Everyone is doing fine here as we all get ready for the holidays. My shopping still isn't done and I have yet to send out the xmas cards but - Oh well, that's ok.
Lauren continues to look and feel great. We've been having issues again with leg and back pain but I'm assuming she's just growing again. She had her last checkup and scans mid October and everything was good. She also had her yearly hearing evaluation which was also fine. In fact the audiologist is still amazed that Lauren hasn't lost a bit of hearing from all the chemo. She said it's rare not to have any high frequency loss (something like 1 in a 1000 kids!) She still wants to her to have yearly hearing screens though.
Lauren still loves school and looks forward to going every day. She got her first report card a few weeks ago. While it did have a number of NTs (needs time) there were a good number of S (satisfactory). Her teachers and I talked at conference and they said that they're not surprised/concerned about the results. They are seeing issues with inconsistency and gaps is mastering things (letters, numbers). But she is working with her special ed teacher everday and making good forward progress. More importantly she is not getting frustrated and is still eager to do things. She is also having issues with attention and staying on task. Again not a surprise. We all knew these were going to be areas of difficulty, we just didn't know how soon they would show up. Well I guess now we know!
She is still going to dance and gymnastics class and loves them both. One thing we have been noticing lately in school and at other times is that for some reason Lauren is overheating very easily. The school nurse called me one day because Lauren's teacher brought her in with her face beat red & hot but not sweating. Lauren didn't ask to go they just brought her because they didn't like the way she looked. Before I got there they had given her a bottle of water which she drained in 5 seconds. Then they were afraid she would throw up. As soon as I saw her I knew she had just overheated and explained to them that we don't know why but this happens to her very quickly. That's why her IEP says she must always have her water bottle with her. Well you can bet they won't get separated again! Like I said we don't know why this happens especially when most times she isn't really doing anything - one time it happened while we were eating dinner - so it's something I'll bring up with her late effects doctor in January.
OK on to some highlights of the past two months -
When Lauren and I were at thr RMH in Oct we got to go to a comedy club one night. The comedians were definitely more used to an "older" audience but they tampered things down and were a big hit with the kids. Especially the one who told the kids it was cool to drink soda and see how loud you could burp. He asked the kids if they could do it and then pointed to Lauren who let out a real loud one right on cue!
The next night we got treated to a dinner out at our favorite Italian restaurant DiNapoli's. We were joined by Jason Garrett (from the NY Giants) and his wife. After dinner Jason came with us all to see the movie Good Boy. We had the theater all to ourselves. Lauren had a great time even tho she was the only little girl and knew nothing about football. She liked Jason but spent more time with his wife talking about dogs (they have two labs).
When we got home we had our annual Trunk or Treat at the school. Of course Bill went all out with the decorations (a spider theme) and, like last year, won Best overall trunk. On Halloween the Simpsons and the Roccos came over to go trick or treating with us. Lauren did better walking to the houses this year but about halfway through took to riding in the stroller because her legs were tired and hurting. Still everyone had a good time.
We spent Thanksgiving with my parents in PA this year with Aunt Nean, Uncle Dylan, Uncle Gary, Aunt Trish and Elizabeth. Oh and Grandma's new puppy Abby and Elizabeth's dog Curtis too. After lots of food we spent the evening playing family games. Over that weekend Bill took the kids down to his parents for a quick visit. (There was no room at the kennel so I stayed home with Angel). On the way home they stopped for the annual tradition of seeing the Christmas light display at the Garden State Arts Center. While there they had their picture taken with Santa. (If it's not on the front page already, it will be shortly). Lauren and I also got to see Dr Kristen the day before Thanksgiving. We haven't seen her in a while and played catchup over our usual pizza lunch.
In November Bill spent a week in Washington but was home in time to celebrate Timmy's 9th birthday. We also had Grandpa's, Great Grandma's and my birthday all within the next 8 days. It was a busy month!
This past Sunday we all went down to Overlook Hospital for the Valerie Center's yearly Christmas party. We had missed going last year and it was good to see everyone. Of course the person the kids liked seeing the most was Santa! I got to catch up with Ann Marie, Cathy, Trish and Eileen but honestly we didn't know one other family there. Everyone commented on how great Lauren looked and how big she's gotten. Other parents looked at her as a sign of hope that they too can get through this. We all had a great time and it really reminded us how far we've come since that awful day almost 4 years ago.
Yesterday the American Cancer Society's Feel the Smile of a Child program sponsored a family outing at a local Christmas tree farm - Stonerow. (We were supposed to do it last Saturdey but it was cancelled due to a snowstorm). So we all bundled up and headed out to find the perfect christmas tree. The four of us walked throught the first field but couldn't find one. On to the second field with Bill carrying Lauren because her legs hurt - still didn't find one that Bill liked. By this time Lauren was cold and tired so I took her to sit by the fire while the boys headed to the third field (and I think back to the first one). Some time later Timmy joined us at the fire while Bill went back through the fields yet again (and you guys think I'm picky!) While we were waiting for him we ran into the Notaros. Brandon was in treatment for leukemia the same time as Lauren and just finished up this past October and looks great Yeah!) Bill finally found a tree and met us at the fire. Then we were all treated to hot chocolate and donuts. By the time we left we were all cold and tired but happy and anxious to get our tree home and set up.
Well talk about perfect timing - Lauren just came in and told me my time was up and it is now time to decorate the tree. She's been waiting ever so patiently Ha Ha!
So I will end here and go start stringing lights while the kids go through the boxes of ornaments.
As always Thanks for checking in on us and for keeping Lauren in your thoughts and prayers. Please also keep in your prayers Lauren's friends who have earned their angel wings this year and also those who have recently relapsed. Unfortunately there are quite a few of our friends on this list.
We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year!
See ya in 2004!
