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"The Roller Coaster of Our Lives!"
Hi Everyone!
Just as were heaving a sigh of relief that a donor has been identified
for Travis' marrow transplant, we were socked with a midnight trip to the
hospital which lasted 5 days! It's behind us now, but was due to fevers
and joint pains. This is apparently not too uncommon and we've been lucky
to have not had these hospitalizations so far. Nonetheless, Travis was REALLY
bummed out to be in the hospital the first few days (Who wouldn't be, right?
He was feeling crummy!), but then as he got better, he didn't mind being
there at all. This child is amazing. (I, on the other hand, never did like
roller coaster rides! I guess I'd better learn...)
Since last Tuesday when he got home, all has been great. Joe should become
a nurse. He has mastered "sterile procedure" for Travis' home
care. I'm relegated to "assistant". Joe even managed the middle
of the night IV pump for antibiotics for several days. (We caught up on
sleep this past weekend!) And of course, there's sweet Travis -- who is
back to playing like a "normal" 5 1/2 year old, horsing around
with Spencer, whacking the baseball, making Origami flowers (do you love
it?), playing with race cars, singing with me... you name it.
Yesterday we had a magical experience. We went to Lutheran General Hospital's
17th Annual "Peds in the Weeds" picnic for children with cancer
and their families. It was the most fun our family has had since May 6,
to be sure. Great belly laughs for the four of us. There were (unfortunately)
many, many people at the picnic, but I learned that a great number of them
are returnees who've since beaten cancer but want to join in the fun. Picture
this... the boys "dunking the doctors" (their hematologist/oncologists)
in a big dunk tank, playing games and getting little prizes, eating wonderful
food, getting face painting tattoos (Travis chose a Chicago Bull!) and having
a group balloon launch with prayers for the children attached. (Gulp.) We
will never forget this day.
The days are flying by until the transplant. My parents are here -- they
are incredible. Everyone should be so lucky to have this kind of unconditional
support and love. Travis' baseline tests are scheduled for August 31 and
Sept.1 (Hmmm, August 31 WAS to be Travis' first day of kindergarten. Oh
well. We can deal with that.). The hospital characterizes this as 2 "grueling
days". Yuk. But, then we're going to enjoy our time as a family until
September 10, when Travis begins "pre-conditioning" which is high
intensity chemo and total body irradiation. This is serious stuff -- the
"no turning back" point for the transplant. And September 17 is
the big day. Then we wait and hope for minimal complications, successful
engraftment and recovery...
In the meantime, marrow drives are still being held. Do pass on the word
to those you know to get into the registry. I can't overemphasize how important
this is.
He's going to win.
Thanks again for your messages, emails, voicemails, cards, prayers, pictures,
postcards and love. It really helps us focus on staying positive and strong.
Love from us to you,
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer |