December 2, 2009

Clinic Report

We rushed home on Sunday to make it in time for our 5 p.m. appointment with the home care nurse. I expected Robin to be upset when I told her about the nurse’s visit, but as usual, she handled it in stride. She helped to prepare the materials and even helped the nurse transfer the blood from one tube to two separate tubes.

We were at the clinic on Monday for her monthly vincristine and a check-up. We were astounded to learn Sunday night that Robin’s ANC was 5,260! It is supposed to be under 1500. I was a little worried, but was reassured by my own memories plus hearing from the nurses and doctors. Everyone thinks that Robin picked up a small bug in D.C. and her body is in overdrive trying to fight it off, like it is supposed to do. She does have a slight cold, so maybe there is truth to this theory. I hope that’s all that it is.

So she got her vincristine and started her weekly dose of steroids on Monday night. It is amazing how quickly that stuff goes through her and affects her. By Tuesday morning, she was tired, cranky, and feeling pretty blah. She went to school though and slept well last night. She went to school again today, napped, and even went to ballet this afternoon. Her class is preparing for a short Nutcracker recital at the end of the month. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to dance and was happy to go to class today.

Oh—-exciting news! Since Robin has never had a mouth sore, we were told that she can discontinue her mouth care and see how that goes! Since last June, she has done mouth care (two types of mouthwash) anywhere from 1-3 times a day! She has often said, “When do I get to just brush my teeth and go to bed like other kids?” Well, girl, we’re almost there! Now she just has to take pills at night! We’ll discontinue the mouth care for awhile and see how it goes! HURRAH!

Sara

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We're Back

It was a busy and wonderful week! We were so lucky to see both sides of the family for Thanksgiving. Our journey began last Tuesday, when we left for Athens, OH. All 5 of Jon’s siblings and their families were there! It was an incredible gathering. Robin and Henry loved playing with cousins Maddie and Cole. The screeching and laughing was non-stop. We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday evening. Everyone pitched in to make it a memorable meal.

Early Thursday morning we set out for the long drive to D.C. We were on the road at 5:30 and pulled in to Alex’s neighborhood at noon. The kids were miserable but quickly forgot about the car trip when they saw Alex, Jill, and their new baby cousin, Thomas, plus Poppa Jim and Gayle. We had another lovely Thanksgiving dinner.

On Friday, we headed out on the Metro to see the Museum of American History. Robin loved seeing Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the original Kermit the Frog. There was a great display on transportation so we saw all kinds of trains, planes, cars, and bikes inside the museum. After a snack, we headed over to the Natural History Museum, where we saw life sized stuffed animals like gorillas, rhinos, and hippos, and we quickly stuck our heads in to see some dinosaurs. The crowds were overwhelming so it really wasn’t very enjoyable.

It started to rain so we headed home for lunch and quiet time. That night we reconvened for dinner at a Lebanese restaurant. The next day we set out by foot to the Zoo. It was another chilly day and we zipped through the Zoo, seeing a few things, but looking forward to our next visit. After quiet time, we went on one more Metro ride to the National Carousel and the Air and Space Museum. Again, the crowds were crazy. I just wanted Robin to at least see these things, even briefly. That night we ordered in Vietnamese food and relaxed at Alex and Jill’s apartment.

We were on the road at 6 a.m. Sunday and made it home at 4:30. It was a long 500 miles, but the time spent with our family was so worth it. I hope we can do it again soon!

Sara

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November 23, 2009

Onward

As you can see from the photos below, we had some real highs this weekend. It started on Saturday morning with a trip over to Carthage, one of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. They were decorating the big public tree and the fire department came with their ladder truck to help place the ornaments up high as well as the star on top. It was really fun to watch the firefighters climb the ladder over and over again. In addition, Santa was there and Robin and Henry reluctantly had their pictures taken with him. There was hot chocolate, donuts, cookies, cider, and coffee. It was a low-key, perfect neighborhood event. I worked in Carthage for many years so it was fun for me to see some old familiar faces.

Later that day we hit Eden Park for the annual Balluminaria event at Mirror Lake. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed watching the sun set and the balloons light up. Robin was thrilled to spend time with her two good friends, Dianna and Hannah, and Henry was happy racing around the grass, exclaiming, “Ready, Set, Go!”

Before we head out on our journey, my dear friends Lee and Doug and their children Fiona and Ciarra are coming for a short visit. They are traveling to Indiana from Saratoga Springs, NY. We last saw them 2 1/2 years ago on the way to Alex and Jill’s wedding in Vermont. Lee and I met in 1993 when we were both assigned to teach in L.A. with Teach For America. We became good friends and have stayed in touch despite the miles between us. I am so excited to see her, her wonderful husband Doug and their beautiful girls. Old friendships are hard to beat, aren’t they?

Tomorrow we’ll head out for Athens, OH where we’ll reunite with Jon’s family. Aunts, uncles, and cousins are coming from TX, ME, CO, and NC. It should be a wonderful gathering. And then we’ll drive over to D.C. to see my family, returning home on Sunday. It promises to be a very full and happy week.

Last year at this time, Robin was bald and undergoing the most aggressive phase of her treatment. We stayed home for Thanksgiving and had a lovely dinner with just the 4 of us. I will always remember that day. It was so peaceful and we had so much to be thankful for. It is hard to believe an entire year has passed. Robin has a full head of hair (okay, it is thin and thinning right now for some reason), she goes to school four days a week, she takes ballet lessons, she has play dates, and in many, many ways, she has a very normal life. Gosh, I could cry, I am so thankful for all of that. She is doing great.

I’ve been meaning to write about her heavy interest in reading, writing and spelling. It seems like her favorite pastime is writing. She can always be found with a notebook and pen, writing the words she knows or copying words from a book. She sees a word, spells it, and asks us what it says. We play hangman all the time. She knows the sounds of all of her letters and is learning to put them together and read. She has mastered many 3-letter words thanks to her work at MOH and knows how to spell everyone’s name at school and in our extended family. It is very cool.

We’re also reading her first full length book, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” the real thing, all 300 pages. This is my first time reading the whole thing too. It is really a lot of fun. There is so much missing from the movie. Robin’s recall from chapter to chapter is astounding. She asks good questions and is learning some sophisticated vocabulary. Many, many thanks to Jayne for this wonderful gift.

Well, I better head off to pack some more. I don’t know if I’ll be writing on the road, so I will wish everyone a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. Many you all find many things to be thankful for this year.

Sara

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November 22, 2009

Firefighters decorate the tree

Firefighters decorate the tree

Dianna, Robin, and Hannah

Dianna, Robin, and Hannah

Balluminaria in Eden Park

Balluminaria in Eden Park

Good times this weekend!

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The Birthday Boy!

The Birthday Boy!

Jon shows off his cake

Jon shows off his cake

Father daughter love

Father daughter love

After dinner dancing

After dinner dancing

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Four generations—Margaret, Poppa Jim, me, Robin and Henry—a great visit!

Four generations—Margaret, Poppa Jim, me, Robin and Henry—a great visit!

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November 17, 2009

Good Times

We had a great time with Poppa Jim last week. He even got a chance to babysit while Jon and I went to work meetings! He also recreated all of the meals he had prepared in Florida and stuffed our refrigerator full of Poppa Jim’s original creations.

On Saturday, we met him at the Highfield Discovery Gardens, a Hamilton County Park, where the kids climbed through a tree house, operated an outdoor train set, watched frogs and fish, attended a lesson on weather, and played in the outdoor play house. Later that night, the 4 of us went up to Lebanon to visit Poppa Jim and Ma one more time before he had to go back to Florida. The kids had a good time running around my grandma’s condo and generally creating mayhem. We said our goodbyes, knowing that we would see Poppa Jim again soon.

Next week, we’ll head out to Athens, OH where we’ll see Jon’s family converge from all over the U.S.—NC, TX, CO, and ME. She’ll get to play with cousins Maddie and Cole and see Poppa Reid, plus Uncles Rich, Alan, and Ryan, and Aunts Liz, Heather, Amy, and Hilarie. Then we’ll head over to D.C. where we’ll see Poppa Jim, Gayle, Alex, Jill, and new cousin Thomas James. Good times ahead!

But first—Jon’s birthday is Thursday!!

Sara

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November 11, 2009
SURPRISE!!!! Poppa Jim came up from Florida and surprised Robin at school today. Here they are waiting for their pizza lunch. Since we couldn’t make it to Florida, Florida came to us!

SURPRISE!!!! Poppa Jim came up from Florida and surprised Robin at school today. Here they are waiting for their pizza lunch. Since we couldn’t make it to Florida, Florida came to us!

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November 10, 2009

Big Excitement!

Robin attended her first book signing tonight! She is a HUGE fan of the Berenstain Bears series about a family of bears that live in a treehouse in Bear Country. This series was created in the 1960s and most of you reading this probably know all about them. I read them, my brother read them, and now my kids are reading them. Well, tonight, Mike Berenstain, the son of the creators, Stan and Jan, was in Cincinnati signing the newest books!

Robin was thrilled when she heard about this opportunity but even more excited when she heard that Mama Bear and PaPa Bear would be there too! The excitement continued when she saw her good friend Elliott in the crowd. They quickly found seats together and settled in to hear Mike read the new Thanksgiving book. After the reading, he showed the kids how he draws each character. It was really special to see him draw huge caricatures of each bear.

And finally, Robin stood in line to have her new book signed. She told Mike that her favorite Berenstain bear book is the “New Baby” book and I told him that every night before bed she asks for a story about “the Berenstain Bears and Caillou, about the swimming pool, long and scary.” I’m sure he thought we were just a little strange, but that’s okay. It was a real treat to be a part of this event! Robin was on top of the world!

Sara

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Robin & Elliott await Mike Berenstain.

Robin & Elliott await Mike Berenstain.

Mike shows how he draws Sister Bear.

Mike shows how he draws Sister Bear.

Robin is excited and scared!

Robin is excited and scared!

Robin’s first book signing!

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