Exhaling

So we are entering our period of "rest." No treatment or hospital visits until March, 3/11 to be exact.

Sophie is very happy to be "tubey"-free. She's still not eating a ton, but she is eating. We are trying to fatten her up before chemo starts. Her constipation is minimal these days, and she is generally in good spirits, except the occasional (frequent) sister-on-sister battles that occur over the iPad, puzzle, books, etc.

We don't have a whole lot planned or going on until early March when chemo starts. Just want to take it easy, be normal, and enjoy our time as a family. Here are our next few milestones/events:

• Wine Tasting/Food Pairing on 2/23: Still have about 30 spots remaining for the wine tasting event for this Saturday. It will be in the city, Creative Studio Space, 2939 W. Belmont. There is a facebook event page, but you will need to purchase a ticket thru this wepay link to confirm your attendance. It will be a fun outing with catered food, professional wine tasting, photobooth, and some info on Sophie and pediatric brain tumors. Sophie will not be there, but we'll have pictures, video, and some extended family there to represent us. If you cannot make it, there is also a spot for donations thru the wepay link. Use the occasion as a date night!
• Family photo session on 2/23: The Gold Hope Project is a non-profit that provides portrait sessions for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Not quite sure how the session will go, but we're going to give it a shot, and hopefully capture some good photos.
• MRI on 3/11: Sophie will get an MRI on Mon, 3/11 to check her brain & spine. We are hoping for the NED (no evidence of disease) news. The biggest ongoing fear is that the cancer will come back. This first MRI post-radiation is a big deal to ensure that the cancer has not returned, especially after the intense radiation treatment.
• Course 1 of chemo on 3/12-13: We'll head downtown to be admitted for the 1.5 day stay at Lurie. Soph will get a cocktail of chemo drugs (lomustin, cisplatin, vincristine).

We are nervous for chemo. We survived radiation, but are afraid of the side effects of chemo and the toll it will take on Sophie. We know appetite will be suppressed, and she will probably not be in very good moods, but we are hoping for the best, as always.

Otherwise, we are trying to move forward. I keep thinking of the Kubler-Ross model, or the 5 stages of grief. I think I am still in denial, and Jeannie might be more in anger. Of course we have experienced the range of emotions, and every day is different in and of themselves. One day at a time is not just a cliche for us, but the only way.

Please continue to pray for Sophie, for us. For peace, hope, and for the cancer to never come back. 

We appreciate all of your emails, messages, facebook comments, texts, meals (both home-cooked and delivered), packages, cards, and financial help. We still have the meal train & donation site up, if you would like to help us in that way.