Let's Go Fishing for a Cure!

Sleep once again alludes me.  That is somewhat shocking considering the fact that I have enjoyed the Olympics way past my bedtime plus I worked hard today cleaning kids closets, and I even squeezed in a walk tonight.  I am feeling my age tonight. 

Poor Rock Star is suffering tonight from some belly issues.  He went to sleep around 9:30 but has not slept soundly yet so that is why I am up way past my bedtime.  He has had two diarehha episodes already and he just cannot get comfortable.  I know it is the chemo from Friday, but we pray it does not cause skin problems on his tender bottom like last time.  Last chemo his bottom was so raw from the chemicals from the chemo that it had really just healed when we went again this past Friday. 

Today we got the call that David's labs from Monday were low.  We are kind of surprised about that because his energy level is pretty good.  They are not low enough that he needs a transfusion (platelets or blood) praise God, but they are low.  We need to recheck labs here locally Thursday again. 

We also have a date for his next scan and his next echocardiogram on his heart.  August 16th is when it can be scheduled.  Sigh-that is the first day of school here.  Mike must be here for opening of schools considering the fact that one school has a major remodeling going on. It will be crazy there on the first day because parent drop off, bus loops, and classrooms are all different now.  That means that David and I will go to the scan and echo, and I will miss Kyle's first day and David will miss his first day of second grade.  

The date is really not flexible because of the darn anesthesia team.  Dave is typically sedated for the scans but finding an available spot with the anesthesia team is a challenge.  I have a new idea that I am going to pitch tomorrow to the oncologist and see if he thinks it is worth a try-Benadryl!!  David in the past has received Benadryl for that long ambulance ride back in November when that tumor was causing him pain, each transfusion he gets a dose, and he also got a dose I think for that helicopter ride back in June.  It usually makes him nice and sleepy:)  Our oncologist is wonderful and will listen to my idea and even if he thinks it is crazy he will at least consider it. They are just that awesome there. If we use Benadryl then the anesthesia team does not have to be involved and we can reschedule for the next week when Mike can be with us and David does not miss the very first day of school.

So, I am disappointed about the scan day and of course we will both be nervous and scared whenever it is scheduled.  A fellow cancer warrior Mom coined the phrase "scanxiety" because just seeing that big machine and knowing that it holds the answer to your child's survival is very scary.  If you have a great scripture verse about fear and anxiety send it my way (either email or leave a comment).  I am putting together a little index card book of scriptures to carry with me. Sadly I am going to need some good scripture over the next year to battle the fear that tries to creep in.

On a fun note....

There is something super exciting going on here locally this Saturday called Let's Go Fishing for a Cure from 11-3 at Hungry Mother State Park.  Children will get to fish in the lake, face paint , tie-dye shirts, and a bassmaster pro will be there!  It sounds super exciting and all the money raised will go towards childhood cancer research.  There are tons of activities that will be going on and it sounds like a fun day. Because of the fishing date with Sam and Logan my little ones are really into fishing right now.  Hope has cast her Tinker Bell fishing pole all day in our house wearing her hot pink tutu. 

The Shuler family lost their sweet daughter, Marissa, to childhood cancer at the age of 14 months.  They want to keep her memory alive by giving back to childhood cancer. Sadly childhood cancer is underfunded despite the fact that it is the number one killer of children.  I have been asked to submit a picture of David for the display board.  I am having a hard time picking one out because we have so many good ones.  Jason has gotten some great ones of him at the lake this summer, and I will probably use one of those when I get his permission.

At the event, there will be some head shaving going on for St. Baldricks!!!  Four of the nurses on the pediatric floor shaved their heads back in MArch for St. Baldricks for childhood cancer and we have an opportunity to do it here this Saturday at Hungry Mother!  Marissa's Mom, has shaved her head twice already for this cause.  I am trying to talk Mike into getting his head shaved!!!!  I just do not think Mike or I will look as awesome as David does bald:) 

Come on out Saturday for some fun!!  The event is held across from the restaurant in the park.  If you are brave and want to match David get ready to shave your head!! I also have some really cute pictures that I have not downloaded yet, but David wore his new "Sexy and I know it" shirt from the Burketts for his last chemo.  I cannot wait to share them-he was so silly in clinic Friday. 

Hopefully David's belly has calmed down now and we can all get some rest!  Good night!