When I first started taking my family to a support group for pediatric cancer, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.  I had no idea that within months I was going to feel like this was my second family.  It was a foreign concept to think that we would find ways to laugh [...]

[Read more →]

For the first time, we walked into our hospital no longer in treatment.
We are still under their care, but Peyton is no longer a “patient”.
It felt good!
We’ve had a love affair with our hospital and clinic from the start, and we never cease to be thankful that Peyton was diagnosed in a location that has [...]

[Read more →]

I had this whole post planned about the “end of treatment party” or lack thereof.
I even had it partially drafted.
Everything I needed to say about this subject is totally encapsulated in the next sentences I’m going to type:
Another friend’s child relapsed this week. A young man, eleven years out of treatment, was diagnosed with a [...]

[Read more →]

I’m sure you’re prepared for some sort of WOWZER! type post about the last day of clinic chemo.
I just don’t have it in me today.
It happened today, though.
Finally.
Port working on first try. Check.
Final Vincristine given safely. Check.
Peyton went happily to be anesthetized. Check.
Sort of wishing they’d anesthetized me as well. Check.
Final spinal tap administered. Check.
Final [...]

[Read more →]

My heart raced when Peyton and I walked into the clinic this morning.
I mean PUMPING!
Possibly worse than the first time Peter and I walked in there with her, so fragile with dread.
I had myself worked up into a good frenzy.
I would see each procedure as the last.
The last time she would be having the chemo [...]

[Read more →]