Day 32

Another incredible sunny day! You have no idea how the sun and warmth affects my spirits. Had a scare last night with Sam and 1:03 a.m. He woke me up saying he had a bad pain in his stomach,runny nose and was getting very chilled. The cold part of his comment had me jumping out of bed in a great hurry as this could mean the start of a raging fever, as we experienced his first 5 days at Children's Hospital. If his fever reached 38.5 we have to go directly to Children's emerge, where oncology patients receive special status because they cannot be exposed to other sick kids in the waiting room. This would also guarantee us a 10 day stay, with antibiotics following Sam around on a pole, in the hospital. Sam suggested he take a hot bath, so we filled it up, he soaked, and I prayed out loud for the disappearance of the stomach pain and the chills. After about 20 minutes both things were gone! We settled back into our beds and slept the rest of the night. My mind was racing as my head hit the pillow, making lists of things to bring to the hospital if we had to suddenly go. I think today one of my jobs will be to create a list of things both
of us need to have in case of such an emergency.

I am amazed at some of the people I have met here in White Rock. I have met our two hall neighbors in the condo here and they have been so friendly and offered help and assistance for whatever I may need. Joanne and Sam, owners of Sara's Ice Cream on the boardwalk, recognized us after our second visit. They always change their gloves and use a special sterilized scoop for Sam and people with allergies. The other day when Sarah, Donna, Sam and me were there we realized we hadn't brought cash along, just our debit and credit cards. She said it was no problem, because we are family now! This is Sam's favorite spot along the beach because they make their waffle cones fresh in front of the shop. It smells and tastes delicious. One time I ordered Sam a single scoop and the other Sam, Sam, the owner, was scooping, and scooping away. I said okay already, he just wants one scoop! He turned around and told me to be quiet and let him do his job! Needless to say Sam polished off, which was certainly, a triple scoop. Then, just this past Saturday I went to grandma's favorite fruit and vegetable mom and pop shop, and was in the long line up to pay for my produce, when Ger's mom walked in. She introduced me to the cashier, Mary, who adores Ger's mom, and she asks why I'm in White Rock. I give her the short run down, as the line up is huge, and she stops, looks me in the eye, and asks, "What can I do for you, what do you need, you just ask me and I'll do it... Does Sam like berries, here take these..." She's reminds me of a Peruvian Rosie! Later when mom is going through the line up Mary tells her how she has spent much time at Children's hospital as well and they saved her daughter's life!

God has created in each of us such tenderness, compassion, kindness, goodness, love, empathy, generosity...and we are not only experiencing this from our family, friends, neighbors, school community, Prince George businesses, acquaintances and our church, but also from perfect strangers here in our new town! It's all so very humbling and hard to be on the receiving end of such great generosity of words and deeds. When people ask why Sam is in a wheel chair, or why we have moved to White Rock, it still seems extremely odd to say, "My son has leukemia, and he is being treated at Children's Hospital for the next 7 months." Can this really be happening to him, to us, to our family? Unfortunately, for us, the dream/nightmare seems to, indeed be real. Through YOUR prayers and actions we do not feel isolated, alone, or abandoned, in fact we have experienced more depth, more hope, more courage, and more of a future because you have chosen to walk through this storm with us.

We are so very thankful for the tangible blessing you are to us each day,
Debbie and Sam