Almost feels normal.

The past week has been one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, rewarding, normal feeling weeks that we have had in a long, long time.

Last Friday Randell arrived in Long Beach. Having him with us for the weekend was amazing. On Saturday we went to Legoland – WOW, what an amazing time! I can honestly say that we had more fun than I had imagined. The only rule we had for the day was that William have as much fun as possible. He rode almost all of the rollercoaster, ate as much junk food as he could fit into his tummy, and happily ran around the waterpark dodging fountains and water cannons.

 

On Sunday, Fathers day, Randell had to fly back to Sacramento; Fortunately we were able to  spend the morning together.

“It takes a very special man to love through loss, laugh through challenges, cry on the rough days, hug all of us through the bumps of life and appreciate every step of the journey”  I am so grateful for Randell, he is an amazing man and a terrific father!

On Monday morning we returned to City of Hope. William was scheduled to start his next round of chemotherapy, unfortunately the infection battles from last week took a huge toll on his body and his blood counts. Dr. Anderson decided to postpone treatment for a week, a decision that made all of us smile; A 7 day break in treatment meant that William and I could return home to Randell (in time for William’s birthday)

On Tuesday morning, William and I got on the train and headed home to Randell!  Since we arrived, life has seemed refreshingly normal. It is an amazing feeling to be home, to be in a familiar environment and to be together as a family, all of us together under one roof!

William woke up on Wednesday, his birthday, with a big smile on his face. He was so happy to spend his birthday at home! Randell and I took William to Chillis for a birthday lunch; It’s a family tradition to eat Baby Back Ribs on William's Birthday.

William and I are behind in sending out Thank You cards to everyone that has sent him cards, letters and presents. We would like to thank Aunt Linda and Uncle Don, Trish and Kaleb, Arnie Burns, Debbie White, Ron and Leonna, Uncle D,  Grandma and Grandpa, and everyone else for the birthday presents and cards!

We will be heading back to Long Beach on Sunday as treatment will continue on Monday. The original plan was for us to start with the Bone Marrow Transplant; Unfortunately, the insurance co. had decided that we needed to do two more rounds of chemotherapy before they will be willing to cover the cost of the transplant. This does place a kink in our original treatment roadmap, but all things happen of a reason and so I will accept the decision and continue on as needed.. I have decided to adopt the Serenity Prayers as my daily Momcologist prayer.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely
happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen

This is William's journey and we will Keep on Keepin on' and Live Strong with God in our hearts and courage in our soul!