Family Stories
Giving Thanks by the Sea
Last fall marked a life-altering time for Nika Perianakyagam and her family. During a trip to India in early November 2010, Nika, along with her sister Natasha and their parents, stopped to visit a Hindu temple dedicated to 'Ganesha,' the elephant god of good luck. Upon their return, Nika, who was three and a half years old at the time, turned to her mother and said, "Mummy, take me to the doctor, I don't feel well." Nika’s mother knew that 'Ganesha' had told Nika to say this, as she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, just a few days later. Within 14 days of chemotherapy, Nika thankfully went into remission and has remained that way ever since.
Although Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in the Indian culture, Nika and her family are looking forward to their respite at the Believe In Tomorrow House on the Bay in Ocean City, MD, during the week of Thanksgiving. Nika has always loved the sea and the sand, so it is the perfect place for the family to get away! The family is so thankful to God for Nika's healing and for taking care of them during a tough time, as well as to Nika's grandparents, who have been there to help during the worst moments of Nika's treatment. Says Niki, her mom, "Getting away for Thanksgiving is just our way of telling Nika and Natasha that life is good, God is good. Nika, go back to every single thing that you love - play in the sand, soak in the cool winter air, and God will take care of the healing. We are with you!"
A Respite for the Whole Family
The six members of the Knisley Family are getting ready for their upcoming Thanksgiving respite to a not-so-far-away land in North Carolina, also known as the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls! They've looked through photos of the house online, already made bedroom assignments, and - the kids especially - have made sure to pack hot dogs and smores fixings to use in the backyard fire pit. As the family journeys two hours from their home in Concord, NC, it will not only be their first Believe In Tomorrow respite, but also their first respite in a quite long time.
12-year-old Joshua, the third oldest of the four Knisley kids, was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2009, but he's doing much better now and will finish treatment this coming May. Rachel, the oldest of the kids, also has a neurological condition that requires a lot of medical care, so the Knisley family is very thankful that everyone will be healthy enough to get away together for the holiday.
Mom, Galadria, thought she would be off the hook for preparing a Thanksgiving dinner while on their respite, but the four Knisley kids would hear none of it. She said that they are most grateful to Believe In Tomorrow's programs for looking after the family as a whole and taking into account the impact of the child's diagnosis on the whole family. Many programs have helped Josh, while the other kids are more on the sidelines, so to have something that includes the whole family is really special!
A White Thanksgiving at Wisp
You've heard of a traditional White Christmas, but the Garrison Family from Edgewood, MD, is hoping for a White Thanksgiving this year when they travel to the Believe In Tomorrow House on Wisp Mountain! After a tough year, 14-year-old Tiffany, younger brother Michael, and parents Diane and Michael are really looking forward to getting away in the mountains of Western Maryland. Tiffany was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma around Thanksgiving last year, so after months of treatments, hospital stays, and doctor's appointments, the Garrisons are looking forward to a Thanksgiving filled with memories, stories, laughter and tons of family time, especially in the kitchen! Tiffany will take care of baking desserts and Michael will help cook (aka…make messes), and everyone is looking forward to a traditional feast of ham, turkey and every vegetable under the sun!
Diane said that first and foremost, she is thankful that her daughter will be ok. The family was devastated at hearing a diagnosis of cancer, but since she only has two more treatments, they are hoping for an early Christmas present: for Tiffany to be in remission! The Garrisons are so thankful for the doctors and staff at University of Maryland, who have become more like family over the past several months. Diane says they are also thankful for every program that has been offered to the family to help them get away from it all, and especially thankful to their family and friends, without whom the Garrisons never would have made it through such a difficult time.