Home again...

....home again, jiggidy jig. We're back home! The crew up at BBCH really pushed hard to get James his meds posthaste and we were allowed to check out of the inn earlier this evening. While James is quite tired he handled all of the drugs, questions and interruptions like a champ. One of the big questions I had in the back of my mind going into this week was how he'd react to the new chemo drug - cyclophosphamide. Would he be allergic? Well, he's not. He took two rounds just fine!

I've said this before but I think that it bears repeating again. The crew up on pediatric inpatient floor deserves all the praise that could possibly be given. And then a little more. Inevitably, there are going to be kids and families spending their holiday up on the west end and it blows my mind how these fine folks, selflessly, make each kid feel as though they were king or queen of the world. On Christmas morning while I'll be lucky enough to wake up at home and opening presents in the warmth and comfort of my own living room, my thoughts will be with all the doctors, nurses, kids and families that will be up in the big house celebrating the holiday. I raise my nog to you all.

Okay, now about our busy day....On top of his meds, playing ball in the atrium and drop-ins by some friends and family James was visited by US Navy officers from BNAS, a triathlete in training for London 2012 and a number of ME State Troopers bearing gifts. Of it all, James was definitely most impressed with the fact that the Troopers all had both guns and handcuffs inside the hospital. And, of course, their jet black German Shepard K9 - aptly named, Chase - was pretty cool.

As promised here are a few more shots from Santa's special visit to room 636...

If I don't type again before the Santa's coursers fly, enjoy your holiday everyone!
'To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!'
Love to you all....
dct

Christmas Chemo Time!

This week the Taylors find ourselves in back in Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (the infamous room 636) for James' last inpatient chemo treatment of 2008. JT checked into the big house at about 9am today and we hope to be heading back home on Christmas Eve Day.

This evening, little did James know but Santa got clearance to use the hospital's helicopter pad to pay a special visit. He waved to many kids but tonight - by special invitation- Santa's only stop was room 636 to see James and Jack. He brought only two presents with him. One for James and one for Jack. James can't figure out how the man in red knew he was even here. All of James' letters came from our home address! When I asked him if, maybe, he secretly wished that Santa would come visit him in the hospital he said "Yes". Needless to say, after a day of being sort of "down" because the playroom is closed (read: No xBox 360/Legos Star Wars game) James is still in shock....more pictures later....The beauty of this one is how Jack is oblivious to Santa's presence once his present is opened.

Only two more shopping days left! I better get started, eh?!?
dct

Snowy Sunday....

So, the boys are resting (JT is getting very fatigued lately) and Old Man Winter is bearing down on us for the third time in under two weeks. I love the new blanket of snow because it covers all the leaves that I didn't have time to rake! But, damn, don't I hate cleaning up after the storms. I'm pretty sure that we can safely assume that we're in for a white Christmas here in Portland.

Anyhow, I'm hanging out flipping through iTunes and photos and figured that I'd post a few random shots for no other good reason than because I can. So here you are.

Hope you all are safe, warm and well.

dct

Not unlike a manager's line up card. Just keeping it all straight, at times, can be mindboggling.

Dinner's "appetizers". Thanks to the medication Gods JT takes everything well.

...and so it does.

For whatever reason a few years ago I began sawing off a little wafer of our Christmas trees. Not sure if it's the recession hitting our little house or just my poor tree selection abilities - but the trunk diameter is on disturbingly downward path. Gonna have to fix that in '09.

Happy Holidays

Hey there folks....

The Taylors are doing well and getting ready for Christmas. James is holding steady. We've noticed that lately he's been becoming more and more fatigued. I suspect that his treatments, all the season's excitement and a nice coating of snow to play in is catching up with him. So, we watch him carefully and are trying to get him to bed early and take naps when he wants.

I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your lovely cards, calls and emails. It's wonderful to know that we have such amazing family, friends and co-workers. Each and everyone of you has helped us cope with a pretty turbulent 2008. I raise my glass to each of you and toast to a happy, healthy and healing 2009.

I promise more of an update (with photos) in the very,very near future. James goes into the hospital on Monday (12/22) and is slated for discharge Christmas Eve. This particular chemo cycle is only four weeks so we'll find ourselves back in January. While more of a break away would be nice we're comforted in the fact that the middle of January will have two milestones. First is that JT will eclipse the half way point in his total treatments (radiation and chemo). The second is that JT will be done the first main cycle of chemo treatments - or better put he'll be 1/3 of the way done with chemo!

For now though we'll concentrate on the short term goals of getting into the hospital, getting out of the hospital and watching for Rudolph's red nose!

Take care and love to you all.

dct