I've always heard that time seems to stand still when you're in a crisis situation, but after almost a month in our own crisis, I believe that that statement is only partially true. Although nearly four weeks have passed since Spencer's diagnosis, I still find myself reliving some of those early moments (like hearing my pediatrician say the word, "leukemia" for the first time) over and over again. It's not that I'm dwelling on the past, more than I still feel like I'm trying to wrap my brain around it all.
For the most part though, other than those quiet reflective moments, I've discovered that time still flies! The days blur together and I can hardly believe that we hit our month mark later this week. Here are some of the things (in addition to taking care of Spencer) that are keeping us busy:
Temples and Tombs: Third Grade Musical--Glen attended this very cute performance of the third grade musical at the elementary school. I had helped Adam put together his costume for it, but never actually got to see him wearing it, so I was grateful for a friend who thought to take a couple pictures of him, since I always have the camera with me (whether I be at home or the hospital).
For the most part though, other than those quiet reflective moments, I've discovered that time still flies! The days blur together and I can hardly believe that we hit our month mark later this week. Here are some of the things (in addition to taking care of Spencer) that are keeping us busy:
Temples and Tombs: Third Grade Musical--Glen attended this very cute performance of the third grade musical at the elementary school. I had helped Adam put together his costume for it, but never actually got to see him wearing it, so I was grateful for a friend who thought to take a couple pictures of him, since I always have the camera with me (whether I be at home or the hospital).
Can you name that costume?
District Indoor Track Meet--As a fellow runner, I was so excited when Cami decided to join her high school cross country and indoor track teams this year. It's her first year of running (other than a year of Girls on the Run in elementary school), and I'm so proud of how hard she's worked through the season. It seems that almost every race is a PR for her and I look forward to watching her continue to improve in future seasons.
This was another event that happened on my night at the hospital, so Glen was there to cheer her on. Thank you again to friends who took pictures for us.
For as much as Adam loves everything about making his own car and racing it against his friends in his scout troop's Pinewood Derby, I find everything to do with Pinewood Derbies to be insufferably painful. Not only are the actual races somewhat anticlimatic in that it takes 2+ hours of sitting, while each car races for a total of 10.2 seconds over 4 or so races. But I find the actual process of making the cars about as tortuous as cleaning my fridge and for anyone who's seen the inside of my fridges, knows that that's really saying something. So although Spencer's diagnosis came a mere two weeks before the Pinewood Derby, we honestly hadn't even given making his car a second thought at that point.
Now if I could just figure out how to fit a few more of these into our schedule....
Today's Update:
Same old, same old. Waiting for his blood counts to go up, so we can take him home. He's still feeling pretty good comparatively speaking. He's still on a gazillion medications. He's still waiting for the county to send over some school work. We're going to start some home study seminary pretty soon. Watched the Super Bowl with Glen tonight. They're both happy with the outcome!
He's an Egyptian rapper of course!
District Indoor Track Meet--As a fellow runner, I was so excited when Cami decided to join her high school cross country and indoor track teams this year. It's her first year of running (other than a year of Girls on the Run in elementary school), and I'm so proud of how hard she's worked through the season. It seems that almost every race is a PR for her and I look forward to watching her continue to improve in future seasons.
This was another event that happened on my night at the hospital, so Glen was there to cheer her on. Thank you again to friends who took pictures for us.
Pinewood Derby--I have a confession to make and I hope you don't think less of me for it....
For as much as Adam loves everything about making his own car and racing it against his friends in his scout troop's Pinewood Derby, I find everything to do with Pinewood Derbies to be insufferably painful. Not only are the actual races somewhat anticlimatic in that it takes 2+ hours of sitting, while each car races for a total of 10.2 seconds over 4 or so races. But I find the actual process of making the cars about as tortuous as cleaning my fridge and for anyone who's seen the inside of my fridges, knows that that's really saying something. So although Spencer's diagnosis came a mere two weeks before the Pinewood Derby, we honestly hadn't even given making his car a second thought at that point.
Thank goodness for awesome friends! I'm fairly confident that without the help of Garrett and his dad, Scott, that there's no way Adam would have been able to participate this year. They had him over for several hours over the course of two Saturdays and helped him to create this fine looking masterpiece (probably much finer than if we'd been leading the charge). It finished very respectably in all the races and Adam was thrilled! This was the only one of these events that I actually attended and I can say without a doubt that it was the least stressful Pinewood Derby I'd ever been to! Thank you to the Woodhouse family!
Winter Beginning Band Concert--This is Emma's first year of playing in the school band and I won't lie and say that I was not disappointed when she followed in her big brother, Spencer's footsteps by choosing the clarinet as her instrument of choice. Not only do I love the music of the clarinet, but it also meant we didn't have to rent or buy a new instrument.
By pure fluke of the calendar, once again this event fell on a night when Glen was home with the kids and once again I am grateful for a nice friend who snapped these shots for me. I guess people know me well enough, to see if I'm not there that I'll always be grateful for a picture. Someday I hope to think about our calendar well enough in advance to actually leave the camera at home for this kind of event, but then again, that would require brainpower and forethought, two things that happen to be in pretty short supply right now! Now if I could just figure out how to fit a few more of these into our schedule....
Ellie snuggles make everything seem a little better!
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Today's Update:
Same old, same old. Waiting for his blood counts to go up, so we can take him home. He's still feeling pretty good comparatively speaking. He's still on a gazillion medications. He's still waiting for the county to send over some school work. We're going to start some home study seminary pretty soon. Watched the Super Bowl with Glen tonight. They're both happy with the outcome!
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“God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities."
Jeffrey R. Holland
4 comments:
I'm glad to see what the rest of your family is doing! (o:
I hope you get all the Ellie snuggles you need!
Thanks for your updates on these activities. Delighted that either mom or I were able to tag along to a lot of them. Mom and Heather attended Adam's Pinewood Derby and we were all able attend his school's Egyptian play. I was thrilled to attend Cami's race at the Fairfield County District track meet at the beautiful Episcopal HS indoor track facility. Sad that I missed Emma's band concert, but Grandma was there. Although I am only rarely separated from my camera, I totally forgot to bring it with me this trip. We are lonely out here.
I am grateful to read your blog posts and hear the updates about your family. You are all truly amazing! I also really like the quotes you put at the bottom of each post - the one on this post really touched me! I needed to hear it!
Thank you for being an inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My husband and I fasted for Spencer and your family yesterday and I also just want you to know that Spencer's name has been added to the Denver Temple Prayer Roll. I may not be the only one who has added it, but I don't think you can ever have too many prayers or faith. :-)
I feel the same way about the Pinewood Derby. :) Your family is an inspiration!
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