There and Back Again

Sam and I returned home today from BCCH after an eventful weekend. We were able to spend a day with my Mom and Dad and see all the pictures from their trip to Panama. It was great. Then we spent an afternoon/evening at my brother's house and had some fun with all the kids and the new toys. Going to Willingdon Church with my Dad was also a highlight for the weekend.

On Monday we drove on some slippery roads to BCCH and arrived at about 10am. Sam had a very, very busy day. He got 'accessed' and then he got IT Methotrexate (spinal injection) from Dr. Eva who was fantastic, and then he got Aracytarabine(which was the drug that made him so sick last summer - he gets 8 days of this in the next two weeks), and then he had Ondansetron, Cyclophosmamide, and Thioguanine. Then when we got back to my parent's place, he had to take his weekly does of Septra. By the time we got home at 8:30, we were wiped!

Debbie's sister, Donna, came and spent the day with us and it was so nice to visit with her and my dad for the day in our treatment room. By the time we left the hospital there was a sheet of ice in the parking lot after a day of rain and freezing temperatures in the evening. The roads were surpisingly good though on Hwy 1 back to Surrey for the night.

I haven't had a turn of taking Sam to BCCH since the summer time so it was a bit strange for me to be back there. It was a very, very, busy day in Cancerland because so many kids had been given the Christmas week off and now they are all needing to be caught up. I have such distinct and vivid memories of my time at BCCH last May and then all summer. It is strange to go back again after 4 months of letting Debbie take Sam down for his treatments. Sam was a courageous young man again - taking all that medication without one complaint. His overwhelming optimism and courage to conquer this disease is remarkable. He never complains, never asks 'why', never says 'I don't want to go', never cries or whinces when they poke him. He also never stops talking about dirtbikes to anyone who will listen!

We had a great Christmas as a family despite the nagging reminder that we'd have to make the trip down for treatment. Christmas Eve was beautiful and we just spent it together as a family after the girls got back from the Christmas Eve Service. We played games and had fun and ate lots of great food that Debbie spent most of her day preparing. Christmas day was great too at my sister's place where LaDonna and Mel put on an incredible spread for Christmas Dinner. It was a great day.

We were thankful to be together for Christmas, to have Sam feeling well and excited about Christmas, and to share in some fun and unexpected Christmas surprises. Boxing Day was relaxing and later spent with our good friends. While Sam and I were gone the Goertzen women had fun on their own, got together with friends, and did some entertaiing without us.

Debbie picked us up at the airport and we headed straight to the hospital for more chemo. Sam has been very tired today and spent the whole day on the couch. He's glad to be home and have his own bed to sleep in tonight.

We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect back on 2008. We have also been very challenged by different events that have occured this year, but God has been our Rock, Salvation, Helper, Comforter, Refuge, Counselor, Father, and a Giver of many things. He has surrounded us with great families, colleagues, friends, and prayer warriors. We are truly blessed.

Happy New Year

Ger