An incredible year

I can’t believe this year is at its end. This has been an incredible year in many ways. So much to be thankful for. So many things we have gained from this journey. Many tears, lots of joy, new friends, old relationships renewed, being stretched beyond what our minds and hearts thought possible spiritually, emotionally and physically (literally) J. Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, love, kindness and understanding.

We celebrated Cody’s 11^th birthday December 9. He wanted to go bowling with friends and family. We had to wait until almost the last minute to finalize our plans; because based on our past, anything could happen….fever, low counts etc. As it turned out, he felt good and we all had a blast, even the adults. A handful of his best buddies, some of their parents, both sets of grandparents, Dave and I, his uncle Jeff and his cousin Jessica.

Cody got his feeding tube out the day before Thanksgiving. Yippee! He is eating much better. He gained some pounds and lost a couple. During his chemo weeks, his appetite slows down, but no where like it was before. He hasn’t thrown up in awhile now so it appears the worst is over! Halleluiah!! AND his hair is starting to grow back. We have been told that when it does, sometimes it comes back curly and/or black. He is already thinking of dying his hair blond (like it used to be)… but I told him “we’ll see”, that means no.

Monday, Cody got the last of this cycle of chemo. Three weeks on, three weeks off. So by the time Christmas arrives, he should be feeling really good. (Unlike last year, Christmas was spent in the hospital). It always takes a few days after the three weekly hits of chemo for him to feel worse before he feels better. He wasn’t feeling very good Monday as his counts were low, so he got platelet and blood transfusions… that always perks him up. After the transfusions, we walked over to CHOC hospital. Disneyland had Mickey and Minnie there decked out in their Christmas attire. There were tons of balloons, cookies, games etc. We only stayed for a few minutes…. Just long enough to soak in a little Christmas festivities and get a few photos.

Another exciting thing for Cody was last week while we were at the clinic; the Anaheim Ducks came to visit the hospital and clinic. Seven of the players came in and gave him autographed pictures and poster, T-shirt and cow bell. He was thrilled. We took advantage of the photo-op. Monday we were given tickets by CHOC, to The Ducks game at the Honda Center for December 18. (seats on the ice) So if you are a hockey fan and are watching, look for us!

November 27 we were admitted to CHOC for our normal “big Hit” of chemo. We got out in record time… just a 2 day stay. On one of our past stays, we introduced one of the kids that is always there, to a game called Jenga, a balancing game with wood pieces. On this stay we played many games with our friend. We have seen this young man around the hospital frequently over the past year and just got to know him better this last couple of months. We nicknamed him the Jenga King. Over the past year, you could see the cancer gradually taking over….one organ at a time. This last stay he was put on a breathing machine with about 10 other various tubes. Turns out, this was his last stay at CHOC, his last day on earth. He was a sweet boy and he knew his days were numbered but had a wonderful disposition and peace about him. We need to count our blessings and give thanks for them every day, all of them.

I lamented on whether I should tell Cody or not. The kids talk amongst themselves and it would have come out probably sooner than later. I wanted it to come from me rather than playing dumb when he brought it up after someone else told him. So, I told him about his friends passing. We commiserated that he lived longer than was expected and would no longer be in pain, he was kind and most importantly; he was very loved and now was in the arms of Jesus. We had a few moments of silence, shed a few tears, and then Cody said. “Well, I guess now you will be the best.” The best at what? I asked. “ The best at Jenga.” So-o, a boy’s way of letting go…looking at the good and looking at tomorrow. This young mans passing is still heavy on my heart.

In this last month I dusted off a children’s Bible Story book to re-read to Cody. It was a book I read to him when he was very young, many times. (it has great pictures) He enjoyed it so much; we decided to read the “big” Bible when we got done. We are now on the book of Exodus. It is very heartwarming, as a parent, to know that he is so excited about having the Bible read to him. He asks a lot of very good questions…many I don’t have the answers to.

We will have a very low key Christmas. We will be staying local and spending it with our local family at our house, most of the Days (pending on how Cody is feeling). Dick and Charlotte are here from Africa , so that is a bonus as this will be a first for us to all be able to spend Christmas with the Days. We will miss my side of the family as we generally spend it with them (except last year and this). We both come from very large families. You should have seen our wedding!! Just with our siblings, their children and our parents, I think it was 50 people.

I have had several requests for a picture of Cody, so here, at last, is the most recent one. He is no longer the little boy he was a year ago. He has matured, in a way, far beyond his years.

We wish you many blessings in this season and for the New Year to come!! Thank you for your continued prayers.

The Days