A time to remember

I've started coming out of my emotional cocoon...look out.

Since Hayden was diagnosed with leukemia, I've been very careful to stay within certain boundaries. I avoid sad movies and books...even conversations. I try to focus on little victories and progress, and never on set-backs or bad news. So far it's been a pretty good way to protect what I call a fragile veneer. I knew that, if cracked, it would shatter and all hell will ensue. Well, it's gone...

Last week, Tom and I attended the funeral of 2-year-old Tristin, a little ray of sunshine at the clinic and on the ward. His mother Kristen and I became friends. Although our children had very different illnesses and treatment plans, we both knew the fear, helplessness, and pain of having sick little boys. We crept into each others' hospital rooms at night to see how the day went, we shared sushi, and we talked about 'normal' things. Tristin's passing is absolutely heart breaking. We will always remember his beaming smile and beautiful spirit. Kristen, her husband Brad, and their daughter Alyssa are back home in Thompson now but our thoughts are with them every day.

This Friday, I'll join Kendra's Walk to honour a very brave and kind young woman. You may have heard of the many good deeds that she did in her short 18 years and the amazing legacy that she leaves behind. I couldn't bring myself to attend her service in December but I think about her and her mom all the time. I can vividly recall a time at the clinic when I was trying to soothe an increasingly anxious Hayden before his thigh injections. Kendra's eyes welled up while she watched us, then she came over and gently placed her dog Kemo on his lap. I can't say the distraction worked but I was never so touched by someone's empathy and I realized that, in some ways, she understood Hayden better than I ever could. Rest easy, Kendra.

And now I smile as I remember Jamie. He didn't have cancer...I knew him as the first son of my best friend before I ever entered the world of clinic visits and hospital stays. He was a gentle spirit who touched the lives of each person he met. He was pure sweetness.

I won't dwell on sad events but, while the veneer is gone, I'm taking time to remember and be grateful. Tomorrow, I'll return to regularly-scheduled programming when I post Hayden's latest blood counts.

Get a tissue...here's the link

Click here to go to Shaw tv: http://start.shaw.ca/Start/enCA/Local+Content/Manitoba/Winnipeg. Scroll down and look for 'Rainbow Society - Hayden's Story'. It's currently listed under Thursday.

Tip:
- use Internet Explorer
- if you don't already have Windows Media Player installed, you may be prompted to download it

Get comfortable...this is a long one

A big thank you to everyone who supported the Children's Hospital radiothon. Unfortunatley, none of my family / friends won a jersey, but we raised a little more than $100,000 through the EISI matching program. In total, the radiothon generated $628,000. That will go a long way for families who rely on programs at the Children's Hospital. Once again, thanks.

Along those lines, BIG kudos to Christa. She shaved a minute off last year's time and came in 3rd for fundraising in last Sunday's marathon. With your help, she collected $3,300 for the Canadian Cancer Society - woo hoo! Hayden excitedly waited near the end and jumped in to finish the race with her. The marathon may not have been easy for Christa, but the finish was awesome!

Speaking of Hayden...

Tom took H back to the clinic on Tuesday for a blood test. His neutrophil count was 1.21 so back on chemo, at 50% (again). The next test is May 18 - we're expecting he'll still be in the zone...then what? Dr. Stoffman may try bumping up some of the chemo med doses. More to come on that.

Last Friday, we attended a fundraising dinner for the Rainbow Society. Every year, they kick off the live auction with a video to show how generous bids make a difference in the lives of families with sick kids. That video was about us - Shaw TV produced it. When it hit the big screen at the convention center, all I could think was 'man, I look fat' but I'm told there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Hayden giggled at his part and again when they asked his Dad to come to the podium and say a few words (I might have giggled a little then too...and a lot afterward).

I didn't know this but they auction off upcoming wish trips, among other things. That got me to thinking and I asked Grace, the executive director, if she could introduce us to the people who 'won' last year's bid for Hayden's trip...and she did. That was definitely the highlight of the evening. They were thrilled to meet Hayden and learn about his trip. We were thrilled to personally thank them for supporting the Rainbow Society. For the rest of the evening, Hayden was treated like a little celebrity...it was soooo cute.

The video aired on Shaw TV today. If you missed it or aren't a subscriber, you can view it from their Web site. I'll publish the link in this blog when it's posted.

And now, as we movie-industry-like-type folks say, that's a wrap.