Healing Is Happening

We are at TCH right now and have been here since Thursday. Jake is in the midst of a long chemo stay. We have four days of chemotherapy, a full day of flush, and the last day is a nasty Nulasta injection. We spent Friday trying to find a place to play that made us feel like we were outside. So we planted ourselves in the window of the bridge that connects the Clinical Care side to the West Tower side of TCH. It’s a really bright spot with great views. The first two days were a breeze but by the second night, the nausea hit. Fortunately we’ve had this chemo combo so I know what to watch for and I’ve been able to see the trends throughout the day. There’s been some laundry to do but not at all like the last time. This morning started a bit rough and he really hasn’t been himself at all today. We did make it to the playroom this afternoon but the pictures tell the tale of a little boy that has all the “want to” but just can’t muster the energy to play. We’ve adjusted his meds several times and can’t seem to get it quite right. We thought we had it covered but tonight, it broke through again. There is NOTHING left in Jakey’s little tummy. It’s also been nice to have a few visitors. Thursday Henry’s cousin, Steven, came bearing a spider man ball. That was a big hit! Friday, Tracy spent the morning playing dinos and taking Jake on pole rides. Ryan spent the weekend with us. Saturday our Great Aunt Tuddy and Great Uncle Richard came for a really nice visit. And today as worn out as Jake is, he was super excited for Adriene to come play. He perked up quite a bit when she got here, only to completely crash after she left (I bet she wasn’t even to the elevators before he was out.) It’s also been a bit crazy as there is a particular chemotherapy bag that starts each night at MIDNIGHT and I have to pee him every hour for six hours straight. That’s FUN! And exhausting! Yesterday, the ativan had him wired! Some people get a little sleepy, not Jake. He was bouncing all around the 9th floor. Over and over, I heard our nurses say, “he is soooo CUTE! And ALL boy!”. I’m taking that as “super adorable and high energy”, rather than, “wow, he’s a mess!” Hard to believe it’s been a month since we’ve been on the floor and several nurses have commented on how good Jake looks. As we’ve played in the halls and stopped to chit-chat, many of our them have recalled the early days of taking care of

him and how withered and sickly he was. To look at Jake today he has cheeks and bounce, he jokes and he’s goofy. Shelly even pointed out that he has some very blond, baby peach fuzz growing on his head again (that will disappear after this chemo but it’s nice to see). We see him every day so his changes gets lost in the daily grind. Our nurse Maria, was joking around with him all weekend and remembering how afraid and angry he was in the beginning. After reminiscing with her, I sat down and went through some early pictures. To see his journey and progress, gave me such hope, comfort, actually. There is still such a long road to travel but Jake is fighting so hard… he’s kickin’ cancer’s butt! Each treatment is taking us one step closer and I can see there will be

an end one day. Even in the middle of all the “fro up”, healing is happening!