Coming Home

Written Tuesday, February 28th:

We are home! JP had his third chemotherapy treatment this morning and didn't have a bad reaction so they let us go. We are very tired but so grateful to be sleeping in our own beds tonight under the same roof. We met with Home Health and Josh administered the first dose of IV antibiotics. JP has lots of medications but we have a calendar to help us keep track of when what meds he needs to take every day.

I've been physically sick all day thinking about coming home - you know, taking him outside of his hospital room where he could catch anything that would land him right back there again, being responsible for his IV antibiotics, keeping track of all the meds and when he needs them, and of course the unknown of what the next few years will be like. The steroids he is on are supposed to make him super hungry but also very angry. I'm so scared for my sweet boy to have roid rage. I will just have to remind myself it is the medication, not my son. I'm scared for the possibility of him getting sick. He will get sick at some point and I'm scared it will be because I forgot to sanitize my hands or somehow I'm the one that got a cold and gave it to him. I know this is a very curable type of cancer but it does not change the fact that we have a 3 year uphill battle until that point. And I'm scared.

Here JP and Josh are with our favorite nurse Kathy. She's from Boston and has a wicked cool accent. Plus, she loved the crap out of our kid so we had to love her for that.

This is Dr. Staddon, JP's hematologist. We will be working closely with him for the next few years and JP thinks he's pretty cool.

Another fun nurse Sara. She was so cute and couldn't get over his cute dimples.

JP was so excited to ride in the wagon to leave his room and come home. He refused to wear a mask so we suggested he hold his hand over his mouth. The silly boy did not move his hand from his mouth until we got into the car.

Once we were home, JP found this huge basket the YW had left for us. It was full of amazing toys, books, treats and even some money for his parents. We are so blessed to live in such a great ward with so many amazing friends.

Here Josh is giving JP his medicine through his IV. I am so grateful Josh is handling this all so well while I'm struggling. He really is amazing with it all and JP just acts like nothing is different. I can't believe this little man has cancer. You'd never know it just by looking at him.

We'll post more later. We are all so exhausted and hoping to catch up on our rest over the next few days.