Meet Lexxus Crooks

 

Lexxus is the 3 year old daughter of Melissa and Adam; two fellow Clarinda, Iowa natives.

Lexxus is fighting cancer.   

 

On July 17^th, 2014 the family received news they wished they never had to hear.

Treatments aren’t working and despite all efforts,

the cancer keeps spreading.

 

Lexxus has been sent home to be loved and hugged while she continues to fight this ugly cancer on her own.

Please lift Lexxus and her family up in your prayers, well wishes, good thoughts.

Whatever you’ve got.

 

Her Story

March 2013:  Lexxus was diagnosed with Plueropulmonary Blastoma, a very rare form of childhood cancer.  Lexxus underwent surgery to remove a softball size tumor from her left lung and soon started the process of intense chemotherapy, multiple MRI and CT scans for a span of 8 months.

A week after her last round of chemotherapy, the Doctor’s found cancer had spread to her brain.  

December 15^th, 2013: Lexxus had surgery to remove a quarter size tumor from her brain.

Following surgery came 25 rounds of radiation for treatment. 

December 30^th, 2013: Lexxus began 5 weeks, Monday-Friday, of sedated radiation.

 

April 2014 : Lexxus underwent a Stem Cell Transplant

 

 

June 2014: An MRI of her brain showed the cancer had spread and Lexxus went through another brain surgery on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.

 

July 17, 2014: Radiation followed by an MRI resulted in results showing the cancer spreading at a rapid pace.

 

   All treatments have been stopped and Lexxus is now home with her family.

 

She’s a fighter and is surrounded by an entire community praying for her.

What a sweet, courageous and beautiful little girl. 

Please pray for strength, comfort, peace and healing for all.

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If you would like to donate directly to Lexxus’s parents, Melissa and Adam, please go to www.paypal.com and use Melissa’s information to deposit directly to her account. Her e-mail is mcrooks817@gmail.com and her number is (712) 542-0214.

 

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To view a beautiful collection of photos by Photographer, Mallory Olenius, please visit the below links.

 

Lexxus Fight Albums:

Album 1: Photos by Mallory Olenius

Album 2: Photos by Mallory Olenius

 

 

 

Professional photos courtesy of Mallory Olenius

Last weekend Clint and a few other good hearted friends and family shingled our house.   They chose the hottest weekend in Nebraska as temps rose to mid-90’s with humidity levels out of this world!

Add on the fact that the boys lived it up at the Willie Nelson concert the night before and you can imagine how they were filling at 7:30am.

 

 

Perks of husbands business?   Bobcats to get you on the roof when ladders were forgotten back at shop.

 

 

While the boys worked in the heat – I worked in doors.  I was still nursing my tooth debacle and didn’t feel like getting too carried away.

First on my agenda?  Tackling my 17 year old’s room.   For the love…. I am positive that his room had not been cleaned since the last time I did.

At Thanksgiving

 

I already had two loads going by the time I took this picture.

 

The final tally:  6 loads: all Kyle’s  ~   2 loads: a combo of Clint and I.

 

Next on my agenda: Baking and Lunch duties.

 

You guys…

I did it.

I used my Christmas present for The. First. Time.

 

 

It’s seriously Christmas in JULY!   (ya, I see Clint’s calendar hasn’t been flipped yet)    WHY did I WAIT so long to use this thing?

I am in love

I made Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.   <– Recipe Link.  The only thing I changed was I used 3 bananas instead of 2.

Lunch time was much needed.  I was honestly a little nervous they wouldn’t get back up.  It was so freaking miserable out there.

Champ.  Always in the middle of it all.

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This guy.   Don’t be fooled by the smile.  He definitely said something inappropriate prior.

The guys worked until about 7pm and then called it a night.   I had dinner and ice cold beers waiting for them.  Pulled pork, fresh corn on the cob from my families farm in Clarinda (Thanks, Jeanne), watermelon and tater salad.

 

Sunday they were back at it bright and early.  I felt well enough that I chipped in by cleaning up all the shingles out of the front yard.

 

`

 

I’ll admit that at noon I slipped away to have some fun.  I met up with my friend Tracy for some Harley riding.  We met at Quaker Steak and Lube and then rode the route for my upcoming 9th Annual Bitch Ride!  Plattsmouth, Newhawka, Louisville, Waterloo and Bennington.

 

The Doghouse Saloon in Waterloo is my fave bar, hands down.  I’ve mentioned that a time or two.   In the summer they have live music –  even on Sunday’s!

 Dallas Hendrix.   Great voice!   Definitely will have to track down a show of his.

 

I was back home shortly after 6pm and went right back to work picking up shingles in the backyard.

 

PS – this is a great way to kill a good buzz.  😉

 

 

 

 

And with that, we have a new roof and another summer weekend long gone.

 

 

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Cheers!