"I don't think she even remembers what life is like before this, which is probably a good thing," Heather said. "She just kind of looks at all these treatments and visits to the hospital as exciting, and she's very lucky that she hasn't had a ton of side effects. She hasn't shown a ton of side effects to the chemo she's received, so she doesn't get nauseous all that often. She's able to be energetic. So as far as her outlook [on fighting cancer], on it goes. We've been very blessed, and even through some of the hardest times, the hardest months, we've been able to enjoy and find ways to be around each other more. As a family it's brought us closer."
Patrick said Graysen's attitude has buoyed the entire family.
"[When she was first diagnosed,] there was this fear that overcame me of, even if all this goes well, it's so disappointing to think, 'Oh, we're going to miss out. Everything we're doing is so new, we're going to miss out on these typical child developments and all this fun and joy of toddler life,'" he said. "But much to my surprise, and a thankful surprise, her personality has blossomed despite all of the awkwardness of multiple nights in a hospital. She's developed into this amazingly charming girl. She has a great personality, she's goofy, loves to laugh and play and she's high energy. We're very thankful that her personality has driven us through this treatment plan to very surprising degrees."
In August, Graysen began the maintenance stage of her recovery, which will take approximately two years. She takes a chemotherapy pill every day, has a week of steroids per month and makes a monthly visit to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Jose. But she can go outside and play and take part in more activities, including trick or treating. On Halloween, per Graysen's wish, the Hoopers dressed as the family from the cartoon "Peppa Pig."
