August 22nd, 2013

Thursday
Home
Weight: 14 Kg

You are home!!!  You were able to come home on Monday and we are praying you can stay home until Sept. 4th.  So far, so good!  We did have some blood work done yesterday which showed that your red blood cells were low so you needed to get a transfusion.  We spent 6 hours at the Medicine Hat hospital yesterday and as a result your energy is through the roof.

This last round of chemo went fairly well.  However, you are really starting to have a temper and tend have many temper tantrums now that you are back in your hospital room.  You are mostly mad about food and not liking a lot of the food or just not sure what you like anymore.  At times, you can be very rude and yell at the nurses, dad or me.  It is a hard balance trying to decide to discipline you, or just letting somethings go.  We question whether this is just a stage.  It is hard not to feel guilt that you are going through this and we are still going to have to treat you like a 2 (almost 3) year old boy.  It is not an easy balance. 

The hospital stays tend to be a bit easier now that you are meeting some very special friends.  There is another 2 year old boy who you love talking to.  You have had rooms beside each other a few times and have shared some car racing with.  There is also a special young lady, 14, who loves talking to you and I am pretty sure the reverse is the same.  Dad and I enjoy talking to her too as it gives us perspective of what you are going through.  She is very knowledgeable about leukemia which leads to some great conversation.  It is important for your Dad and I to form these relationships with others on Unit 1 as they are going through what we face everyday.  Sometimes we talk treatment, etc but sometimes it is nice to hear about their lives outside the hospital too.  Our prayer list has definitely grown in the last couple of months and our lives changed forever.

Now that your home we have been busy playing with friends and family.  Your favorite pastime is your wiggle car.  We can barely get out of the van and you are already back on the car.  If you are not outside you are spending time in the house playing cars and babies with your sisters.  Grilled cheese is still a favorite right now, but it has been fairly easy introducing a few new things into your diet.  At least you are not eating grilled cheese for all 3 meals and snacks!

The countdown is on for everyone as Back to School is just around the corner.  Your dad and I are definitely not counting down.  I am sad that summer has come and gone so quickly.  I was so happy to have the girls with us through many of your treatments, which was possible because school was out.  I know we are going to really enjoy these 16 days left before you head back to the hospital.  I only pray that next year you will be able to have a better summer filled with sand, water and camping.  These are small things, but important things to little boys. 

You are an amazing fighter everyday of your life!  You inspire me to be positive and to cherish the little things! 

Love you to the moon and back,

Mom

Here are some pics from the summer.  Also, a tattoo that I got as a reminder of your constant journey.