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Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they're already asleep.


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 get time. They didn't get the time to say goodbye. As a parent, I can't stress enough... enjoy and treasure every moment, hug your kids tight - no one is ever promised tomorrow. So ALWAYS kiss your kids goodnight, even if they're already asleep. Since Caleb was born I've done that everyday, but even more so now....

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT.

Yesterday Caleb had clinic and once again, his counts were amazing! His onc actually said surprisingly amazing, so that worried me... of course. I questioned him, because his ANC was so normal and he said that everything else in his levels are fine and it's good cells that he's producing at a rapid rate, which means his bone marrow is doing what it's supposed to. So, I was happy to hear that. Since they were so good they were able to increase his level of chemo for this round. The chemo he got today causes nausea and mouth sores... I'm hoping he can breeze through the next week or so and not have to worry about that. His other counts were good, so also hoping for no needed transfusions.... they will drop, but hoping again he recovers quickly and we can move right along to the next phase.

His next phase is Long Term Maintenance. It consists of more oral chemo and less IV chemos and spinals. The intensity of the chemo is less, so naturally I am nervous. You'd think that one would be happy to lessen the toxicity that you are giving your child, but that same toxic drug is lifesaving. I know just from reading and researching his clinical study papers a bit about this phase, but I need to be fully educated on it. I have heard that counts can still bottom out on kids, some days he will have to take close to ten pills to get the correct dose and being a germ-o-phobe is still vitally important. Fevers are still important to watch in this phase as Caleb will still have his port in his chest throughout the remaining two and a half years of treatment. All in all, we are looking forward to less pokes and a little more normalcy in our lives instead of weekly visits to the clinic.

This week Caleb had his holiday performance at his school. He was super excited about it & couldn't wait to perform with his friends from school. He did a great job & waved at me during the performance (I think that's my fav part of the video :) We look forward to a relaxing weekend......... And I am planning a day of fun for us this coming week - I can't wait to surprise him!!

Thank You ALL for your continued love, support and prayers!
We can't thank you enough!
Love,
Caleb's Mama

The 3 Amigos
KK, Caleb & Trevor

 








Caleb singing Jingle Bells with his class at their Holiday Performance 

Justin Bieber
Believe
 ... cause everything starts from something,
something would be nothing
nothing if your heart didn't dream with me
where would I be
if you didn't believe? ...
 



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