Day One Hundred Sixty-two

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20

Today is a day of thanks!  Thank you, God, for guiding, comforting, strengthening us to this point in our journey.  Thank you for keeping Ryan healthy during his chemotherapy treatment.  Thank you for the love of family, friends, and volunteers. 

Ryan's last chemo treatment was today, but the roller-coaster of emotions continues.  I am so grateful that we are at this point, and I pray that the scans and tests are positive over the next several weeks.  Ryan has been through so much, and I am ready for the medical stuff to be over for him.  I know that he is too. 

I still remember when I was in the waiting room during his second round of surgeries.  A little girl came out and the family was happy that she had completed her treatment.  The gentleman said that they only had to go to the emergency room three times due to fever. 

When we started the treatment, the doctor said that there most likely would be emergency room visits for Ryan.  We didn't have any.  Thank you, God. 

The doctor also was certain that he would need two or three transfusions.  He didn't have any.  Thank you, God.

The treatments were safe.  Thank you, God. 

There are a lot of reasons to be thankful, and I truly am....and have been every single day, and every single wonderful moment that we have shared since January 22nd!

We were excited this morning and were singing little songs (the kids really like the songs that I make up..Emma goes nuts, the kids start singing, Mirjan just rolls her eyes), and then we realized that we were going to be late to the appointment.  We were.  The waiting room was packed! 

Everyone was real nice, as they always are, to Ryan today.  He played a little bit before the treatment started, and then the anticipatory vomiting began.  We talked to the doctor about that, and he told us that when he was in Maryland, a 30-something guy would come in once a year for a checkup.  He was treated for cancer when he was a child, and every time he came into the clinic on his annual visit, he would vomit.  He said to really talk to Ryan about when he comes in the next several times, that he should know that he won't be receiving a chemo treatment, but only blood tests.  I don't think that will matter to Ryan, because it will be the same environment, the same process, the same people, etc.  At least we know that he won't get sick afterward.   We'll see how it goes next week. 

Oh, before the doctor came in, the nurse practitioner/intern who is really good with Ryan was checking him out and talking to him.  She kept joking with him, so he warmed up to her.  When she left, she said, "Hasta luego," and Ryan responded with, "hasta la caca."  She just started laughing on her way out.  He is really good with his manners, so that caught us off guard too.

After his blood test today, we had to wait for the chemo drugs for about 1.5 hours.  There were several activities in the clinic, so the the kids played bingo for prizes, ate snow cones, created some art masterpieces, and Ryan put together a lego firetruck.  Emma made her great escape and almost made it to the other side of the clinic before she was rounded up.  The drugs finally arrived from another hospital (which I really didn't understand why the children's hospital didn't have it), and the nurse was super great about administering the chemo while Ryan was working on some art.  She really has been amazing with Ryan.

Everyone raced to push the elevator button!  Emma won!

We talked with the doctor, and we will be going back for the next few weeks for blood tests.  In about three weeks, Ryan will have the scans, and I pray that they are good.  After that, he will have blood tests every month, and scans every three months.  So, we'll still be visiting the clinic, but just not as often.  The doctor said that he would recommend keeping the port in until after the second set of scans.  So, Ryan will have surgery to take out the port at that time. 

I asked Ryan where he wanted to go to eat for a late lunch today.  He said he wanted to go where they served chocolate cake!  So, we headed to Chili's.  Ryan ate like I haven't seen him eat in six months.  Chips, Mirjan's ribs, all of his oranges, and then a corn dog.  It was good to see him like that.  He said the ribs weren't just good; they were great!  Mirjan graciously let him eat just about all of her ribs.  When the cake came out, Ryan said, "I don't think I want any today."  That was music to Davianna's ears, and the cake was gone in two minutes. 

Then the rain came.  It was pouring buckets, so I took the kids out, one by one, under the umbrella so they would stay dry.  When all were dry in the car, I got in and was completely soaked.  We got home around mid-afternoon and lounged around.  I had wanted to go do something else today with the kids, but it was probably better just to head home for a while.  Mirjan and the kids went over to Will and Marielk's house for dinner, and I stayed and played with Ryan's birthday toys. 

The kids are excited to see Nana tomorrow!  I hope that she comes rested, because they are planning to wear her out!

The blog will continue...at least until we get through the first set of scans in a month or so.  We'll see then.   I have enjoyed it, and hope others have as well.

Father, thank you for blessing with this day!  I am so grateful that we have reached this point with your guidance.  When we started, it seemed like the days were going in slow-motion, but you sped things up for us in many ways.  I thank you for the many wonderful moments, people, and events during the last six months.  You are amazing, and I am grateful.  I pray for good scan results and that your hands of protection continue to hold Ryan.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.