-140miles, and XTERRA races-30miles in honor of Gianna Mashett. Every mile is hope for Gianna's smile.
You will have the chance to place bets on Sue Anne's finishing race times and win some cash. The winner will have guessed the closest finishing time (without going over) and will be awarded half of the cash pot. The other half goes to Gianna. Winners will be awarded the money after each race.
You must be present at the Kite n Key to place your bets. Empty slots after midnight are available to those who cannot attend the benefit.
each mile is worth a dollar, and each slot is worth the total mileage of the race. See above for each race. SA's race histories/times and background will be available at the benefit, to give you ideas of where you should place your bet! Gianna wants you to know that her Aunt Sue Anne is not consistent, and that will make it more interesting!
Other fun prizes and raffles will go on that night too!
$5 per person at the door and Gianna's friends are offered
$3 Lager and $4 stella on tap
$3 Domestic Bottles and Well Drinks
Wine specials too.

All monies raised go to Gianna Mashett directly. Administrative fees, and all races and expenses occurred are paid by racer (Sue Anne).

Cant wait to see you there!

Host: Sue Anne Clark
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Start Time: Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:00pm
End Time: Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 12:00am
Location: The Kite n Key
Street: 1836 Callowhill St
City/Town: Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 2155681818