Green spikes

We were able to accomplish all of our errands today.

First on the agenda Connor got a shower. He can only have a sponge bath during the week when his port is accessed. He loved it. He sat under the rain shower until he used ALL of the hot water.

We did painting, and played some video games.

Connor got his haircut today. Short on the sides, with spikes on the top. For a special touch he added green spike gel.

We took his new walker with us for our errands. He's such a pro, he has it mastered.

We went to Safeway and Connor got his Physical therapy work out by going up and down the aisles. He loves the security, and the freedom.

The best part of the day: Connor designing his pumpkin face

Connor's favorite part of his day: "The Jack-o-lanterns of course mom."

Treatments 3 & 4 down... onto #5

We are starting to get into our Radiation Treatment routine.

7:00-7:15 Wake Connor, Administer anti-nausea medicine

7:30 Take off to the Hospital

8:05 Arrive at Radiation Building, Assume our regular position in the waiting area, watch TV, read magazines, play jacks, card games and inspect the web spinning done by the spider that dwells outside the window.

8:15 Connor gets his vitals checked

8:30ish We are taken back to the radiation room, Connor assumes his regular position on his foam "Body form" , tummy down, and he starts anaesthesia.

8:40 Greg and I get a cup of waiting room coffee, he takes his black, I load mine with sugary sweetness and we sit and wait. We re-assemble the same puzzle that his been on the waiting room table since last week, browse expired magazines, make follow up phone calls about his equipment, play cell phone games, and access the Internet on the complimentary WIFI.

10:15 we are usually called to the recovery area, we wait for Connor to wake up. We are learning to let him sleep as LONG as possible.

11:00 He is not a happy camper when he wakes. He must get chilled because requests several warm blankets (usually at least 3).

11:45 We leave, grab a bite to eat on the way home.

The nurses and doctor's have been so kind in the office. On Wednesday the anesthesiologist asked Connor if he saw the pirate in the office, Connor told him "no!", and the Doctor handed him three golden coins, Connor loves pirates and thought that was the greatest!

Connor is celebrating each radiation treatment with a rub-on tattoo! The nurses ask to see his new tattoos everyday. By the end of treatment he will look like a rock star!

Miss Horn came to Tutor Connor on Thursday and Friday. He was a little anxious before she got here, but she is really good with him. After she left he said, "That wasn't too bad mom".

Connor received his walker today, we are excited that he will be able to walk longer distances now that he has support.

He wants to raise money to purchase a DVD player for other children who have to travel to radiation treatment (Tom and Jerry have kept him going all week long on our commute). Connor wants to sell cards that he is painting (look for more to follow).

Big Plans this weekend:

Get Connor a haircut

Carve our Pumpkins

Give Connor a shower (since his port has been de-accessed)

Best part of the day:

Connor telling me "You and Dad are the best people I know"

Something funny on Wednesday

The nurse asked Connor if he wanted to select something from the Toy bin, Connor said, "Sure, I'll take anything as long as it doesn't have bows".

Thanks for all the cards and gifts, Connor LOVES getting mail, it makes his day a little more exciting!

Yay for Nausea medicine !!

Connor was a trooper today. Told jokes with the Anesthesiologist, climbed up on his foam body "mold" and did his thing.

We were done a lot sooner today, however we let him sleep off the anesthesia a lot longer (hoping to reduce the post anesthesia crankiness).

I wanted to tell you about the "There's a Monkey in my chair" program. The URL is: http://www.theresamonkeyinmychair.org/.

It's a program created by the Love, Chloe foundation. Children who have been diagnosed with a serious illness can send away for their own kit. The kit comes with a HUGE stuffed monkey that sits at your child's desk (when they can't attend school). It comes with a Journal, a Backpack, a camera , a photo album, pencils, a button (that your child can wear), a smaller monkey, a storybook that the teacher can read, and it's all contained in a nice duffel bag.

The class can take the monkey with them to their different activities, write in the Journal about what the Monkey did that day, take pictures, and send cards, pictures and letters home to your child in the backpack. It's a terrific way for your child to stay connected to their school and friends. I thought it was so clever.

Well Connor's Monkey arrived in the mail yesterday !! I'm soooo excited. Look for photos of the Monkey soon.

I have a shout out to all the cooks out there!! If you have any casserole recipes (meals I can make on the weekends/freeze and pop in the oven) I'd love to hear from you! I know I can scour the Internet, however I want something tried and true. A recipe you actually use (and your family will eat lol). So send them my way lilmissy76@aol.com

The best part of today: The Nausea medicine worked

The Corniest Joke I heard today: Why didn't the Skeleton Cross the road? Because he didn't have the guts.

1 down 29 more to go!

Connor had his 1st radiation treatment today. All went well.

We started a little later than expected. We were told the 1st treatment always takes a little longer since they need to adjust him several times to make sure they are completely accurate. We were there from 8-1130

The numbing cream was heaven sent. Connor didn't even feel his port being accessed today. He didn't even flinch. The radiation group leaves his port accessed until Friday, so he only has to get "poked" once a week.

In the interim we have to be careful about not getting it wet. He has a little tube (similar to an IV) that sticks out for access.

Again Connor woke up in a terrible mood from Anesthesia. The Doctor told us that should get better as he does it a few times (He will be under for less time, and his body will accept it better).

After the Anesthesia wore off we got a bite to eat and headed home. Connor was feeling up for School, so we popped in. Unfortunately Connor got sick at School (so sorry miss Horn). His teacher was so gracious. I was a little embarrassed :(

We're going to try a nausea drug tomorrow before treatment to hopefully curb his nausea.

We were told side effects don't usually start appearing until 2 1/2-3 weeks .

The best part of today: Playing hit the deck with Connor (the new game he got from the radiology toy chest)

Time to prepare for the tooth fairy ..

Connor decided rather than losing one tooth, he would lose two today. So, "the tooth fairy will owe him double", he says.

We picked out our pumpkins today. It took Connor an extra long time to find just the right one. He already has an idea about what kind of face he wants to carve on it.

Greg pulled out the decorations and I started to decorate the house a little. Holiday decorations were always a big deal at my house growing up. My mom always made each Holiday special with cute little vignette's all over the house. It's extra important to me that I make each one of these Holiday's special for Connor. A little something special to look forward to.

Connor starts his radiation treatment tomorrow. He's mostly thankful that he doesn't have to spend the night.

I'm so proud of how well he walking on his own. This morning he woke up, got out of bed, used the potty and came into the living room ALL BY HIMSELF.

The best part of today: Hearing about Connor's dream last night, where everything he wished for came true.

The Big debate: While watching Return of the Dragon

Connor to Greg: "Dad who do you want to be, Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris?"

Greg: "I'm not sure"

Connor: "I want to be Bruce Lee, He's not as hairy"