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Not Slowing Down Much
By Margot | May 4, 2009
I was going to title this “Broken Arm Smoken Arm” but then I thought if we go in to get the permanent cast tomorrow and get in big trouble I might feel a wee bit silly. Sam lasted about two days without four square but swears he’s only using one arm. He did one handed basketball dribbling drills on Friday but didn’t run (we’re pushing aren’t we?). You can see he has a bright green cast so we’ll see if he gets a different color tomorrow. I took the boys for a hike up at Torrey Pines on Saturday afternoon to get them out of the house doing something non-sports related.  I told them we were going on an adventure and Charlie was all over it. After some initial skepticism from our two older boys, they ended up having a great time finding lizards and cacti and, after some prodding from their mother on what a beautiful spot they live in, appreciating the view.  As you can see from the picture sticks were involved and I had to prevent eye injuries at some points in the hike. We went out for Mexican food with Maureen on Saturday night and there were mariachis in the restaurant and all three boys and Mimi sang Feliz Navidad (requested by another table) at the top of their lungs.
Yesterday was the last soccer game of the season for both boys. Sam didn’t play but helped Neil coach and hand out trophies. He was in a pretty chipper mood considering he didn’t play. I was helping with the beginning of Andrew’s game so didn’t see Sam get his trophy but he said, “When Dad said, “I bet he’s going to need help opening his trophy because he only has one arm.” I knew it was me.” I thought that was kind of funny. Andrew’s team played really well and came the closest to winning that they have all season. Andrew scored twice and was all over the field. He made some good saves in goal and was exhausted after the game. At one point the parents of one of the little girls on his team who is more interested in the clouds- if you know what I mean- said to Neil, “Take her out, take her out, we’re so close. We just want to see Andy and CJ get to win one game.” The kids had fun though, the most fun they’ve had all season since they didn’t get crushed. Last night we had a picnic at the park with the Brunettes and Thomases and the Bonebrakes. The boys ran around until 8pm and I had to wonder from what well they were drawing their energy. A nice thing to wonder in Sam’s case.
Sam’s VMA last week was 23 and HVA was 18. Wohoo. These are the lowest numbers we’ve seen since last December so we hope they keep going in the right direction. His liver enzymes have been elevated lately and we are working to decipher the culprit. Today the secretary from the school called and said Sam was feeling woozy. When I went to pick him up she said Mrs. Abbuhl saw him sort of swoon and then his face got really red and he said he felt woozy. He’s home now eating like a horse and looking fine but he still says he feels woozy every once in a while. No idea the cause, we are hoping it’s not one cause in particular of course. But we would have seen that in the numbers you’d think. We are making summer plans, signing up for camps and summer basketball all the while knowing it could all go out the window depending on treatment plans. But for now, not slowing down.
Please keep the Brown family in your prayers. After a long battle with NB, the incredible Jack Brown became an angel last night. I’m posting a poem that his Dad wrote on his site that I love:
‘Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda’
All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin’ in the sun,
Talkin’ ‘bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done…..
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did…………………….from one little Jack.
Their site:Â http://www.jackbrownappeal.org/updatesonjack.asp
 Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 8 Comments »
May 5th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Tell Sam his cast is identical to the one his cousin Emily had when she was 8. Green with velcro strips, so she could remove it! She broke hers rollerskating while walking the dog, wrapped it in bubble wrap and tried out for her soccer team the next day.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Margot,
What an incredible family you’ve got. Sometimes I get tired just reading about your day to day. Tell Sam and Andy congrats on a great soccer season. It stinks being on a losing team but it builds character and helps make future wins that much sweeter. (Shelby is still waiting for that haha) Keep making those summer plans. I totally believe in the power of positive thinking. Still praying at LEAST ONCE a day here in Wa.
With Hope
Abra
May 5th, 2009 at 1:57 am
hiya sam,
sorry to hear about your arm. but i love your cast!! i love the color!!! you know if you change the color you should get neon orange. it will ditract the other people during four square:) i hope your arm feels better soon.
kick butt in four square,
Shelby
May 5th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Love the green on the cast ! Go Irish !!!!
The boys look great !!!
Happy and mischievious !!!!
Good news on the numbers !
Sorry for another loss in your NB family,
just heart-wrenching …
Prayers to all of you,
Colleen, Nick and family
May 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Thinking of Shel Silverstein’s beautiful poem:
“Listen to the mustn’ts child
listen to the don’ts,
listen to the neverhaves,
the impossibles the won’ts,
then listen close to me,
anything can happen child,
anything can be”
Thinking about Jack Brown’s mother and her tribute, “you will never leave me and I you” and I see Margot’s optimism. Margot, down for the fight..never giving up. Margot, arming her three boys with sticks…’case they run into snakes…
Thinking about Charlie Bowden who dedicated a book to the subject of deep friendship and his tribute “to my companeros, who showed me the way home, never to leave my side, as long as I stand my ground” and I see Neil leading and finding the way, arguing with doctors and nurses and bureaucrats everywhere, relentlessly and without end; never leaving Sammy’s side. Thinking of Sam who will never leave Neil’s side. Thinking about Jack Brown’s father thanking Jack for the deep lessons on life.
Thinking of how brave Sam is to take all this in stride, all the indignities of being a boy with cancer and somehow Sam knowing that “anything can be”.
Anything can be!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Thinking of all of you . . .what an incredible family you are!! Sam’s green cast is COOL!!
May 11th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I can’t believe how big Charlie is! He is a weed. They look like they had a good time out in nature. If only we could get all of our boys in New Mexico at the same time. My mom and Marty could show them a thing or two about nature right?
Thinking of you guys every day,
Love, Nicole
May 12th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
sure wish you’d slow down long enough to post an update!!!!!!!! Wondering how you all are…. thinking about you guys!!