Changes abound ...

Spring 2011 has been a blur. Even with the unpredictability of this crazy weather, change is constant. The Daffodils and Tulips are blooming right on course.

I have to slow down once and a while and take note. Life is sometimes a blur, and with Connor's increased energy our lives continue to change.

Connor participated in swimming lessons for two weeks with his school. It was such a wonderful experience for him. It meant more than just learning to roll onto his back, or open his eyes in the water. He was able to be free, he could stretch and move, without having to worry about his balance.

Connor has surgery this Thursday to remove his port. Throughout this process I've taken that port for granted. It's behind the scenes doing all the dirty work. Delivering drugs to my kiddo, providing easy access for pain medications and anaesthesia, and allowing for relatively pain free blood draws. Having it has been a huge part of this process. Removing it comes with mixed feelings. It's a bit like removing training wheels from a bike. Are you sure he'll be o.k with out them? ..But he's needed them this whole time.. What is it like without them?..

Connor's hair is coming back in full force. Eye lashes, Leg Hair, neck hair. I look at him today, and hardlyremember what he looked like yesterday. I come back to this site and see pictures that were taken just a few months ago, and I'm in amazement with his transformation in such a short time.

His last Therapy visit went really well. The last few years we've been fighting just to maintain his strength, and this was the first visit that we are gaining the upper hand and actually seeing improvement. It's a long slow process but we have hope.

Spring is bringing changes to Connor's outlook.. in the form of new glasses!! He's so excited. (I've never met a kid so excited about getting glasses, but he's wanted to have glasses "like Mommy and Daddy" since he was little, so I shouldn't be too surprised).

Spring has brought a lot of changes in our lives, and I am hopeful for continued growth in this Summer.

Time flies when you are having fun.

Here is a current photo of Connor (It may be time for a Haircut soon!!).

His body is starting to spring back from the Chemotherapy. He's a lot more confident lately (moves around the house a lot more without assistance, lets the dog out, and sets the table for dinner).

His transformation is amazing to be a part of. Every day I see him try new things. Things that might be meaningless to someone else, like bending over to pick up something that has fallen on the floor, but to me seem miraculous. All the "small" sucesses give us reason to celebrate.

With Connor's counts finally up he's been able to go to "Thursday Community Day" at School. Connor has been attending a charter school this year SCFS. In this public school option the parents serve as "learning" coaches and teach the children at home (with curriculum we receive from the school). On Monday Connor meets with his homeroom Teacher for tutoring, and on Thursday all the kids go to the school for "Community Day". Community day is what most people visualize as "normal school", kids in the classroom being taught by a teacher. There are some differences with SCFS, one being Connors' class is blended with children in 1st-3rd grade.

The kids in Connor's class were so welcomming. He had a blast playing basketball, and participating in class, he has made a lot of new friends (which he always seems to do so freely). I can see in "classroom" setting some of the challenges he faces, time will tell if they will be temporary or permanant. One thing that continues to be highlighted is his resiliency.

This week is Spring break for him, so he was asked to write about what he'd be doing during his time off, or what he woud "want" to do if he could go anywhere/do anything he wanted. Connor's response ... "I'd like to travel to Hawaii (Hey me too !!!!!!) and play on the beach (oh that's sounds nice...) and swim with the SHARKS" (... oh .. hmm .. nope I'll pass on that one).

Our Spring break has been better than a trip to Hawaii, because Auntie Mallory came to visit. Her contagious laugh and sweet disposition is better than any beach in paradise. Boy how I've missed being around family (can't wait to soak up some more of them in May).

We took Mallory to see downtown Portland and went to the Art Museum (it was fabulous). It was perfect timing as Connor was upset with his last "art project" he made at school. He felt "It was the worst one in his class". After talking with him, It made me wonder what great works of Art would have been crumpled up and thrown away if Monet or Picasso had compared their work to their "classmates". After visiting the Portland Art Museum, I think he had a new appreciation of "What Art is" because after we came home he sat at the table to try out his new watercolor pencils and page after page, he was inspired to create..

Preview of Connor's make a wish

Still have lots of photos to go through. Connor had such a great time in Florida.

Connor's Make a Wish Trip on PhotoPeach

Clean as a whistle

MRI scans are clear. The next one is in 3 months, followed by surgery to remove Connor's port.
His foot doesn't have any fractures (just swelling). Yay !!!!! Thanks for all the prayers and positive thoughts.

We're counting down to Disneyworld on the 12th!

Hoping for clear scans this morning..

I know it's been a while since I posted an update, thanks for everyones patience. Connor has been recovering nicely this round.

This week was a little bumpy. Poor kiddo rolled his ankle (we're waiting for X-ray results).

He has a regularly scheduled MRI this morning, please pray for a clean scan.

We have a busy few weeks coming up with Connor's Make-a-wish trip scheduled on 2/12. We will be flying to Florida to enjoy a fabulous time at Disney world. Connor is super excited!

Here are some recent pics:

Connor's cake to celebrate finishing Chemo!

Connor getting accessed for his last Chemotherapy.

Connor and his awesome Chemo Pal Nick playing cards.

That's all folks...

Connor's last chemotherapy drug was administered today at 4pm. What a long ride, and what a long journey. Thanks for being part of the journey with us.

We know that we will continue to have follow up appointments (In fact he needs to go in for a blood infusion tomorrow) every few months, but we also know his body will now be able to recover, and as the chemicals are finally able to leave his body we look forward to the changes.

As this day finally arrives we are reminded of how much we look forward to every day we have with our son, and how proud of him we are. We admire his strength, and we are eternally grateful for all the love, prayers and hope that you have sent him and us along the way.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!