This weekend we will start treatment six of at-home chemo. So far (knock on wood!) everything has gone smoothly and the treatment appears to be working on the outside. Trip has an MRI and skeletal survey scheduled for December 6 that we hope will prove the treatment has kept the inside free of LCH. Other than being tired, Trip has had almost no side effects.
Trip’s beloved doctor is no longer his doctor, so we are warming up to a new doctor. I’m sure in time I will have as much confidence in this new one as I did with the one who eventually found a treatment that worked for Trip. We miss Dr. Appel and will always be grateful to her.
Trip has learned so much in kindergarten. He is reading, writing, doing math… things he wasn’t able to do just a few short months ago. He still feels like school is a lot of work, but I believe he is thriving with new friends and opportunities around him.
The last few months have been a little challenging for our family. I’ve felt a little off kilter – like I’m in the trough of a wave while everyone else is on the crest. There hasn’t been one specific event but many, and there haven’t been so many that I can’t remember what my mom always says, “This too shall pass.” The one thing I know for sure is that hard times call for big support systems, and boy do I have a good one...
From my mom who drops everything to come be with me when I need her;
To my dad who calls to hear my voice and ask what he can do to help me;
To my husband who constantly reminds me I’m his world and how great our life is together;
To my special friend who reminds me that a fight with Trip over clothes is a blessing and how she would give anything to have a fight with her son;
To my thoughtful friends who still cook for my family even though we aren’t in the hospital anymore and my life can’t be any busier than theirs;
To my childhood friends who tell me they are proud of me and that my family is always in their thoughts and prayers even though I may only see them once a decade;
To my dearest friend and confidant who never judges my parenting mistakes, reminds me what is real in this world and lets me give her advice so I can feel normal;
To my sweet friend who comes over for coffee and does my hair so I can feel special;
To my thoughtful neighbors who always check on Trip and allow their children to be part of his support system;
To my group of friends who remind me that time away from home and child is a good thing and always leave me more refreshed;
To my caring friend who always knows when it is a chemo weekend and constantly checks on us (and lets me snuggle her baby to calm me down);
To my closest friend who keeps me smiling with texts, ecards, and funnies about her life going on miles away…
These people are the ones who make hard days easier to handle and tough times not feel so long. I’m so thankful for my support system and know that there have been days I couldn’t have made it without some or all of these people. My wish is that I can be to someone what they have been to me.
