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The Peacock Sign
Hi everyone.
We've definitely hit reality. This has been a rough two days here in
Milwaukee ? both by checking Travis into the hospital here and also
by saying goodbye to Spencer for a week as he goes on his "big boy
trip" to Duluth with Mom and Dad (we hear he's having a great time!).
In the scheme of things, we've come through so far fairly well, and know
there are many rougher days ahead, but all the changes came fast and furious
yesterday and today. We've been adjusting to the hospital (new staff, new
layout and procedures), the Ronald McDonald House and its limitations (no
phone in room, only eat in dining areas (!), shared bathroom, only 1 Internet
hookup place, etc -- .although there are many benefits to being here as
well), and of course, most of all, trying to help Travis through the endless
procedures, chemo and meds He definitely doesn't get much peace, but we're
trying to offer him some control ? some choices where we can.
After saying an emotionally difficult goodbye (for Joe, Travis and me)
to Spencer, Mom and Dad, as they drove off to Duluth, we took Travis to
the MKE Zoo for a last day of fresh air and nature for awhile. It was a
magical day sunny and breezy. As we were walking, Travis heard the wind
through the trees and said "Mom and Dad, do you think the trees are
swaying and we hear the wind because that is God saying a prayer for me
to get better and have a good bone marrow transplant?". Joe and I were
awestuck at this boy. Not surprised, as he'd been saying these kinds of
things since he could talk ? but simply amazed at his spirituality,
emotional intelligence and his innocence and hope.
The other beauty of the day came from the peacocks. Travis' Hebrew name
is Tavas Raban, and Tavas translates to Peacock (which we've always translated
as "proud"). We delighted to see a peacock half hidden in some
bushes, walk right to us and figured it was good luck. Then, as the morning
went on, peacocks were everywhere we went at the Zoo! We must have seen
7 of them (or they travel from end to end of the zoo pretty fast)! We laughed
and agreed that this was indeed a good luck symbol for Travis. Then, as
we returned to the RM House, with about 30 minutes until check-in time at
the hospital,
Travis wanted to play a game in the Sunroom (my favorite ? just like
it sounds ? bright, airy and comfortable). Just as we were leaving,
Joe stopped us cold ? and had us look down at the carpeting. There,
woven into the pattern, were big peacocks! Ok, call me superstitious (I'll
take anything about now), but I do think it was a sign. It made Travis feel
special, anyway. And us too.
The hospital has a school, and Travis met his hospital Kindergarten teacher,
who will interface with his new teacher at home, and saw the classroom,
which he can go to this week while he feels up to it. After BMT, he will
have private time with the teacher in his room daily (45 min or so). It
was quite exciting to us, except then we had to cut our tour short and return
for a painful procedure (Foley Catheter ? don't ask) Definitely put
a damper on the rest of the day. But the good news is Travis was laughing
and playing Nintendo (thank you our new friend in SFO), shared in Shabbat
prayers with Joe and me, and then after much distress with his last pills,
eyedrops, swish/spit, blood pressure, temp and whatever else of the day,
he fell into a peaceful, exhausted sleep.
They call today Day ?6 (the 11th). And we made it through.. The 17th
? BMT day is called Day 0. It's almost like a new birthday. So, we're
ready to face Day ?5. More soon. (Now it is Day -5... Travis is sad,
but relatively comfortable --distracted by TV for the moment /-:) Oh yeah,
2 new pics Here -- the day before we left!
Love and hugs from us,
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer
P.S. We have a chart up in his room that we are putting stickers on as
he reaches milestones (4 eye drops/day, mouth swishes 4x day, baths, walks
around, school, phys therapy, etc). We were trying to think of a title and
I suggested "Hooray" or "I did it" or Keep Trying"
and he said, "I've got it! We'll call it 'Yay! I'm Going to Israel!'.
So it is! And we ARE going to go. |