9-10-08
Just read this update. Please keep Maria, Trish, Peter and their families in your prayers.

Trish asked me to post a bulletin asking for prayers. She and Peter just took Maria to a doctor's appointment because she was not feeling good. They have unfortunately been told that the leukemia is back. They were told that there is not anything further that can be done to help her. She told me 10 days ago when they left to take her to Montreal to meet all of her family she was just fine. Trish said Maria was baptised on their trip. Maria started not feeling good and bruising again a few days ago. Hospice is going to be coming out to their home to help care for Maria. Please pray for Maria, Trish, and Peter along with all of their family. They are going to need all of our prayers and support.


Thank You,
Cindi Anderson

Damn. This family has been through so much. I hope that they can find the strength in each other, their friends, and everyone else who is keeping them in their thoughts to deal with whatever the future holds.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain that would be associated with losing a child.

my heart and prayers continue to go out to them in such time of need. Agreed, TD, I can't imagine what I would do if something hit my home like this

Midzi (a poster from the slacker board) reported (over there) that they have given Maria 1-2 WEEKS to live.

truly sad. This is just plain gut wrenching awful!!

Update 9/17/08

Trish asked me to update everyone. First of all she wanted me to thank each and every person that has been praying for their family. Maria is doing okay. She was able to go outside and enjoy some fresh air with Peter's mother. His mother and aunt are here with them now and have been spending time with them along with Trish's family. Peter's mother was able to take Maria outside earlier today and Maria seemed to enjoy it. Trish wanted everyone to know how very much they have appreciated everything that everyone has done for them. She said to tell you thank you from the very bottom of her heart. Maria did not need morphine last night and was more alert today than she has been. She is enjoying being held and spends quite a bit of her time sleeping. Please continue to pray for Peter, Trish, and Maria, as well as their families. We will be setting up a fund to help cover upcoming expenses. As soon as I get everything finalized I will post the information for those of you that are wanting to donate.

Thank you in advance.

Here is Maria's obituary from the Daily Oklahoman. I think it is beautifully written.

If you go to www.newsok.com you can sign the guest book for the family.



Maria Anna Arvanitis, 2 years, of Harrah, Oklahoma passed away on Sept. 20, 2008 after a long, hard fought battle with leukemia. She was born 7 weeks prematurely on July 29, 2006 in Oklahoma City to Peter and Patricia Arvanitis. At 6 months of age, Maria was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. She received numerous amounts of chemotherapy, surgeries, and medication. She went into remission and relapsed in less than 2 months on April 15, 2008. She then under went more chemotherapy and had to have radiation to prepare her body for a bone marrow transplant. On June 18, 2008 she underwent a bone marrow transplant at Children's Hospital. She sailed through the transplant with no complications. Then on Sept. 10, 2008, the leukemia came back with a vengeance. She fought hard until the end. She took her last breath in her mother's arms surrounded by family and friends at 4:19a.m. She was a ''little fighter'' and always will be remembered for that. She has touched so many lives. She loved to play with her cousins, put curlers in her Nana's hair, wear jewelry, watch Barney and Elmo videos, and always had a smile on her face. She was named ''Girl of the Year'' by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in April 2008. Maria was loved by so many. If you ever met Maria, you can guarantee she was going to leave a mark on your heart. She was so full of life. She will be truly missed. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Zenophon Arvanitis, Montreal, Canada. Maria is survived by her parents, Peter and Patricia Arvanitis, Harrah, OK Grandparents, Leon and Annie Halbrooks, Harrah, OK, Maria Arvanitis, Montreal, Canada numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her parents wish to thank their friends and family for all of the support. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6pm-8pm at Resthaven Funeral Home, Shawnee. Funeral services will be 2pm Thursday at Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.