How Many Smiles?

Still reeling in the happiness from our orthopedics appointment, Monday came too soon and it was time for a visit to the oncology clinic.  Georgia had been excited to wear her Halloween costume but after I picked her up from school she was suddenly reluctant to put it on, she knew it was time to go.  Here we were again, unhappy and scared about going, this time I asked Georgia if she thought anyone would smile when they saw her in her costume, sheepishly she said yes... I asked her how many people she thought would smile at her.. "Five" she said confidently.  

On the drive over we talked about the smiles and I asked, "how do you feel when you smile?"  She grinned and said, "happy..." I said, lets count the smiles that we see and remember, when you see someone smile, you are making them feel happy, she seemed to like this.

The smiles began before we even made it through the hospital doors, lots of ohs, and ahs and many people were excited to be on the presence of a real live princess, all of this and she still had her coat on.  After her blood draw she left her coat off and the smiles continued.  

With an hour between labs and our appointment we got a drink in the cafeteria and Georgia picked out a balloon in the gift shop she wanted, a princess one, go figure.

We made our way back to the clinic and the smiles continued, our nurse showed us to our room and came back minutes later to ask if we'd come say hi to her friends, she'd told them there was the prettiest princess that they just had to see.  We walked down and saw several doctors, nurses, dietitians and pharmacists, all who know Georgia, smiles all around.

I'm happy to report that the visit with our doctor brought smiles as well, Georgia is doing great, labs look good and we don't need to be seen again until January.

By the time we got to the car I'd lost track of exactly how many smiles Georgia got that day, at last count she was well over 50.  We fully intend to keep the smiles going, with this little princess we are destined to live happily ever after.

Orthopedics

After needing to reschedule our appointment four times (only one by us) the day had finally arrived, a year had passed, more accurately 14 months and it was time to be seen in the orthopedics clinic for X-rays.  Last year at this appointment we got good news but also a giant punch in the gut when we talked about how harsh chemotherapy and transplant had been on Georgia's body, more specifically, her bones.  

I told Georgia that she had an appointment and explained that she would be getting X-rays, she seemed fairly unphased.  Her attitude did little to sway mine, although I know Georgia is growing and thriving, her leg is where this all began and that is always unnerving.  Throughout the day I tried to tend to small details around the house.. in case we didn't come home.  All day I was having an internal battle, knowing she is fine and knowing how you can be hit by a mack truck in an instant.

On the drive over Georgia became quiet and said she didn't want to go, she was scared to get the X-rays done.  We've been doing this for long enough that I've learned how to help, I try and give her some power in these scary situations.  We decided "ballerina bunny" would come with us and have an X-ray first, this way Georgia would be able to see that there was nothing to be afraid of.  Ballerina bunny did great and Georgia was nervous but okay to lay on the table, there I was kneeling on the ground, holding her hand, looking into her eyes and a wave of panic hit me, what if we aren't okay?

The X-ray tech said she was by far his best patient all day, she was rewarded with lots of stickers which brought on lots of smiles.

After X-ray we found Brian and Leo and headed to our clinic room to wait.  We knew we weren't seeing our regular orthopedic doc but I wasn't sure who we would meet with.  Moments later a doctor walked in and I immediately remembered her, she looked at Georgia and said, "I am so happy to see you!"  This doctor had participated in Georgia's very first biopsy and she'd accompanied our regular doc on many occasions.

The doctor opened up her file and pulled out one of the eight X-rays Georgia had taken, she handed it to her and said, "everything looks great."  She went on to say that if you didn't know Georgia's history you'd never know anything had been wrong.. I immediately felt lighter.  X-rays also showed that the bone cyst in Georgia's heel has improved slightly and is nothing to be worried about.  We reviewed a few old MRI's for comparison and then she said, "we don't need to see you anymore."  The magnitude of this statement is unreal.  There was a time when amputation was mentioned, we did battle over if she would receive radiation that would damage her growth plate and certainly shorten her leg, we had sedation for MRI's every three months for over a year.. and now they don't need to see us anymore.  Incredible.

I am so profoundly grateful for our orthopedics team, they'd never seen the type of tumor and bone destruction in someone so young, yet they stuck with us and stood up for what they believed was best for Georgia, which at times was not an agreeable topic.  They are most certainly a huge part of why she is where she is today.

Next week we have an oncology appointment but for now we live in the moment and feel the happiness that we've earned, she is healthy, she is whole.

Seven Months



Here we are, two days into your seventh month and already making strides - last night you had two long consecutive stretches of sleep!  The last month has been a bit challenging as we try and figure out night time sleep but I have to believe we are getting to a good place. 

Leo, you continue to grow at an incredibly rapid rate, you're in 12 month (or bigger) clothes primarily for length!  You're on the move too, scooting around everywhere on your belly, rocking back and fourth on all fours... it's only a matter of time until you are crawling and I'll admit I'm savoring my freedom, once you're off I have no doubt you'll be into everything.

Georgia supplies endless entertainment, making you laugh when she jumps around or tickles you.  We have continued to try new foods and you seem to be enjoying eating a little more.  We discovered that avocados give you eczema but so far everything else has been fine. 

Teething and getting to sleep have been challenging but overall you are a happy boy with a wonderful disposition.  I love seeing you smile when daddy comes home from a trip, your whole face lights up when he walks through the door, it's very sweet.

We love you big fella, happy seven months!

 

 

Pumpkin Patch

This week we visited the pumpkin patch to officially kick off fall and the Halloween season.  We discovered that our regular spot had closed but luckily there was a great little farm just down the street where we clipped our own pumpkins, went on a hay ride and checked out a huge tractor.  It was a beautiful day and we pretty much had the place to ourselves!

 

October 4th

There are many significant dates in my life, but none that have changed it as profoundly as October 4, 2010.  The day we were told Georgia had cancer turned my world upside down in a way that I will never fully recover from.  This date changed, well, everything.  So each day that passes as we continue to forge ahead on this journey I am grateful for the gifts in my life, my family, friends and even strangers who have all been so supportive.  I don't take things for granted the way I used to, living life on your own terms, the health of a child, all things that used to seem a given.
I don't believe there are mistakes in life, I will never know why Georgia had to suffer the way she did but I believe this was part of her story whether she was mine or anyone else's.  I can't tell you how humbling it is to know that God, or the universe or the powers that be entrusted me with this most precious gift, I feel so lucky to be her mom.
Today, I got to take both of my kids to the park, it was a beautiful, crisp and sunny fall day.  I convinced Georgia to let me take a few pictures then she was off, all over the playground, enjoying every moment.  We ended our afternoon with a stop at our favorite cupcake shop where the taste of freedom was extra sweet.