tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17626286682694116382023-11-16T06:11:25.306-05:00The BrandsThe Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-40260395279487110632012-08-16T21:56:00.000-04:002012-08-16T21:56:57.403-04:00BLASTED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNut3gWKocBFRvKXlctX3kELEomVJavvFEZBE40BjkpMIr2OhER5XCh5bdDpQp8pYf3UYe8o9uo7r6-onBsbbKDt7mzYPs70sxf3ii0WPLPbPttBmLxYWL-tWhMtm5czy8OQROJoGUmi2/s1600/P1020193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNut3gWKocBFRvKXlctX3kELEomVJavvFEZBE40BjkpMIr2OhER5XCh5bdDpQp8pYf3UYe8o9uo7r6-onBsbbKDt7mzYPs70sxf3ii0WPLPbPttBmLxYWL-tWhMtm5czy8OQROJoGUmi2/s1600/P1020193.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the second time we've named a blog post with the title "Blasted!" The first time was July 2010, when Caleb was in the middle of hard chemo. Now, we can say it again, but this time the medicine is done! We just learned the results today from Tuesday's bone marrow aspiration: there are no more blasts in Caleb's bone marrow! Caleb is in remission! Praise God for healing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Give thanks with us!</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-84292141831491455702012-08-09T22:11:00.000-04:002012-08-09T22:11:18.083-04:00We're Done!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WwSN1btGnU5wlzASS1LMRqk-ts9nJ8hcJLwp4I6Y3G1NzZz1HM3TUipeDYONjEolMYquty1jCJtb0Iady5MHe9YKWSQ8yB7J0gMq-_EGofK_rYEFu6g3vllQYbQuKFrAx1TybVJhRF0o/s1600/P1000437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WwSN1btGnU5wlzASS1LMRqk-ts9nJ8hcJLwp4I6Y3G1NzZz1HM3TUipeDYONjEolMYquty1jCJtb0Iady5MHe9YKWSQ8yB7J0gMq-_EGofK_rYEFu6g3vllQYbQuKFrAx1TybVJhRF0o/s1600/P1000437.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Caleb, with one day left to go before last chemo! What's awesome about this is that he gets it. Caleb understands now that he will be done! I remember early in treatment when Caleb asked me about what Isaac did when he had leukemia, and I realized that for Caleb, leukemia was so normal that every kid must have it at some point. It was hard to explain to him that no, not everyone has this, and not every one will get it. Somehow that made taking him into hospital for treatment that much more difficult for me, as he started to understand how he is different. And it's strange how that makes one feel: like somehow I wish more kids had it so that it would be more normal, and at the same time shuddering that I would even think those kinds of thoughts. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, absolutely. But cancer does strange things to us, to our families, to our thoughts, to our spirits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are celebrating. We've just returned from a 9 day camping trip--our longest time away in 2 years. We stubbornly stayed away over a Monday and a Tuesday, because Monday and Tuesdays have been clinic days. We didn't have to be at Mac for those days at all this week! And usually, after a return from any holiday, the next day meant an early rise trip to clinic. No need for that this week! Hurray! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, at the risk of sounding ungrateful or unthankful, I have to admit that it feels mostly surreal. These next weeks will be adjusting to a new normal, and I can already feel myself beginning to process and re-process all that has happened in the last two years. Could that all have really happened? Was that really us? Caleb was that sick? And we're really finished treatment? It feels like the longest journey and the shortest ride all in one. The grace of God will get us through this time, just as he has so far.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Caleb has a bone marrow aspiration scheduled for August 14th, the same test that he's had repeatedly throughout treatment, the same test that confirmed the diagnosis of ALL in the first place. This is the first "off-treatment" bone marrow, and we will undoubtedly wait anxiously for the results. We have waited this way every time, and this time will be that much more important. Two years ago the heavy chemo kicked his body into remission, and these last two years of chemo have served to ensure that his body stays in remission. Now, without the drugs in his system, they will test to see if Caleb's body stays cancer free without chemo. Again, the grace of God will carry us through this time of waiting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I asked Caleb if he feels any different now that chemo is done. He didn't have much to say. I'd have expected him to say that he feels less tired, or have more energy, or something like that. In true 6 year old fashion, he responded that he feels like he didn't have to go to clinic on Monday or Tuesday. Very practical. I don't know if he'll notice the difference, but I'm certain we are beginning to see signs of him having more energy. No more nausea on Mondays. No more achy legs on steroids. I wonder what else we'll see...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> With one of our nurses, receiving the last chemo. The trick has been to try and keep Caleb so distracted that he doesn't notice the medicine, or taste it. His taste buds, and gag reflex, are affected by the medicines moving through his circulatory system. Here the nurse is telling us, very excitedly and animatedly about the drive from the 400 to Killbear Park, and how long the road is. She did a great job. He still felt nauseous, but no throw up! Good finish!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f6eX3WJIdYSO3VtoCqfH3yY2AaxEgdJqm_O2bjLm5YaVybGa8iEYc0i8BNlLY-3G0AAUNv4ORdyOwNccyGFji6Y39aT-0Y1gAsMGCi0sml9Gdgx9ej1b0JDxBl0gYwmvyAuQXeuuxjIb/s1600/P1020096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f6eX3WJIdYSO3VtoCqfH3yY2AaxEgdJqm_O2bjLm5YaVybGa8iEYc0i8BNlLY-3G0AAUNv4ORdyOwNccyGFji6Y39aT-0Y1gAsMGCi0sml9Gdgx9ej1b0JDxBl0gYwmvyAuQXeuuxjIb/s400/P1020096.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Done.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr0-MfTehN0uwt7tBE6l9typnZilE7jXh3RI6-dxi1i1cTVpEf1e-an1ZwEf7EyThd4RBkJvHglLO7Qi1jv6-Vt9UchMqqyOSYRDABl5jGQc2uZctuMjcBlfsOpgaPm8irIclmTEPqIma/s1600/P1020100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr0-MfTehN0uwt7tBE6l9typnZilE7jXh3RI6-dxi1i1cTVpEf1e-an1ZwEf7EyThd4RBkJvHglLO7Qi1jv6-Vt9UchMqqyOSYRDABl5jGQc2uZctuMjcBlfsOpgaPm8irIclmTEPqIma/s1600/P1020100.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No more chemo!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-88899048809922946682012-07-21T08:16:00.001-04:002012-07-21T09:20:55.627-04:00Last Dose of Dex!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h7JGmTVr6PG7UaJkiGK7LkO7Gg-jP8TlBQefyRF1fZ33WJRU6DSeOStrGtALUUuwCWKwV-0usQbUqdSo8dOWCp1O6SI49sf0PATuDFnq5IXm7oLBNq1IcHM2HzzeTwG-_2k1CQh_7cak/s1600/P1020062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h7JGmTVr6PG7UaJkiGK7LkO7Gg-jP8TlBQefyRF1fZ33WJRU6DSeOStrGtALUUuwCWKwV-0usQbUqdSo8dOWCp1O6SI49sf0PATuDFnq5IXm7oLBNq1IcHM2HzzeTwG-_2k1CQh_7cak/s1600/P1020062.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Could it really be? No more steroids weeks? No more tired, achy bones? No more crazy food benders: mashed potates & gravy, bacon, cold pizza, pickles, tuna? No more hollow, sunken eyes? No more 6 year old in a depression? Really? Really?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes! Caleb had his last dose of dexamethasone last night at suppertime. No more. No more. That ends 2 1/2 years of steroids, from prednisone to dexamethesone. Thank you God that we don't need to take them anymore. One less chemo drug. In the next two weeks we will also gradually say "goodbye" to 6MP, methotrexate, and vincristine, and their helper, ondanzetron. The countdown is on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BHbVMnP0KdXtwWxJyDqTXz_RDqFFKb6NIBSN-yb2w0CwZYGhx0G-tBpJKbAapWVNZ0IdSKjKPm2qCGQBiHeXroOhN00Zt5yyzlSP9cdlBnAaL0D9Q-agpSdFTHVZRDASsYa37S5j-0uh/s1600/P1020063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BHbVMnP0KdXtwWxJyDqTXz_RDqFFKb6NIBSN-yb2w0CwZYGhx0G-tBpJKbAapWVNZ0IdSKjKPm2qCGQBiHeXroOhN00Zt5yyzlSP9cdlBnAaL0D9Q-agpSdFTHVZRDASsYa37S5j-0uh/s1600/P1020063.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-17786905770046120682012-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002012-06-17T08:23:32.846-04:00at the quarry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>Our family was invited by neighbours to visit the Flamborough Quarry. The kids were entertained by the big trucks, and we were educated in mining rocks. Caleb would like to share some pictures.</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yksWR4cs2I6lraj1oJkpEhFWGvnvqLicN_NpIxtE6jIRz193EP8PvJPbzinNe67UD3G3Aq7dZQ1cZ1DJeuvTQYUpKfGouhyXTpIDLYHg05X1uqMMuRGbIPZDweSoIUBVNObDjxD_MRI8/s1600/P1010903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yksWR4cs2I6lraj1oJkpEhFWGvnvqLicN_NpIxtE6jIRz193EP8PvJPbzinNe67UD3G3Aq7dZQ1cZ1DJeuvTQYUpKfGouhyXTpIDLYHg05X1uqMMuRGbIPZDweSoIUBVNObDjxD_MRI8/s400/P1010903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a GIANT dUmp truck Dumping rocks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnePxXnVOMFInq_JD3XOVcEPTAsmeQJIxkvrEomUDE5pJeIMtDQZCjdD8pOLvevOtpUb40uAbsq0h5LizGoyuD2Am-eWNnBR7bj8aNEVyjeVEIJ37-5Z2eQGvlxGAZt468MwjqQ7wtXr0/s1600/P1010912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnePxXnVOMFInq_JD3XOVcEPTAsmeQJIxkvrEomUDE5pJeIMtDQZCjdD8pOLvevOtpUb40uAbsq0h5LizGoyuD2Am-eWNnBR7bj8aNEVyjeVEIJ37-5Z2eQGvlxGAZt468MwjqQ7wtXr0/s400/P1010912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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this is a tire DIGGER than my bad<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo7R0eB4aCeCZIQ5WULSTQpHimhVuoWa6o0CuI8oLx0mJTwATFSD-sMck_hQk4RhSNxVUK7G8_zN__fsQayi7SQ8Ez-LrP4WJWx7juJFVYv1xnmi5c8_HBiDsjOyX_QlVoOEhasnWqjSU/s1600/P1010914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo7R0eB4aCeCZIQ5WULSTQpHimhVuoWa6o0CuI8oLx0mJTwATFSD-sMck_hQk4RhSNxVUK7G8_zN__fsQayi7SQ8Ez-LrP4WJWx7juJFVYv1xnmi5c8_HBiDsjOyX_QlVoOEhasnWqjSU/s400/P1010914.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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this is the dumper<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIKDBJ7_tras2tdpd5q-m909LNkLn9ZLO3Y5jS6uczxjZ_rFi8ZCzJpipNlWOBJ54DCorSzVYzA8e_DDZKI0E4oUBt7-uj2kqqT8vr9VGJIk4JjLUtI0ejjQ-BE6im00tFSstsnitjSQx/s1600/P1010915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIKDBJ7_tras2tdpd5q-m909LNkLn9ZLO3Y5jS6uczxjZ_rFi8ZCzJpipNlWOBJ54DCorSzVYzA8e_DDZKI0E4oUBt7-uj2kqqT8vr9VGJIk4JjLUtI0ejjQ-BE6im00tFSstsnitjSQx/s400/P1010915.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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this truck had teeth<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjd0wzagRZqBID8Sy_vWjIM910YIQn1YourPB1vLeXqFXRIQ4-P1mIAReTmF9wQSBJsbojj0AS-0GxIf3oqm5LyA37ljh-OHo9Sd6HrhyphenhyphenLWVQhh9szLDUzUt6vtzkIm_ktOq6AovGwQgN/s1600/P1010916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjd0wzagRZqBID8Sy_vWjIM910YIQn1YourPB1vLeXqFXRIQ4-P1mIAReTmF9wQSBJsbojj0AS-0GxIf3oqm5LyA37ljh-OHo9Sd6HrhyphenhyphenLWVQhh9szLDUzUt6vtzkIm_ktOq6AovGwQgN/s400/P1010916.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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this is mcmaster's cement truck. that's my hospital.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaAJAXClM2R0OKaFo3i4PfMncCrH6MEoGqekx9oOQ84PqHp7e0MohJSZFJdcWUqG_5hGkqKepLxb3N_TkiwobuFXY76CqySP-YJxY4J-LottuUIS22alc9IfYgLgY6257n0e2Vru5JbRx/s1600/P1010919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaAJAXClM2R0OKaFo3i4PfMncCrH6MEoGqekx9oOQ84PqHp7e0MohJSZFJdcWUqG_5hGkqKepLxb3N_TkiwobuFXY76CqySP-YJxY4J-LottuUIS22alc9IfYgLgY6257n0e2Vru5JbRx/s400/P1010919.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is Aleah laughing. (it's her reflection in the tire hub cap)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH73yerxOwvGJ0S6VLzDWW5oKgku0qAfBhXhH3RAneO73ubOWkP8kAcvUImadVr0ddTZ3OXMvSkqK3YwtpbHMXYVGcc_mTRLGElA850ch0BOsvw_pidKq5D-4MyFlGVOSK1LZ4F09J5lJ/s1600/P1010930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH73yerxOwvGJ0S6VLzDWW5oKgku0qAfBhXhH3RAneO73ubOWkP8kAcvUImadVr0ddTZ3OXMvSkqK3YwtpbHMXYVGcc_mTRLGElA850ch0BOsvw_pidKq5D-4MyFlGVOSK1LZ4F09J5lJ/s400/P1010930.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is me driving the pay loader. </div>
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I liked the quarry. </div>
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caleb brand</div>
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<br />The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-26203664946267751172012-03-19T22:28:00.002-04:002012-03-19T22:38:06.722-04:002 months have passed!This is the longest we've gone without posting to the blog. I think we can be thankful about that. I've looked back over the history of our blog, and watched the posting frequency change as the immediacy of our situation has eased. We can give thanks for that.<br />
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Not that we haven't been busy, or that life hasn't changed much over the past two months. Since our "sushi post," as friends have come to refer to it, Caleb has turned 6, we have ripped out the interior walls of our main floor, applied insulation, and installed a new kitchen. And torn down a wall, replacing it with a beam. It's been dusty.<br />
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We took advantage of the Home Energy Grants offered by the government--before they quickly and quietly ended the program--and did a Home Energy Audit. Being a 1920's home, I think we got an F in efficiency. No insulation makes a big difference. As does an oil burning furnace. Much has changed in two months. <br />
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Most of the work took place over a week in February. Tim and I planned it that I would take a week's vacation to get the kids out of the house, and he would stay at home and work each day. Somehow we thought a week was enough time for him to get this done. Why do we think things like that? <br />
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Thankfully, we are not alone. The community of our church, New Hope, came to our rescue and carried us through the week. On demo day, February 18, Tim had approximately 15 different people come to help him for either the whole day or part of the day. We are speechless at the offering of time that people have given. Another few friends came each day during the week to help Tim, giving of their free time to slave away on insulation and kitchen installation. People would come for a stage in the process, offering their particular area of strength, and then someone else would come for a different part. It was never planned, just somehow it all worked. We even had a few meals dropped off at just the right moments. Hanging drywall, mudding, sanding, assembling cabinets, hanging cabinets, building glass block windows--all of this was done with the help of our community.<br />
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My sister has referred to their new Sprinter van as "Everybody's Van." Our kitchen, our house, feel like "Everybody's House" through the gift of time and talents given here. My hope is that we can honour everyone's gift to us by using it to bless people in turn as we have been so blessed. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our kitchen, with it's 1920's charm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div align="center">Demolition Day</div><br />
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<div align="center">Dusty! The flash reflects of the plaster dust in the air. Good thing one person wore a mask.</div><div align="center"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Nella wishes we had left the walls purple.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ31TPAu0gU38jfsVcb79tTC-VPL85MVuVgWZc7UKqTLkF3F6jViryZHmIMBVL5oTq9GRC-wHhc0klUgVm9xrq-wrcg1FG3yNEi0QKvD8EH-dY8PoRb3Vkhe5SINpH2nDlxcvc2NVhj6U/s1600/P2230116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ31TPAu0gU38jfsVcb79tTC-VPL85MVuVgWZc7UKqTLkF3F6jViryZHmIMBVL5oTq9GRC-wHhc0klUgVm9xrq-wrcg1FG3yNEi0QKvD8EH-dY8PoRb3Vkhe5SINpH2nDlxcvc2NVhj6U/s400/P2230116.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center">Assembling cabinets</div><div align="center"><br />
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<div align="center">Ta-da! Finishing touches still waiting to be done, but we have a new kitchen!</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids love the new kitchen, especially all the extra counterspace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, we now have our "last chemo" date. July 23 is to be the final dose of chemo for Caleb! It can't come soon enough! Caleb has been having a harder time with chemo lately, experiencing nausea and achiness like he has not had before. We have some new meds for him to help him cope with this, which seem to help. The new med tastes gross, though, nearly making him throw up just to take it. Ah, the contradictions of cancer and chemotherapy continue. We are thankful that each test continues to confirm that he is cancer-free, and we pray for these same results to continue past his chemo. It's hard to imagine what it will be like when we don't have weekly visits. I think it might be difficult at first, although we'll be happy chemo is done, we'll be out of the regular routine of testing. I think that may increase our anxiety for a bit. However, family after family have done this before us, so we can do it too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My Uncle Jerry (my Dad's brother) is scheduled to go for a stem cell transplant this Wednesday. Uncle Jerry's been struggling with MDS--sometimes called a "pre-leukemia"--for some time now. We are praying that the transplant will go ahead without any more delays for illness, and that his body will readily accept the donor cells. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I ran into a relative at the 3F clinic a few weeks back as well, also on my dad's side. His name is Austin Huinink. Austin's family have started looking for a bone marrow donor for Austin as he's living with Aplastic Anemia that has worsened recently. I don't see them often, because we don't have the same chemo day, but if you think of it, pray for them too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't get a lot of time to think these days, between working full time, housing renovations, and pouring as much as I can into my family. It's hard to have time to process. A window into my head?.... I've been thinking lately about how we stand in the face of darkness, of bleakness, and looming despair. Something in me gets angry when I see how we struggle with cancer, and with loneliness, and with addictions, and loss, and uncertainty. It's an anger that makes me want to shout light into its depth and stubbornly refuse the darkness. I will not give up hope. The light shines into the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. I hope we can feel those standing with us, and experience the strength God can give us to stand and shout. Sometimes I swear, sometimes I sing. And it gets easier, and louder, when we can do that together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you. You help make it easier.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-37085565075410086332012-01-16T22:44:00.000-05:002012-01-16T22:44:57.250-05:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYhzvSSiUV9mLA-Z8s8nuByGmmaPbODW86qPSOdGo_xW3jq5uEq3NdYgTZ9WheFo5BaIbBFyoBZM5C56dixrlG1ayylzv1u7IOS5eQx27z1NOq8DCYWBKXG0gjd0MzFVbP4CkI4Tw6Chd/s1600/P1010360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYhzvSSiUV9mLA-Z8s8nuByGmmaPbODW86qPSOdGo_xW3jq5uEq3NdYgTZ9WheFo5BaIbBFyoBZM5C56dixrlG1ayylzv1u7IOS5eQx27z1NOq8DCYWBKXG0gjd0MzFVbP4CkI4Tw6Chd/s1600/P1010360.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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We tried out sushi-making at home tonight. That was a first! A great experiment, and a "mulligan," a do-over. In our house, a "mulligan" is a meal that we'll do-over again. Not because we didn't get it right the first time, but because we liked it!<br />
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Nella helped to make them, and everybody enjoyed using their chopsticks to grab and munch on the sushi. Aleah can't quite say sushi, sometimes it comes out "lucy." "Are we having lucy tonight?" <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As Aleah gets older, we're discovering more of the challenges of left-handed living. Tim is left-handed, and it seems Aleah is too. We made snowflakes for our table on Sunday, and Aleah was not able to use the scissors--they wouldn't cut right for her. This right-handed mom realized that I need to go out and buy some left-handed scissors! Today, we discovered that the trainer chopsticks we are so happy to use are also designed for right-handed people. Aleah found ways around it, though.<br />
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She is so proud of herself for having figured out how to pick it up! <br />
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Things are rolling along at our house, it feels like time moves so fast. We are already half-way through January!<br />
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This year, we look forward to being done Caleb's active treatment for leukemia. Chemo will continue until the end of July/beginning of August. I don't know the exact date, because right now, that's still looking too far ahead. There's still room for change in the plans, and July is still a long way away. No parties planned just yet. <br />
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Caleb had a lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration (LP/BM) done this past Tuesday. We've blogged about this procedure before. It's a sedated procedure, and as time goes on, it seems to get harder on Caleb to go through it. He's a trooper, though, as we know. <br />
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Caleb's plan was to go through the procedure and then get back to school in time to finish off the rest of the day. It's a contrast, for sure, the hospital environment to the school environment. When we sit in the hospital, surrounded by the beeps, the oxygen mask, heart rate monitor, the noise of other families waiting or kids just waking up, it seems like a crazy idea to entertain going back to school in the afternoon. Especially as Caleb sleeps on, sedated, at 11am, and I wait for him to wake up. I think our nurse was trying not to look at me like it was a bad idea, but I'm pretty sure she thought we were a little fool-hardy to think that going to school was a good idea. And when Caleb did wake up, groggy, ornery, and hungry, it seemed like a crazy idea to me, too. It took a long time for him to get going, he sat up, laid back down, closed his eyes, snacked on some food, grumped at me for asking him too many questions, and insisted he was going to school. The nurse de-accessed his port, getting him ready to go, just before he said that he felt sick. Too late to administer any intravenous meds to help him feel better, and Caleb refused any oral meds. I piggy-backed him out of the hospital, right up to the car in the parking garage. Caleb threw up on the ground, got into the car, said he felt better and we went to school. He lasted the rest of the day, and went to bed at 6:30pm. What a tough kid.<br />
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We get results from those tests, which we try not to think about too much as we wait. The waiting is the hardest part, right? Definitely. We put the test results out of our mind as we focus on how Caleb is doing and getting through the day with our family. Wednesday morning we learned that Caleb is still in remission, thankfully. We rejoice with these results, and celebrate that he is doing so well. We thank you for your prayers, and ask you not to stop praying as we see those prayers answered. We're still fighting leukemia, and still need your prayers. God is good, and we feel your prayers.The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-75647441599880603802011-12-12T21:58:00.000-05:002011-12-12T21:58:27.170-05:00Help a Child Smile Year 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTlwnxSEsvHBy4aADgAZg8aKYPP8otoiYvOgu3NweWB-ICKFZd8oeAxl7J42TcbxvrnMfJPUBKluaM4rMpPf-eLJbOkGiMmzyllXtwpkxs0N3u11QrNgG5Egq97firrzyADRoOw-lSO8k/s1600/P1010164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTlwnxSEsvHBy4aADgAZg8aKYPP8otoiYvOgu3NweWB-ICKFZd8oeAxl7J42TcbxvrnMfJPUBKluaM4rMpPf-eLJbOkGiMmzyllXtwpkxs0N3u11QrNgG5Egq97firrzyADRoOw-lSO8k/s400/P1010164.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
We attended the Help a Child Smile Christmas party again this year. It's held every year in Hamilton (nice for us!) on a Saturday in December, for families that have children going through cancer treatment at Hamilton hospitals. The event is busy, with constant activities going for families with kids of all ages. The whole family gets to attend, and special treats are made for everyone in the family, not just the child with cancer. Nella is showing off her new hat, and her balloon animal. The party clown makes animals of all different kinds, and Nella requested a moose. This is a moose (or to another child, it may be a reindeer). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiPxiq7eMH8SLCkv6JVzyXD9iAoMmoQ4KVLayaY-MdndAZfpNngftqA4VGmzBo2DzXoeSSXAJHYhbO-dg8m_Ul9FsxRAqR1U0DPZnBn9fDZ-D7hnQproaap5Q7jk0BK8-Bf6DkJ6CTtYf/s1600/P1010163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiPxiq7eMH8SLCkv6JVzyXD9iAoMmoQ4KVLayaY-MdndAZfpNngftqA4VGmzBo2DzXoeSSXAJHYhbO-dg8m_Ul9FsxRAqR1U0DPZnBn9fDZ-D7hnQproaap5Q7jk0BK8-Bf6DkJ6CTtYf/s400/P1010163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aleah asked for a balloon penguin, to match her new hat. You can see all of the action at the party going on in the background. It's fun to see all of the families out to an event like this, out of the context that we all met. Families who's child is done treatment are also invited to come, and so it's a chance to catch up with those we haven't seen in a while. This year we saw friends there who were there for their first time, having been diagnosed quite recently. That's a bittersweet thing, needless to say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirEVjV2FkhfOJ8GihmRKJBVB5NmNXf0i3q8UJGuJOvYYvGVq0r3vD9RBDDUbMQaMaC_AGMSGWsXcg-ddnRIZ14efBSD_YXltx9dQhI-wZz-hf4nXZfWQbp4_nBax0PKVc0Y8BqGkJipsd/s1600/P1010158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirEVjV2FkhfOJ8GihmRKJBVB5NmNXf0i3q8UJGuJOvYYvGVq0r3vD9RBDDUbMQaMaC_AGMSGWsXcg-ddnRIZ14efBSD_YXltx9dQhI-wZz-hf4nXZfWQbp4_nBax0PKVc0Y8BqGkJipsd/s400/P1010158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I think my favourite addition to the party this year was this wall. It's a complicated series of troughs for a golf ball to roll down. At the end of the troughs, the ball falls onto a drum, bounces to another, to another, etc... until completing the sequence. There were several different places to start your ball rolling, and it was so entertaining to watch! I don't know who thought of adding this to the party, but it's a very creative idea and was a lot of fun.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Caleb, Nella, and Aleah had their first Santa experience. They were very shy, but they surprised Tim and I by wanting to go see him. We've never bothered too much to explain much about what you're supposed to do with Santa, when you see him. While the kids were sitting waiting their turn, I suddenly remembered that he would ask them what they want for Christmas, and so I had to quickly prep them. "Hey guys, I just remembered: he's going to ask you what you want for Christmas! Do you know?" I felt very much like a novice parent. Fortunately, kids don't have a hard time thinking of toys they'd like. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We also recently got our Christmas tree. We found a great place to go: Mark's Christmas Trees on Safari Rd. in the Flamborough area. Tromping through fields, exploring trees in a more natural environment than other tree farms we've been to in the past. It was much like an afternoon hike through a conservation area, but with a saw. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IX5tL9lzR88ORYrCWUIQ-PcrMZB3rrKMCgCfG70TJj1xRbOSP-RxsevBptdGoXWNuliYO_ICq9Hsp7GqzWLMBRvev2zT6936WP7l024pmIOSQfxMR-pLV4GFSiJ80HCMVFxLW9LLwIa_/s1600/P1010153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IX5tL9lzR88ORYrCWUIQ-PcrMZB3rrKMCgCfG70TJj1xRbOSP-RxsevBptdGoXWNuliYO_ICq9Hsp7GqzWLMBRvev2zT6936WP7l024pmIOSQfxMR-pLV4GFSiJ80HCMVFxLW9LLwIa_/s400/P1010153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We joked about the different trees we'd take home... large or small. Green or gangly. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPFUrFO-4P8JRdlTQARPQZrSYAr4S7qchUIHc4FvC7oHcV5UWScZ_N2V5aYc2YK4zB4SPNSpoAbrbIh5X028AvGuMoyXdBb3jvcbFreijt9O0V5IYLFBS3xje-aYEN9tSn5ELkKiOA2_0/s1600/P1010154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPFUrFO-4P8JRdlTQARPQZrSYAr4S7qchUIHc4FvC7oHcV5UWScZ_N2V5aYc2YK4zB4SPNSpoAbrbIh5X028AvGuMoyXdBb3jvcbFreijt9O0V5IYLFBS3xje-aYEN9tSn5ELkKiOA2_0/s400/P1010154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We found a simple white pine that is so light, Caleb can carry it. Perfect for our small house. It smells delicious standing in our house. Caleb takes pride in lighting it up every morning by plugging in the lights.<br />
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I recently found Caleb's camera (it's easy to lose a camouflage camera that belongs to a five-year-old), with a few fun photos on it from our adventures this fall. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-772dXbEj3yuguXXkBm5yRqcGjlS20a3WcuLS49jKFcj0yPiXgPW0wRal7Rhq65uf9JsVrTJ8MhHbITf-CiRI2EBKKNELQ1HONb8c_-RqS2X-n71-cWYvEEDZzjht88-rpGQTmBWCMFh/s1600/PA310175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-772dXbEj3yuguXXkBm5yRqcGjlS20a3WcuLS49jKFcj0yPiXgPW0wRal7Rhq65uf9JsVrTJ8MhHbITf-CiRI2EBKKNELQ1HONb8c_-RqS2X-n71-cWYvEEDZzjht88-rpGQTmBWCMFh/s400/PA310175.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallowe'en! We were a zoo, or a farm, as usual. Our pumpkins, thanks to the Bootsma girls, were also animal-themed: a dog and two kitty-cats!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE1_7xnqsrh3PBopnmM2fdNXlRTBk7X8QimAZPRYkO59NpMvBv33DQ7vYBQE5mzDhvVRNZXJTRWDhyvlObyZuR6NsFR5etFO57S3dmt9TKBVGPF-62e9yOANrKbVEnZOWH2NfLRfiD0Ao/s1600/PB060194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE1_7xnqsrh3PBopnmM2fdNXlRTBk7X8QimAZPRYkO59NpMvBv33DQ7vYBQE5mzDhvVRNZXJTRWDhyvlObyZuR6NsFR5etFO57S3dmt9TKBVGPF-62e9yOANrKbVEnZOWH2NfLRfiD0Ao/s400/PB060194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caleb is living his dream, driving a battery-operated 4X4 at Cousin Aaron's place. We ran into challenges with this one, because Caleb doesn't look behind him when he reverses... good thing he won't really drive until 16.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KuFQqCusFnbh_UAylruez2waPIpBDTe3DtlyHTY0CYz5RCOPtbQsmrJLDJEECLhDpN48ABsnhcXw7ht7CnAETdZ1wobvt4sEcNT6iuwyPzjQ1z-4gjo-nKyIufY-OYnyRn9wHwWbY_yh/s1600/PB050186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KuFQqCusFnbh_UAylruez2waPIpBDTe3DtlyHTY0CYz5RCOPtbQsmrJLDJEECLhDpN48ABsnhcXw7ht7CnAETdZ1wobvt4sEcNT6iuwyPzjQ1z-4gjo-nKyIufY-OYnyRn9wHwWbY_yh/s400/PB050186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An idyllic fall campfire--the kids lasted about 5 minutes by the fire, and it ended with one of the kids being treated for burns to his hand. The marshmallows were good, though!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7thhRabofNacNIU_ydS0152nPD17v4NdN6ee4zOl4pYaPx5CnMTr5uPEfeOd76X4hri8z4wqLiWZhOMaIX7qResd6BpGou4aBciz2IYj_DmMc0x2AOaCDDnq9EKs1oTeHOJG_ffmVJl-/s1600/PB050182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7thhRabofNacNIU_ydS0152nPD17v4NdN6ee4zOl4pYaPx5CnMTr5uPEfeOd76X4hri8z4wqLiWZhOMaIX7qResd6BpGou4aBciz2IYj_DmMc0x2AOaCDDnq9EKs1oTeHOJG_ffmVJl-/s400/PB050182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Turn the temp down just enough, and you have a fall swimming pool for five kids under five. What a party!</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-59639035806073195712011-11-15T08:15:00.001-05:002011-11-15T08:17:41.725-05:00UpdatesI don't post too often these days. It's not that there's nothing going on in the life of our family, or with Caleb's treatment, but sometimes it seems like just "nothing new to report this week." Our lives are busy with the buzz of preschoolers and kindergarteners, and we continue to travel faithfully to Mac once a week for chemo. Sometimes I feel like anything that I might feel worth sharing here are just the significant events in the life of a family, like vacations, special trips, or illness. The kind of things that you might share if someone asked you: "how's it going?" or "what's new?" I don't want this blog to become a travel log, though, or a simple listing of the events of the life of the Brand family. The intent of this blog from it's inception was to update our family, friends, broader community, and anyone else who may be looking to connect their own experiences with another. That still remains the purpose of this blog. <br />
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Our day to day life does not look a lot different from that of another family who is not working through leukemia treatment. More and more, as we meet people in our neighbourhood, or waiting for the GO train (like Sunday), it's not really possible to tell that we have a child going through chemo. Caleb handles treatment very well. There are things that other people can't see, though. Like the limp that Caleb develops after walking for a long period of time that I know is related to the chemo drugs he takes. Or when he jumps on the trampoline and injures himself, and how my first thought is "What's his bone density right now? Could it be broken?" Or the unpredictable mood swings that go along with long term (or short term) steroid use. Or Caleb getting teased at school for "chubby cheeks" that I know are a result of chemo drugs, but there's no way another kid could know that. These are ways we work through treatment that others can't see, and are hard to explain without sounding or being afraid of sounding like a complainer. <br />
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The reality that I'm even more aware of now is our hidden disabilities and struggles. Because if we can carry through a day, living with a life threatening illness, and appear as if nothing is going on, how many others are there that are doing the same. Something in us, in how we're designed, can compel us to hold things together. And don't get me wrong, I know that ability can be a gift, it's something of a coping strategy that keeps us going and won't let us despair unto death. But there's a need within us to be known, to make what is hidden transparent. Sometimes that need is deeper and harder to find. I find that my faith tells me that our Saviour is the one who knows us the most, and who wants us to be known to him. And then, we've also been designed to be together, to share with others this journey. We are not meant to be alone. We need times on our own, to be sure, but ultimately we are not designed to keep apart from others. I don't want to isolate those who are feeling alone, but would rather acknowledge and affirm that loneliness and also affirm that there are more than a few others out there who are longing for the same connection with others. It may not be found where you think.<br />
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Hmmm. I suppose I'm rambling, which is another thing that I didn't want this blog to become, a rambling of my own preaching. This too, is all part of our experience. Tim and I have found a deep need together to connect with other people. Since being together, that's always been something important to us, but that desire has strengthened since experiencing leukemia in our family. There are many people out there with untold stories. We recognize that many of us are carrying pain that is unmentioned or unacknowledged, even in the most suprising of places. This doesn't mean we're always compassionate (like when I missed the GO train this weekend and then there were no spots for strollers on the train that I did catch--I wasn't very compassionate then), but we are more aware and have a stronger desire to know and to be known. <br />
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Strength to you in your journey, whatever or wherever it may be.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We visited the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this past weekend. Tim (and some folks from our church) was working on insulating the walls in our front hall, so we had to get out of the way! RAWF was a fun way to spend a day. So was the GO train!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center">I don't suppose I imagined that my kids' first experience of watching a cow being milked would be in Toronto at the fair, but it was. The kids thought cow pies were funny, and were afraid of getting too close to the cows. I was afraid of cows too, as a child. I clearly did not grow up on a farm.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When it came time to ride on a mechanical horse, Aleah's horse went the fastest. She kept asking for faster, faster! </div><div align="center"></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-49340504008020751952011-10-24T15:45:00.000-04:002011-10-24T15:45:01.049-04:00It's the FluFlu season has arrived. I feel like it's early this year. All three kids are down with it, and so am I! It didn't take any time for it to catch on from one kid to the next. Slowly, Nella is getting better (she was the first) and now we're waiting on the rest of us. Caleb had clinic today, and the poor kid still had to go, despite being ill. We wouldn't send him to school, but we'll send him to the hospital, full of kids with compromised immune systems. It feels a little strange. The major difference, among many others, is that when going to clinic with a fever, Caleb wears a mask, and then is put into an isolation room for the duration of the visit. Isolation, not oscillation. A mispelled text between us made us laugh about an oscillation room. I feel dizzy already.<br />
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Different from other families, when we get the flu we quickly know what it is, because the hospital tests Caleb. The upside for us is knowing quickly what the problem is. The downside is the hospital visit and the nasal swab--a 6 inch stick shoved up his nose and down into his sinus cavity. It does the trick but feels terrible. He'll get good care as a result, and by extention we know how to best look after our girls, but it's not a nice procedure. It was a rough morning for him. Chemo made him throw up, his port had trouble bleeding back and they couldn't just let it wait until next week, and a nasal swab. He's understandably worn out, and not just from the flu. <br />
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So, we'll wait it out. We'll get a call from the hospital with any medication recommendations, and otherwise do what any other family does when the kids are sick: sleep, read books, watch movies. And do lots of laundry and run many showers. <br />
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Here's to pedialyte and tea! And lets hope it's not too contagious.The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-80234776432878127122011-10-16T21:49:00.002-04:002011-10-16T21:53:09.234-04:00The wish that keeps on giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV69dceDnpU1O0LiT_qCdUqrQHS3AjzBUJQDbxfyAGSYZIe9tC8ny0tRe5V_2b1aKK6VpZs9RCrVLOKw0A8lf7pT3HtirA9JWmgMvyqlREhdFGX0t1-zsTSfNOP7pAmNP9hwcUS71XOjYC/s1600/P1000650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV69dceDnpU1O0LiT_qCdUqrQHS3AjzBUJQDbxfyAGSYZIe9tC8ny0tRe5V_2b1aKK6VpZs9RCrVLOKw0A8lf7pT3HtirA9JWmgMvyqlREhdFGX0t1-zsTSfNOP7pAmNP9hwcUS71XOjYC/s400/P1000650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We got more use out of our camper this past weekend. Thanksgiving Camping is a tradition that I grew up with, and am happy to carry on with our family. Growing up, we visited Pinery Park on Thanksgiving weekend--camping in whatever weather came our way, snow included. This weekend we were blessed with incredible weather, this time at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.<br />
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There are certain things that I appreciate about camping in the Fall that are different from summer camping. For instance, the cold nights make a fire much more cozy, and necessary, and make those sleeping bags useful! We discovered that the furnace in our trailer works very well! We also discovered that it runs on propane, after we disconnected the propane because our lantern tank ran out. <br />
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The shorter days mean the kids get in bed earlier too, closer to their real bedtimes. We have been quite relaxed with bedtime when we've been camping, until a few weeks ago. One evening, after supper, Caleb was <em>exhausted</em> after a series of very busy days and late bedtimes, and stated that his head was spinning. Knowing that he was just completely worn out, I got him up into bed. While laying in bed, he said to me: "Mom, this is how I feel when we're camping too." Hmm. Tim and I resolved to make sure our kids get in bed on time. This camping trip we had much happier, more patient and agreeable children, and thus an even better time as a family. <br />
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I value the time with just our family even more so now that I'm working full-time. Because I'm not with the kids full days anymore, the opportunity to explore and play together as a family are all the more important to me. I want to live in to each day even more than before; it's precious time together. We had a lot of that time together, experiencing sun-rises, sun-sets, geese preparing to fly south, feeding chickadees, 'smores by the fire, and bike hikes to explore places we've never been before. It was an adventurous vacation. And yes, we enjoyed having turkey dinner as well--ground turkey with stuffing, and turkey bacon in our hobo-pies cooked over the fire. <br />
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It was a weekend of Thankfulness. For health that we enjoy and appreciate. For time together that is ever more special. For a camping trailer that makes camping more simple. For extended family who texts with us as they gathered without us. For a new baby expected out in Victoria B.C. (Hurray, Laura and Rhodes!) For opportunities to teach our kids about Creation and how we can care for it. For celebrating Life. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our campsite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="center">The updated version of the old tire swing</div><div align="center"><br />
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<div align="center">Sitting in the front seat to "help" Dad paddle</div><br />
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</div><div align="center">Riding on the many bike trails in the park</div><br />
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<div align="center">Conquering fears of "slippery rocks!"</div><br />
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<div align="center">Feeding Chickadees--it's pretty cool</div><br />
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<div align="center">But it can be scary if you're 3.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Peace for your week.</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-51797944113416166612011-09-18T21:34:00.000-04:002011-09-18T21:34:57.478-04:00A year gone by...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856tgS0P6On2RUpXBxdKc0yD0ycEOr8hij-aRDdYAOzBSNW7S54_aiO81sT2w1mIiUkxfbHN-_iOgOJf7BJfNZ1PZDxcC-F43XqQDhGQ-meONcjbBDvHmE1AF5CnYsZ_MXJPGtlk2SB6f/s1600/Safari+Trip+BC+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856tgS0P6On2RUpXBxdKc0yD0ycEOr8hij-aRDdYAOzBSNW7S54_aiO81sT2w1mIiUkxfbHN-_iOgOJf7BJfNZ1PZDxcC-F43XqQDhGQ-meONcjbBDvHmE1AF5CnYsZ_MXJPGtlk2SB6f/s400/Safari+Trip+BC+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a favourite picture of ours, from last year's trip to African Lion Safari with Help a Child Smile. We had a great day there last year, and riding on this train was Caleb's favourite part. Yesterday, we were able to go again, thanks to Help a Child Smile. We took a train photo again. Notice the changes? (or maybe the similarities--Tim's wearing the same sweater!) Caleb's head is full of hair, his face has thinned out, and his sisters are boisterously bouncing around behind. What a difference a year makes.</div><br />
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<div align="center">2011</div><div align="center"><br />
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We had a great day. African Lion Safari is best viewed through a child's eyes, so I'll leave that one to Caleb. He had a busy week last week, with three days of school and our trip to the Lion Safari. All three kids were cashed out in the van as we drove home--a beautiful sunset drive down Highway 6, into Hamilton...<br />
<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeQbQ9nbXAHonX7eomrzgeg4HcWqdD2jSSgl2JRBEmBhFY7SgMqQXyCjGNZ47WAPTaLzZ0dtk2g734ZKZn_4khCYqmYpM41meThHMbNzVIz48SbIPPlXl66KBTDlBIYes5OMMr4IDJuDu/s1600/P9170183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeQbQ9nbXAHonX7eomrzgeg4HcWqdD2jSSgl2JRBEmBhFY7SgMqQXyCjGNZ47WAPTaLzZ0dtk2g734ZKZn_4khCYqmYpM41meThHMbNzVIz48SbIPPlXl66KBTDlBIYes5OMMr4IDJuDu/s400/P9170183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...until this black smoke clouded our view! Hamilton's beautiful (okay, beauty is in the eye of the beholder) industrial skyline was clouded with BLACK smoke. We usually only have WHITE (or maybe slightly grey) smoke! There was an industrial fire somewhere in the east end--with a nice East wind blowing the smoke cloud right over our neighbourhood. The picture below contrasts our white smoke with the fire's smoke. It's a blurry picture because I didn't want to open the van's window.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdpjkIdFrsrdTzkhxRp3tJ_SHD2GTZGYFD2gEAc15JLLDV4iKgKBeTg1CoTKAAE7rs8PRy-c7q8YEYNNnrwlxa0RUrw9d5Ry9n8pu48X_GCKzktTFlltY_Gr8bl5ThOnazpW8Z-IhF6zn/s1600/P9170187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdpjkIdFrsrdTzkhxRp3tJ_SHD2GTZGYFD2gEAc15JLLDV4iKgKBeTg1CoTKAAE7rs8PRy-c7q8YEYNNnrwlxa0RUrw9d5Ry9n8pu48X_GCKzktTFlltY_Gr8bl5ThOnazpW8Z-IhF6zn/s320/P9170187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to avoid our home for a little while until we either figured out what the fire was (making sure it wasn't <em>too </em>toxic) or the fire was put out and the smoke cleared. But, we snapped a few pictures first. It turns out the fire was in a scrap metal yard. Several fire crews were called out, and they extinguished the fire within the hour, and the smoke drifted slowly over the mountain, landing on unsuspecting mountain-dwellers. We returned home with little incident, after a nice quiet drive with sleeping kids.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MsYd19bz45SCUzcrqyfYM37NTg7_1-NzXcvnsEsgowH1rUTQn_vA-9NSnrlVPuNXg-C2KZpLbSRvAA-Xo8n2Mdt7dfI6-2YTxiyoUIoPOv24qSd2VgrG1ozF6d0euhbReQJddSi4F1YF/s1600/P9170184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MsYd19bz45SCUzcrqyfYM37NTg7_1-NzXcvnsEsgowH1rUTQn_vA-9NSnrlVPuNXg-C2KZpLbSRvAA-Xo8n2Mdt7dfI6-2YTxiyoUIoPOv24qSd2VgrG1ozF6d0euhbReQJddSi4F1YF/s400/P9170184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLUh-mkLTdgrrteuPETQUVr9O6P7q0whRJhMAKxD9l9JTwiopxjRyd0cjuKVywZo_brdxPqC5imHRLGOBiDQgrtTG_6m9XITQydXf-lzkG1VbUPNDoEfYZQTWoDOMKRMlyf40CL3BybhV/s1600/P9170185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLUh-mkLTdgrrteuPETQUVr9O6P7q0whRJhMAKxD9l9JTwiopxjRyd0cjuKVywZo_brdxPqC5imHRLGOBiDQgrtTG_6m9XITQydXf-lzkG1VbUPNDoEfYZQTWoDOMKRMlyf40CL3BybhV/s400/P9170185.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <em></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-58263769917633285992011-08-29T22:54:00.001-04:002011-08-29T22:57:58.946-04:00In praise of sisters...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQfPXKOodZusEk28J3JYBpPGZQriflr6QRACjEVkW_d-njqKCGDtVSFG85IDcFo21jxlQgZBpsPwiYt4Se2IEupwo1F2PZlGjtZgOftyXT57DETodYWrr0pXHoND-t_l5CpPWDo3BMxZz/s1600/P1000412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQfPXKOodZusEk28J3JYBpPGZQriflr6QRACjEVkW_d-njqKCGDtVSFG85IDcFo21jxlQgZBpsPwiYt4Se2IEupwo1F2PZlGjtZgOftyXT57DETodYWrr0pXHoND-t_l5CpPWDo3BMxZz/s1600/P1000412.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Nella Mae, one of the "SuperSibs" in our family. Aleah is the other SuperSib, but she doesn't really know it yet--she's a bit too young to understand the idea. SuperSibs is an organization that recognizes and celebrates the role of a cancer patient's siblings. Nella has endured, and continues to endure, quite a bit at the mercy of our family's situation. Nella has been dropped off at friend's houses without notice, puts up with an emotionally unpredictable brother, vies for any attention with her brother's need for medical attention, and deals with disappointment when her brother's health concerns trump our family's activities. Nella is truly a SuperSib. I cried when we got her trophy in the mail. Nella dances with her trophy, hugs her trophy, and sings about how she is a SuperSib. She truly is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nella recently experienced one of the best weeks of her life. I say that with "dark humour," please take this in the way it is intended. Nella truly did have a wonderful week, but the things that made it wonderful are not what might typically be called wonderful. It most definitely made me reflect on what is going on in my little SuperSib's heart and head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday: Nella presents with hives at 11 in the morning. Dad makes a special trip with Nella and others in tow to visit Mom at work to investigate the hives and determine what to do next. Nella requires special medicine (Benadryl) and Mom and Dad pay close attention to her. Nella continues with hives throughout the day, becoming itchier each time the Benadryl wears off. Nella needs medicine three times. Nella talks extensively about how she needs special medicine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday: Nella, still with minor hives, has an appointment (totally unrelated to the hives) with Mom all by herself at the McMaster Psychology Department to participate in a study. The Psych Dept at Mac is right beside Caleb's hostibull. Very Important. Nella sorts some shapes, answers some questions, and then picks a treat out of the treat box. Just like at Caleb's clinic. Nella arrives home and dances around her siblings with her special treat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wednesday: A trip to the eye doctor. Caleb and Aleah check out just fine, but Nella needs special attention: her eye sight is poor. Nella needs to meet with the doctors several times to get an accurate prescription, and then has to sit with Mom while trying on new "sunglasses" (glasses). Nella is praised for looking "just like Emily." Caleb stomps his foot and clearly shows his frustration at the amount of time he has to wait for his sister; Mom and Dad tell him he has to be patient and wait for Nella's appointment to finish. Nella dances around and sings about getting new sunglasses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday: Nella receives a phone call from our dentist's office: Nella has one the "No Cavity Club" for July, and needs to come in for a picture and to receive a gift card to Toys R Us. Nella dances around with her card, singing about what she will do with her card. Caleb suggests that she buy a crane for him, to compliment the bulldozer he bought when he received a gift card. Nella says she'd like to buy a "girl" (a barbie). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a week. It is something special to take pride in Nella's joys, even if they are slightly unusual. I don't know the long term effects of growing up as a sibling of a child with cancer, but am fascinated (and occasionally: sad, frustrated, worried, amused) by Nella's responses to medical attention of any kind. She has been deeply affected, that is certain. As a parent I weep inside for the loss and uncertainty she experiences. Outwardly and inwardly, I am so deeply PROUD of her for all she has endured and achieved in this last year. She truly is a SuperSib.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...And speaking of praising my sisters--I am celebrating along with mine as the <a href="http://appealforwheels.com/">Appeal for Wheels</a> fundraising goal is smashed! Check out the link. It is a gift, and what a blessing. Thank you everyone for your support for them. </div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-46120784625457323312011-08-21T10:32:00.002-04:002011-08-21T10:34:23.942-04:00Transportation Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6ED2KM-zCZMutag4aWrgOWRcy07RFvYGovA6viNWnFe7NCphozIYiV6cmiOR_6vxYVRPSQtVsJcqumQHIPtlEamLI5xjq2-GliGdlWAlnPsf8xikMT1t1KZCg1vbGNmRwGXTlyoN6Xi/s1600/P8040137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6ED2KM-zCZMutag4aWrgOWRcy07RFvYGovA6viNWnFe7NCphozIYiV6cmiOR_6vxYVRPSQtVsJcqumQHIPtlEamLI5xjq2-GliGdlWAlnPsf8xikMT1t1KZCg1vbGNmRwGXTlyoN6Xi/s400/P8040137.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is me on my train ride, on my first train ride. I had fun. It was great because I could see two tracks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdyGFh6rdVt8tD6tGI19iXRDSqQYh8dTOrbXqTOV4_CeNkIIFqRLJBCk9grBeQq4SVkeS5utd0kDLtb20P4dIf0p7ST2b4KadmyesjhlQHzApgQ_N_OI3PbMxA-2ajVNShjteK-BlS878/s1600/P8040124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdyGFh6rdVt8tD6tGI19iXRDSqQYh8dTOrbXqTOV4_CeNkIIFqRLJBCk9grBeQq4SVkeS5utd0kDLtb20P4dIf0p7ST2b4KadmyesjhlQHzApgQ_N_OI3PbMxA-2ajVNShjteK-BlS878/s400/P8040124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was fun at Union Station because we got to ride on the subway after we took pictures. We got to go to the bathroom before we went on the subway. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2HZC4NMVQEBDqjU969_Gh0D5LHkbX2cM3SaNgRpARExg8XrqzVFvL1jvuubppZSmJJ8Q70mGB_liI9fmPF0o952j1GYwOhjEuiB3W9RNrSqFHn3RM2T4JUMH3ejDf-ucnMyvQkYJ-L_/s1600/P8040125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2HZC4NMVQEBDqjU969_Gh0D5LHkbX2cM3SaNgRpARExg8XrqzVFvL1jvuubppZSmJJ8Q70mGB_liI9fmPF0o952j1GYwOhjEuiB3W9RNrSqFHn3RM2T4JUMH3ejDf-ucnMyvQkYJ-L_/s400/P8040125.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
This is when I saw the bugs! This is the "see-bigger" thing for the dog-bane beetles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvMd170yOIe264Spk7rGLwYbvK6J8Rt10Iw1OWJCLQplJjUJlJsHxRN1udz-jP9OdWcnDnCsBluOjX8OvCdhDGA-ECPRHN_b48zzKo6V2dAMxeaXsDFUnzvsi4_A1G7VYV4LmpiutqWvk/s1600/P8040128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvMd170yOIe264Spk7rGLwYbvK6J8Rt10Iw1OWJCLQplJjUJlJsHxRN1udz-jP9OdWcnDnCsBluOjX8OvCdhDGA-ECPRHN_b48zzKo6V2dAMxeaXsDFUnzvsi4_A1G7VYV4LmpiutqWvk/s400/P8040128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is where we saw the plants, the Dog-Strangling Vine plants. It was fun because we got to see three places in Aunt Rhoda's school: the greenhouse, the see-things bigger room, and outside waiting for the streetcar. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdp50JxSO1qcni6iVsvWKHlkKzrkKbq3ZifeCGCgfgLNpn6Va10ZEgSkUj6tpIEURT9R_tKA-jeTnuP5QUQALOd686_qY7zBvNisC6SyYza9FB1kilW2KIJyR7zGR-0R0x3uZDZY1SNWP/s1600/P8040142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdp50JxSO1qcni6iVsvWKHlkKzrkKbq3ZifeCGCgfgLNpn6Va10ZEgSkUj6tpIEURT9R_tKA-jeTnuP5QUQALOd686_qY7zBvNisC6SyYza9FB1kilW2KIJyR7zGR-0R0x3uZDZY1SNWP/s400/P8040142.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is me on the double-decker GO bus. Aunt Sara took the picture outside and I was worried that the bus would leave on her and she'd have to go on a different bus. It was fun because we could see the sights from the top. It was a good day because we went on all different kinds of transportation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKuiUCIfP3uYQDkRPeorh5u29Red1hGLLhqK5DQPiPHZtwLZcsaSGrtOc938xyEKarVBVTZClikXGDd8ybMAFN-SfhqXU67qbLnLVceDIyT76jocs2yRaVMBnrDZByJ_9PierW_Er1hto/s1600/P7200072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKuiUCIfP3uYQDkRPeorh5u29Red1hGLLhqK5DQPiPHZtwLZcsaSGrtOc938xyEKarVBVTZClikXGDd8ybMAFN-SfhqXU67qbLnLVceDIyT76jocs2yRaVMBnrDZByJ_9PierW_Er1hto/s320/P7200072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the waterfall where we were playing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-82621004832907622532011-08-20T21:38:00.000-04:002011-08-20T21:38:56.795-04:00T.O.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6ED2KM-zCZMutag4aWrgOWRcy07RFvYGovA6viNWnFe7NCphozIYiV6cmiOR_6vxYVRPSQtVsJcqumQHIPtlEamLI5xjq2-GliGdlWAlnPsf8xikMT1t1KZCg1vbGNmRwGXTlyoN6Xi/s1600/P8040137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6ED2KM-zCZMutag4aWrgOWRcy07RFvYGovA6viNWnFe7NCphozIYiV6cmiOR_6vxYVRPSQtVsJcqumQHIPtlEamLI5xjq2-GliGdlWAlnPsf8xikMT1t1KZCg1vbGNmRwGXTlyoN6Xi/s400/P8040137.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've been waiting for Caleb to blog about this, but he's just been too busy being a kid to sit at the computer and blog with me. So... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdyGFh6rdVt8tD6tGI19iXRDSqQYh8dTOrbXqTOV4_CeNkIIFqRLJBCk9grBeQq4SVkeS5utd0kDLtb20P4dIf0p7ST2b4KadmyesjhlQHzApgQ_N_OI3PbMxA-2ajVNShjteK-BlS878/s1600/P8040124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdyGFh6rdVt8tD6tGI19iXRDSqQYh8dTOrbXqTOV4_CeNkIIFqRLJBCk9grBeQq4SVkeS5utd0kDLtb20P4dIf0p7ST2b4KadmyesjhlQHzApgQ_N_OI3PbMxA-2ajVNShjteK-BlS878/s400/P8040124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My little guy in Union Station</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weeks ago, Caleb had the chance to go with my sister Sara and two of her girls to Toronto, to meet my sister Rhoda. Rhoda is studying insects--beetles, actually--in a lab in the forestry department at the U of Toronto. We dropped Caleb off with Aunt Rhoda and her beetles at the GO bus stop in Hamilton on Thursday, Aug 4. Far from being nervous for a trip on a big bus, to a big city, without his mom, Caleb couldn't wait for us to leave him alone so he could wait for the bus with Aunt Rhoda! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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And they investigated the greenhouses too. It was a day of adventures, with a train ride, a streetcar ride, and a ride on the double-decker GO bus to St. Catharines. What a day! Hopefully he'll get a chance to give his version of the story soon.<br />
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We've been enjoying August. Cooler evenings mixed with the warm days makes for good bike-riding weather. We've had some smaller weekend camping trips, but otherwise we're hanging in at home. We're just finishing another steroids week; we're all happy about that. Steroids weeks haven't been like they used to be--week long cravings for bacon mixed with monotone conversation and grumpiness. Caleb still struggles with his emotions during steroids weeks, but its not like it used to be. He craves foods, usually potatoes and gravy, which we're more willing to oblige than when he craved bacon. We continue to take things a day at a time, as much as we can. <br />
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We recently found this picture from our camping trip--it was on Caleb's camera because it's waterproof and thus very helpful when swimming in waterfalls. We are still revelling in the good times we had at Arrowhead. <br />
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The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-87815871489098813552011-08-03T21:33:00.000-04:002011-08-03T21:33:42.559-04:00Arrowhead Provincial Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We just came back from a family holiday to Arrowhead Provincial Park. We had never been to this park, but it came recommended by friends (Thanks, Deb!) and we thought we'd give it a try. We had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A highlight of our trip were being able to use our canoe. This is the canoe that I learned to paddle in, and that my siblings and I used to tip, submerge, play teeter-totter in the water generally just mess around with in/under the water. It was rewarding to enjoy time with our kids in the canoe. Many memories for me, and many new ones in the making. Thankfully, our kids seem to have picked up a love for canoeing too. Aleah calls the canoe "my canoeing." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A favourite thing to do in Arrowhead Park was a canoe trip down the Little East River to Stubbs Water Fall. It took about an hour paddling slowly down the river, scraping bottom here and there and dodging many felled and submerged trees. People passing by reported seeing beaver, but with 3 noisy children and 1 very interested dog, we didn't see much wildlife beyond damsel flies and water striders! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was refreshing to be in the Canadian Shield again. The kids are old enough to do some climbing on rocks and they appreciate the enormous-ness (enormousity?) of the rock formations. They had a lot of fun scrambling up and down and figuring out what they could climb themselves and what they needed help with. I had a lot of fun doing that too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We all loved bobbing in the lake. We love our puddle-jumpers (swim floaty things)! The water at Arrowhead is a coppery colour because of the tannins in decomposing material there, which made us feel a little like we were swimming in tea, but in the heat, that didn't matter! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrfRf60V_dvkTCQF2oy7ULvNoS7mz0aPJODw8u5QPR57_yWqGUiijpozIM2NrHtI_k-waDVTPyCAyOin8qc5tVyhaiv8ZFfH60p5oLRjUjT1U-sI6uLdgtnSCCv-XkaQ_d8xpDipAcVm2/s1600/P1000290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrfRf60V_dvkTCQF2oy7ULvNoS7mz0aPJODw8u5QPR57_yWqGUiijpozIM2NrHtI_k-waDVTPyCAyOin8qc5tVyhaiv8ZFfH60p5oLRjUjT1U-sI6uLdgtnSCCv-XkaQ_d8xpDipAcVm2/s400/P1000290.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We got good use out of our camping trailer this trip. The kids really enjoy helping to set it up. They take their job of winding down the stabilizer jacks very seriously. We had two campsites on this trip, because we couldn't find a site that would be continuously available. We booked one site for the week, and a different site for the weekend. Initially I wasn't so happy to have to move, but in the end it was fun to have two sites--almost like two different camping trips. The kids said that both sites were their favourite.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was refreshing to have time away together as a family. We did a lot each day, between hiking, biking, exporing, swimming, and canoeing. Relaxing in a different way--good for the soul. We can't wait until we can go again. </div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-58629181449473050292011-07-15T22:31:00.001-04:002011-07-15T22:32:24.696-04:00The Real Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Tim and I got to experience our first U2 concert on Monday, along with 56 000 of our closest friends. A massive crowd--I'm not sure I've ever seen that many people in one place, let alone that many people in one place singing the same song. And, they're the same songs that I've sung countless times on my own as I hit rewind over and over (and more recently, hit repeat). It's a small taste of heaven. <br />
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The concert was somewhat redemptive for us, and a reminder of the ways that Grace is given. The tickets for the concert were from last year. In Fall of 2009, Tim had purchased U2 tickets for me as a surprise birthday present--the concert was scheduled for July 3. News reports in Spring 2010 carried stories of cancelled/postponed U2 concerts because Bono was having back problems. As the Spring wore on, we realized that our concert would be postponed as well. Initially this was disappointing because we really wanted to go! Shortly after, though, we were in hospital with Caleb. I will not forget the moment that I realized how things had worked out, in this case, for our good. We were standing in the OR waiting room with Caleb, ready for his port surgery, June 24. I looked across the waiting room and saw an old Coca-cola pop machine--remember the line "The Real Thing"? That always makes me think of the U2 line "even better than the real thing", and as is usual for me, I sang the line out loud. At that moment I realized that we wouldn't have been able to use our tickets for this concert even if it had gone ahead as planned, because our lives were currently upside-down. Because of Bono's back problems, we'd be able to go to the concert, whenever it would be (which ended up July 11 of this year--Happy Anniversary, Dad & Linda!). <br />
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It may seem insignificant to some, but to me, as a well, BIG fan, for my first U2 concert, I'm so thankful that things worked out so that we could go. Think of it how you will, but I experience that as another bit of Grace. I may be misquoting here, but Philip Yancey talks about "Grace Notes," the notes in a piece of music that add flourish to whatever is played--God works elements of Grace, like these Grace Notes, into our lives. This is one of those Grace Notes--maybe just fortuitous timing, maybe just luck, but I'm quite sure that there's design in this experience.<br />
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And the SkyDome is pretty cool too--I guess it's the building formerly known as the SkyDome. Rogers' Centre. Here is one section of the roof, as they were opening it up early in the evening.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwIByEJ-qUoANkr_dI0l0j0be69t_n_ZtA4Pu9lpinwfydbfx9-TRMFFEkc4RkLsgSahLFImhIiRgBlm9dnvogSbne1gQr4nXCh3EQYdQ7n82V-2httSPZ8BABhbFiM1CRgEIIV7oUefk/s1600/P1000228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwIByEJ-qUoANkr_dI0l0j0be69t_n_ZtA4Pu9lpinwfydbfx9-TRMFFEkc4RkLsgSahLFImhIiRgBlm9dnvogSbne1gQr4nXCh3EQYdQ7n82V-2httSPZ8BABhbFiM1CRgEIIV7oUefk/s400/P1000228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's the guy who's pushing it open:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHQkov2FDf8zbqeHu8rbqLM-Hbr_41HyQzKL5XseamnK_H3_HcOMbPJ_9YViTfoD0MqikhjWgijv-EaiQXJQZu0lWnE0hhoquSVqF7ica0aSlDPG9BYniPgV_uw82xS11ztUt2s3BDS2_/s1600/P1000227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHQkov2FDf8zbqeHu8rbqLM-Hbr_41HyQzKL5XseamnK_H3_HcOMbPJ_9YViTfoD0MqikhjWgijv-EaiQXJQZu0lWnE0hhoquSVqF7ica0aSlDPG9BYniPgV_uw82xS11ztUt2s3BDS2_/s400/P1000227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And the picture that caught our kids attention:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqpW_fWkzgwoVckyDMnKtMWbOEHxwh5P0qypowOHS4hvjWYKNQKqHr07ZYeQaZv3d1GWoZJisN8sMfs6lihoTtIJJeK63tzgNTV59s3nVbhlwj8hqTYL-Elhpd-1IaUc61Zk-hJkxmNJF/s1600/P1000267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqpW_fWkzgwoVckyDMnKtMWbOEHxwh5P0qypowOHS4hvjWYKNQKqHr07ZYeQaZv3d1GWoZJisN8sMfs6lihoTtIJJeK63tzgNTV59s3nVbhlwj8hqTYL-Elhpd-1IaUc61Zk-hJkxmNJF/s400/P1000267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">"Forklifts?! They had forklifts there?!!"</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-50184969135452754302011-07-07T20:39:00.000-04:002011-07-07T20:39:36.131-04:00This week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cZGCMuYR8iUhJfUk6ZzEvjHaY-JCOClPEVp3BO7E5N99PVcHO9Fil9wj2E2xBLLLfRVQTvHFFjoshrttb3kkK05z3g8v-dK7ET5veCLFQSGxhjgiK55BuJf8K0Mr3yZLiXhLvKGZ5TZn/s1600/May+and+June+2011+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cZGCMuYR8iUhJfUk6ZzEvjHaY-JCOClPEVp3BO7E5N99PVcHO9Fil9wj2E2xBLLLfRVQTvHFFjoshrttb3kkK05z3g8v-dK7ET5veCLFQSGxhjgiK55BuJf8K0Mr3yZLiXhLvKGZ5TZn/s400/May+and+June+2011+252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We had soccer last night, and Caleb and Nella are on the same team. It's steroids week, and at the end of the soccer evening I asked Caleb what was his favourite part of soccer. He replied, "The sitting off the field and taking a break part." I set him up for that one! <br />
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Aside from that comment, the kids are having a great time playing soccer. Another favourite activity, more so than soccer, is bike riding. Caleb has mastered hills now, he told me today, and he just got a kick-stand for his bike. He couldn't be happier! Tonight we rode through Gage Park, while neighbourhood kids played baseball and their parents sat in the shade and watched. One of those parents is from a family who we connected with last summer, whose child had ALL when he was 18 months. (He's now 12). "How are you?" she called out to us as we wheeled past. "Good, really good!" I managed to shout back. A short exchange that meant far more than anyone sitting nearby could have known!<br />
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Caleb had a lumbar puncture on Tuesday of this week. We had a mix-up in our schedule, so we ended up going to clinic twice this week because they forgot to tell us about the lumbar puncture. LP's are only done on Tuesdays. Oh well. It meant both Tim and I got to go with Caleb this week. LP's aren't a nice experience no matter what, although we do get a little accustomed to it. This week reminded me though, that there really is no normal. LP's are a sedated procedure, and Caleb has typically woken up just fine from sedation. This week he had a really hard time waking up, it was a little frightening, because it was different. He was groggier than usual, his eyes were blood shot, and it took him quite some time to get his wits about him enough to stand up and walk. Not usual for him. Once he was awake enough to leave, he wanted to ride his scooter. He rode his scooter up to the hospital, but he couldn't manage riding it back. He ended up sitting on the sidewalk and saying "I don't feel very well." He was sick for some of the rest of the day. <br />
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We know that this kind of experience can happen sometimes. For some it happens every time. By supper time Caleb felt much better, although he looked pale. We're glad he pulled out of it okay, but it was just not a nice time. A reminder that chemo drugs and all of these procedures really do have an impact on his little body. He's so tough, though. By Wednesday morning you'd never know what went on the day before. <br />
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By Wednesday night he was out on the soccer pitch, playing and wrestling with his buddy Jonathan. Oh, and kicking the ball a little bit. Thank God for healing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Can I say it enough? Carpe Diem.</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-87131157133088935252011-06-27T22:20:00.000-04:002011-06-27T22:20:28.394-04:00Sand, anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSE1zLiPXqT6p-TvAlNBv95sGcGOsMfZs273t3kpDcBsMmuF1F6Z3UNqytGkC6DuJlF5U7MANvMxEUiZOt-cLLDFIp6nRpejFsKk9IURhnLgW44C3ldqX2xqBVO2T5xcf9vga8-8Do-iv/s1600/P1000192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSE1zLiPXqT6p-TvAlNBv95sGcGOsMfZs273t3kpDcBsMmuF1F6Z3UNqytGkC6DuJlF5U7MANvMxEUiZOt-cLLDFIp6nRpejFsKk9IURhnLgW44C3ldqX2xqBVO2T5xcf9vga8-8Do-iv/s400/P1000192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We celebrated LIFE this weekend at Pinery Park. Last year at this time, we were hoping and praying that Caleb's chest tube would be removed and we could be released from the PCCU. It's a different story this year. This weekend I was more concerned with how to deal with talking back, disobedience, and bedtimes. Sigh. Typical 5 year old problems. One part of me gives thanks that he can be so difficult (because I know an alternative), and then the parent part of me takes over--I've got to deal with this behaviour. As a friend said to me today, he spent this past year getting the snot kicked out of him, and now he's ready to fight back. I know he's a tough little boy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, other 5 year olds (hopefully) don't have their parents blogging in public about their behaviour, so I won't belabour the issue. Suffice to say, Caleb is normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're happy to be a year away from what we experienced last year, and to know that our "normal" doesn't include frequent hospital stays and Caleb feeling sickly. The unfortunate part is that we aren't even half way into treatment. We still have over a year left to go before we can say goodbye to chemo. We still have over a year of our weekly clinic visits, steroids weeks, flu season, etc. Caleb seems to be more tired of it (and thus, so are we). As he gets older, he's beginning to notice differences between himself and other kids his age. Again, typical 5 year old behaviour, but with a twist. Other kids don't have ports to take care of. Other kids don't go to the hospital so often. Other kids don't (but should) wash their hands so regularly. Other kids don't wear a hat all the time at school or have to be so concerned that they may get a sunburn (treatment slows his cell replacement, and last summer's drugs impede his ability to heal from sun exposure). Other kids don't take a shower after going to the beach (we're actually not supposed to let him go in the water at all, but we've made a quality of life decision. I have no idea what kind of accountability we have to the hospital on that kind of thing, but we've decided we'll do this, exercising caution). The list is long. I repeat, typical 5 year old behaviour, but with a twist for our own story. Daily reminders that although things appear "normal," our reality is that we are still fighting Caleb's leukemia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't mean to gripe, but I do mean to give a bit of an idea of how things are going. People often ask, and it's really hard to answer. On the whole, we have so much to be thankful for. We'd never choose this path, but since we're on it, I do suppose things are good. A lot has changed since last year. But there are still many low times, and times of high stress, and times of grief, amidst the joy. But we know, and we stubbornly say, that we have much to celebrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of celebrate, Caleb received his gift from the Children's Wish Foundation last week. After all of his memorable camping experiences last year in Aunt Sara & Uncle Ralph's trailer, Caleb gave his wish for a camping trailer. Some people have commended Tim and I for planting such a good idea in Caleb, but I'll maintain that this was his idea! We're pretty happy about it, but we would have wished for a basement renovation instead (Caleb, don't you want a playroom in the basement?) We're very happy with the new trailer, though. The timing of receiving the gift was perfect, a year after diagnosis. We were really able to get out and enjoy the fresh air this past weekend. We invited family to come and join us as we celebrated Caleb's health at this stage in the journey. It was a great time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's Caleb, the Wednesday morning that we picked up the trailer. He's about to take his first steps inside. We have a lot of great memories to keep from this weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWhdQfriPHCKf8qpKk1FruVlCRFPx6ErxKkD5pWyDLj6HyH0oxpHSs9qDcrT37l49KjJ576auvQnr79K03hErvkaVhrGrixbOF6GlZVZ02QwurnOVrMQDGy6H7zl85ySk-tUCpxDIYbQ3/s1600/P1000139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWhdQfriPHCKf8qpKk1FruVlCRFPx6ErxKkD5pWyDLj6HyH0oxpHSs9qDcrT37l49KjJ576auvQnr79K03hErvkaVhrGrixbOF6GlZVZ02QwurnOVrMQDGy6H7zl85ySk-tUCpxDIYbQ3/s400/P1000139.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> (learning about trailer setup can be quite boring, particularly when there is a spectacular mud puddle nearby)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1u76sHBbWV_vr-VPkwLq9rrPFVkQzhuW3CYooIdAssXsBLQc4nnCxtg3seexw6_wCYEmJSGAe3mVN4VFMjLr_Z-NNisgQ9bWBBDmTLMdZQwdADSq_4BXHukI7SNr46GnVxUtBQGZr9vu/s1600/P1000147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1u76sHBbWV_vr-VPkwLq9rrPFVkQzhuW3CYooIdAssXsBLQc4nnCxtg3seexw6_wCYEmJSGAe3mVN4VFMjLr_Z-NNisgQ9bWBBDmTLMdZQwdADSq_4BXHukI7SNr46GnVxUtBQGZr9vu/s400/P1000147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">A dry trailer on a wet morning, </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyXiVdGPGGJuYHnqowkz4Eb3Ck3o9K_CJTmXPBgkoVaAJ31KYVw1oHAaVc_W3S_ENWcntnhyeHvdYaliVADAY8B1Rqqp6pl83fjgbdjYqBWLdeczhZR9zsoqBh3imlRUmzj6A3oIKTYq/s1600/P1000184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyXiVdGPGGJuYHnqowkz4Eb3Ck3o9K_CJTmXPBgkoVaAJ31KYVw1oHAaVc_W3S_ENWcntnhyeHvdYaliVADAY8B1Rqqp6pl83fjgbdjYqBWLdeczhZR9zsoqBh3imlRUmzj6A3oIKTYq/s400/P1000184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caleb and cousin Luke got to share Caleb's bed in the "pop-out" on the side of the trailer, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-S3mBw0kUfcrEDkFMab6mTyTFNo_ng6m7oPsJMDlTxlPK7KMoWdb5H22O4kIaY-LJG2HYERMhnW8bfcTmkE9qthOCu22rJ7_9kyOCo6n2r4Y1zL9Vw_gzxEiRBXgxAepgr9sMCnUKhtK/s1600/P1000187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-S3mBw0kUfcrEDkFMab6mTyTFNo_ng6m7oPsJMDlTxlPK7KMoWdb5H22O4kIaY-LJG2HYERMhnW8bfcTmkE9qthOCu22rJ7_9kyOCo6n2r4Y1zL9Vw_gzxEiRBXgxAepgr9sMCnUKhtK/s400/P1000187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>enjoying the bike trails,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Aleah playing in the sand,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cousin Allison contemplating Lake Huron,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW8AJkSO364fPmtD7JezG4ecHG99-WITT1plcDLZU7khntR7RAKCYZ_W77OOfpA1FMamfkTKz-CuaAqDmfcnGmnQQWb9e7JyPGVkIYIX-lPqmBaYqDrKqwC9G-_UiYLkTd1Krl6yd2szX/s1600/P1000176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW8AJkSO364fPmtD7JezG4ecHG99-WITT1plcDLZU7khntR7RAKCYZ_W77OOfpA1FMamfkTKz-CuaAqDmfcnGmnQQWb9e7JyPGVkIYIX-lPqmBaYqDrKqwC9G-_UiYLkTd1Krl6yd2szX/s400/P1000176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
taking a march through the dunes with Uncle Darren,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUwWUF_NFXVTA5QKhpHilJB8dl3Qiv_xSbWjV_7XrfnBLIYOflkymW3u96Cxd1s_8vd1IKnzhyB-7zzkODrlqDyEwJ67zBfkDQdAODQr3cMVzJAYp3MJeeSrxk_5eH3v3orj-hHBccb9x/s1600/P1000190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUwWUF_NFXVTA5QKhpHilJB8dl3Qiv_xSbWjV_7XrfnBLIYOflkymW3u96Cxd1s_8vd1IKnzhyB-7zzkODrlqDyEwJ67zBfkDQdAODQr3cMVzJAYp3MJeeSrxk_5eH3v3orj-hHBccb9x/s400/P1000190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and a snack at the end of a hike on the Pine Trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings to all. Carpe Diem.</div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-28730157974728825672011-06-21T22:30:00.000-04:002011-06-21T22:30:41.830-04:00One Year<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ez2I0bNDy_JKauviLgT2iM5pWRwHC21dMVRnDRAR8-sWEXhW7cG7SqD2fcK5qfZr5a_0k__moj8vdliTnkYYKwhavsq4cuG6fLUHcrfIuGovaW2630JhF8dLZU2Sf5Gnt4gKZZvNcdn2/s1600/P1000130.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ez2I0bNDy_JKauviLgT2iM5pWRwHC21dMVRnDRAR8-sWEXhW7cG7SqD2fcK5qfZr5a_0k__moj8vdliTnkYYKwhavsq4cuG6fLUHcrfIuGovaW2630JhF8dLZU2Sf5Gnt4gKZZvNcdn2/s400/P1000130.JPG" /></a><br />
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One year ago today Caleb went into hospital. Look at him now! More to come later this week as we process the many changes, hardships, and thanksgivings.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-84712792099903893312011-06-09T19:41:00.001-04:002011-06-09T19:42:34.511-04:00Sunshine and Two-wheelers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUlM2Ao89-0iu-9BrbZEei2AZrk-SNl7yEqfmmX-pGwRA3frxhl_vnbrghgO_5Bz2doG5l0FXigPhe2vPwaH9eboPn2uIu3NZZ8wPeOnL24S77RMTZEIkdpuw3Sdq6hCU9_koveScymkp/s1600/P1000031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUlM2Ao89-0iu-9BrbZEei2AZrk-SNl7yEqfmmX-pGwRA3frxhl_vnbrghgO_5Bz2doG5l0FXigPhe2vPwaH9eboPn2uIu3NZZ8wPeOnL24S77RMTZEIkdpuw3Sdq6hCU9_koveScymkp/s400/P1000031.JPG" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Its been warm outside, and we've been busy enjoying the heat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cpREgn737kMBhClMrU6XGXKg8UFA_cdmSBnlh_pn6_deJBQqnw9QNlWpAR-3FGawKLtl3j9140aTZXFN526G-xNkcFHmUZUOFCX8mYotpc62GKPcySbb_kI29E-jcadHYZ4LFdRof_pY/s1600/P1000036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cpREgn737kMBhClMrU6XGXKg8UFA_cdmSBnlh_pn6_deJBQqnw9QNlWpAR-3FGawKLtl3j9140aTZXFN526G-xNkcFHmUZUOFCX8mYotpc62GKPcySbb_kI29E-jcadHYZ4LFdRof_pY/s400/P1000036.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On Sunday, we went for a long bike ride along Lake Ontario with friends from church. Caleb rode his two-wheeler the whole way, surpassing all of our expectations. He loves his bike.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8PLB0HsiuHibz2GrzTkjnXrVhB8zMjQtcYApj5aS_1PSCm-W6Cppsmf5kerA4lTsz2Q6Bx_mf0KyzbXOPsgz7Vd0a1WKj5UWCmonRvaYB28xAzKrnJ6iG3918dBAXf3xALRRtizpOb4_/s1600/P1000005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8PLB0HsiuHibz2GrzTkjnXrVhB8zMjQtcYApj5aS_1PSCm-W6Cppsmf5kerA4lTsz2Q6Bx_mf0KyzbXOPsgz7Vd0a1WKj5UWCmonRvaYB28xAzKrnJ6iG3918dBAXf3xALRRtizpOb4_/s400/P1000005.JPG" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvYoJwmqI-wyVWENvDkIR_etcuiLQh8_XYm5ebFS2jtB9JDa9IXL5VtEpGVTxrMtDwKZ_RIGV23NYKiziaHlrOc5yjtgT6An5Z3CfnNP_XeK6Dk8-SUBxl3s1WKe756HRcr658-X214-O/s1600/P1000044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvYoJwmqI-wyVWENvDkIR_etcuiLQh8_XYm5ebFS2jtB9JDa9IXL5VtEpGVTxrMtDwKZ_RIGV23NYKiziaHlrOc5yjtgT6An5Z3CfnNP_XeK6Dk8-SUBxl3s1WKe756HRcr658-X214-O/s400/P1000044.JPG" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Part way through the ride, we took a break by the water, throwing rocks and wading. Caleb was a little over-zealous in his wading, but we didn't want to stop him, not with the fun he was having.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOVJy_qoLH23-48dS13NHKuNT1g4iGqhtFvhilC-RhLJjrfB4GQ9Ki8NPr-WjPrzcSZJJy-R4MzqyIMczCCekHQfnEU0lotHzl3X8r-hig7d67CvBQbRdlXomSpwkK1eIYMl3f7GbgmaB/s1600/P1000060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOVJy_qoLH23-48dS13NHKuNT1g4iGqhtFvhilC-RhLJjrfB4GQ9Ki8NPr-WjPrzcSZJJy-R4MzqyIMczCCekHQfnEU0lotHzl3X8r-hig7d67CvBQbRdlXomSpwkK1eIYMl3f7GbgmaB/s400/P1000060.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We ended our day by roasting marshmallows at a friends' place. What a great day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Carpe Diem.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>If you're in town on Saturday, please consider coming to the <a href="http://appealforwheels.com/">Appeal for Wheels</a> event at the Discovery Centre downtown. Bouncy castle, live music (starring some local special guests whom you may know well), games, refreshments--it will be a great time, all we need is YOU. And good weather, please pray for that! </em></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-55314362863606557402011-05-27T22:33:00.002-04:002011-05-27T22:40:44.991-04:00Being part of a Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMZS4fd-RK_h-h4Ft3LPD9Qf_FY8XPyhN_4V5_PgQ6QpTa85fhfa8xY_tRAOcNmS5ImunvNZ4awqjgWwgWqDNYzs9yhYgBVsPogSlexKUMcmed0LzUIy_08RxiY1fqE3VdWZwUBkxJNsv/s1600/P5270388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMZS4fd-RK_h-h4Ft3LPD9Qf_FY8XPyhN_4V5_PgQ6QpTa85fhfa8xY_tRAOcNmS5ImunvNZ4awqjgWwgWqDNYzs9yhYgBVsPogSlexKUMcmed0LzUIy_08RxiY1fqE3VdWZwUBkxJNsv/s1600/P5270388.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Caleb and Aleah pose with Isaac Valentin and Rhiana Overholster, coordinators of the event.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were honoured and humbled once again tonight as we attended the <a href="http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/1008604--gss-walking-to-conquer-cancer">Relay for Life</a> held by <a href="http://www.grimsbyeagles.com/principal.php">Grimsby Secondary School</a>. Every other year, GSS holds a Relay for Life that raises thousands of dollars for cancer research and to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, people like Caleb. Several weeks ago, our family took part in a rally raising awareness to kick off the fundraising campaign--Caleb spoke to a crowd of 1,000 students, telling them in his own way about his time in hospital and the medicines and needles he's had. Tonight we got to walk the track with other cancer survivors of all ages and walks of life. It was an emotional time for us. We are in awe that a group of students could be so dedicated and energetic to raise support and awareness for something that has affected our family so profoundly. It's hard to describe the depth of feeling we have when we witness the dedication of so many to this cause. Humbled and honoured, all in one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QT8xDUYhqlaFqvDlg5_VqNIlMY1B59PM3kJUSvLLEplcD7-6_diSqfKdFlMq8WhMQeGCocCwumZSNLkUbIjvMQNMSJ3xRK5bH_nBTCtYg2oJKd2uwmYnLgyGkS6MjOdLtkIJnnlRXo90/s1600/P5270382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QT8xDUYhqlaFqvDlg5_VqNIlMY1B59PM3kJUSvLLEplcD7-6_diSqfKdFlMq8WhMQeGCocCwumZSNLkUbIjvMQNMSJ3xRK5bH_nBTCtYg2oJKd2uwmYnLgyGkS6MjOdLtkIJnnlRXo90/s1600/P5270382.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were surprised and happy to see Chris, someone we know from clinic, at the event. Caleb and Chris got to sign the survivors Eagle (Grimsby SS's mascot) that led the way around the track.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmHwmE7dKHRq9-Qjix4BYVpvuflfO8Sut_aSzo9xSZjls62GCSV7ARxHyKYGnrwI_KDoQmA72aXNDWMQh1JwN9Tt-bNcBwwFHT98AN9Jj_j455m3-sN39d8Mnj2s41p3KwwIZdqC7z5w8/s1600/P5270385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmHwmE7dKHRq9-Qjix4BYVpvuflfO8Sut_aSzo9xSZjls62GCSV7ARxHyKYGnrwI_KDoQmA72aXNDWMQh1JwN9Tt-bNcBwwFHT98AN9Jj_j455m3-sN39d8Mnj2s41p3KwwIZdqC7z5w8/s1600/P5270385.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chris is celebrating the end of regular treatment for leukemia. He's not done clinic trips altogether yet, but at least there's no more chemo planned! Way to go Chris!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOCJATXkdv33_wkEGK_ulq93jho9qtKIPbY_GVNAHAjfz4iEbAS0FPuWnE8Fxqku05MjefI44yeavW9MReOjwRlfsKlgjUlaJSrm2cQ8keTotGlqO_SlM53w_L9V190e4FJ2LzMX3cg7N/s1600/P5270387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOCJATXkdv33_wkEGK_ulq93jho9qtKIPbY_GVNAHAjfz4iEbAS0FPuWnE8Fxqku05MjefI44yeavW9MReOjwRlfsKlgjUlaJSrm2cQ8keTotGlqO_SlM53w_L9V190e4FJ2LzMX3cg7N/s1600/P5270387.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Caleb, Nella, and Aleah are learning about Luminaries--paper bags filled with sand, with a candle placed in them. As the Relay for Life evening goes on, the Luminaries will used to light the track and to focus the thoughts of the high school students as they walk. Some Luminaries are lit in memory of loved ones, some as an inspiration to keep fighting. <br />
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It's hard to know how to respond when others show such support. We are awed by the love shown by those who know us and those who don't even really know us at all. We're thrilled with the funds raised for McMaster Children's Hospital on Caleb's behalf through Hans' <a href="http://home.cogeco.ca/~hmessersmith/growing_300.gif">Hirsute Challenge</a>! He's reaching the end of his goal, and we can't say enough how deeply we are moved. We've received letters in the mail from folks we don't even know who say they're praying for us, or they've committed funds to McMaster Children's Hospital. We are surrounded by such a community of support. We can only hope that we can continue to extend that support to others around us. <br />
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So much of my thoughts are on what it means to show support to another because right now we are also seeking to support my sister Sara and brother-in-law Ralph in their quest for tires--An <a href="http://appealforwheels.com/">Appeal for Wheels</a>. Sara and Ralph Pot, as many may already know, have a family of four girls. Two of my neices, Rachel and Janneke, have significant special needs that require the use of special feed pumps, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices. Rachel and Janneke are Caleb's PORT POWER buddies. We're deeply thankful for the support that Sara and Ralph have given to us because of their familiarity with hospitals, special meds, and the many other things that go along with having a child with special care needs. The difference for us is that Caleb's special needs are easily understood by support organizations, wish foundations, and charities because leukemia is a well known diagnosis. They can't define what it is that Rachel and Janneke live with, and so it's hard for organizations to offer financial support for them. It's time for us as a community to extend support to Sara and Ralph in a tangible way, by helping raise money for a van. Please check out the <a href="http://appealforwheels.com/">Appeal for Wheels</a> and consider coming out to an event (like tomorrow's garage sale in Waterdown) or offering some financial support. It's not easy to ask for help, and I think it's equally difficult to receive it. I suppose that's my experience of Relay for Life and the Hirsute Challenge. We are humbled, because we don't feel deserving. We are honoured, because we recognize the sacrifice given in whatever way. This compells us to offer what we can in turn, to another. <br />
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May God bless you as you seek to serve your community. Pray for Relay for Life, for Hans and the Hirsute Challenge, and for the Appeal for Wheels. We thank God for the community in which he's placed us.The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-36909547488452931882011-05-15T21:01:00.000-04:002011-05-15T21:01:19.331-04:00Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hFAQp8rWZuTM9w_k3iZ6cHai_hyphenhypheneaaY6Y6ly0BW9ni4mUfqMwQYNqmpIJ7kR50-GQVsoVgA5hJmrECpvPI1K5OXemN7Ii6YODFXE9OilErCMOJp17MverAZOr45V5r3_0lAVOZST_qbz/s1600/P5090085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hFAQp8rWZuTM9w_k3iZ6cHai_hyphenhypheneaaY6Y6ly0BW9ni4mUfqMwQYNqmpIJ7kR50-GQVsoVgA5hJmrECpvPI1K5OXemN7Ii6YODFXE9OilErCMOJp17MverAZOr45V5r3_0lAVOZST_qbz/s400/P5090085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> This is last year, during the lilac festival at RBG in Hamilton. The lilacs were just coming out at this time last year and we were staying at the Tigchelaar's ranch, close to the RBG, while Jim and Mary-Jane travelled to Holland. Our time at the Tigchelaar's was a holiday for us, staying with Jake and Abby. We had the quiet of almost country living and the accessibility of work close by and beautiful conservation lands to explore. It was a holiday of sorts, a fueling up time to prepare us for what we didn't know was going on in Caleb's body. Caleb was running out of steam as his body slowly filled with cancerous blasts instead of the healthy oxygenated red blood cells and helpful sticky platelets. <br />
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Caleb could only walk a short while before wanting a rest, which was a challenge for Tim and I, who love to get out for a hike. We'd often find ourselves saying to Caleb: we can't carry you, you're the oldest one here and we need you to walk! Looking back, it goes down as one of those things that even if he didn't have leukemia, we'd feel bad about saying. Repeatedly asked how he was feeling, Caleb would say "I'm fine, I feel good!" Small minds and bodies don't have the words to say "I feel just generally lousy," or "I feel tired all the time." It's not like a skinned knee or a sick tummy: point to where it hurts. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XY2OBCuhyEA0RHSGcaUU_37dDe0dDrOA7r5K-GuqKs_Tilh2KnbamebjDZZnnF_jYxFDepMEg5jUQ-C37XgUIvjr1xy5h0on3KR843SpLYYWL08u_tLgQOw2WMsfzL7_n7gt_KYOmt3w/s1600/100_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XY2OBCuhyEA0RHSGcaUU_37dDe0dDrOA7r5K-GuqKs_Tilh2KnbamebjDZZnnF_jYxFDepMEg5jUQ-C37XgUIvjr1xy5h0on3KR843SpLYYWL08u_tLgQOw2WMsfzL7_n7gt_KYOmt3w/s400/100_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Caleb's almost unrecognizable in this picture from firecracker day last year. We ended up leaving the party because Caleb had retreated inside all by himself, with no more energy left to handle the excitement of fireworks. Thus we continued on our journey towards Caleb's diagnosis.<br />
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Today, it's hard to know what cancer looks like in our family. I think about it often, trying to sort out just what it means to continue as a family through chemo and all that goes along with leukemia. Sometimes we feel completely normal and unconcerned, and then little instances change that. I'm not yet sure how we process all of this, the scares mixed in with the regular routines of life. Clinic and school. Chemo drugs and birthday parties. Blood count reports and learning to read. <br />
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Caleb doesn't yet feel the need to process much of this. He is sometimes concerned, like when he trips and bangs his port, or the first time that he had a hard fall after stopping blood thinners. Overall, he takes it as it comes. "I feel good, much better than before!" In time, he'll have more questions, but Lord willing, it will be behind us then. <br />
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One day at a time. Reflecting on things sometimes pulls me out of that mindframe. The gift of faith brings me back: "Consider the lilies of the field--they don't labour or spin, yet not even Solomon was dressed as finely as they! Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself, each day has enough trouble of its own." followed by "We give thanks in our weaknesses, for in our weakness, he is strong." Not our strength, but God's grace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kOlKgbOrGynkPDl_qEnsQJX6PxpCoKz1ADMbghb0xs1__AW5WMXeDS4lBGR-6HNqGSTmpwoy3fK9UFinjLvbJDT1wntuuR7VHz3cdEneCYkEN7veqvOdwEFY36NcjoJEERkAbf6fz-R8/s1600/Violin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kOlKgbOrGynkPDl_qEnsQJX6PxpCoKz1ADMbghb0xs1__AW5WMXeDS4lBGR-6HNqGSTmpwoy3fK9UFinjLvbJDT1wntuuR7VHz3cdEneCYkEN7veqvOdwEFY36NcjoJEERkAbf6fz-R8/s1600/Violin.jpg" /></a></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-73313250143663692942011-05-11T08:28:00.002-04:002011-05-15T10:52:09.668-04:00What we've been up to<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XoDXKj3eVCbCG8WFEa8LiIlqlQ-QuSgRMRpGpaK9KSvPycAFRZBPOjS68FhsEx7VE1O9bm4PF_wyxuEEyHT459MmBpCi-rC0OcslP3GvI9tiOzsH7S8YYR69Nw_ZxrDrdRub8wT_87b3/s1600/P4230180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XoDXKj3eVCbCG8WFEa8LiIlqlQ-QuSgRMRpGpaK9KSvPycAFRZBPOjS68FhsEx7VE1O9bm4PF_wyxuEEyHT459MmBpCi-rC0OcslP3GvI9tiOzsH7S8YYR69Nw_ZxrDrdRub8wT_87b3/s1600/P4230180.JPG" /></a></div> We've been working in our garden. Last year, just before Caleb was hospitalized, we attempted a roof-top garden to maximize the use of space in our small yard. We used pots that we set along the edge of our garage roof. I wouldn't say that our garden did well last year, but we don't really know if that was because of inattention or because it's just a bad idea. So, we're trying it again! This year we've built a frame for an actual bed that we can access by a ladder to the roof. We'll see how it goes! (For those of you worried about our kids' safety, the ladder we have isn't small enough for our kids to use)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncjosY_eoB2HAjGTyTUQxxLo7J_gXb-Zb6WI0qs9CvN173bK7mpM7lQ7fqj6zat27X_0uawg6ujenHLTxPFjGi3MI5Yo9qH5yjycxRQVZF6L54XG-qPtxmnu7zkvjpnFTH8qCw5wOpOKT/s1600/P4230191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncjosY_eoB2HAjGTyTUQxxLo7J_gXb-Zb6WI0qs9CvN173bK7mpM7lQ7fqj6zat27X_0uawg6ujenHLTxPFjGi3MI5Yo9qH5yjycxRQVZF6L54XG-qPtxmnu7zkvjpnFTH8qCw5wOpOKT/s1600/P4230191.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> Amidst the rain, we've had some gorgeous blue-sky days. The kids are waiting for what they call "warm-spring" instead of cold spring. Me too.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncjosY_eoB2HAjGTyTUQxxLo7J_gXb-Zb6WI0qs9CvN173bK7mpM7lQ7fqj6zat27X_0uawg6ujenHLTxPFjGi3MI5Yo9qH5yjycxRQVZF6L54XG-qPtxmnu7zkvjpnFTH8qCw5wOpOKT/s1600/P4230191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW4We4b8Ot5dgZ8FeKDL8TUHlX55MyUa-hogQPv_pU7bAXyPCAgiQe_0IO_np_YacFkvexkX75FvDk1ly5gkZoG1q34MdNTk47oHqxWT36pWu6f9fCzmyHT-6Q5OX0nXN0mOqPQCvA4lG/s1600/May_8_%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW4We4b8Ot5dgZ8FeKDL8TUHlX55MyUa-hogQPv_pU7bAXyPCAgiQe_0IO_np_YacFkvexkX75FvDk1ly5gkZoG1q34MdNTk47oHqxWT36pWu6f9fCzmyHT-6Q5OX0nXN0mOqPQCvA4lG/s1600/May_8_%252822%2529.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing outside. Our girls are bound and determined to be princesses, which happens anytime they wear a dress or skirt. Sound familiar to anyone?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZYb3bMBIPDp-pkUuM13dy3zJ57XpXffQOWp-89wsUr1rqrI43PP8XHfjWfX08U63D3d3VpQFuVb4-FTlyrrx6iXArZR_CvxOaN92GFB0ieXJdGly7DRjD2HfnathhUx935o0C8r67OJv/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZYb3bMBIPDp-pkUuM13dy3zJ57XpXffQOWp-89wsUr1rqrI43PP8XHfjWfX08U63D3d3VpQFuVb4-FTlyrrx6iXArZR_CvxOaN92GFB0ieXJdGly7DRjD2HfnathhUx935o0C8r67OJv/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We had a few issues at the hospital for clinic last week, Caleb had a lumbar puncture scheduled for the same day as Grandparent's day at school. We hoped and prayed that we'd make it on time from the hospital to the school. Caleb's port was giving us trouble, not bleeding back the way it should. "Bleeding back" is when the nurse pulls the syringe and it should fill with blood taken from Caleb's bloodstream. Not bleeding back can happen for all kinds of reasons, but for Caleb, not bleeding back used to mean that he had a clot. It was a little scary to re-visit the idea of tests to find a clot, starting blood thinners, etc... and finding out what might cause a clot. So much goes through my mind when things don't go quite the way we want them too. With prayer and a lot of work from our nurses, we got his port to bleed back, finally, and he made it for the last bit of Grandparents day. We received good news that night on the phone from our doctor, his bone marrow continues to be free from blasts, praise God. They'll continue to test his bone marrow every nine weeks for the next year and a bit.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This week Caleb's port bled back without any problem at all. We may not know what caused the problem in the first place, and hopefully it doesn't return. One day at a time. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqppIGnCMdO-1E20b0mgohAuunN7RXfGjXjeWYSfx7uNFxJrDg0uIAOFFyyShXZq3l10gb1fB-jqWNOUTuuuyK93YLS45SyEuyEu_jYWJ6IpSARFHFiPytfrhkFkI1InntYR30vomziRG_/s1600/Wheeling+Dirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqppIGnCMdO-1E20b0mgohAuunN7RXfGjXjeWYSfx7uNFxJrDg0uIAOFFyyShXZq3l10gb1fB-jqWNOUTuuuyK93YLS45SyEuyEu_jYWJ6IpSARFHFiPytfrhkFkI1InntYR30vomziRG_/s1600/Wheeling+Dirt.JPG" /></a></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-76785262264887913332011-04-17T19:35:00.000-04:002011-04-17T19:35:46.548-04:00Hosanna!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FlA4m-gaUe1cxBo1K8BRt8Jwcfnj_CIss1hEBQyFqyQJ6NF2f95hyphenhyphenNO00jlJx26Ca4DOn5ZwEIUMnuyuQpgHrp9tYEsrICcXCZSQXMvzrxG6T2a4y4OWLaUjpjN6u6dSHQdKYDqhE1cf/s1600/P4170163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FlA4m-gaUe1cxBo1K8BRt8Jwcfnj_CIss1hEBQyFqyQJ6NF2f95hyphenhyphenNO00jlJx26Ca4DOn5ZwEIUMnuyuQpgHrp9tYEsrICcXCZSQXMvzrxG6T2a4y4OWLaUjpjN6u6dSHQdKYDqhE1cf/s1600/P4170163.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Caleb led singing this morning at our church. </div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762628668269411638.post-16661654772121961852011-04-11T22:04:00.000-04:002011-04-11T22:04:13.555-04:00No More Sharps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTynF_fcZS3MJ1Ndye-S1rOe17PpmkYjRbFwxT_93bLfUC016pc6fK1QRLp1Sb-UKBW7o85dyOrhBlFTNJC-tMeTCtp85ocLb6hykHumMVS6HmBJKr6ILd5RlqPfYCBp-RZJttxYC29ULm/s1600/P3030010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTynF_fcZS3MJ1Ndye-S1rOe17PpmkYjRbFwxT_93bLfUC016pc6fK1QRLp1Sb-UKBW7o85dyOrhBlFTNJC-tMeTCtp85ocLb6hykHumMVS6HmBJKr6ILd5RlqPfYCBp-RZJttxYC29ULm/s1600/P3030010.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>A view inside our sharps container</em></div><br />
One more celebration for Caleb last week--the last tummy needle! On April 4, we stopped the needles, as planned. Caleb's tummy is slowly returning to it's healthier look. The blood thinners caused a lot of bruising at the injection sites (we rotated the injection site around his belly-button so we didn't poke the same place twice in a row) so he had a perpetual ring of bruise around his belly button. We almost can't tell that he had a bruised tummy. We now have surplus of syringes & blood thinners in our cupboard. Awesome. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsGaf-YmMMWuyqOaJ2J5w_U7YDcHEe09mt7so0z2MxuUWFQqfQMgyr8A82OtNP0AeDmA-FIRgo62ZKDD2ByZ551Q-BY_dfTutixrgIr2A26FP-nsBxSW3nJVVvp9rxp7kXZumXrFuIP_h/s1600/P3030014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsGaf-YmMMWuyqOaJ2J5w_U7YDcHEe09mt7so0z2MxuUWFQqfQMgyr8A82OtNP0AeDmA-FIRgo62ZKDD2ByZ551Q-BY_dfTutixrgIr2A26FP-nsBxSW3nJVVvp9rxp7kXZumXrFuIP_h/s1600/P3030014.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It's very freeing not to have to do these needles morning and night. We no longer need to ask our friends if we can use their "Sharps Containers" (our funny joke). We didn't realize how bound we were to the schedule of the needles. And I find that you never really do get fully comfortable with poking your child. We can put on a brave front and do what we need to do, but it doesn't feel good. We're so glad we're done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUb5OrEnnDyPC3FezcJ5huR2-XjoeYaAYWTtTVh18QdnceDSdK2HwYbzsy7p1hyZO7y70OFkAGDRD4_qZK4ye-YjtHEITDlA9g_3W4uDNGiRnuNgi6K6xudiELcwRlb4TEP3_KretL2Fp/s1600/P2150002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUb5OrEnnDyPC3FezcJ5huR2-XjoeYaAYWTtTVh18QdnceDSdK2HwYbzsy7p1hyZO7y70OFkAGDRD4_qZK4ye-YjtHEITDlA9g_3W4uDNGiRnuNgi6K6xudiELcwRlb4TEP3_KretL2Fp/s1600/P2150002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Caleb and his friends Alexis and Anna on a Sunday afternoon hike</em></div><br />
The last two weeks have had other challenges for us--the first fever of one of our other kids. I didn't realize that we had made it through flu season with no unusual fevers or exceptional sicknesses (other than Caleb's flu, Tim's flu, and the girls' stomach flu) until Nella Mae ran a fever two weeks ago. Rest assured, Nella is fine. Two weeks ago, Nella, out of the blue, ran a low grade fever with no other symptoms. Right away, in the absence of other symptoms, my mind and heart jumped to my worst fear, that another one of my children may develop leukemia. I thought it through and decided that wasn't likely, but that she probably had something else easily explainable, like a urinary tract infection. The doctor we saw didn't think it was a bladder infection, and instead suggested we go for a blood test. What?!! That made my stomach turn--the only child in our family who goes for blood tests is Caleb. <br />
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Nella continued to run a fever off and on throughout the weekend, and we went for the blood test on Monday. Nella went to the same outpatient clinic that we took Caleb to on June 21, the day we went into the hospital. Nella's white counts were low, which wouldn't have meant much to me before, but I read every piece of data I could on her "counts sheet." We had her checked over, and still no other symptoms. We had a follow up blood test four days later, and her counts were still low, but she was no longer running a fever. <br />
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Nella since has had another blood test, last Thursday, and all is well again. Our family doctor says that a virus can cause that to happen, and she sees it often. That's comforting, but it wasn't much comfort throughout the two week ordeal of waiting to see what was going on in my little girl's body. I no longer take comfort in the idea that something "rarely happens" or is a "once in a million chance." It IS possible, I COULD have two children with leukemia. Thankfully I do not, and I thank God for healing in Nella, but it was a long journey over the last two weeks. <br />
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I understand my experience to be a bit of an over-reaction because of our past with Caleb, and friends have told me it's only to be expected. I guess I do take comfort in that. And I know now that many things can cause low counts. I was also reminded that we continuously need to take life one day at a time. Even when we think we're healthy or have things under control: one day at a time. Or less, if we need it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nella Mae, on the other hand, loved as much of the experience as she could. As precautionary, Nella was prescribed an anti-biotic, the same anti-biotic that Caleb takes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Nella danced in the kitchen singing, "I take Septra, I'm sick. Caleb and I take Septra, Aleah, you don't because you're not sick!" Nella talked endlessly about her pokes, and the healing that was taking place, and the band-aids she required. Thankfully, she had a more appropriate response when they actually drew the blood from her (I was afraid she'd like that too). Nella now looks at pictures from Christmas time and says, "That's me, before I was sick. Now I'm better again." This event has been significant for Nella, and for her parents. We know that it's hard on Nella and Aleah to not be a part of everything that Caleb experiences. In some small ways, Nella got to be a part of Caleb's world for a little while. I'm so thankful we came back, and I think that Nella is too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWlrn6a1MzdpKF7EkLhZnJwsO1ivNxQP18pyMzf4VEc0NcYjvLROgPq4T1OMHXirAjhS-aHVCnFbIRzLBhzzxdk2wTCyit0NDwC9VHqHVOzBzn39uImEfFQaqPVq7vPHm5O3-1njqoV_C/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWlrn6a1MzdpKF7EkLhZnJwsO1ivNxQP18pyMzf4VEc0NcYjvLROgPq4T1OMHXirAjhS-aHVCnFbIRzLBhzzxdk2wTCyit0NDwC9VHqHVOzBzn39uImEfFQaqPVq7vPHm5O3-1njqoV_C/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" /></a></div>The Brandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00486086863958945765noreply@blogger.com2