Payton's Results...

Payton’s 18 month MRI and CT Scans were both clean with no evidence of disease. I am feeling blessed and extremely grateful. Dr. Heym said that Payton’s MRI showed that he should be having a bowel obstruction. We are hoping that he just swallowed a significant amount of air prior to the scans and that it’s not a sign that he is in the early stage of an obstruction. Dr. Heym said to watch him closely and wait and see. It’s a little scary since I know the radiation and chemo that Payton received can cause these obstructions.

It’s been a long couple days of waiting but we are so grateful for the great news.

Payton's 18 month scans...

Today was Payton’s 18 month scans. We were scheduled at 6 a.m. (the first scan for the day). I was really hopeful that meant that we would be in and out quickly. Payton was able to do his CT scan without sedation and was a little scared at first, but did a great job. Payton did well going under sedation. He received his “giggle juice” and they actually waited long enough that it worked well when the anesthesiologist arrived to put him under. Usually Payton panics, but today he wasn’t nearly as nervous. In the past, I don’t think they have waited long enough; so now I will be sure they give him at least 20 minutes to allow it to kick in. He was done with both his CT and MRI by 9:30. It was a little harder than usual for Payton to come out of anesthesia. I was getting excited in hopes we could get out early and about 10:00 when we moved him to the wagon to take him to the car he starting throwing up. The anesthesiologist decided to keep us a couple more hours so they could monitor him and give him some anti-nausea meds. Payton spent most of his afternoon trying to regain his appetite and strength and finally this evening he is back to himself.

Our H/O appointment is tomorrow at 8:30 and we are really anxious to get good news about his results. They also did numerous tests on his blood work today, so we should find out the results from those as well. Now the question is if I can sleep tonight? Off to try.

Another exciting week...

Life in our household is still crazy busy as usual. Chad defended a few weeks ago and will graduate here in December. He has taken a PT evening teaching position at TCC. We are hopeful that he will find something more permanent soon. But in the meantime are grateful for what we have. I am still working weekends and stay busy running kids around during the week.

I cannot believe that the kids are in their third week of school already. Both Savannah and Payton are doing so well at adjusting back into a routine. Payton started today at Miss Becki’s preschool. He only had a half hour in between schools but did a great job considering that he went all day. I could tell that he was exhausted by the end of the day. I am so pleased to how the school year has started.

Payton has his 18 month scans on Thursday. Where does the time go in between? It seems like we were just at Cook’s for his 15 month scans. I always feel a lot of anxiety the week of his scans. It’s also a time that I can’t help but sit back and reflect on what our little guy went through. Even though 18 months have come and gone there isn’t a day that goes by that I feel such gratitude to have our little boy with us. He has been a true blessing to our family and he keeps us laughing and smiling every day with all the cute things that he says. Payton’s scans are at 6 a.m., but I am grateful for that since it will make it easier on him since he cannot eat or drink anything prior. Hopefully this week will soon pass and I can start to feel some relief. I wish I could say that this gets easier every 3 months but it just doesn’t.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month....please take a moment to pray for those children currently battling this dreaded disease....for those in remission to forever be cancer-free, and for the families and friends of those children ...who have battled and won the ultimate victory over cancer by making their way to Heaven....much too soon.

First week of school...

It is such a delight driving Payton to school every day. Payton talks so cute and it just thrills me spending that time with him. This was our conversation this morning.

Payton “Can I be Batman when I grow up?”

Me “Sure you can, Payton, if you want to”

Payton “Do you think that Dad wants to be Spider Man when he grows up?”

Me Chuckling

Payton “I think that I’ll ask him when I get home”

Me “Ok buddy you do that”

Payton “Mom, what are you going to do when you get home, while I’m at school?” “Are you going to go home and clean the house?”

Me “Yes, I think that I’ll go home and clean the house”

Payton “Are you going to go home and fix me dinner, what are you going to fix me?”

Me “Sure I’ll fix you dinner buddy, what would you like?”

Payton “I think that I’ll have hot noodles for dinner.”

I thoroughly love the little boy that Payton is becoming. I cannot believe what a complete 360 turnaround he has done over the past month; he is such a different thoughtful, helpful little boy. Payton is always offering to help do the laundry or empty the dishwasher. Pre-K has been an absolute blessing for him and he loves it. Payton’s class was split since it was too big. His new teacher is Mrs. Robertson and he thoroughly loves her. It has been a wonderful week. Savannah has also had a great week and really likes her teacher as well. I’ve been amazed at how well the kids have done this week, Payton heads to bed at 7:30 which is a real switch from the summer. I’m so excited that we had such a great week and the kids have adjusted so well to the new time.

Back to school...

Wow, it’s hard to believe summer is over and the kids are heading back to school. We had such a great summer. Payton is starting Pre-K today his teachers name is Mrs. Reynard. We found out that he qualified for Pre K because of his previous health problems. He will go daily Monday through Friday from 8-11 and then will attend our neighbor Miss Becki’s Preschool on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 11:30-2:30. We think this will be good for Payton to help him get ready for full day Kindergarten next year. Payton was so excited this morning and could hardly eat his breakfast because he was so anxious to go. I made Payton get a quick picture and as you can see he’s not thrilled about holding still he was ready to go. Savannah started 3rd Grade this year her teacher is Mrs. Lovelace. Savannah did really well this morning. I was worried about her being stressed out since usually on the first day she is but she surprised me. I took Savannah and Chad took Payton. Boy it is sure quiet this morning around the house. I have mixed but good feelings. I remember wondering when Payton was going through treatment if I would ever see him recover and get the chance to go to school. My heart feels so full of gratitude and love for my two kids.

Raspberry picking with Grandpa

We arrived back to my parents from the cabin today. Grandpa noticed that he had Raspberries ready to be picked in his Garden. Payton spent 40 minutes outside helping Grandpa pick them. Payton commented “These are the best berries I have ever seen”. Payton told Grandpa “When Grandma sees these berries, she is going to be so, so happy.” Payton asked Grandma to make him a Raspberry “Smoodie.” Payton loves to make “smoodies” with his dad at home.

Savannah and Payton spent the afternoon putting tattoos on themselves and on Grandpa. Payton thinks that Grandpa looks like a real pirate with his tattoo. It was a wonderful evening spending it outside with Jennifer and her sweet family. We are really going to miss everyone and have had such a great time spending quality time together.