Yesterday really felt like a "normal" day for us. Nothing too exciting (yay!!). We are really enjoying this fall weather. The trees are so beautiful.
We are having a "Welcome home from surgery" party on Sunday. Connor is sooo excited (and so are we) to see our great friends. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the people here.
We spent a little time talking to Connor about some of the procedures that are going to take place. His biggest concern was if he was going to be able to come home. He was relieved our visits were just day trips.
We talked some more about the side effects of the medicine he'll be getting, his biggest concern is losing his hair of course. We are going to start a hat and hoodie collection for him he was pretty jazzed about that.
Connor's teacher is talking to her class about Cancer. I can't express how much that relieves me. One of my concerns is social acceptance by his peers. We feel really fortunate that he has such a great teacher.
We went out for a special evening last night. We enjoyed some time at Chuckee Cheese and dinner out. Connor found a way to play all his favorite games.
The best part of today: watching Connor play Skee-Ball 10 times.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Oh how kids will play..
It was such a beautiful day today. Connor and I enjoyed our morning outside playing all our usual fun games. Today he took a few spins around the patio on the giant trike.
We played some board games, an I Spy computer game, and shared lots of giggles.
Our friends Nikki, Bryan (AKA Scott) and Connor came to visit. It was so nice ! In fact it was pretty awesome. They always make us laugh. Connor & Connor played games, and shared some really good laughs. Connor was so happy tonight, he really enjoyed spending some time with his friend.
The best part of today: Connor playing and laughing with his friend
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Escaping
We escaped from the Hospital today. Connor is scheduled for several pre-treatment procedures on Monday and Tuesday including: MRI, CT, Spinal tap (to see if there are any cancer cells in his spine), Port Placement, and a hearing test.
With his Radiation/Chemo starting on the 19th we decided it would be best to provide him with a few days of rest, so we left Therapy a few days early. Rest assured he will be getting plenty of home "Therapy" which includes tickles, hugs and kisses.
The first thing he wanted to do was get something to eat, unfortunately he hasn't had much of an appetite in the hospital.
The Dr. who released us caught us off guard today. He asked us where we were from. We usually get the same response "Where is Scappoose?", but today the Dr. played air banjo while humming the theme music to Deliverance. He told us he had friends "Out there.." that they "Shoot Guns off their front porch" and "have bats living in their play structure". He MUST have the wrong place, that must be a different Scappoose.
The best part of the day: Arriving back home
What I'm looking forward to tonight: Sleeping in my own bed
With his Radiation/Chemo starting on the 19th we decided it would be best to provide him with a few days of rest, so we left Therapy a few days early. Rest assured he will be getting plenty of home "Therapy" which includes tickles, hugs and kisses.
The first thing he wanted to do was get something to eat, unfortunately he hasn't had much of an appetite in the hospital.
The Dr. who released us caught us off guard today. He asked us where we were from. We usually get the same response "Where is Scappoose?", but today the Dr. played air banjo while humming the theme music to Deliverance. He told us he had friends "Out there.." that they "Shoot Guns off their front porch" and "have bats living in their play structure". He MUST have the wrong place, that must be a different Scappoose.
The best part of the day: Arriving back home
What I'm looking forward to tonight: Sleeping in my own bed
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday Madness
Today's Therapy schedule started out with a short trip down the hall with a walker. Connor's legs were much straighter today and he seemed to have a lot more control. The walker he used today had stationary wheels and he was able to walk in a straight line (as opposed to weaving back and forth down the hall with the free-style wheels). It's so exciting for me to see him have some control over his mobility, since he hasn't had much control of things lately.
He played some more UNO, and Guess Who. He plays all of these games standing, sitting or kneeling. He also practiced bending down and picking things up.
The highlight of his day was building a Solar System puzzle. For those of you who don't know, puzzles can be a bit of a challenge in our household. Connor is cross dominant (he prefers one hand for some tasks, and the opposite for others) so tasks involving both hands being used at the same time can be a bit of a challenge. His therapist was fabulous and totally dissected the process of a putting a large puzzle together.
Instead of dumping out a box of pieces and saying "ok put it together", she provided these steps:
Steps for putting together a puzzle without frustration
1. Sort outside pieces from inside pieces
2. Take outside pieces and use box to determine if they belong on the Top, Bottom, left or right (separate into these four categories)
3. Put together the Top, then Right, then Bottom and then Left outside edges and connect them
4. fill in center pieces using the box as a guide (pay close attention to "Inny" and "Outy" pieces)
Now for people who can put together puzzles very easily it's all common sense, but for Connor these four steps were all he needed to sucessfully complete the puzzle and avoid frustration or quitting. He was so proud of his accomplishment, and I can say probably for the first time, he actually enjoyed doing a puzzle.
Tonight was mystery meat again, very scary. He opted for a less nutricious meal of a Peach smoothie with whip cream.
I can't wait to share a photo of "Goldman" he is so proud of his mask. He's found a new found appreciation for art here. He loves all the acrylic paints, and different types of paintbrushes.
What made me extra happy today: Connor's teacher has offered to be his tutor. I'm in awe of her generosity to help him stay connected with his peers.
The best part of today: Connor was asked if he had a "Girlfriend", his reply " NOOOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY"
He played some more UNO, and Guess Who. He plays all of these games standing, sitting or kneeling. He also practiced bending down and picking things up.
The highlight of his day was building a Solar System puzzle. For those of you who don't know, puzzles can be a bit of a challenge in our household. Connor is cross dominant (he prefers one hand for some tasks, and the opposite for others) so tasks involving both hands being used at the same time can be a bit of a challenge. His therapist was fabulous and totally dissected the process of a putting a large puzzle together.
Instead of dumping out a box of pieces and saying "ok put it together", she provided these steps:
Steps for putting together a puzzle without frustration
1. Sort outside pieces from inside pieces
2. Take outside pieces and use box to determine if they belong on the Top, Bottom, left or right (separate into these four categories)
3. Put together the Top, then Right, then Bottom and then Left outside edges and connect them
4. fill in center pieces using the box as a guide (pay close attention to "Inny" and "Outy" pieces)
Now for people who can put together puzzles very easily it's all common sense, but for Connor these four steps were all he needed to sucessfully complete the puzzle and avoid frustration or quitting. He was so proud of his accomplishment, and I can say probably for the first time, he actually enjoyed doing a puzzle.
Tonight was mystery meat again, very scary. He opted for a less nutricious meal of a Peach smoothie with whip cream.
I can't wait to share a photo of "Goldman" he is so proud of his mask. He's found a new found appreciation for art here. He loves all the acrylic paints, and different types of paintbrushes.
What made me extra happy today: Connor's teacher has offered to be his tutor. I'm in awe of her generosity to help him stay connected with his peers.
The best part of today: Connor was asked if he had a "Girlfriend", his reply " NOOOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY"
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday & Sunday..a little Freedom
Oh how nice it was to be able to sleep in our own beds! We were able to leave the hospital around noon yesterday.
We spent some time in the backyard again enjoying the sun. We took a quick trip out to Fred Meyer's, but as you can probably imagine, Connor just really wants to relax at home. Every time we come home I can see his whole body relax.
We only have to "live" at the hospital for 5 more days during Physical Therapy, then we will just be "visitors". I know I've been there too long when I know "short-cuts".
Connor was craving fish sticks so that's what we had f0r dinner. It has been a little challenging to get him to eat some of the hospital food (Gee I don't know why?! lol).
I've changed the "Comment" settings (Sorry didn't know I could do that!) so anyone can comment now, even without a google account (there you go mom comment away!!!!!!!)
The best part of the weekend so far: Enjoying some normalcy.
We spent some time in the backyard again enjoying the sun. We took a quick trip out to Fred Meyer's, but as you can probably imagine, Connor just really wants to relax at home. Every time we come home I can see his whole body relax.
We only have to "live" at the hospital for 5 more days during Physical Therapy, then we will just be "visitors". I know I've been there too long when I know "short-cuts".
Connor was craving fish sticks so that's what we had f0r dinner. It has been a little challenging to get him to eat some of the hospital food (Gee I don't know why?! lol).
I've changed the "Comment" settings (Sorry didn't know I could do that!) so anyone can comment now, even without a google account (there you go mom comment away!!!!!!!)
The best part of the weekend so far: Enjoying some normalcy.
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