Signing off

It seems fitting that on the eve of Hayden’s last spinal tap, I’m writing this last blog post (you wondered if I would!). We have a little celebration planned for when he wakes up in the Children’s Hospital tomorrow. The big celebration is yet to come – a Harry Potter Wizarding Word extravaganza. Hayden is a huge HP fan so this will be an amazing vacation at Universal in Florida with good friends and family. We are all so excited!

This is an all-around milestone week – last spinal tomorrow, last chemo pill on Saturday, and last steroid on Monday. Of course, we’ll still be regulars at CancerCare. Hayden will be closely monitored in the coming months, then to a lesser degree over a longer time. And his weekend antibiotics will continue for six more months.

Then, on April 21, we gather with all of the friends and family who traveled this journey with us. This event is to thank everyone who sent messages, food, gifts, prayers, and love. I can’t tell you how much strength we gained from people who supported us in some way. For us, every day is a celebration but I hope you’ll join us to mark the end of a nearly 3-and-a-half-year journey….and to collectively exhale.

Here’s a link to the invitation: http://new.evite.com/?utm_source=other_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=title&utm_campaign=invite_details&eml=g_inv#view_invite:eid=034CAAQZXGK5ZYCMSEPBNPXBUDNTNI&gid=034CAAPMT7NZ5QB5CEPBOPK4WJXLMQ

If, for some reason, you can’t RSVP on that web page, just email me at cindyanne07@yahoo.ca and I’ll hook you up!

Before I sign off this last time, I need to say that we are very happy but also very humble. Over the years, we came to know some remarkable kids – some who have won their battles and others who continue to bravely fight. Sadly, some did not make it. All of these children hold a special place in our hearts.

Not

An update on what did NOT happen this week - clinic. That's right, we skipped our regular bi-weekly (or semi?)...our every-two-week trip to CancerCare because Hayden's counts have been fairly stable. Cool huh?

Buh da buh ba bah....I'm lovin' it.

Isn't it ironic?

Three days ago, I blogged about how easy Hayden's PDU appointments are now. Well, today Dr. Stoffman suggested that we should skip a trip to the Children's Hospital and just do the lumbar puncture in the clinic...today....awake! I almost swallowed my tongue trying to keep my mouth shut. Hayden responded by ducking his chin into his chest and quietly shaking his head. I'm pretty sure he thought we were going to do it anyway because he had tears in his eyes. The doctor immediately retracted his suggestion and I did not flip out (so close). I simply told Hayden later, when we had a chance to talk, that I think he made the right decision.

Yeah, I really do think...

Survivor Pool - Get in on the action

The new season starts on Feb. 16 and it promises to be a good one. Hayden and I are big fans so I'm taking over the pool to keep it going and you can get in on it. For $5 you get a cast member from a random draw. There are 18 players so the winner takes home a cool $90.

There's an interesting twist this year...players who get voted off go to 'redemption island' where they go head to head with the next/last loser - the winner from that battle gets back in the game. hehehehe This will be interesting.

Email me if you want a piece of the action: cindyanne07@yahoo.ca. There are 13 spots left.

He shoots....

...and, woo hoo, he scored!! Hayden got his first goal last weekend, and an assist too. He is definitely coming into his own, with a little help from his very supportive teammates. But they're not just great kids, they are great hockey players too. The Falcons are currently ranked in the #1 spot for 9A3. Can you believe it?

Hayden's blood counts are still going strong. His neutrophils were at 2.06 nearly 2 weeks ago but we're holding steady on the chemo doses so far. He sees his pediatric oncologist, Dr. Stoffman, on Tuesday so we'll see if he wants to try an increase. While at the CancerCare Clinic, Hayden will also get a shot of vincristine via his Iron Man port and start another 5-day round of steroids. Then on Wednesday, we head back (this time to the Children's Hospital - pediatric day unit) for a spinal injection of methotrexate. Everybody cringes when I say that but, really, it's no big deal for Hayden. He's totally asleep for the procedure and he doesn't mind missing school to play DS and watch cartoons. Plus, he gets a little gift from the cart and all the nurses love him. You might even say that he looks forward to the quarterly (used to be monthly) PDU visits. Once again, I so wish that I had some idea 2 years ago that this would get easier. Or maybe someone told me and I just couldn't believe it...who knows.

I have been told though, by more than one person, that today's procedures are a far cry from the way they were done a few years ago - with the child awake. ugh. We've been through some pretty ugly stuff but that procedure would be absolute hell under those conditions. I'm so thankful that treatment for childhood leukemia has progressed to the point we are at today. There's still a long way to go but the advances are very encouraging. I hope we can do the same for all cancer treatments. Even though we are more than a year out from our last hospital stay, our hearts are with all of the brave kids battling on ward CK5...and, of course, all of our friends at the clinic.

Happy New Year!

Benjamin Franklin said: Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.

It's a nice idea but frankly, I think my vices are what got me through the last 2 years. Oh well, I suppose I get the point about neighbours...but I'm not in the market for a better man.

The sun is once again shining in the Bennett house. Hayden has finally rebounded from the flu and a 5-day stretch of steroids that felt more like 5 weeks. The flu hit on the 22nd and even though he stopped barthing shortly after, he lacked energy and an appetite until yesterday. The steroids didn't help either. As it turned out, we canceled most of our plans over the holidays but we still enjoyed it, and our boy back now so all's well.

Back to school on Thursday. Back to clinic next Tuesday. Back to our 'normal' routine. I'm ready...it's time.

Hope you enjoyed the very best of the holidays. Cheers to a happy 2011!

The countdown begins

In about 2 hours, Hayden will be arriving home from his last day of school - then the holidays officially begin! We're UNsetting the alarm clocks until January 6!! Well...Hayden and I anyway. Did I mention that I love, love, love working from home? Did I mention that I'm working from home?

3 days to go!