Help Cure Caleb- Caleb's Journey

Another week down on this journey. I can't believe we are nearing the end of 2012. This year has been a roller coaster for sure, but I try to look at the good and not the bad of everything that has happened to us. This year we had a home invasion, as I spoke of in an earlier post..... That horrible monster, aka Cancer, picked MY innocent child to attack and turn his four year old world, my world and everyone around us upside down. I still ponder Why.... everyday & I think I will continue to ask that question as well as worry everyday. On a positive note, I have learned so much about myself and my son in the majority of 2012. I have learned how special he is, how strong he is and how much of an inspiration he has been thus far in his journey for so many people, including myself. I have learned so many life lessons, realized my own strength and met so many "friends I wish I never met" along the way that are fighting with their children in a similar journey. I've f

"Children with cancer are like candles in the wind who accept the possibility that they are in danger of being extinguished by a gust of wind from nowhere and yet, as they flicker and dance to remain alive, their brilliance challenges the darkness and dazzles those of us who watch their light. - Author Unknown"   This past week has been a quiet one for us. Getting ready for the holidays, enjoying time together with friends and family and attending holiday parties.  Caleb is so excited about Santa bringing gifts on Tuesday morning. He has been counting down the days with his advent calendar (which he's eaten more candy than days left) & his link of paper that he and I made as a countdown. As we are approaching and the numbers are getting less he is getting more and more excited. I can tell as the smile on his face gets even bigger and his eyes light up as the numbers are smaller each day!    This week we were able to go to Legoland for the day thanks to a

In the wake of what happened yesterday, I can hardly put my feelings into words. As a parent and former classroom teacher, I sat and cried as I saw the news and the tragedy that unfolded in Newtown, CT. 20 innocent lives were taken. 20 children will not be opening gifts this Christmas. 20 children won't know what it feels like to graduate. 20 children won't go to prom. 20 children won't get married or have their own children one day. 20 children won't know what it's like to get accepted to college. 20 children won't know how much they made us all realize how fast things can be taken and how much we all take things for granted. I read something similar to that today online. Since I was thrown into this journey with my son one life lesson I did learn was how fast things can change and treasure every moment. I've stressed that to all of you since I started this blog. My heart hurts for these parents and all the victims of this tragedy. They didn't

 I don't know about you, but I just get a HUGE smile when I see this picture of Caleb! He cracks me up! I LOVE MY FIGHTER! The past few days we have been trying to take in and enjoy the holiday season, which is upon us now. It is much harder for me this year to even get into the 'spirit', but I am trying. I think it's just that I have SO much on my mind and so much worry, I just don't have time for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Nor do I have patience for dealing with long lines and crazy drivers! BUT I'm slowly getting into it. This week we went and got our Christmas tree. Today Caleb decorated it and we set up his monorail (yes, big Disney fans here) around his tree. Usually, I would be so particular about where the ornaments were placed, spacing and everything being perfect. Today I took the backseat in decorating. Caleb ran the show and it came out beautiful! He had a blast and was smiling the entire time, as we bl

Being thrown head first into a world of childhood cancer this past year has been exhausting. Mentally, physically and emotionally. On the day I was told that my son had cancer, together we began the fight. That day I also became an advocate and voice for him and all the other children fighting cancer. I was completely naive of the lack of funding needed for research for these kids. All I knew of childhood cancer was hearing about St. Jude on TV, I never knew a childhood cancer patient. Now I know more personally, than I ever wish upon anyone. Completely and utterly naive. Now, I know way more than I ever thought I'd know about the subject, always with room to educate, grow and learn more. I can still remember signing my first consent for treatment. Reading each and every word, crying and hearing the word "study" and "clinical trial" and freaking out. Seeing the side effects of the medications and hearing of the late side effects of these medications or toxins I

"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."   This week was supposed to be our quiet week. We ended up at Arnold Palmer though.... this time for his foot.  Caleb was playing with his cousin on her swing set and I could tell by the way he fell he hurt himself. He limped and it got a little swollen. I talked to clinic and they said to give it a day and see how he is. The next day we were getting X Ray. I just wanted to be sure. He limped for a good few days after the fall. I know the steriods they put them on makes their bones easier for fractures and breaks so it concerned me. In the end, its ok. No fractures or breaks. He is walking better on it now, but I will just talk to doctor about it tomorrow at clinic.  So our off week turned into sitting hours at doctors and getting XRays. Other than that we had a quiet week. Today I took Caleb to see ICE! It's a local attra

It's kind of fun to do the impossible. - Walt Disney No news is good news. Isn't that the saying?? It's been a quiet week here and that's a good thing. Caleb went into clinic on Friday. It took forever for us to get there with all the crazy, shoppers on the road. I thought by 1pm all the roads would be clear.... who was I kidding! Our usual 45 min trip took close to an hour and half along the highway. His labs were good, well good for a kid going through chemo. His ANC (which helps fight infection) is VERY low again. He was actually at 504. Below 500 he would of been on a chemo hold. So his oncologist didn't increase his Methotrexate - he just remained at the same level as last dose, which he said is ok and happens. He said he thinks Caleb may be on a hold next round because his ANC is so low. That is okay too. Caleb hasn't had hardly any holds and this will be his last dose before long term maintenance. That will be a whole new level of anxiety for Mama, b

The month of November has always been a month of being thankful. Again this year it means so much more to me. I always said I was thankful for health, family, friends etc, but this year is just completely different. I look at everything in such a new light. This year we had a home invasion of sorts. A serious home invasion and we will never feel safe. The home invasion was by cancer. How could I of been so naive in the past to think that this could never 'happen' to us. Well, it happened and as a cancer mom you have this new found fear for you child. It makes you fearful of so much more. You fear germs, the common cold, the flu, infection on a whole different level. You fear this beast that decided to just come and invade your child and turn the life of you and everyone around you upside down. It is an unexplainable fear, that I'm sure people that see us on the outside think, "I'd never want to be walking in their shoes." As a matter of fact, people and stra

Mission Caleb's 5th birthday was very much a success. He had smiles all weekend long and that was my goal. That is always my goal, to keep him happy. Caleb had an awesome time on his actual birthday making his favorite chocolate cake with chocolate icing. He just hung around that day as the weekend was very busy for him! On Saturday he had his friends party at Goofy's Candy Shop. There they had games, dancing, birthday marches and cupcake decorating for him and his friends. He had a blast and so did they! They played pin the cherry on the banana split, freeze dance, limbo amongst other games. He was smiling and laughing the entire time! SCORE for Mama for planning the "bestest 5th birthday ever!" That afternoon we went and checked into the Old Key West resort for his family birthday that evening. Caleb enjoyed some swimming that afternoon in the pool and on the slide - he loves Disney slides! Then all his cousins came for his family party. He had fun running around,