« A Few Pics | Home | Home »
The Big Apple
By Margot | June 8, 2009
We are here at the Ronald McDonald House in New York. It’s 9:43 am and Sam, still being on CA time is still sleeping. We meet with Dr. Modak today at 11. We got in yesterday at around 4:30 and got checked in and such by 6:30. Uncle Matt and Rosco (the most awesome beagle) picked us up from the airport which made Sam very happy. We got the tour of the Ronald McDonald House and Sam had a quick game of ping pong in the playroom while still on the tour. He was starving since we hadn’t had much to eat on the flight so we decided to eat around here. We needed to find place with outside tables so we could accomodate Rosco. The first couple of places had people waiting in line and were packed so we crossed the street and went to a little bar/restaurant place where the tables outside were totally empty. Note to selves, if restaraunt in empty in New York, food might not be that great.   It was actually not too bad and Sam loved the mini-burgers so it worked out fine. We then went for frozen yogurt down the street and we sat on a bench outside and watched the people go by. A very nice man and his wife stopped to talk to Sam and Neil about their Notre Dame shirts. It was clear after a few minutes that they were both completely smashed. He said he was from the Bronx and kept trying to give us his baseball hat and sunglasses for some reason. He put it on everyone’s head and after trying to give it back several times, we just kept them and he and his wife finally walked on. It was probably a fitting introduction to New York. We were all pretty exhausted so we went back to the Ronald McDonald House and Sam played some foosball with Uncle Matt and then we went upstairs and went to bed.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…. Andy and Charlie said goodbye to us yesterday morning. Charlie was actually pretty good about it. I’m not sure he understood we’d be gone for a couple of days so we left to his cheery, “Bye Sam! Bye Mom! Andy was very teary and I was worried about him. I called him when we landed and he hopped on the phone happy as a clam and said, “Mom! Mom! The high of my day was going on the paddle boats with Grandpa. Charlie kept steering us in circles so I had to take over driving after Charlie gave it a try.” My Dad and Stephanie took them out to breakfast at the broken yolk and then paddle boating on the Bay. Then they went to the Monacos for dinner so I’m thinking they are not missing us much. I’ll call today to see how they are doing. As we were eating dinner and watching all of the cars go by I kept wanting to yell out, “Firetruck!” “Truck with a digger on the back!” but had to stop myself because Charlie obviously was not with us.
Sam is in good spirits. It was fun to hang out with him on the plane. He loved tracking the plane’s progress which you can do on the little screene on JetBlue. It was sort of the airplane version of “Are we there yet?” He said he likes New York so far and was very excited to see the Empire State Building in the skyline on the way from the airport. He’s always up for an adventure and was in good spirits last night. Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions. We’ll definitely have to hit the Times Square ESPN zone and we promised Sam a trip to FAO Schwartz. He keeps calling it UFO Schwartz. We never got back VMA/HVA last week so we are going in to the scans a little bit blind. I’m taking comfort in the fact that Sam is feeling good with energy to spare -he was awesome in his basketball draft on Saturday morning – though I know it doesn’t always correlate.
More soon.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 10 Comments »
June 8th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
The Toys R Us in Times Square is a must-see for any kid! Warmes wishes to Team Sam!
June 8th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
That’s priceless about “firetruck” etc. Davis and I make up for Erin not being around by noting and announcing all the cute, precious animals (puppies, baby calves, etc.). Walter doesn’t get it.
VB
June 9th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Have a great time (despite the reason that you are there). Did I tell you that last week Madison was so excited about losing her tooth so she could give her tooth fairy money to Sam. Savannah just told me at 5 pm that she wants to sell candy and lemonae right now for Sam. I think I have produced some sellers. Angela (Madison’s Mom)
June 9th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Hey Guys, I’m glad your first evening in NY was Interesting! Dr. Modak was Melina’s doctor also he is very kind. If you are looking for a good pizza try Delizzia’s right around the corner from the Ronald House. The diner a few blocks past Delizzia’s is pretty good to. Its call 3Star Diner.
Thinking of you and praying for good scans,
Lisa Riniolo mom to Melina
June 9th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Thinking good thoughts for Warrior Sam…
4.5 years later and he looks better than ever…
Thinking that Marg’s innate sense of compassion has never been higher..
Knowing that Neil will shoulder any burden for Sam…
So, tomorrow..go in to the CT scan and knock em down…same with the MIBG and the bone testing…
Keep swinging ..
Much love.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Hi guys-
I hope your trip is fruitful with lots of new opportunities for treatment. The pizza place around the corner from the RMH is good Delazzios or something like that. Also I bet Sam would like the Mars restaurant as a treat- perfect for boys his age. Toys r us times square seemed to have more boys stuff than FAO but maybe my perception. Im trying to just think of the fun parts. To preserve Sam’s integrity and in the name of all that is good, do NOT let him become a Yankees fan please. Hang in there- Im sure it will be a long week.
Carrie Palmer.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:49 am
HI Guys, I’m glad the kids at home are having lots of fun~
Dylan’s Candy Bar is not too far down the street if you find the need for a sugar fix. Also just a short walk down the street to see the big ships and tugboats in the East River. I’m glad that Uncle Matt and Roscoe are there to help out! Praying for your family. Love, Ellen
http://www.caringbridge.org/ma/seanhanson
June 10th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Finnegan’s Wake just across 1st Ave is great. OK to take Sam in there, too. Petaluma’s across 73rd is good also. Good luck!
June 11th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Thinking, Praying, Wishing, and Researching for you all. Erika
June 11th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Sounds like you are taking in all of NYC !
Don’t forget to check out Central Park !
SOOOOO good to see Neil this past weekend !
Thinking of ALL of you and praying every day…
The Kuhn’s