Catching up - Part III ...

I think we left off with my last post just before Thanksgiving. We had a nice dinner at our house with Brian, my Dad and Jeff's Mom. We had all the traditional fixings and Michael helped Daddy carve the turkey...

The next morning, Jeff, Michael and I had to be in Syracuse by 8 am for Michael's treatment. It was the last week in the fifth round of treatment. Michael's counts were still good and chemo went smoothly (although he was sick through the weekend again). Then, Jenny and Ralph met us at the hospital and when we were done, we went to a local restaurant and had a nice lunch together. Michael was still a little tired from treatment when we got to the restaurant but by the time lunch came, he had perked up and wolfed down a big plate of pasta.

After lunch, the five of us visited the Museum of Science and Technology. Michael had fun checking out the exhibits and then we went to see a showing of "Polar Express" at the IMAX theater in the museum. After the movie, Jenny and Ralph headed south to Ralph's parents in Binghamton and we headed north to home. Just like the previous Friday, the weather on the way home was terrible. (And like the week before - thankfully we made it home safely.)

Michael's class has been learning about admirable human qualities like respect and responsibility. And with each trait, the teacher recognizes students that exhibit those traits. This last week, they learned about bravery and Michael was chosen as a representative for courage. He was given a school bracelet and he was absolutely thrilled! He was so happy when I picked him up that night and I was so proud of him.

Last Saturday morning, we made another "fun" trip to Syracuse. The Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Unit had a Christmas party for the kids and it was incredible. There were crafts for the kids to do...

Michael made an ornament, a polar bear picture frame and a snowman decoration. They also had face painting and a DJ who got the kids singing and dancing. The kids wrote letters to Santa - Michael wrote that he wanted "transformers, a clam digger, trucks and dinosaurs." (We think a clam digger is a type of toy crane but we're not sure.) Then we had a delicious lunch of all the favorite foods of kids - fruit, chicken fingers, french fries and pasta. And for dessert, there were dozens of homemade Christmas cookies.

We also got to see Britney and some of our favorite nurses. Of course, the highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa. There was also a professional photographer who took family portraits as well as pictures of the kids sitting with Santa...

It was a wonderful party and watching these children facing such a difficult time in their lives having fun was very heartwarming.

Tonight, we went to the Christmas concert for the kindergartners at Michael's school...

That's Michael in the middle of the front row with the black pants, light top and Santa hat.

The kids sang "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman", "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth", "Must be Santa" and "Jingle Bells" with all of the enthusiasm of 5 year olds in their first concert.

The next couple of weeks will fly by quickly as we get ready for Christmas. Michael has a break from chemo until Monday, December 22nd. Let's hope he recovers by Christmas day. I may not post much between now and then unless something comes up. If you don't hear from me it means Michael is feeling well and we are enjoying the Holiday season (and the break from chemo).

Please keep Michael in your thoughts and prayers, JoAnne.

P.S. I was contacted by Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester a couple of weeks ago and they asked me to write Michael's story. I did and submitted it to them. They want to use my little buddy's story in some of their fundraising drives. Tomorrow morning at 8 am, I have to call a radio station in Rochester to be interviewed on air as they kick off their radio-thon. Wish me luck!