Thanksgiving week

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week spent with lots of family.  There were definite highs and lows, but overall it was a happy time.  As we sat at the dinner table it was difficult not to think about the possibility that our beautiful little boy might not beat this.  That one year, his seat could be empty.  It’s miserable to think about and I wish that none of us would ever have that thought cross their mind.  The reality of it is that even though it hurts, maybe we should have that thought about our loved ones.  It may not be cancer threatening their lives, but each and every one us will die of something, some day.  So here’s the cliché:  don’t take a single day for granted.   Or, tomorrow is not promised, live for today.  You catch my drift?

Dad, John, Vickie, and I went out for some “Black Friday” shopping and then napped (a lot) that day.  Randy’s Dad and brother came up for the weekend and had the pleasure of helping Randy with his exterior illumination display.  (Raaaaaaandy…the little lights aren’t twinkling!)  Between my Dad, Randy’s Dad, Matthew, and Randy, it only took all day to finish (including breaks).  I know Randy appreciated the help and the kids love it!  That night the boys watched their favorite movie: "The Polar Express" while wearing their fashionable Polar Express shirts. 

Today, Jake had an appointment at the inpatient clinic to check his blood counts and receive a short chemo infusion.  The child life specialist came in to explain how it would be for his port to be accessed and to play with him during the appointment.  He did a bit of kicking and screaming before the nurse accessed his port but most of it was just because he was afraid that it would hurt, but it didn’t hurt because I had put the numbing cream on it an hour before. He blissfully played on the ipad until his chemo was finished.  All that was left was to wait for someone from orthopedics to come and remove his cast.  He was very nervous about having it cut off and kept saying "but, I think it's cool" in hopes that I would abandon the idea all together.  It only took a minute to remove it and we were out the door.  He is having some trouble walking but it didn't stop him from riding his scooter this afternoon.   He is such an awesome kid.