Oh, the places you'll go...

The last time I posted it was marking 2 years since your diagnosis, which seemed crazy, as I feel like it was years and years ago.  There are days that pass now and I don’t even think about when you were sick or how our lives were so different.  Our new “normal’ is the normal!! 

Today is a very exciting day as it was your first day of Kindergarten; what a milestone and celebration!   You are so excited to see your new teachers and finally be at the “big kid” school with your sisters.  This first day of Kindergarten was met with a few tears from me; it is hard to see my baby go off to Kindergarten.  I can’t wait to see how you'll grow this year.

This weekend we celebrated your 5^th birthday.  I can’t believe you are 5!!!  Every birthday we celebrate will always be a treasure and I will never forget that.  

  

This summer, however, we were reminded that we are still on a journey and there will always be something that brings us back to what you went through.  This July, you were in Calgary to have dental surgery.  We knew that your dental health would probably be affected from the lack of brushing during the time you were in the hospital, especially when dealing with the dreaded mouth sores and then also from some of the chemo medications you had to take.   Needless to say, you had 14 cavities that needed to be taken care of and having you put to sleep to do all the work at once was the best plan.  Of course, you weren’t too happy to have any work done and would also have to miss a day of summer holidays to go to the dentist.  However, you were a trooper and handled everything like a pro.  The dentist called the next day, concerned about the amount of work they had to do and wondered how you were doing as a result, and they were surprised that you were up and playing the next day.  I wasn’t surprised, you are still my superhero!

Later in July we had a checkup with your Oncologist, Dr. Anderson, in Calgary. He was very pleased with your blood work as well as your physical checkup and he is impressed with all the progress that you have made in the past year.  He explained to us that you now will be going to the long term survivor clinic, which is still located in the Alberta Children’s Hospital.  Your appointments are going to be every 6 months, which will save us many trips to Calgary. 

We are looking forward to fall and returning to our routines and schedules.  The weather is still beautiful so we are taking advantage of the outdoors, especially to burn off all your energy these days. 

Love you to the moon and back,

Mom

**Just a few days ago, another precious child, Dominic Rooney, was taken too early from this horrible disease.   It is so unfair that his parents won’t have their little one to hold close or see grow up.  Our prayers and thoughts are with the family as they prepare to find their new “normal” but without their precious son.  Please consider donating to the Extra Life charity, in Dominic's name, which benefits the Alberta Children’s Hospital at http://www.extra-life.org/team/dominicstrong.

A favorite picture of mine when Kallum and Dominic had a chance to meet.

It's no joke...

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015

Today marks the two year anniversary since you were diagnosed.  I don't know if that is really an anniversary, as we usually celebrate anniversaries but April 1st, 2013 will never be forgotten by your dad and I.  It is more of a day to count our blessings, give you an extra hug and cuddle and remember what you went through and how you not only survived but kick cancer's butt!

March is still a difficult month for me and I know that as the years pass some of the old feelings will start to fade, but two years later and I still feel some of the old memories come back.  I am reminded by the signs of spring as well as the preparation for Easter.  Usually these are times to be excited for, but I still struggle to look forward to these signs because spring 2013 was the worst time of our lives.  I need to remember that we are past all the bad times and if I need to start recognizing the future rather than dwelling in the past.

Today, if anyone would look at you they would never guess what you have lived through or even better, SURVIVED through.  Your boundless energy and passion for life is how you live life everyday.  We know that you are getting your strength back and can keep up with the kids your own age.  Soccer season is starting again for your sisters and no matter how much I tried to convince you to try another spring sport, because soccer requires strong legs and endurance, you are set on playing.  The other day you had all your soccer gear on and wanted to know how many days until soccer starts, I love you enthusiasm and now you will be an amazing soccer star!

This January you had your appointment in Calgary where they completed all the regular tests, MRI, x-rays, ECHO, ultrasound and of course blood work.  All your tests came back clear!  You still need to have an appointment in Calgary every 3 months, but you will only require an examination by your Oncologist and blood work, no more big tests!  This is a huge milestone for you and I love that you will not have to endure the days of waiting for all the appointments.  However, it feels like a security blanket has been ripped away from me.  There is a part of me that awaits the results and is assured that all is good, hopefully the blood work is enough to elevate some of the anxiousness.

We will continue on your journey with you.  Right now, you refer to "having cancer" as a temporary illness that you had and overcame and it is the only reason why you have to have a needle every couple of months.  I am glad that you were too young to have any memories of the "bad" and simply see it as something that marks a time in our lives.  I pray everyday that it stays this way for you and that you will never have to relive any of those experiences.  We are truly blessed and I will never take life for granted again.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mom

What a change 2 years makes!

       

Here is a picture of you and dad out for a bike ride.  You are loving the spring weather!