Giving Thanks

We had a pretty good week.  We made the trip to Salt Lake again, but this time for a family wedding.  It actually felt weird to be near to Primary's and not have to go there.  It was fun to spend some time with Kevin's family and celebrate something so positive.  It's easy to get sucked into this cancer world and forget that life does go on for everyone else.  We need to be reminded now and then.

  We also decided to get a jump on our holiday celebration by putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating the house for Christmas.  The kids had fun.  Jaxon is fascinated by the tree. I give it a week before he totally destroys everything.

Austin has felt pretty good.  He has had some nausea and vomiting that comes and goes as well as some back pain that is a side effect of the Chemo.  His labs  today were great.  ANC 1600, Platelets 430,000, Hematocrit 31.  So off we went again to get more Chemo.  Austin was happy to see Michael, the Child Life Specialist.  Austin has been saving some jokes to tell Michael so he entertained us all by reciting the ones he knew and then Michael brought Austin a joke book to read and Austin got a kick out of that. We laughed and had a good time...oh yeah and had some more poison infused into Austin's veins.

Having his Port accessed by the Home Health Nurse

Vitals taken, always love the blood pressure cuff!

Same as last time, but lost a little weight

Dr. Marsden gave Austin this mask to play with, he got a kick out of it and insisted on wearing it to the car.

Telling Michael jokes

Telling jokes.  Austin's laugh is so contagious

Getting Chemo and telling jokes.

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so I want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for all that we have.  The list of blessings if I were to count them would stretch for miles.  At the top would be each of our family members and friends that add so much to our lives.  Without all of them the last few months would have been impossible to survive.  The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming and I will forever be grateful.  On this Thanksgiving I am grateful that Austin is doing well with his treatment and that he is tolerating the Chemo so far with only a few side effects.  I give thanks for this special boy and the privilege of being his Mom.  He teaches me daily about courage and strength and having a positive attitude.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope each of us takes a moment to reflect on our blessings.  Hug your little ones and tell them how much you love them!  Never take for granted each day you have with them.