Wow! Busy day... Day 367 14NOV09

Last year on this day we were devastated. Joshua received his diagnosis and we began our journey on the long and winding cancer road.

This year we celebrated!

Joshua requested a cake to mark his anniversary so we got him one.

The rest of the day was a blur. First we attended a luncheon held by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to kick off this years Man and Woman of the Year contest. Joshua was selected as the LLS Boy of the Year for 2010 and this was the first event he has attended. During lunch a raffle was held to raise money and two different times someone gave their prize to Joshua. The first one was from Shelley, who does the Pasta for Pennies program for LLS, who gave Josh a signed basketball from the Miami Heat. The second was from Larry and Barbara, who were sitting at our table, who gave Josh the concierge services prize that they had won. Thanks so much for your generosity!

After the Luncheon we headed off to the Children's Cancer Center Fall Festival. They were all kinds of fun things for the kids to do and we saw a bunch of our cancer family there. Joshua rode a pony, took a hay ride, bounced, and ran all over the place. Joshua twisted his ankle a little but seemed to be doing okay after a little ice and rest.

Next we went to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Gandy. We had a nice dinner and the kids got a chance to spend some time with them. Jarrod got a chance to use my dad's latest yard gadget and had a blast.

Then it was off to a galaxy far, far away...

Ok we really didn't get to go to outer space and be Jedi's or anything but the Star Wars costumes were amazing.

Actually we were at the Tampa Bay Lightning game. It was an exciting game that ended in a shoot out, a first for both Joshua and Jarrod. Unfortunately they didn't win, they got cheated out of a goal in overtime, but they played a great game. We all will be a little hoarse tomorrow for sure.

So unlike last year this year we had a great day!

And look at me now... Day 366 13NOV09

I was awoken this morning by a beautiful little face saying "Mommy, I'm hungry!"
 
I didn't want to get out of bed.
 
I knew what today was.
 
I got out of bed anyway and slowly made Joshua his breakfast. I had started my morning and I was trying really hard not to remember the events of a year ago that are permantely etched into my memory.
 
One year ago, I awoke way too early and drove in the darkness to the Diagnostic Center for chest x-rays and an ultrasound. I stopped at McDonalds with my son afterwards and we had pancakes for breakfast. We finally got home and I paced the floors waiting for the results of the test.

I knew something was wrong.

I could feel it in my heart.

I saw the look of the pediatrician the day before and I saw the look on the techs faces after the x-rays and ultrasound.

Mommy instinct had kicked into full gear.

These are the moments that I didn't want to re-live today.

When the phone call finally arrived at 11:20 (yes, I remember that too) The doctor informed me that my beautiful 6 year old had a large mass sitting on his chest and they believed it was Cancer. I'm not sure I breathed another breath until I hung up the phone after she told me to pack an overnight bag and stay by the phone. They were trying to make arrangements. 
 
I walked into the house, slowly.

Looked at my husband.

Barely got the words out of my mouth.

And collapsed on the kitchen floor.
 
You don't forget these life changing, altering moments.
 
You can try but they will always be there.
 
Today, at 11:20 I was sitting with Jarrod doing school work and Joshua climbed into my lap and asked "What time is it?" I looked, noticing the time and said "One year ago today I was on the phone with your doctor and she was telling me you had a tumor on your chest."
 
Joshua responded with a huge, smile on his face
 
"AND LOOK AT ME NOW!"
 
Joshua had said it all!

We had no idea... Day 365 12NOV09

One year ago today we had no idea how drastically our lives were about to change over the next few days. Joshua had been fighting off what we thought was bronchitis for a week and just wasn't getting any better. Renee took him to the doctor and she was concerned that his spleen seem enlarged so she schedule him for a sonogram and an x-ray the next morning. This would be our last "normal" night at home. My mom and my brother were in from out of town and we had planned to spend the next day hanging out and visiting. My memory of that night has been clouded by all the days that have followed. We were a little worried about Joshua but felt sure it was nothing, we have never been so wrong.

Today thankfully was like most other days lately. Joshua got up and took a bike ride with Renee and then played while Jarrod was in school. He ran up to the grocery store with me to get a few things and get out of the house for a bit. He has been feeling a little blah the last day or so but seemed a little better this afternoon.

This evening we were off to the Children's Cancer Center to be a part of a parents focus group for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It included a nice diner and a chance for the kids to play while we talked. I know the kids played hard because they were both tired out. We all sat on the couch and read a little bit from the new book we started before they dragged themselves off to bed.

Heroes... Day 364 11NOV09

Joshua had visitors again today. Cameron and Jayden came over to spend the day with the boys and have a little fun. The boys all had a great time and were playing happily when I left to go teach. Renee informs me that they continued to have a good time later as well. Renee has decided that the boys need to start their own band. Maybe that will help to pay off some of these hospital bills!

This evening Renee and the boys went to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital for the Kids Are Heroes program. Joshua and Jarrod were both asked to be judges in this years competition to find the best kid heroes in the Tampa Bay area. Joshua ran into his favorite hockey player Steven Stamkos and got him to sign his shirt among other things. We will be cheering for Steven and his teammates at the game on Saturday thanks to his generosity.

Lizards and a friend... Day 363 10NOV09

Joshua started off early today with a visit from his teacher and lots of schoolwork. He did pretty well although Mom had to coax him pretty hard to get his homework done.

The tooth fairy did in fact come flitting through late last night and once again agreed to trade Joshua's discarded tooth for more worldly currency. He was thrilled and quickly added the spoils to his ever growing coffers.

After I left for work Joshua had a play date with his friend Hayden. From what I hear they ran around outside and carefully stalked a bunch of wild and ferocious lizards. The hunt was very rewarding and several large and fearsome lizards were taken into captivity, moved to a new location, and released. I am glad he had a good play day, he has far to few.

As a great added bonus Hayden's mom brought delicious Vietnamese egg rolls with her. They were yummy;)

Teeth and Cookies... Day 362 09NOV09

Joshua had clinic this morning to get his counts checked. His ANC has slipped to 752 but everything else is doing good. Hopefully it will not slip down like it usually does in response to increased doses of methotrexate. He felt good throughout the day so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

After a day of playing and doing little boy things Joshua decided he wanted to cook dinner for all of us. Off to the kitchen he went to get suited up and start making dinner. He prepared tuna salad and it was quite delicious. After dinner he baked cookies with Jarrod. He did all the work under Jarrod's watchful eye and produced a mountain of oatmeal scotchies! They were wonderful, there are even a few left;)

We cuddled up on the couch after feasting on cookies and finished the book we have been reading. In the middle of a chapter Joshua's second tooth came out! He was thrilled and immediately got out his pillow to prepare the trade for the Tooth Fairy. I am pretty sure I heard her zip through the house just moments ago. Wonder what she left this time?

Play day... Day 361 08NOV09

Joshua had a play day today. After church this morning he went over to spend the day with Grandma, Pa, Avery, and Taylor. They had a bunch of fun and both the boys came home at dinner time rather tuckered out. The weather stayed nice today but it got a bit breezy with some pretty strong gusts. Something knocked the power out in our entire area for almost an hour this afternoon while the kids were gone. Not sure if it was related to the wind or not. We were just glad they got it fixed. All in all another relatively normal day. Josh was feeling a little down and blah this evening, not sure why. He will go to the clinic in the morning and get his counts checked so if he is slipping we will at least know. Let's hope not.