It's all about the Attitude

Carson's pesky ear infection from four weeks ago is back! Ugh. Naturally it decided to manifest itself with a fever on the afternoon of Christmas day. Off to the ER...again. This time, however, we hit it with three rounds of antibiotics instead of two. Tonight was our last round. Hopefully that will do the trick.

So here it is another Christmas...and here we are at another hospital. Although some things have changed from last year, many things remain the same.

For instance, last year at this time Carson was in the middle of heavy treatment and playing with cars. (See image 1.)

Image 1: Irrefutable photographic evidence that Carson was indeed in the middle of treat (notice the missing hair) and was playing with cars. (2009)

But this year different. This year we are in the middle of treatment (not quite as heavy) and playing with cars, BUT NOW WE HAVE HAIR! (See image 2.)

Image 2: Irrefutable photographic evidence that Carson is still playing with cars, but now has hair! (2010)

If it weren't for the hair, I'm not sure you'd have notice much of a change. And that brings me to the three lessons I have learned from watching kids battle cancer:

Lesson 1: Attitude.
Lesson 2: Attitude.
Lesson 3: Attitude.

Okay, that sounds like buying a house, doesn't it?

Thinking about where we were this time last year, I came across this short video from the hospital. Check out these kids as they run around the pediatric oncology ward, hooked up to IVs and no hair. Nothing will keep them down!

Boys will be boys - even when in the hospital and hooked up to IVs.
(Carson is the one in the black shirt with the nerf rocket.)

Carson and the other kids teach us through their attitude. No matter the problem, they are grateful for when they feel good and always find a way to enjoy every moment of every day.

And I really like that.

I Want More Happy Juice!

This past week marked the start of a new cycle in our maintenance phase...but not before getting to visit with Santa!

Monday night was the annual Teardrops to Rainbows Christmas/Growing Hope banquet. Okay, so I think it was really called a "Holiday" party. Except there wasn't any fasting (are you kidding?), nor was there a menorah. But there was a Christmas tree, traditional Christmas music, and visit from Santa Claus. Hmmm...it sure LOOKED and SOUNDED like a Christmas party.

I digress...what's important is that there was a banquet hall full of kids fighting cancer who were all being pampered for the evening.

Both Carson and Francesca stuffed an animal. Both picked a dog. Both picked the same style of dog. Both named their respective dog "Daisy." I bet they conspired to do this just so they could have more fights at home.

Prior to Santa's arrival there was music, dancing, and food.

Forget the sword, balloon guy, I want a gun!!

When Santa came they called each family's name one at a time. As each name was read an exasperated Carson let out a audible, "Awh!" that was loud enough for the whole room to hear.

I think this is the first picture of Carson and Santa where Carson doesn't look scared for his life! It's progress.

We finally got our chance, though. Carson got some Hotwheels (who'd a thunk it?) and Francesca an art set. A special thanks for Teardrops to Rainbows and Growing Hope for making this a super special evening!

On Thursday we started a new cycle in therapy - which means we had a spinal with chemo flush...which means we had Happy Juice (aka midazolam).

When the procedure nurse walked into the room Carson asked her, "Do you have the happy juice?" No. And when the doctor first walked into the room Carson screamed in excitement, "I want Happy Juice!!"

"Good morning to you, too, Carson."

The spinal procedure passed without incident. And when Carson came to he turned to the doctor and said, "I want some more Happy Juice!!"

We are extremely grateful for medicines like Happy Juice. But honestly, I see a Happy Juice intervention in our future!

Paul.

How Quickly I Forget

So it's been a while since I've posted to the blog. Slowly but surely I've been sucked back into the routine of life - which can feel good and comforting. Ah, the joys of meaningless meetings at work, kids fighting at home, the car in the shop, the roof repairs...the list of distractions goes on and on.

And that's just what all these things are - distractions.

Then it's another trip to the ER. Another child's funeral. A friend's child diagnosed with leukemia.

Oh yeah, every minute is a gift! I must be pretty dense to need reminders like this.

(Dear God, please help me to grow out of my denseness. I really hate getting these reminders!)

And then we came across this: A story of another boy who had leukemia. He went through two bone marrow transplants, neither of which were successful. Realizing his time was short, the family decided to celebrate Christmas in September. The family's actions inspired the town, and singer/songwriter Matthew West to write "One Last Christmas."

Watch Dax battle leukemia and how his community rallies around the family:

What a moving video! Of course it left Jennifer and I in tears. Some of the images of Dax looked like Carson when he was in treatment.

How quickly we forget - every minute of every day is a precious gift from God.

Paul.

Thankful

This year we are again thankful and mindful of the great blessings & great promises that God has given to us.

Here are but a few recent examples of God's gifts these past few weeks. There's a lot more gifts that have happened all year long; but I doubt you have time for such a lengthy blog!

We are thankful for those who were not afraid to "Be Brave and Shave" in support of Children's National Medical Center and the fight against pediatric cancer.

Gretchen, Jay, Nicole and Kimber - we love you guys!!! Clinic visits could be horrible,
but you make them something that Carson looks forward to!

Thanks Dr. L - Carson looks forward to seeing you too!
....and so do his parents!

Officer Tom, our special friend. Carson loves knowing a "real policeman"!

We are thankful to organizations like Growing Hope, who give a boy and his family a fun day to remember at King's Dominion.

Carson atop the ferris wheel enjoying a sunny day.

We are thankful to all those who've donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in support of Jennifer's efforts to run the Disney Marathon and the search for a cure. This week, as I learned about my friend's 7 year old son, diagnosed with Bcell ALL the day before Thanksgiving; I again realized that no parent should ever have to hear the words "Your child has leukemia". We won't stop until that phrase is erased!

By the way, the winner of the gym membership is........ Sue Earman! Thanks Sue for your donation (and being a great running partner to boot!)

What it takes to get a 14 miler in on a 32 degree day: Tights, running skirt stuffed with sport beans, new stability shoes (to keep the knee in place), long sleeved shirt, ear headband, hat, ipod, fuel belt with
gatorade and gloves!

We are thankful for birthdays!!! Some times we forget that life is, in fact, a gift from God in itself and worth the celebration. Don't take it for granted!

A teenager among us......YIKES!

Ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins - YUM!

Our thanks to you, our friends, family and readers! Your words, deeds and prayers have carried us through another year!
-Jennifer

Trying to blog

We have a million things to share, and things just won't seem to settle down. Thank goodness there is a holiday coming - maybe we will have some down time and an opportunity to update the blog in something other than "Reader's Digest" format.

This is what went on last week in the Kind household:

• a cortisone shot in the knee for yours truly
  
• a new roof installation
• the continued night time activities of the flying squirrels that have invaded our attic and seem too smart for the traps
• 2 children with birthdays
• a week long visit from my parents (who were a huge help amid the chaos)
  
• the "service engine soon" light coming on in the Mini
  
• a 3 hour visit Children's hospital downtown for Francesca to upgrade her insulin pump
• a 3 hour visit to the ER later that night(morning) with Carson for an ear infection
• a birthday party for Carson at the house
  
• a visit to our dear friends who lost their 12 yr old son suddenly in the overnight hours of Friday and Saturday
• a second visit to the ER on Sunday for more IV antibiotics for Carson
• and an evening at church to hear both children sing in their respective choirs

This chaos still beats the hospital any time any day!

Carson poses patiently for a picture before opening gifts.

Cupcakes!!!!! Need I say more?

Stay tuned for more photos!

-Jennifer

Blog Alert.....

We have had a lot going on here in the King household. More fundraisers, day trip to King's Dominion, swim meets, flying squirrels in the roof - and subsequent trapping of flying squirrels- washing machines breaking, physical therapy, cortisone shots, a little boy on steroids, you name it.

This is just a note to say, we will update soon. Stay tuned!

-Jennifer

Free Fitness Ending...

The chance to win a free gym membership will be coming to an end soon. There's still time to get in on this raffle though if you're interested. You have until midnight on November 7th. Just click here and receive one entry for every 10 dollars donated to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Hope everyone is having a great fall weekend. Half of us are hanging at home, and the other half are at a swim meet.

-Jennifer