« Thank You Bev! | Home | Untrained Eye Impression of the Scan »
Beautiful Weekend
By Margot | November 17, 2008
.jpg.jpg "Andy school portrait (2008).jpg.jpg")
Thought you’d like to see the boys school pictures. We got them back on Friday. I thought they were pretty cute though Andy’s smile is a little forced.  We had a wonderful weekend. Friday night we took the boys down to Belmont park and Neil and Sam rode the rollercoaster (Andy is not quite tall enough so he rode a ride that shoots you up and drops you down.  All three boys rode the carousel and Charlie cried to get off saying it went to fast. They all threw baseballs to get a prize and all three boys (even Charlie) knocked the thingy down so they all picked swords. After that we went to see a USD soccer game which was fun for the boys. It’s such a nice stadium and we were able to get right up near the field. Saturday afternoon after soccer we went to the beach. The Santa Ana weather was just beautiful. The water was cold, but that didn’t stop the boys from boogie boarding. I couldn’t help but marvel at the weight Sam has gained. It used to be that he would get cold immediately upon entering any water (even if it was relatively warm). Now he has enough meat on his bones that he goes boogie boarding in November.  We dug a big hole for Charlie to play in and made a river going into it. It was low tide and we had lots of space to play, we stayed until sunset and tried to impress upon Sam and Andy how beautiful it all was. We grabbed some pizza and showers and then went back to USD this time for the football game. The boys loved it. Sam was really into every play and snuggled on my lap or Neil’s lap and put our arms around him while Charlie jumped up and down the bleachers and Andy sat on the other lap and yelled “Watch the rug!” when we were on defense -until we explained to him that people were yelling “Watch the run!”  USD is a nice small university and it’s almost like going to a high school game – it’s really family friendly.  They even had a jumpy for Charlie during halftime. Yesterday we hung out and read and played basketball outside and then went back to the beach last night to play soccer on the hard sand at low tide.  It was so pretty.  The boys both did well at soccer on Saturday.  Sammy actually scored a goal but the refs called offsides right as he shot and the goal didn’t count. It was a bummer since it was the only offsides call they made the entire game and there were plenty of other cases where it could have been called. I had to temper myself not to be crazy mother and get thrown out of the game. Sam had such a big smile on his face when he scored. Everyone high fived him.Â
He’s been in a great mood and has had so much energy lately that it’s been great to see. So much harder then to get the news late Friday afternoon that his VMA and HVA have shot up to 16.9 and 17.3. Not what we want going into scans and dangerously close to the levels where he has had bone pain. Saturday after soccer, before we went to the beach, he took a two hour nap. While he went to bed late the night before and most parents wouldn’t panic about a nap in the middle of the day, a cancer parent never likes to see their child sleep during the day. That said Sam stayed up the latest Saturday night – didn’t seem a bit tired long after we were home from the game and his brothers were sound asleep so maybe it was just catch up sleep. We talked to Dr. Sholler on Friday night and have changed some of pills he’s taking.  We will of course know more on Thursday but we are terrified and determined at the same time.  Neil and I are trying not to give in to the terror and go out and live life with our little boys. Neil got us up and out for the fun activities of this weekend and I’m so glad he did. I tried to just watch and enjoy Sam (and all three boys) - as he threw his head back and laughed at his brothers at the beach, as he told us about what happens to stars “when they are finished” and how he wanted to stay to the very end of both games (football and soccer) though it was obvious in both cases what the outcome would be. Â
Please think good thoughts for Sam and say some prayers for him on Thursday.  He will be at the hospital all day for a bone marrow biopsy in the morning and his scan in the afternoon.
MargotÂ
Â
Topics: Progress Reports | 9 Comments »
November 17th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hang in there- thinking of you during scan week. I will visualize clean scans and another beautiful weekend for you next weekend.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Like wise – wishing both Sam and will great scans this week – our friend Patrick at TCH is also going thru scans – great scans all around!
Lara
November 18th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Margot and Neil, Sounds like an awesome day. It certainly would have worn me (and my kids) out, too. We will be saying prayers for great scans and that his vma and hva go back down. Ya’ll stay strong. Missy Morgan (SuperRyans mom)
November 18th, 2008 at 12:46 am
marg’s – not surprised to see Neil rise to the occasion..seize the day and run with you and the boys all over town this past weekend..
Like no other one I have ever seen Neil knows how to dig deep and produce when there is nothing left…
I am telling you, Neil and Sam will beat NB…
If the scans are a challenge..Sam is doing great..he has weight and his body will be able to sustain a significant amount of chemo…Have faith..Tom
November 18th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Long time lurker just stopping by to say that I’m glad you all had a good weekend and that my thoughts are with you for Sam’s test results.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Glad Neil and Nick connected briefly on the phone yesterday !
LOVE the school photos and the beach shots make me wish our kids were in the water with you all !
Stay positive and don’t give in to the fear… we are with you in
spirit !
Love,
Colleen & Nick
November 19th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Neil and Margot–Praying fervently here for ALL good news for your beautiful little man.
Sam you are so amazing. Go Warrior Man!
Sorry I missed your call Neil–
Much love to all of you and many many prayers!!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I love all the red hair! Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as you head into scans.
Candace Mason
November 20th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Sending you positive thoughts and energy your way!
:)Love,
Mrs. Heather