I miss Mollie so much and can't wait to hear about all her adventures when she comes home tomorrow.
It was an adventurous week for us too-- Lucy got her cast removed on Weds. It was much worse than when they put it on. She was scared and uncomfortable and cried, screamed, or whined for a solid 4 hours. She still walks like she has a broken leg- partly from the physical pain due to it being immobilized for almost 4 weeks, but the rest is psychological. She's moving around pretty well and really, really enjoying baths and showers.
The movers are coming to pack on Tuesday! To say we aren't ready is an understatement, but it is really happening. Yikes!
7.09.2010
7.05.2010
Off to Camp
The camp is about a 2 hour bus ride from Augusta. Everyone meets up at the hospital to check in, hand over their medications, and get on the bus. Some kids are giddy with excitement and others are really shy and reluctant to leave their parents. Mollie was sort of indifferent when we first arrived; she recognized her buddy Zackary, but he was in a funk because of his cabin assignment (but he did have cool blue hair!).
But when Katie arrived, Mollie lit up! Katie and Mollie were in the same cabin last year (and went to the same elementary school), so it was a great reunion. After chatting a bit, the two went in search of other girls in their cabin. I overheard them introduce themselves to one little girl by saying, "And what do you have? A port? I had seven shots- 3 in my legs and 2 in each arm. " And so on and so on. That sums up why this camp is so important.
The drop off is also a mini reunion for parents. Next year I need to remember to bring some folding chairs and cool drinks!
7.04.2010
Independence
Happy 4th of July! 
We ran errands, stopped for delicious all-American burgers @ Five Guys, and lit sparklers at home. A modest nod to our nation's birthday was all that we could muster this year.
Mollie gets her own independence this week- she leaves for Camp Rainbow tomorrow! She is a little worried about missing us while she is gone. We have sent her lots of letters and packed photos of all of us for her to look at if she feels homesick. I think she'll be fine, but she has needed some extra reassurance. She's one year older, more self-aware, and we haven't been spending much time around the hospital lately (thank goodness). Plus we have the upcoming move (scheduled for the week after camp) and all the uncertainty that comes with it, so she is dealing with a lot emotionally. I hope camp goes off without a hitch because she really deserves that special experience!
7.03.2010
This I Believe
I heard this essay on The Bob Edwards Show on NPR the other day and I really identified with it. It reminds me of many of the women in my life, and I can see Mollie growing up to express similar thoughts one day.
Here is the text of the essay (click the link above to listen)
Here is the text of the essay (click the link above to listen)
To Preserve A Benevolent Attitude
Verona Wylie Slater - Penn Valley, Pennsylvania
As heard on The Bob Edwards Show, June 25, 2010
My early life was spent in Presbyterian parsonages where I learned a great deal about the “thou shalt nots” of this world. In those days [my father's] parishioners’ problems were often brought to the minister for settlement. He was supposed to be their spiritual advisor, marriage counselor, economic stabilizer, and psychiatrist. Sometimes, father referred to conferences with his flock, saying he had been wrestling with men’s souls. In these mysterious matches I thought of God as a giant referee who spoke through father.
My brothers and I held long conversations about what might be true or false in Christian teachings. One evening during a thunder storm, my eldest brother was inspired to make an unholy experiment. He stood on a sloping rock, which jutted out into the lake near our summer home. Holding his face upward, he defied the Almighty to strike him with a bolt of lightening. The storm was loud and close. The skies opened with a terrifying flash, but the bolt flew across the dark waters a mile away. We felt relieved, foolish, and very insignificant. I have felt unimportant many times since that night and remembered with a smile a bolt of lightning which scorned the Parson’s children.
It took many years to recover from the idea that God was a figure of personal vengeance. Now I think of God as a spirit of goodness, reflected in sane human beings everywhere. In much the same way I look through the pantry shelves to see what is needed for dinner, I have frequently taken inventory of my thoughts searching for a simple philosophy by which I might live. My philosophy embraces three things I would like to be as a woman: wise, gentle, and brave. To be truly wise would take more than one lifetime, perhaps. But achievable wisdom implies the use and enjoyment of my five senses. I can observe. I can read and gather at least a partial understanding of the world. I can learn by listening to others. I can enjoy music. I can taste what is sweet or bitter. I am warned by the smell of smoke and pleased by the fragrance of flowers. With my fingers I might stroke the silken hair on the head of a child. But these same nerve ends keep my fingers from the fire.
Gentleness is the sort of kindness which accumulates with wisdom. It is the big watchword in my book. It is so easy to become an opinionated monster after 40. With age, I want to preserve a benevolent attitude. Children need tenderness to combat their natural savagery and to comfort them in distress. A soothing manner is an important ingredient in any formula dealing with men. It lightens the tensions that shorten men’s lives. A gentle approach toward other women is a vital necessity if I hope to accomplish anything in group projects and if I wish to have friends.
The real value of gentleness is lost if it is not fortified with bravery. When I am afraid, I am paralyzed and ashamed. Women who show a quiet courage in grief and disaster fill me with admiration. I have to evaluate and control fear. In order to reason clearly, I must be brave. Rather than a monument to my own failings, I want my children to be a credit to the society in which they live. All the wisdom I glean, all the gentleness I can maintain, all the courage I can command, I want for them.
My brothers and I held long conversations about what might be true or false in Christian teachings. One evening during a thunder storm, my eldest brother was inspired to make an unholy experiment. He stood on a sloping rock, which jutted out into the lake near our summer home. Holding his face upward, he defied the Almighty to strike him with a bolt of lightening. The storm was loud and close. The skies opened with a terrifying flash, but the bolt flew across the dark waters a mile away. We felt relieved, foolish, and very insignificant. I have felt unimportant many times since that night and remembered with a smile a bolt of lightning which scorned the Parson’s children.
It took many years to recover from the idea that God was a figure of personal vengeance. Now I think of God as a spirit of goodness, reflected in sane human beings everywhere. In much the same way I look through the pantry shelves to see what is needed for dinner, I have frequently taken inventory of my thoughts searching for a simple philosophy by which I might live. My philosophy embraces three things I would like to be as a woman: wise, gentle, and brave. To be truly wise would take more than one lifetime, perhaps. But achievable wisdom implies the use and enjoyment of my five senses. I can observe. I can read and gather at least a partial understanding of the world. I can learn by listening to others. I can enjoy music. I can taste what is sweet or bitter. I am warned by the smell of smoke and pleased by the fragrance of flowers. With my fingers I might stroke the silken hair on the head of a child. But these same nerve ends keep my fingers from the fire.
Gentleness is the sort of kindness which accumulates with wisdom. It is the big watchword in my book. It is so easy to become an opinionated monster after 40. With age, I want to preserve a benevolent attitude. Children need tenderness to combat their natural savagery and to comfort them in distress. A soothing manner is an important ingredient in any formula dealing with men. It lightens the tensions that shorten men’s lives. A gentle approach toward other women is a vital necessity if I hope to accomplish anything in group projects and if I wish to have friends.
The real value of gentleness is lost if it is not fortified with bravery. When I am afraid, I am paralyzed and ashamed. Women who show a quiet courage in grief and disaster fill me with admiration. I have to evaluate and control fear. In order to reason clearly, I must be brave. Rather than a monument to my own failings, I want my children to be a credit to the society in which they live. All the wisdom I glean, all the gentleness I can maintain, all the courage I can command, I want for them.
Verona Wylie Slater was a housewife and mother to three children in Penn Valley, Penn. She was the daughter of famed New York minister Edmund Melville Wylie, and the sister of writers Philip and Max Wylie.
7.02.2010
"A Mighty Fine Day"
When Mollie got in bed last night, she told us, " I know tomorrow is going to be another mighty fine day!" She had a great day yesterday. Matt's parents are visiting and she and Lucy got to play with grandma Janet ALL DAY. They played playdough, spy (with their new walkie talkies), went for a walk at the nature center, and played some more.
In the evening, Michelle and I took Mollie and Isabella out for dinner so we could all enjoy some time together. We went back to our house after dinner for some extended conversation and playing. We are sure going to miss the J family when we move in a few weeks!
Mollie is back to her normal self now that the steroids have worn off. It is wonderful to see her playing and taking advantage of all the free time she has. She has been creating and doing a lot of imaginary play! We can't wait for Lucy to get her cast off so she can join in a little more.
I have to agree with Mollie.... it was a mighty fine day!
In the evening, Michelle and I took Mollie and Isabella out for dinner so we could all enjoy some time together. We went back to our house after dinner for some extended conversation and playing. We are sure going to miss the J family when we move in a few weeks!
Mollie is back to her normal self now that the steroids have worn off. It is wonderful to see her playing and taking advantage of all the free time she has. She has been creating and doing a lot of imaginary play! We can't wait for Lucy to get her cast off so she can join in a little more.
I have to agree with Mollie.... it was a mighty fine day!
6.27.2010
6.24.2010
Clinic Update
Mollie's clinic visit went well today-we went in the afternoon and there was nobody else there! Her ANC is 1100 (perfect) and other counts were great. We forgot to put the Emla cream on her port to numb it up, but she let me rub a little cream in before they accessed her and it was no problem. She is such a champ!
Even though everything went smoothly, Mollie was a little cranky and teary. I still haven't figured out why; my best guess is that she was tired. She has started her steroid pulse so I'm expecting more tears and frustration (for both of us!) over the next few days.
Oh, I also learned that her last spinal tap wasn't her final spinal tap like we originally thought. I had assumed that since her "end of chemo" date is Sept. 3 that this chemo cycle, which ends ~Aug. 20, would be her last cycle. But the protocol calls for her to continue with the next cycle and then just stop chemo mid cycle on the "end date". It seems kind of arbitrary to me, but it means that Mollie will have a spinal tap in late August and will stop chemo on Sept. 3. No problem- Mollie seems glad she gets to see her nurses in the OR one more time.
She got to hang out with Ms. Kym today at clinic and is starting to get excited for Camp Rainbow. If you want to send her a letter or package at camp, make sure you get it in the mail next week so it makes it there in time for camp!
Even though everything went smoothly, Mollie was a little cranky and teary. I still haven't figured out why; my best guess is that she was tired. She has started her steroid pulse so I'm expecting more tears and frustration (for both of us!) over the next few days.
Oh, I also learned that her last spinal tap wasn't her final spinal tap like we originally thought. I had assumed that since her "end of chemo" date is Sept. 3 that this chemo cycle, which ends ~Aug. 20, would be her last cycle. But the protocol calls for her to continue with the next cycle and then just stop chemo mid cycle on the "end date". It seems kind of arbitrary to me, but it means that Mollie will have a spinal tap in late August and will stop chemo on Sept. 3. No problem- Mollie seems glad she gets to see her nurses in the OR one more time.
She got to hang out with Ms. Kym today at clinic and is starting to get excited for Camp Rainbow. If you want to send her a letter or package at camp, make sure you get it in the mail next week so it makes it there in time for camp!
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