Mothers

Brooklyn, once again, did amazingly well on Friday. We went to the infusion lab first to get her next round of chemo. Brooklyn watched a movie and was pretty content, but wanted to eat the crackers we had brought with us. As the morning went on, and she got hungrier and hungrier, she wanted them more and more. It was so hard because she would say, "just one momma, just one cracker?" Then she got mad at me because I wouldn't give them to her, and threw a little fit, but I couldn't get upset with her because I knew how hungry she was and I hated that she couldn't eat. We had about 45 minutes between the time we left the infusion lab and went to the hospital for the surgery and she actually fell asleep in the car. The poor thing was just exhausted. And starving. I carried her into the hospital and as she woke up, she recognized the hall we were walking down and said, "Maybe the music girl will be here." She wasn't, because she got into grad school back in Chicago, so we read a book while we waited. They actually got us back into surgery before our 1:00 time, so that was great. The doctor got the needle into her spine on the first try and took the sample and gave her her chemo in just a few minutes. We wheeled out into the recovery room and when she woke up she was ready for food! The nurse gave her a popsicle and she was so happy to have it, it was just what she needed. She ate a few crackers too and then another popsicle.

All of the nurses in the surgery center are so sweet and loved Brooklyn's dress and her bright smile. She always seems to bring smiles into a room, wherever she is. She felt good enough that we all got to go to Kayla's performance at her school Friday night. Our preschool director is amazing and let us use the cry room in the back of the church so that Brookie could still go watch Kayla sing, but wouldn't be in the sanctuary with so many people and exposed to so many germs. After the program was over, the kids all ran around outside, chasing each other and playing tag. It was amazing because if you didn't know it, you would never have guessed that Brooklyn had had 3 doses of chemo and a spinal tap earlier that same day. She was running around with all the other kids, happy as could be, and that made us all happy. Yesterday we had fun going to Braden's game, and it was great because they won! Brooklyn fell asleep on the way home and slept for a few hours before we had some friends over for dinner. Today, on Mother's Day, I was once again so thankful for the mothers in my life. My mom and dad met us after they went to church and took the kids back to our house so that we could go. We let all the kids go back home because Kayla has a fever and is sick now, Brooklyn and Kelsey usually don't come, and so we said Braden could stay home too. As soon as my parents got home with the kids, Brooklyn threw up all over the floor. I am sure my mom didn't imagine she would be cleaning up puke on Mother's Day, but she was, as always, amazing and didn't mind at all and just took care of everything. My aunt and uncle came over later in the afternoon and we all got to spend the day together. The three of us moms got to spend an hour upstairs in my bathroom painting our toes and I felt so blessed to have such amazing, selfless, giving women in my life. Mike's mom spent the day with the rest of the family at home and though tired, sounds great and is happy to be home with everyone. We are so happy she is doing so well and grateful to have her as our mom/mother-in-law/grandma. Happy mother's day to all of the amazing women in our lives who keep our family in their thoughts and prayers. We truly appreciate you.