What a Journey!

So this is quite the Journey! A journey we have been on for 10 weeks already. I still can't believe it has been 10 weeks since we found out Nick had Leukemia!

It is emotionally, physically and spiritually draining on all of us. I feel Alex and Kate getting lost in the chaos and it makes me sad. I see Nick struggling most days and it makes me sad. I have not been the best example of positivity as of late and I am being reminded of it by others. I am struggling and it makes me sad.

I am learning to have a greater appreciation for the little things again! There is joy when Nick cracks a joke and we all get a good laugh (the other night when his dad and grandpa couldn't figure something out- Nick said "give it to the kid with Leukemia- I can do it!"). There is joy when we can get Nick out of the house for an activity other than a doctors appointment. There is joy watching Kate or Alex interacting with Nick in a compassionate, loving way!

It is hard to look over Nick's journey so far but it helps me remember - we will get through it. Thus far Nick has:

• Spent 27 out of the last 70 days in the hospital ( with the longest span at home marked today at 12 days)
• Had at least 4 IV lines put in
• PICC line placement and removal
• Port placement
• 4 CT Scans
• 2 X-Rays
• 1 MRI
• Multiple ultrasounds
• 7 Lumbar Punctures
• 2 Bone Marrow Aspirates
• Shot in his left Eye
• Surgery on Left Eye
• 17 days of Chemo Treatments
• 1 Allergic Reaction to Chemo with overnight stay in ICU
• 8 times under Anesthesia
• 5 plus weeks of 2x a day shots in stomach for a blood clot

I can hardly believe he has gone thru all that in 10 weeks. He is one strong, brave young man. He has really hard days and some really sad days too! I spend a lot of my days with him trying to cheer him up, encourage him to do something or just sitting with him! School has been sporadic due to him being hospitalized, to sick to do homework and not having clear vision out of his left eye for a week after surgery. We are getting back on track with the school work and I think that will be good for him!

He has great friends, some of his soccer friends have come for visits and some of his school/neighborhood friends have brought posters, cards, banners, balloons, treats and gifts! All have brightened his day! We are so grateful for those visits because they do brighten his day and lift his spirits!

My parents have been amazing- they have sat with Nick for a few hours so Bryan and I can go somewhere just the 2 of us, they have taken Kate to gymnastics, brought us everything and anything we need when in the hospital, met me at the hospital to help get Nick in a wheelchair and then go park my car for me, been to my house early to get Alex and Kate off to school on days we have early doctors appointments and they went to Kate's last Elementary School Halloween Parade because Nick had Clinic that day!

We are so humbled and spiritually, physically and emotionally lifted by so much generosity from so many loved ones- friends, family and neighbors! 

They have generously and lovingly-

• Provided an abundance of meals
• visited us
• driven my morning carpool for me
• prayed for Nick
• Added Nick to many temple prayer rolls
• Fasted for Nick
• Brought Nick and the other kids gifts to lift their spirits
• given/sent loving cards and notes
• brought balloons
• dropped off treats
• Organized Fundraisers to help with Medical, travel and food expenses associated with Nick's illness and hospital stays.
• visits from out of state family
• I am also grateful to have a job that has granted me unlimited leave and given me the choice and flexibility to work when I can or as little as I need ( Hopefully they'll still need and want me at the end of this Journey)

Nick went to the eye doctor Friday and his eye is continuing to improve. We are very grateful for that. Today was clinic and Nick is on the same 4 week plan as the last 4 weeks minus the lumbar punctures every Monday. He has chemo 4 days on and 3 days off this week and next and then week three was the week he had the allergic reaction to a drug called PEG. Instead of that chemo once, he will have another chemo that is given by shots 3 times a week for the last 2 weeks. 

Thank you for all your continued love and support!