Annual Christmas Cookies

We did some serious baking yesterday. The boys love decorating their cookies. And of course, they love eating them.

Santa's Helpers

Funny shirts my mom got for the boys. Grant could not understand why his shirt had Trent's name on it. :)

Grant was so excited to deliver banana bread to the staff at the clinic today. They were all so sweet. They do so much and take such good care of Grant. We could never do enough to express our appreciation. Unfortunately, Dr. Heym was not there today. But, Grant wanted to leave him two loaves.

Last week, Grant's counts were really high again. So, we have to increase his chemo again. The one that we increase he takes on Monday nights. He is going from 5 pills to 6 pills. Last time we did this, he ended up in the hospital. Tonight was his first new dose. Please pray that his body can handle the increase and use it the way it needs to.

Good Steroid Week

We've made it through the week of steroids. It had it's rough moments. But, it had some really great moments too. Amazingly, Grant got his first 'silver star' at school this week. They have a behavior chart and they are supposed to stay on green. If they go "above and beyond" then they get a silver star. Grant had been wanting one so bad ever since school started. We had even brainstormed ideas at home of things he might do to get one. But, he got this one all on his own. It was the very first thing he told me when I picked him up. Then, he wanted me to tell everyone that I talked to on the phone and he was so excited to tell his dad. He got his folder out of his backpack and just sat and stared at it all the way home. It was so exciting!

We also had 2 Christmas programs this week. Trent's was Thursday and Grant's was Friday. They both did wonderful, of course! They each sang 4 or 5 songs with their classes. Trent can sing Jingle Bells like a champ. And Grant did much better on stage than I expected. Of course he is a "rule follower" and wanted to do exactly what the music director told him to. They were lots of fun and boys had a great time.

We Survived

I picked Grant up from school a few minutes early to get to the clinic. From the moment I walked in to get him, his anxiety grew. We put cream on at school and headed to the clinic. Grant was quiet the whole way there. He did well with accessing his port. But, the anxiety grew even more when we had to put cream on his back. He recovered quickly though. He had taken his loopy medicine, so his exam with Dr. Heym went pretty smoothly. Then, we went straight to the procedure room. Things really escalated at that point. Dr. Heym didn't even wait for the nurses to get everything set up. He just came in and got started, trying to prevent any extra anxiety for Grant. Grant did calm down for a little while when Dr. Heym was showing him what he was doing. But, when it was time to get the poke, Grant just started screaming. There was terror in his eyes and that is one of the most awful things I have ever seen. I feel so helpless. I sat directly in front of him with our foreheads touching trying to sooth him. Again, Grant recovered fairly quickly after the procedure was over. We are going to be exploring other options for sedation for the future. Please pray that Rudy and I would have wisdom to do what is best for Grant.
Grant also got more chemo in his port and started steroids today. His counts were still way up, so his at-home oral chemo was increased again.
The evening at home had it's ups and downs. He was very emotional, which is pretty usual. He was really groggy and lethargic when we got home. He ate some dinner, and some more dinner, and some more dinner and that pepped him up. And, of course, he watched some football with his dad. But, when it was time to go to bed, he got very weepy. Bedtime was very hard. (For those that don't know, Rudy had foot surgery about 2 weeks ago. He's pretty much bedridden when he is at home.) Grant told us tonight that he needed to stay in our bed and eat breakfast there b/c his back was hurt. He is so perceptive.
Trent has been so sweet. He wants to take care of Daddy and Grant. I am tired, not so much physically, but emotional and mentally. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers. We know God is still holding us in the palm of his hand.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come
before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who
made us, and we are his; we are his people,
the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his
courts with praise; give thanks to him
and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures
forever; his faithfulness continues through
all generations.
Psalm 100

So Sorry

Wow! It's been too long! It's never b/c I have a lack of things to say :), just no time to share it. I will be updating with all of the things we have been doing soon. Tonight, I just want to ask for your prayers. Grant has his regularly scheduled clinic visit on Monday and it is the one with a back poke. He knows this and has been very anxious this week. He has been counting down the days as we get closer to the dreaded Monday. He has also directed some of his anxiety and displeasure of back pokes toward Dr. Heym. (He is the one who does them.) Anyway, we've talked about why he has to get them and that Dr. Heym is taking very good care of him. We'd just appreciate your prayers as this day approaches. His appointment is at 2:30 on Monday. Please pray that he can have a great day at school that day, keeping his mind off the procedure. Please pray that the procedure will go quickly and easily. Please pray that I will be sensitive to Grant's frustrations over his situation and respond in a supportive way. We appreciate you and your prayers.