Last minute surgery-

We went in yesterday afternoon for a general surgery consult to discuss and schedule removing Ethan's port. Turns out, a patient had just cancelled an appointment for this morning, so they scheduled Ethan in. We did pre-surgery processing last night, got up eeeaaarly this am, and he was in and out in just a few hours! The surgery went smoothly, the doctors were very kind, and Ethan's already home playing his Wii. Kinda crazy how it was just thrown together, but it all worked out. He now will only have to get blood drawn every three months and will not have to be admitted if he gets a fever for a minor illness. YAY! We are glad it's done. We now have a souvenir, too. We have yet to keep anything left over from his surgeries, treatments, etc. but I thought keeping the port would be cool. Much easier to hold onto than a giant radiation mask. Until next post. <3

Getting Settled

It has been a really, really long time since I've posted. Ah, but finally, here it is. Since the DC trip, we have been busy. Ethan continues to do amazingly well. He practices walking all on his own! Just a few steps at a time now but progress is progress. He also adjusted really well to going full days at school in San Antonio. In late March, our house was packed up and we started our journey to WA. We visited several family members along the way and had a great time. We've been here at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) for a couple weeks now and we are all settling in nicely. The weather is quite a change. It was high 70s, low 80s in San Antonio when we left and it's pretty much in the 50s here daily. It sure is beautiful though. There are an amazing amount of trees here. Our neighborhood is quiet and beautiful, too. Again, Ethan is adjusting really well to school. Although he misses his friends and helpers in San Antonio a great deal, he's getting to know his new teacher and assistant and enjoying it. He has yet to start up PT again, but should be getting in within the next few weeks. Since he is really getting strong, we feel he could benefit from physical therapy right now more than ever! He has a lot of doctor's appointments on the horizon; eye doctor, surgeon (for port removal), pt and neuro eval, etc. Before we left San Antonio, Ethan had an MRI. They did spot something down in t9-t11, but I have been assured not to be alarmed. It is likely just an enlarged vein. They have noticed it before, without mentioning it, but this time it was more prominent in the scans. They are not concerned enough to order an unscheduled MRI, so we will follow up on it in a few months at his regularly scheduled time. They will order thinner slices to get a better look. I have to admit, I was a little freaked to hear about it when they initially called to notify me of the results, but it was a hectic time (packing and hitting the road) and I was a bit more stressed than usual. However, since meeting with Ethan's oncologist here, I've calmed down a bit and realize they have to inform us of anything they see even if it is little to be concerned with. Ethan's oncologist here doesn't seem to think it is necessary for Ethan to keep his port in any longer either. That will keep him out of the hospital if he gets fevers from common colds, flues, etc. In summary, progress, progress, progress. We couldn't be happier about all Ethan has overcome. Ryan has been busy in-processing and has yet to start his actual job but hopefully will be able to soon. I wish I could say I have done a good deal of unpacking, but I haven't! I keep finding other things to occupy my time... In essence, all is well. We hope the same goes for all of you. Thank you for staying tuned in and love to you all. <3 Nikki