Giving Archives - Danielle Moss

Childhood Cancer

01.26.21

Childhood Cancer Auction: We’re Done With Frontline!

Eight months ago, I could barely picture getting through the weeks and months …

Eight months ago, I could barely picture getting through the weeks and months ahead let alone making it to the end of frontline. Now that we’re officially on the other side of frontline and weeks away from starting maintenance, I feel like a new, stronger, happier, more grateful person. I …

Giving

09.14.20

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Auction

My daughter Margot was diagnosed with Leukemia in May 2020. Seeing children and …

My daughter Margot was diagnosed with Leukemia in May 2020. Seeing children and babies on the oncology floor or watching toxic but life-saving drugs slowly drip into your daughter’s IV while she naps will change your life and heart forever. We are only a few months into treatment but I …

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Jun 29

Swipe to stain the stairs and add herringbone. 😍

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Jun 28

She turns FOUR next week and will have her last IV chemo, spinal tap, and port removal in just a few DAYS. We have been at this since May 2020 and I cannot believe we’re finally here. 😭 Kate wasn’t even born when it all started and is older than Margot was at diagnoses. I can’t wrap my mind around that.

I have SO many feelings right now — it’s a push-pull — last week I was on a high/so grateful and today I’m still grateful but also sad and angry. A reminder that those feelings can coexist. The weight, what she went through, what we went through, what we missed out on…it’s all hitting me. I am so grateful for therapy and lexapro.

Treatment and isolation aside, I am happier. My priorities are in check. The days of not having control over my own life and schedule are behind me. No more obsessing over site metrics and things that don’t matter.

Months and months ago, I put it out there that I wanted to get in touch with a motherhood site willing to support us and other families by sharing our story. Someone at @mother.ly reached out and I couldn’t quite process everything, but I’m feeling a bit more ready to try. Or I hope I am. I might even try to work on a blog post today. There’s just so much to say.

But this girl. The light that is my Margot. Her ability to continue to shine even when things are hard and scary. She is kind and loving. Smart and witty. She has gone through way too much and shouldn’t have to be strong, but she is. And she does it all with this Margot magic that I can’t put into words. She has this confidence - especially for someone who’s been so isolated - and it is amazing to watch. She truly has a heart of gold and sends videos to kids who are newly in treatment to help normalize having a port or taking medicine. I remember saying my one hope for my children was that other people would tell me they are kind. She’s more than I ever could have hoped for. ✨

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Jun 27

Happy 2nd Birthday, Katertot! 🎂 You are the funniest, snuggliest, sweetest little person and we couldn’t love you more 🥳🎉🎈

When I showed Kate the second photo and asked what she was doing she said “freak out” 😂 #littlekateelizabeth

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Jun 27

Just a few more weekends until our move. Feeling ready but I’m going to miss this 🌳🪴 #backyard #patiodesign

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Jun 26

Soaking up her last day as a 1 year old 😭🤍 #LittleKateElizabeth

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Jun 25

Trying to distract myself with @nmeyers home by my favorite @markdsikes in @archdigest. Ordered a similar striped ottoman for our family room (swipe to see) and want pretty much everything. It’s perfect.

Everything feels so heavy - traveling back in time 50+ years and taking away basic rights hits so hard. As a mom to 2 girls and someone with a soul I am not ok. Sending you all love today. Please vote.

photography by @amyneunsinger

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Jun 21

I cannot believe how good this mess looks! We’re replacing the parquet with herringbone and adding a new runner. Swipe through to see the before. #homerenovation #staircase #oldhouse

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Jun 20

Patio work date with my 🐶 and there’s a new post up on danielle-moss.com. Everything in our yard is linked on my blog in the shop under “shop my home” 🪴

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Jun 20

Days like today aren’t easy for all of us. I suppose I’m used to it by now, but as someone who grew up without a dad, I want to share my story with those of you who need to hear it today. I’ve only ever shared that my dad isn’t in my life, and this isn’t the whole story, but it’s more than I’ve ever had the courage to share. I hope it helps someone today. 🤍

My parents divorced when I was a year old. My dad was involved with some not great stuff, and for our safety, my mom changed the locks and dropped me off at my grandparents house. He was in and out of my life when I was little - I barely saw him and when I did, he was extremely manipulative. I probably stopped seeing him in my early teens? I can’t remember.

He was not a good man. He was a sociopath and narcissist, and he was not safe. He had 4 kids and I was the only one he sort of saw - I know I’m better off without him. I miss the idea of someone who for me, did not exist. He’s been out of my life longer than he was in it. Sure, it’s sad, but I’m ok. I’ve healed.

If you’re feeling sad, missing your dad, or grieving the dad you never had, I’m sending you love today.

Grateful my girls won’t be able to relate to my story at all, and that their dad will *always* be there for them in every way. ✨

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Jun 18

Even when you’re *so close* to the end, cancer has a way of reminding you that it’s still here. 35 days until her last dose of chemo. Her port removal is less than 2 weeks ago. But while in treatment, a fever means a trip to the ER, so here we are. 😕 I was sure these ER fever trips were over for us.

Since she’s on chemo, they have to check her labs to make sure she can fight an infection (she can) and have to make sure she doesn’t have an infection from her port (she doesn’t) or a virus (also clear).

She’s currently 102° but seems ok. Eating snacks and watching movies. Labs look good and she tested negative for c*vid so we should be cleared to go home soon. She keeps asking to go home because that’s where she should be. This is no way to spend a summer Saturday. And we’re the lucky ones in this cancer world. That’s what gets me.

I scrolled through IG for a moment and was reminded of our first few weeks inpatient, wishing we were home. Seeing families out living while we’re in the hospital. And it just makes me want to fight harder. We need better treatment options and a cure for these kids.

A reminder: Margot hit remission 2 years ago (as of tomorrow). It’s not cancer that she’s fighting or that ran her little body down. It’s the chemo. It’s life saving, but I know we can do better. Please consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to help fund better treatment options for our kids. Because the protocol in place is what will be used for the ~ 45 kids who are diagnosed daily. I know you think this only happens to other people. I get it. I felt that way, too.

Our kids deserve so much more.

Link to donate to fund research in bio and stories.

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Jun 17

Patio season at the new house 🌳

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Jun 15

Moments like this 🤍

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Jun 14

She’s going to be *so* good ✨ #oldhouse

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Jun 13

I own maybe 5 pairs of heels - my shoe “collection” (if you can call it that) is pretty small. But I just bought my second set of Hermès Oran sandals because after wearing my first pair nonstop for 3 years, decided it was time for a second color. I published a review of these iconic sandals on my blog. Link in bio.

Is there something big you’ve splurged on? What’s the best big (and maybe ridiculous but worth it) purchase you’ve made?

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Jun 9

CLOSED! 🥳 We sold our house - 👏 to the best realtor in Chicago @conorpscanlon for getting us into this house before anyone else had a chance to snag it, and to finding our current home while it was off market. The man is GOOD at his job.

We are so grateful that the new owners are letting us lease it back for one more month. Need to pack, get Margot through surgery, and we’re off.

This home was the perfect place to start our family and will always be so special to us. Bringing our babies home, backyard parties, Christmas, and so much more. We did some WORK - bathrooms, new flooring, lighting, laundry room, landscaping, and fenced the yard. I’m grateful for the memories and ready for a new chapter.

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Jun 7

The first time we drove up to this house I took one look and told my husband it was our home. We had to get it. Even though it wasn’t on the market, we found out there was another offer. I was so sad. We lost our dream home. But somehow, things lined up. Just one more week until she’s ours ✨🔑

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Jun 2

Big changes are coming. Less than 2 weeks until this house is ours and 50 days until end of treatment. ✨ #oldhouselove #oldhouse #homesweethome

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May 31

Lunch date in the city ☀️🍹 The holiday weekend may be over but we don’t have childcare (yet) and are making the most of it.

Follow my shop @daniellemoss_ on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKkids #LTKfamily
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/3GAGn

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May 30

Happy Memorial Day! ⭐️

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May 29

Off to a friend’s house for the first time in I don’t even know how long. Grateful for moments like this 💦

Follow my shop @daniellemoss_ on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKkids #LTKfamily #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/3GsoC