February 12, 2009

Maintenance Is Here!

Last week Sam and I went to Vancouver to begin the long awaited Maintenance Phase. He had a spinal puncture with chemo and later a dose of vincristine. He had some new side effects from the drug that sedates him, but fortunately he did not remember any of it. Ger's mom and dad were there with us, and later my sister joined us as well. Unusual visiting circumstances but so wonderful to have them with us.

Sam enjoyed time spent with his cousins Murphy and Zoe, and a night out with his buddy Carson to celebrate his first day of Maintenance.

We are so thankful to have completed the most difficult and challenging part of Sam's treatment. It's hard to believe its only been 8 months...seems like much longer. We have experienced many lows and highs, but God has navigated us through it all, as He has promised to do. We have been so pleasantly surprised by the amazing presence and love of God, family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have touched our lives.

I made a trip to the pharmacy to pick up the oral chemotherapy pills Sam now has to take daily for the next 3 years. I'm thankful that Sam has no trouble swallowing pills because he has alot. The number of pills he takes changes each day along with the kind of pills he needs. (18 pills is the most he has to take in one day). It takes me awhile to figure it all out and place his weekly allotments in his pill dividers for am and pm. Then it has to be double checked by someone else to make sure I've got it right. We also have to glove up when handling the pills so nothing can be absorbed into our bodies.

Dr. Bond told us that Sam was now able to step back into his "normal" life. He said Sam could now do anything he did before he had cancer, if he was feeling good. Sam was psyched to hear those words and has taken them to heart. He's out and about in public places, went to church on Sunday (the first time in months), is back at school, and is playing on the grade 6/7 school basketball team that Ger coaches. We are both very happy to leave home schooling behind and he is loving being back in his class with his friends. It was a bit of shock to have everything change so quickly. We still all need to be very diligent with hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and watching for fevers. Those will have to be treated immediately at the hospital.

While we were in Vancouver last week I was able to visit my dad in the hospital after his back surgery. It was great to see visit and spend time with him for 2 days. Today he is being released and is going home. My brother, Dennis, flew in from Calgary to stay and help my dad out for the next week or so. My dad and his surgeon are very pleased with the results of the surgery and he has noticed huge changes with his walking and balance already. We are thankful for those answered prayers and continue to pray for his recovery and healing.

It's been a celebratory week. Sam began Maintenance, all of them did very well on their report cards and final exams, and Katelyn received a very special surprise last night while watching the Senior Girls AAA Basketball City Finals. During the final awards ceremony they announced the top 10 senior girls basketball players in the city and they announced Katelyn's name! She felt very honored. Had I known she was getting this award I would have gone to the game! As it was, everyone else in the family went, but me.

Thanks for taking the time to catch up on our news and rejoice with us. We have good things to dwell on and treasure each day, along with much to be grateful for.
Debbie