Noah…may the force be with you!

FOUR Days – no nausea – no THROWING UP!!!! HUGE!!!! I (and Noah’s friends) can count the number of play dates that he has in the last year on one hand. Guess what happened last night? His first (spur of the moment) friend sleepover!!!!! Since we were on a roll with the “feeling good” and we just came from the hospital and our counts were high, we met Maryellen, Nate and Zeke at the “Monster Putt-Putt Golf/Arcade” place. We got out of the hospital so late, we almost missed them – Maryellen had a show that she had to get to. As I was driving there, I though “I’m keeping Nate!” And I did. They had such a blast – Noah screamed “a sleepover!!!!! Like a pajama party…with pillow fights and everything!!!!” (They did have a pillow fight, but they were in their underwear, so I thought I might leave those pictures out.) So much fun!!!

And here is a little too much information… Dennis and I slept in the same room since Oct. 28th, 2009!!! Ok..Lulu eventually joined us, but hey… It’s a start!

Enjoy so pure joy!!

Please pray for the MRI next week – Aug. 3rd!

Noah an I were in the hospital Last Friday night and Saturday (Dad had been there since Tuesday) and we have started on the road back to life. It started with the reality that he has had his last chemo. I may have to save that for another blog – I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. I will let you know after his Aug. 3rd MRI.

Anyway – we were watching a movie and he started throwing up. He threw up his feeding tube…again. I knew his nose was really swollen inside and if it came out, it couldn’t go back in the same nostril. He hates when we change sides! So…I had an idea. “Noah, you know… we are done with chemo for now and you are going to feel better and better. What if we don’t put “nosey” back in?” He was a little shocked …(I think we are all always in a little shock… I was scared to say it.) I told him he was going to have to try to eat and that we would go slow.

Now, it’s been a week. A little rocky at times, BUT… NO WEIGHT LOSS!! He’s trying so hard!!! He is drinking the drinks that we used to put in the feeding tube and he is eating!! And get this… (I need to knock on some wood really quickly before I say this…) WE HAVE NOT THROWN UP IN 2 DAYS!!!! No Nausea!!! He has thrown up EVERYDAY since Oct. 28th 2009 at least once, sometimes up to 8 times!!! Blessings, blessings EVERYWHERE!!!!! Thank you for your support and prayers!!! MIRACLES, MIRACLES, MIRACLES!

Since I brought Noah in last time, Dad wanted a turn. He makes it “boys bonding time.” They “camp” – no girls allowed. I can visit – that’s it. So, I did.

Noah and I play the spy game. We run around the 4th floor, spying on the nurses and on Dad. We have cell phones … “roger, roger… all clear my way – no signs of Dad!”  ”Mom, I think he’s coming…” as Noah stands on the chair, looking out the window. “Mom if he catches you… distract him! Point and say … ‘hey, look! There’s a bunny!’ Then RUN!!!” We do this for an hour, all the while he is so cute, dragging his giant IV pole.

We come back to the room… it’s time for me to go. Noah has a different plan. He begins to sob uncontrollably!!! “I just love you so much Mom…please don’t leave me…why can’t I come with you…I hate this place…I need you!!!!!” Dad is heartbroken and guess what happens next. Dad leaves, Mom stays – of course. (Who needs a toothbrush??)

We play with everything in my purse  (I realize I have too much lipstick and they do work as aliens.)

We have “movie night” and as soon as we go to lay down (at 10pm) he begins to throw up. He throws up his feeding tube. I have to say, I was getting worried. It took me 6 tries to get it back in with a very, very hysterical, tired child. It’s in.

Then they come in and hook up his chemo. The smell is enough to make you cry. With this chemo, we have to wake him up every 1 to 2 hours to go to the bathroom so it doesn’t sit in his bladder.

The timer begins… 11:00, 12:30, 1:30, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:15, 7:00, … you get the idea. You lay on your cot staring at your baby. Hours go by. How does this happen? You stare at the tubes. Sleep depravation makes you talk to yourself. Then you pray and thank God that you have the opportunity.

This morning… Noah doesn’t go back to sleep after the 9:00 bathroom. He rolls over, looks at me and whispers… “What a great morning Mom.”  All I can do is smile and say “sure is baby!”