An Eye opener

"You will learn to be a fighter.  You will find strength you never realized you had and overcome your fear of confrontation.  You do this because not doing this is not an option.  That baby girl needs you to be this way. And you’re not about to let that girl down... Speaking of medical things, your days of never seeing the pediatrician because your kids are so dang healthy?  Those are over.  You will get frequent flyer miles at the doctor’s office.  You will collect cards of all sorts of medical professionals.  You will learn which blood lab does the best blood draws on children.  You will be able to write things like “epicanthal folds” and “oxcarbazepine” without thinking.  You will also know that as much as you’re dealing with, you’re grateful that is all you are dealing with.  Because there could be more, it could be worse" http://phoebeholmes.com/2013/05/22/to-the-me-of-ten-years-ago/

I stole this from another mom's blog... I hope I can look back and have this much faith in myself. I know that I have to fight, because if I do not, who will. I am his mom and I do not have a choice but to fight. I know more medical terms and how the body works than I ever thought I would. I always wanted to be a nurse, just didn't want to learn this way. I know I am grateful each day that "leukemia", and "bronchial maylsia"  is all we are dealing with. IT COULD BE WORSE! I see it each day we enter the hospital, or I learn of a cancer cuttie getting their wings, it happens more often than I would like to say. I vowed last year that we would make it through this, and that we would do so by making the best of it. Life is way too short to live for tomorrow, this is the one thing I have learned.

Today Carson got braces on his legs, I felt so angry knowing this could effect him long term, I have always told myself that it will only be 3.5 years and it will all be done. I was slapped in the face with the fact that some of the effects could last a life time for him. I hope his legs are able to be "healed" or fixed by the braces, but only time can tell.

One time per month he takes 19 pills, it is always on a Thursday. The yellow pills are Methotrexate, and the big white round one is 6MP and the little white ones are steroids. Plus the vitamin. :)

They said for him to wear knee high socks so the braces didn't bother his legs. He LOVES silly socks as we call them, so this was not a hard thing for us to do. He was more than willing to wear the socks and put the braces on. I had someone say they are inspired that I make things fun, I have to, he is 4 he doesn't see the whole picture, it if was all torture for him his life wouldn't be what I would want for him. So we make hard things fun, because it makes it easier for both of us. We include Blake when we can, like Blake taking his nightly Jell-O water shot or as he knows them "his medicine". Both Carson and Blake like to do things together, so when we can, I always try to include Blake or find someway we can. I was happy he was excited to wear silly socks with us tonight.

A little info and and update!

Facts!

Currently, one in every 330 children in the United States develops cancer before the age
of nineteen. The incidence of cancer among children is increasing. Each school day,
enough children are diagnosed with childhood cancer to empty two classrooms

Largely unknown. Currently, there are no established guidelines for childhood cancer
prevention!

Late effects of childhood cancer treatment are common in survivors, and approximately
one-third are moderate to severe

Two thirds of parents of children with cancer are being forced to borrow money to cover costs while their youngster has treatment, according to research.
A survey for the charity CLIC Sargent found families struggle to meet the extra expense of accommodation, childcare, food and travel.
Some 66 % of parents surveyed said they were borrowing money to make ends meet and 76 per cent said extra costs were having a major impact on family finances.


The world keeps moving forward
as time stands still for me,
I am the kid with Cancer,
locked in battle to be free.
For all us kids on chemo
our lives are put on hold,
As we fight to stay alive,
our chances good were told.
Our attitude is courage
we live this life each day,
Just waiting for tomorrow,
praying cancer goes away.
Walking on the edge of life
We’re never looking down,
United here in front of you,
until a cure is found.

 

Carson got to go on a trip with Grandma and Grandpa to Grandpa's new work in St. George! He loved it. Grandpa's truck was very cool.

We spent time with their Cousin Brec and made silly pictures.

We even slept over to make sure we got extra time with Brec.

For Mother's day we spent it 4-wheeling. Could not have been better! We enjoyed it to the fullest.

Carson discovered Pringles are GOOD! and so is dressing up like a super hero.

We had a trip to the doctors for sinus infection. We love when we can catch a sickness before it turns into a fever!

 

Carson is doing good. Other than leg pain. This is caused from the chemo Vincristine. Tomorrow( May 22) he gets braces to wear on his legs at night. This breaks my heart. The effects of saving his life are taking a toll on him. His leg pain is caused from the muscle in his lower leg not stretching and causing him to walk on his toes in order to stay out of pain. They call this drop foot. WE are HOPEFUL the braces will help, if not we may have to stop chemo, and that may give the chance for cancer to rare its ugly face. The braces will be painful for him, but we hope in the long run will help him!

Our Trip

Carson had his 4 year old wish come true! To Go To Mickey Mouse's House!

 

We Left on April 2nd! We left bright and early our plane left at 7 so we had to be up and out of the house by 530! The kids were super excited and didn't mind waking up so early!

 

We flew to Atlanta Georgia. Carson was so tired by the time we took off he fell asleep before we take off. Blake thought it was neat, but feel asleep shortly after take off.  IT was a long flight but both kids did amazing. Once into Atlanta we had a short 1 hour flight to Orlando. the kids were wide awake for that one and enjoyed looking out the window. Uncle Travis was on our flight. Grandma Georgiana and Shawn took a different flight.

We all got to the airport and were ready to be on VACATION.

 

We got to Give Kids The World. The most amazing place I have ever stayed. Carson was treated like a King, and Blake like a Prince! They rolled out the red carpet for the kids! We stayed in a twin home that was beyond awesome. It was a tight squeeze with 8 of us but we enjoyed it!

 

 

The first night we were there was Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party. Of Course Shawn and Travis didn't want to take pictures but they soon learned no one is safe from the Rabbit! He will sit on you, chase you, or do whatever it takes to get a picture with you! :) Thank you Mayor Clayton, we now have pictures of Uncle Shawn and Travis!

 

We swam as a family, it was cold but we enjoyed swimming!

 

We could eat ice cream as much as our heart desire! :)

 

The next day we started our MEMORIES that we had waited to make! 

First in the door we got to see Pluto! :) The boys loved him!

 

 We must have rode splash mountain 20 times! CARSON loved it! :) wish Blake was tall enough to ride it!

We got to spend one day at Daytona. It was cool to see but not worth a whole day, with the kids! They did think some things were pretty cool! :)