Good News...

Today we got the results from Ellie's CT Scan...her tumor has shrunk! Welcome to the rollercoaster ride that is our life. I finally prepare you for the worst and then something good happens. (Aren't rollercoasters supposed to be fun? Are you having fun yet? I think I've reached the point where I can't stop spinning and I'm feeling kind of nauseous...) I don't have the full report yet, but I did hear that there is improvement. We are so pleased. I really was gearing up to hear bad news because of the symptoms we have been seeing, but now I wonder if this is just because her body has gone too long without the chemo continuing to shrink the tumors even further. Whatever the reasons - tonight we are thankful! The doctor said that the test on the thing that she blew out of her nose did not indicate anything other than nasal mucus, etc. And the sample from one of her chickenpox (from the day of her bone marrows) showed no signs of the chickenpox virus. That was confusing to us, but I guess maybe it just means that her body has finished off the virus (even though all of the blisters were not broken). Oh well, some things just don't always make sense. Ellie has felt very well today and has only two or three more blisters left unopened on her feet. We are supposed to check into the hospital on Sunday night and gear up for chemo round three on Monday. I can't believe I'm actually saying that I'm thankful that chemo will be starting, but I am!

Today is Ethan's actual birthday, and for his birthday he got...CHICKENPOX! Oh yes, he is starting to break out and has a fever today. Today is exactly five weeks from the time Ellie developed her first blister. While I am thankful that Ethan can get them over with, I am just SO tired of chickenpox! I don't ever want to see another pox for as long as I live. Since we had already celebrated Ethan's birthday, he spent the day at Mom and Gary's house to have another celebration with them. By the time he got home, Mom said that he definitely wasn't feeling so perky today and when Ethan saw me he said "This birthday boy isn't feeling so good. His body is kinda sick." The boy turns four and no longer speaks in first person?! What is that about? He certainly keeps us laughing. The other day Stan showed Ethan a real alligator head that he had purchased. I had no idea how Ethan would react (scream, run, beat it with a stick...) but apparently he looked at the thing and dryly commented (in a fake southern drawl) "he aint feeling so good!" I think that he is quoting Veggie Tales "Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed". What a nut. Even at four, he has a great sense of comedic timing.

Well, thank you for sharing this crazy ride with us...I should have prepared you before you got on...this ride even goes upside down sometimes...

I leave you tonight to savor the good news and join in our thanksgiving. I am so thankful for these moments of reprieve when we can take a breath and feel some tension drain away for a short time. We love you all!