Day 7

Has it really only been a week since we've been here? Lots has happened, much has been taught and learned, Sam has been fever free for a few days, and God is so very real here with us and at home with the girls.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on the blog! We look forward to reading them everyday and feel much more connected to you through that. Sam enjoys his special comments and would love to hear the highlights of your day at school, as this will keep him in the loop with what's happening there. We really like this blog idea and hope you understand that we just cannot reply to all your emails.

Sam's in good spirits both yesterday and today. Last night he received a phone call from his cousin Mike and had the longest conversation since we arrived here. As I was heading out the door to get Sam something from the kitchen I said to him, "Wow, that was your longest conversation, you must be feeling better!" His quick reply was, "I'd feel better if I didn't have cancer!" Wouldn't we all.

Gearing up for a big day tomorrow. Sam's hemoglobin is ok, but his platelets are too low, so he will be transfused with more platelets early Friday morning (6am). They cannot do his bone marrow biospsy/aspiration and lumbar puncture without the transfusion. He has already received numerous blood and platelets transfusions since we've been here. Chemo tomorrow after the two procedures that will be directly placed in his new VAD.

We plan to be discharged on Saturday if all goes well we will take him to our new "home away from home" in White Rock.

Thank you to our family members and friends who offered to have us stay in their homes, or your extended family's homes. Once again we are bowled over by the acts of generosity and kindness that we can't even begin to reciprocate. J.P. and Marnie's family have a condo in White Rock, that is 2 minutes from Ger's parent's home. I am feeling overwhelmed with the sole responsibility of caring for Sam. With Ger's parents living so close, I will have the medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual support we will need to look after Sam's new care regime.

-Deb

We went outside on the deck for a few minutes today in the sunshine. It was beautiful. Sam picked up the flat basketball, looked at the hoop (with no net), took one shot (which missed) and wanted to sit down. He really is worn out. At home we'd have been playing for an hour and I would quit long before he was ready to...

We found a book in the Family Resource Library today with the title: "Ya Can't Let Cancer Ruin Your Day." It is a story of another boy with cancer and his indomitable will to live each day to the fullest. It reminds us of Sam.



Today the doctor asked him, 'How are you doing?'

and Sam said, "Good!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Good"

"No complaints?"

"Nope everything's good"

"I think you're the first patient I've had who spent a week in the hopsital and has no complaints!"


And, that is Sam...


- Ger