Winning Who is Worse Off
By Margot | February 26, 2008
We went to Dr. Chambers today. He was sick on Friday so we postponed until today. Sam’s other ankle is broken and they put a cast on it today. He picked blue just like his hearing aids -he has one blue and one red cast.  He was hoping he might get his red cast off today and instead they put one on his other ankle. I didn’t think I could stand it as I held him as he cried and they put the other cast on.  I just hate this, I hate it. I hate it. I want to kick something, I want to run until I drop.   Dr. Chambers really wants him to take it easy and even suggested a wheel chair which we said no to. His growth plates are stressed and his bones along the growth plate in the ankles and the knees both look as if he has rickets but he doesn’t. His Vitamin D levels are normal so Dr. Chambers isn’t sure what is going on. We are doing an MRI and going to see an endocrinoligist so that we can figure it out. Dr. Chambers was very reassuring that we will figure it out and can correct it. Sam shouldn’t have played basketball on Friday. He made a basket at the buzzer before half-time and he’s still talking about it. Neil got it on video, it was pretty amazing. He was only walking obviously with a cast on but he’s going to have to really take it easy now and basketball is out.  Luckily we only have one game left.  As we sat outside the hospital and waited for Neil, who was getting the car, we were both crying and he looked at me and said “Are you crying too?”  “Why are you crying?” I said “Because you had to get another cast.”  He smiled and cheered up some. Neil and I are somewhat dazed. If we are the proverbial camel, we are staggering under the weight of the straw tonight.
This part at least isn’t cancer which is good but it still hurts for Sam who lives for recess and basketball and everything active.  He and I talked about it tonight and I’m going to bring every board game we have to school so he can play them at recess. He seemed to like that idea and we started to plan which games we’d bring. He is very good at checkers so we picked that and Battleship and Sorry and Clue Jr. I know the kids will be happy to play games with him and Mrs. Gage and the principal have been really great about offering to help.  He had to stay home again today because his stomach has been a mess. The diarrhea bug came back yesterday and I figured I’d better keep him home again today. He was ok today though.   Andrew got barked at tonight before bed. He kept asking me for fruit gushers (total junk that probably shouldn’t even be in the house) and I kept telling him “no.” Andrew and fruit gushers at 8:30pm is not a good mix – think bouncing off the walls. I’d told him he could have something healthy like an apple and he would not let it go -tensions running slightly high in the household Neil and I lost our patience. When I came back upstairs with the apple Andrew was lying on the floor feeling sorry for himself and as I came up the stairs I heard him say, “I got yelled at, Sam.” Sam replied, “Well, I had something worse.” “What?” Andrew asked. “I had two casts on my legs, I’ve had diarrhea for two days and you just scratched me.” “Oh,” says Andrew And then they looked at each other and laughed. Â
So take that, neuroblastoma! Stick that in your stupid body ravaging pipe and smoke it! Because you will never beat Sam’s spirit or his sense of humor. You will never beat it.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 4 Comments »
February 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Your entry brought tears to my eyes, a total stranger hundreds of miles away…you are an amazing family with incredible children. I wish you strength each day! You are the perfect example of money does not buy health or happiness but love can go a long way.
I have been donating to Penelope and Sam Fund and know that even though it is not much it is something and will keep Sam cracking jokes!
Best wishes for a better day than yesterday!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I’m so sorry to hear of the frustration on top of frustration. As a cancer mom myself, I can relate.
I am praying for Sam – for the NB and the numbers associated with that, for the casts and healing there, and also that he keeps his spirit. Our kids are amazing! Even when we are losing it over their continued suffering, they still find the fortitude to smile. They are still children, and this is their normal.
I will pray also for you all as a family. I know how stressful it can be on the rest of the family.
Blessings to you all!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Dear Sam Team,
It is not fair that unsinkable Sam should have endure one more straw…
I am so sorry. I know his incredible spirit comes from you both and because of that–he wins.
Love to you all and prayers for rapid healing!!!!!!
February 29th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Oh guys… I’m hurting with you right now…. It’s just not fair!!! that sweet little readheaded thing who has fought soo hard…now has to go through yet one more thing….
I love his spirit…..What a great kid you have there!!!!
thinking and praying for you all!!
love
rhonda dudley