Spring??? Part 2

Spring???

I know the calendar says spring but the snow outside our window has me feeling confused. David is on spring break this week so at least we don't have to worry about him missing school. Next weekend is the daffodil parade. Not sure the weather will turn around by then. Last year David went with Grandma and Grandpa and the weather was sunny and warm.

We went to the movies today. We checked out the $2 movie theater. Not bad. We saw Bedtime Stories and were presently surprised by the movie. Not too bad. The large popcorn came with a free refill. Good deal. After the movie we strolled through the See's Candy store, always a good sinus hit. They gave us a sample even though we weren't buying, yummmmm.

Wonder if we will be doing Easter Egg Hunts in the snow in a couple weeks? Time will tell I guess.

Last OT...

David is doing so great in school and catching up. Today was his last session of OT. It will be strange not taking him anymore but I think we will adjust fine. His fine motors at getting much better. He is really showing an interest in coloring lately and holding his crayon extremely well and coloring in the lines was well as a 3 year can. Cutting is getting for him as well. Large motor is coming along. The Little Gym is good for him. He would like to do all the other kids are doing at Gym but he keeps trying and one of these times I know he will do it. I learned that if he starts falling behind we can get him back into OT without having to wait like last time. That was a relief. He is growing up fast.

Next on his list is to start swim lessons. That hopefully will be soon. Stay tuned.

Now What???

Darell went for his six week eye check. He has been off all eye related drugs for 2 whole weeks. Last week I noticed his left eye was red, which usually means he was rubbing it. He told me he was touching it. We mentioned this to the doctor. The doctor tested his eye for allergy reactions which came back positive. OMG, now eye allergies. What next? Good Question, I guess time will tell.

Tomorrow we are walking a 5k walk for The Leukaemia Lymphoma Society of Washington and Alaska. This is a fund raiser David's school is doing. What a great cause. We were excited about a chance to give back. We were lucky that our insurance covered a lot. I think we will pay off the last of the cancer bills this month. If you would like to help our fund raising efforts here is the link. The teacher is McCandless - period is AM Preschool.

http://www.active.com/donate/sywa/syEPuyall

What if...

I don't know if it comes from getting older or just from the last couple of years but the book "Don't sweat the small stuff" sure sticks in my head lately. It's to bad how much time we waste, for one reason or another because of other people. A friend of mine is having to waste her time doing "damage" control over something someone else thinks she said months ago. Hello, mind your own business. Anyway, if we all worried about ourselves or our families maybe we could all enjoy our own lives more, relax, and just be.

Somethings you just can't explain...

1 year & 1 day

It's been 1 year and a day since Darell had his first chemo treatment. Where did the last year go? We are not sure, it went so fast but for us the results are what we hoped and prayed for. Friday night we went with some friend and their kids out bowling. We all had a blast. Hopefully Julie's back wasn't hurting her to much yesterday. We had partially sunny skies yesterday so we went for a drive. We went to Poulsbo. The town is obviously being effected by the bad economy but the bakery was still open so we had to get a snack. Next stop was the Naval Underwater Museum. Very interesting museum. David enjoyed looking at all the exhibits. We could find the Naval Museum in Bremerton. Lots of road construction and we didn't have the address, but that gives us another trip. David was happy to settle for going to Titlow park and playing for awhile followed up my pizza for dinner. This is quite a dramatic difference from what we did last year for Valentine's day.

Today when I read the paper I learned my second cousin had died last month from cancer. After calling my mom who called his sister we learned he had spinal cancer. He found out in December he was sick and died six weeks later. Gary was my dad's cousin so they are in good company with one another. It's always shocking to read or hear about someone you know dying. Just part of life but not always an easy part. Darell shared with me that at times like these he has survivor's guilt. That just goes to show you what a special heart he really has. Another friend of our lost his battle with cancer in October. Darell shared that he doesn't know what to say when we are with our friend's widow. I told him he doesn't have to say anything, just give her a hug, she'll know more from that then any words.

I know I have said it but I am saying it again. Enjoy everyday and make the most from that day. Always share your love with those that you love and that is enough.

By the way you should hear the laughter coming from my boys. They are playing together in the other room in the jumper. Silly boys....

Interesting...

I always find it interesting to read peoples opinions on issues about life. These opinions usually frustrate me because the opinions being express have NEVER had to make the personal choices they are giving their opinions on. Personal politics. I can see why people choose not to talk about them because I often do the same. It's the ones that do talk about them, maybe they shouldn't. How can someone say what they say when they have never had to deal with the factors involved. I have driven passed the Planned Parenthood in Tacoma and see the protesters. I was reading a blog of someone that choose to give graphic details about abortions, what hello, not everyone wants to know that stuff. I sure didn't and I have chosen not to read their blog since but the graphic sentence that I read is forever in my head even though I did not finish reading. I just find it interesting that people feel they are sooooo right about their opinion that they NEVER consider they could be hurting others. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Totally not expected...

Today we got Darell's PET scan results. It was a total shock to find out the Radiologist Doctor determined his test to say his cancer is in remission. We have a copy of the report and he typed the word "remission" free from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cells. In fact the size of what we now know is scare tissue is smaller this month then it was last month. God is good.

We were very scared about the urgency that was put on getting the test done and the blood working show high red cell counts. I asked about the cell count today and we were told the red cells that were high are ones that would show active lymphoma activity in the body. Well in Darell's case he is not sure why it would be high and the PET not showing any cancer but the PET has the finally say. He is still not out of woods but he is on the right track. He can now say he is a cancer survivor!

Respecting Life...

Darell had his scan on Friday. Took about 90 minutes and for me waiting, very stressful. Now we wait till Wednesday afternoon for the results.

We spent a lot of family time together this weekend. Family times are often taken for granted by many. We went to a coffee house in Kent to watch Darren Motamedy play jazz Friday night. We weren't sure how David would do but he loved it. He danced and entertained the crowd.

At the same time we were enjoying special memories and family time another family's life was been shattered at the Monster Truck show at the Tacoma Dome. I know it was an accident but a little boy died in his parents arms and that is hard to get past. Today we went to the same show and sat in the same section 11b as the family did Friday night. My mind kept thinking of their pain and loss.

Life gives no do overs so make the most of your first time around. With Darell's health we never know so we try and make the most out of every day and every experience together. I send this message to anyone who will read it. Don't wait to make life special or do it next time /tomorrow /next week. Think of all the opportunities you would have missed out on..

P.E.T. Friday...

Friday morning 9:00am Darell is having his scan. We don't have the followup till Wednesday afternoon to get the results.

Not sure who or where the ball got dropped as to why nobody called us about scheduling the scan or why we weren't informed there was a problem with his blood results but for now we are moving forward in finding out what is going on with Darell. That is the most important part. Pointing fingers at faults won't do that. We learned it is valuable to keep on top of your own appointments which we were so that is why this got caught. So anyone reading this learn from us, don't wait to hear back from a doctor. Call them first!

P.E.T. Update

Darell found out today that his doctor has requested his PET be done now rather then wait till March. He didn't know why so he went into the doctors office which of coarse they wouldn't tell him why. Dr McCroskey called when Darell was getting in the shower so I talked with him. I was a little shocked that Darell's blood work from his last visit 4 weeks ago came back flagged with something being off/not right. No one called us about this. Instead they just ordered the test but did not follow through to make sure the appointment had be setup. This is frustrating they didn't tell us something was wrong and that they dropped the ball getting his scan scheduled. Not acceptable. Anyway tomorrow we will know when he will have the scan this week or early next week. I talked with his doctor about his cough that is not getting better. It should be gone. The doctor again told me that his chest x-ray was clear. Now I wonder what is causing this cough. I hope I am not being paranoid. It could be from his chemo treatments. Hopefully we will know what is going on and if something is going on what we are going to do about it.