Tuesday, December 18, 2007

A new year


More hope. Hope that things keep getting better for Lukas. Hope that Theron keeps growing strong and healthy and that we will one day be able to say that Lukas is healthy too. One day very soon.

It's only been 7 weeks to the day that we got Lukas' diagnosis. Since then we've had 3 hospital stays ranging from 3 weeks to 4 days, 3 rounds of chemo, 2 head CT scans, a chest-abdomen-pelvic CT, a bone scan, an MIBG scan and more labs than I can count on 10 hands. He is such a trooper though. And the nice thing is-our nurses FIGHT over who gets to take care of him! It's a big deal when Lukas comes to the floor! He's making a name for himself in clinic too!

Theron has been such a big boy through all of this too. We tell him when bubba has to go to the doctor and when bubba has to go to the hospital for medicine. He doesn't like when he's away from Lukas and as soon as we get home he looks for him. "Where's bubba?" It's so sweet.

I've got the greatest little boys in the world!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Christmas Thoughts

I was thinking last night that out of all the times we could have been dealing with our baby having cancer, I'm glad that we are going through this during the holiday season. I've always loved the holidays. They are so special to me. I love having extra time with our friends and family. I love the reasons behind the holidays. I don't like the commercial spin that's been put on Christmas... BUY BUY BUY!!... though. To me Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been a time to really reflect on the things Heavenly Father has blessed us with and to think about the great atoning sacrifice Jesus made for us. That's why I'm glad that, since we are having to go through all of this, we are doing it at this time.

Since the day we went to the hospital (11/18/07) until now, I've been amazed at the overwhelming comfort and peace I've felt talking to the doctors and nurses and seeing Lukas through various proceedures. Yes, I've had some very emotional moments and it's just part of being human, but my faith that Heavenly Father didn't do this to punish me or Kurt or Lukas for that matter brings me an overwhelming sense of peace. I've had a lot of people tell me how amazed they are at how strong I've been through these last 3 weeks. I'm not trying to be strong, because if it was left up to me, I'd be an emotional mess 24/7. I think that I'm just learning more to rely on Heavenly Father and maybe that's what I'm supposed to learn through all of this. It makes me think about him having to watch Jesus go through all of his many trials, last of which was the most agonizing thing none of us will ever fully understand. How did he make it through watching his son endure all of the hardships? I don't think I'll ever know, but I get to see glimpses of it every day. I get to see how much he loved his Only Begotten. I feel so helpless watching Lukas endure the heavy doses of chemicals pumped into his tiny body, the endless pokes and prods and choking down of various drugs. I would take his place in an instant, believe me, I've begged to, but he has to go through this himself. Why? I don't know, maybe I won't ever know, but it's just part of his life. It's not a curse for something he's done wrong. He's only 11 months (well, 12months really) old. He hasn't been able to do anything wrong. He's not capable of it. The way I see it is that, because Heavenly Father only gives us that which we can handle, he must think very highly of Lukas. Ever since Lukas' blessing, we've known he had great things in store for Lukas and now I'm starting to see that. But to go through this during this holiday season just really makes me think about his love for us more than I think I would going through this say in summer. I don't know, maybe I'd think just the same things then too...

Maybe part of it is the overwhelming support we've seen from family and friends, but more than that, from people we don't even know. People that have offered to pray for us, people that have sent gifts or money to a family the've never met, volunteers that come up to the hospital and bring gifts for all the kids, people that sacrifice to feed a whole floor of families dealing with various diseases... Maybe it wouldn't be any different in June as it is now. I just feel like there's more of an air of Heavenly things and more spiritual feelings flowing right now.

Heavenly Father has trusted me with one of his beloved angels. He's given Kurt and Theron and I guardianship of a much loved baby and that makes me feel so special. I feel trusted and loved to know that he trusts us enough to give us this sweet spirit, two sweet spirits really! We just thought we were lucky to have two mild mannered, sweet little boys, but little did we know just how lucky we were. Yes, cancer sucks, it really, really sucks. I hate having to go through this. I hate having to leave Theron with someone other than us because I can't take care of both him and Lukas like I used to. It just sucks, but Heavenly Father trusts me. He trusts Kurt. He's given us these two wonderful boys. Theron with his strength to endure being shuffled back and forth between hospital and family, all while still being a happy little angel and Lukas with the strength to endure cancer and all that comes with it and still able to smile and play. Maybe I am dealing with this pretty well, but I only think that is because I look at it from the perspective I think Heavenly Father would. I don't see it as a punishment for something I've done wrong, I don't see it as a curse and something unfair and is only happening to me. I see it as Heavenly Fathers full trust and faith in me and Kurt to be able to provide everything Lukas and Theron need in order to get through this. I see it as a sign that He knows us and knows our hearts and our intentions. No, niether of us are perfect. We mess up all the time, we make mistakes and don't do the right things sometimes, but we try and he knows that and that is what gives me the courage to go through this. I know that I'm not left on my own. He knows who I am and trusts me and so I know that I can do this.

Counts are up!

Blood counts are back to normal!! YEA!!

Lukas got an infection while his counts were down so he's been on antibiotics and blood tests came back today negative for any infection, so as long as it stays that way for 72 hours, we'll get to go home before we have to come back up for chemo on the 18th. We are scheduled to just go to the clinic for a long day of chemo and then go home so we are crossing our fingers that we get to do that. I personally don't want to have another hospital stay for a while! I love our nurses, love our doctors, the hospital food isn't so bad, but I'm going stir crazy here. I just want to get out of here and take Lukas with me!

Theron stayed the night with us last night and spent the day up here today. He's so stinking cute! When Lukas was sleeping we would go down to the play room or just walk around and he would say hi and give his signature wave to anyone that passed by us! Such a HAM!!!

Lukas had a really good day today too, so once he was up and going, we went down to the play room again with him and then we went on a wagon ride around the hospital when the boys were tired of being in the play room. I guess I was walking too slow at one point because Theron hoped out of the wagon, pushed my hand off the handle and started pulling Lukas around himself! Guess he showed me!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Overwhelming

I sit here in room 3111 at Cooks Childrens Hospital in Ft. Worth and I feel like I've just finished medical school. I've wanted to write a blog about all that has happened since last Sunday, but I just can't seem to finish it. This has been one VERY LONG WEEK! Lukas is finishing up his first round of Chemotherapy for Metastatic Neuroblastoma. He has cancer that has spread. He's had one surgery to remove the primary tumor in his adrenal gland, a whole slew of CT scans, MRI's, Bone Scans and more blood work than I've had my entire life...

For someone going in for allergies and a possible sinus infection, coming out with a diagnosis of cancer is just too much. It still feels surreal...

Maybe over the next few weeks I can put together the whole story from start to present. Until then, you can check out the blog set up just for Lukas or the caringpages.com website just for him.

Pictures and updates to come as soon as I can think straight to get them uploaded!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Day at the Park

We decided the boys needed some fresh air today so Monica, Charles and I took the boys to Friendship Park. They loved being outside and getting to run free!

Lukas LOVED the swings. He would stay in it all day if he could!




















Saturday, November 10, 2007

Garage Sale.... ECK!!!

I am soooo not cut out for garage sales! My grandmother, who wasn't even there, made $40. Monica made $16, and me.... well I made a whopping $1.50!!!!!!

WHAT THE HECK!!!???

Maybe I shouldn't have been there! Maybe I could have made some money then!

So..... I have a TON of baby clothes left! Anyone need baby boy clothes? 0-18Months. I'll sell them to you for $1 each!!!!






Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Halloween

The long awaited day came...and went! Unfortunately we didn't get a bunch of pictures, but here is what we have. Enjoy!



(Theron didn't really like the whole wig thing!)



Zoolander...and Zoolander


Hansel

and Hansel...
Katinka and Mugatu (ok, so you can't really see them well)


...and Katinka and Mugatu

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

More Football Pics

Kurt, Lukas and I went with Theron and my mom to the SGP homecoming game last Friday night.







Lukas had a little bit of fun once he got used to the noise and commotion.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Pee Pee on the Potty! Pee Pee on the Potty!!!

Ah, yes, it's that time.... Potty training time... OH BOY!!!









Yes, you noticed a difference, they ARE four different pairs of undies... all worn in the space of about 3 hours.

We haven't quite gotten down the "tell mommy when you have to pee pee or poo poo" yet.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Dang batteries!

I have a ton of pictures and little stories to post, but I can't find any batteries for my camera!!!


Dang-it!!!!!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Football, Grandma, Football!!!!

Friday night lights, huge crowds and football... What more could a little boy want?



Theron has been going to the SGP football games with my mom since last year and it's almost all he talks about all week! He knows when Grandma comes to get him it's football time!


This was his first football game last year.





And here are some of his last couple of games... What a CUTIE PATOOTIE!!!!



And here is Lukas' first game... not as much of a fan as Theron.....