Payton's Birthday Party...

Today was Payton’s Birthday Party. I told him that he could invite 4 little friends since he is turning 4 years old. Our activities included catching lizards in the sand, fishing for frogs in the water, catching snakes in the bushes, throwing rocks in the water, playing football, making Easter necklaces, bracelets, going on an Easter egg hunt, and eating lunch. I thoroughly loved doing the party and just love this cute age. The kids were in there element looking for the frogs, lizards and snakes and it was so much fun watching each of them. I can hardly believe that Payton, my youngest, will be turning 4 on Thursday. Wow, where does the time go? It makes me sad and yet so excited that I get to be with him to celebrate his 4th Birthday. I often wondered throughout treatment if I would get the opportunity to see him grow up and have more Birthdays. What a fabulous day and it’s just a constant reminder to me to enjoy every minute of these special moments. Thanks so much to Lisa for saving me and helping me with the party.

Savannah's Spring Break

Day 2 of Spring Break started with a trip to the park with a picnic and feeding the ducks. It was another gorgeous day and the kids thoroughly enjoyed being outside. The kids loved playing on the play ground and Payton played in the sandbox and did not want to leave. We came back home and accomplished a few chores, made dinner and waited for Chad to arrive. We spent our evening at Main Event since I had some free game passes. The kids loved the games. We didn’t have to spend much on Payton since all he wanted to do was sit in the Race Car; he didn’t realize it wasn't actually on. We ended the evening by going to Braum’s for Brownie Ice Cream Sundays and French Fries (I know it sounds really healthy, doesn’t it?) It was great spending an evening together as a family; it seems as if our life is so hectic when Savannah’s in school and with our crazy work schedules that we don’t seem to find much time together as a family. As much fun as we are having, at this rate, I’m going to be exhausted by the end of the week.

Fort Worth Zoo

It was Savannah’s first day out for Spring Break; we took the day and went to the Fort Worth Zoo since it’s been a couple of years since we have been there. It was a bit busy, but the kids had a great time and it was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid 70’s. I love this great weather after the 3 straight days of rain that we had.

Note from Savannah...

Ever since I can remember Savannah has been leaving cute pictures and notes for Chad and I. She is such a sweat heart, peacemaker, and true blessing in our family. Savannah left this note for me yesterday and it made my day. She is such a thoughtful little girl.

Chilling tonight after two long days, we cannot put our back pack down; we’d sleep with it if mom and dad would let him. Dr. Bowman had to convince Payton to take it off for just a few minutes during his checkup.

How Do You Spell Relief????? N.E.D.

Payton’s CT/MRI was clear. No Evidence of Disease. That is music to the ears of any mother or father whose child has had cancer. All of Payton’s tests were good and he is growing well. What a relief and I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off. Dr Bowman said that he has great hope for Payton. Good news to say the least. It was a long 4 hour visit to the clinic and we were so ready to walk out of there. Thank you so much for your prayers and best wishes for us. Here are a few pictures at the clinic...

Payton's 1 Year after treatment scan day!

Today was Payton’s 1 year after treatment Echo/EKG, CT scan and MRI. It was long and very stressful day which I am glad to have over with. The day started with Payton’s Echo/EKG, thank goodness that Curious George was on T.V. to help us get through those tests. After Payton had his CT scan and MRI which is always a long wait. They gave Payton some ‘giggle juice’ before giving him his gas mask and he started saying “one doctor, two doctor, three doctor, four doctor, five doctor and six doctors.” He was acting goofy so I thought for sure the medicine was working, but when it was time for his gas mask he really fought it. I always struggle with that part. I keep thinking this will get easier and it never does. It breaks my heart having to watch Payton be so scared and go through such a traumatic event. My chest feels heavy and my heart aches when I have to watch him. The pain doesn’t go away until I get some good results. Twelve more hours and hopefully I will be able to breathe again. Chad and I broke away to the cafeteria after Payton was taken back for his scans. We spent our time talking about how much this has changed our family and how blessed we felt to have found Payton’s tumor when we did. It was a good conversation and I feel that we have all come so far in our lives and this has made our family so much stronger and closer. I’m exhausted and heading to bed, hopefully will be posting good news tomorrow.

Waiting for Echo/EKG

Payton's Echo/EKG

Waiting for CT/MRI


Payton after he took his "giggle juice"

Trying to wake up after the anaesthesia

My heart has been aching the past few days since I heard that Princess Haley passed away on Saturday. Haley was diagnosed with a Wilm’s Tumor at Cook’s as Payton was finishing up with his treatment. It boggles my mind since Haley’s prognosis was originally better than Payton’s. I pray that their little family can get through this rough time.

I can hardly believe that Payton is about to approach his one year after treatment mark. As I look back and think about the past year, so much goes through my head...I feel that throughout all this that I was ripped down to the very core and at that point, if you’ve even been there in your life, you will know and understand that your heart is forever changed. It helps you to discover who you truly are and what’s most important in life. The hard part about the past year has been that I still worry if the cancer will ever return and I hate the anxiety and stress that this puts on me. The good part is that it has been a fantastic year. I feel like a year of our life was taken but in return I believe that it makes me live in the moment and helps me to have more patience, understanding and compassion. I watch Payton now and my heart feels so full of love and appreciation for him and for all that he endured. I still plead with the Lord and ask for him not to take Payton, because I know that it would be more than what I can handle and I would live the rest of my life with a broken heart. I have loved watching Payton recover and loved watching him be a little boy again. I love the second chance at life that he was given. I still continue to have such a soft heart for Payton and always will. I always get emotional as Payton’s scans start to approach. Next week Payton has an Echo, EKG, CT, MRI and an oncology appointment, it should be a busy week but hopefully a good week.

On another note, we were at Target and ran into Dr. Heym one of Payton’s oncologist at Cook’s. It was so great to see him again and he was so kind to Payton and said he couldn’t believe how great Payton was looking. It's crazy that all it takes is running into one of these oncologist and the memories that it triggers. I have so much love for the great oncologists that treated Payton!

Lately, Payton has been saying some cute things. Saturday when we were in the car and discussing what we were doing Payton replied “I’m losing my patience with all of you.” Payton saw a cute baby on the T.V. and was telling me how cute it was and so we have been teasing him asking him if he wants to be a big brother he has been so stressed out and telling us “Let’s just get a dog instead of a baby.” Every morning he awakes he says I don’t want to pick up a baby today, ok mom. No this is not an announcement, Chad is about to finish Grad school in August and that has to happen first. Payton also asked on Saturday night, “Do I have to go to Church tomorrow?” We replied yes Payton and he said “I just go to church to sings songs, say prayers and eat bread.” He has had us all laughing this week with the funny things he’s said.