So what do you do when your caught in the middle of post-surgical drama and scanxiety?
You take your medical circus show on the road! Why not?
We made the last minute decision to visit Williamsburg over the weekend. We have wanted to take the kids to visit Busch Gardens. It is one of the parks included on Julia's Give Kids the World Passport which expires in a few weeks. Our schedules were clear, the weather was supposed to be good, so we decided to make the trip. It would definitely be fast- only 36 hours start to finish. It has been almost ten years since we have been back. I graduated from William and Mary and lived in the Burg for several years after. We haven't been back since our wedding weekend the beginning of April, 9 years ago.
Julia has been feeling good. She has recovered physically. The flushes are going okay. She is still participating, but things have been a little rougher with the addition of the bisacodyl solution. She's going to be upset no matter where she is when we do it, so we decided to give it a go. We had to pack a crazy amount of medical supplies to take with us (including her new solution which has to be refrigerated! do you ever start to feel like your life is some sort of sick board game or obstacle course?). Three boxes actually. It only took one laundry basket to fit everything the four of us needed for the whole weekend, all the rest was her stuff.
We arrived Saturday afternoon and decided to walk around Colonial Williamsburg. I love walking around the town. It is one of the things I missed most about the Burg. It is such a national and historical treasure to have right in your backyard. The kids were fascinated...
The weather was crazy. It vacillated between ominous dark clouds with rain showers and bright blue sunshine. At times we had both, one on each side of the street.
The gardens were beautiful. The kids are eagerly anticipating planting time back home and had fun browsing the options here...
Huge heads of cabbage!
Beautiful English garden landscapes...
Then I showed them the dorm where I lived my freshman year of college. It was such a treat to live right in Merchants Square next to the Colonial area. So many great memories. I lived in the corner room on the first floor...
Had to stop by Baskin-Robins next door for a quick snack. I have to say this establishment was the source of at least half of my "freshman 15"...
We walked over to Wren Courtyard on Old Campus at W&M. The weather was not cooperating, but we wanted to see at least part of the school.
The canon was a big hit...
We decided to eat dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. We had our first date here ten years ago.
The food was just as good as always...
The company was entertaining, though a little less romantic...
Julia's flush Saturday night was really rough. I have to say this and having to cath her are our biggest concerns these days. I am happy to report she did not need to be cathed at all while we were gone. She was extremely upset about the flush and screaming that it hurt. She screamed at the top of her lungs for the entire 45 minutes. This is one thing when you are at home, but a whole different story when you are away from home. We were so worried someone was going to hear her and accuse us of hurting her. Once that was done, I am happy to say we all slept all night.
Sunday we took the kids to Busch Gardens. We are so continually blessed by GKTW. It was their hope in creating these passports that families would be able to recreate the healing power of a special trip and make the magic last longer. It couldn't have some at a more perfect time for us. We needed to get away. We needed to find some healing fun somewhere else. Thank you to all the parks who participate in this program. You totally rock!! It was a beautiful spring day and the flowers were in all their glory...
The kids loved all the animals, especially Julia. All the caretakers were so knowledgeable. We learned many new things about predators, birds, and rabbits.
They especially loved the shows. The pets were so entertaining and smart.
We had a great meal at the Festhaus Oktoberfest. The food was yummy and the kids loved the polka band and dancers. What can I say, it's in their genes. I must confess I did get up and dance. I just can't resist! It's in my German Pennsylvania Dutch blood :)
After a wonderful day, it was time to head back home. Everyone had crashed by the time we pulled back in the driveway...
Mission accomplished. Operation Runaway Fun was a success. Now we wait for Thursday- Scan Day. Julia will have her oncology check up and next round of 3 month scans.
It has been a tough week in our Wilms' world. Our friend, Emma, relapsed last week at her 9 month scans. I still am in shock over the news. She has already begun relapse chemo in preparation for a stem cell transplant in Chicago. Her ANC is already at 0 and she was hospitalized with her first fever. Our hero, Meghan, has relapsed Wilms' in her brain now. Please pray for miraculous healing and freedom from suffering for her. She has been through so much already. We pray she is able to enjoy her friends, family, and life to the fullest. Hannah, is in the midst of her stem cell transplant right now. She has tremendous pain on many different levels. Please pray for God to sustain and carry her through this next hurdle. Tomorrow is her stem cell rescue day. please pray this is the beginning of Hannah's new lease on life and she can leave cancer behind her. And sweet Riley who just received word that the tumors in her lungs are growing again. Medicine has nothing left to offer and she is completely in God's hands now.
So much suffering and so many loved ones in pain. Lord, we will never understand on this side of heaven- but we pray for Your merciful, loving, healing, and protective hands on every one of these precious children and their families.
You take your medical circus show on the road! Why not?
We made the last minute decision to visit Williamsburg over the weekend. We have wanted to take the kids to visit Busch Gardens. It is one of the parks included on Julia's Give Kids the World Passport which expires in a few weeks. Our schedules were clear, the weather was supposed to be good, so we decided to make the trip. It would definitely be fast- only 36 hours start to finish. It has been almost ten years since we have been back. I graduated from William and Mary and lived in the Burg for several years after. We haven't been back since our wedding weekend the beginning of April, 9 years ago.
Julia has been feeling good. She has recovered physically. The flushes are going okay. She is still participating, but things have been a little rougher with the addition of the bisacodyl solution. She's going to be upset no matter where she is when we do it, so we decided to give it a go. We had to pack a crazy amount of medical supplies to take with us (including her new solution which has to be refrigerated! do you ever start to feel like your life is some sort of sick board game or obstacle course?). Three boxes actually. It only took one laundry basket to fit everything the four of us needed for the whole weekend, all the rest was her stuff.
We arrived Saturday afternoon and decided to walk around Colonial Williamsburg. I love walking around the town. It is one of the things I missed most about the Burg. It is such a national and historical treasure to have right in your backyard. The kids were fascinated...
Sunday we took the kids to Busch Gardens. We are so continually blessed by GKTW. It was their hope in creating these passports that families would be able to recreate the healing power of a special trip and make the magic last longer. It couldn't have some at a more perfect time for us. We needed to get away. We needed to find some healing fun somewhere else. Thank you to all the parks who participate in this program. You totally rock!! It was a beautiful spring day and the flowers were in all their glory...
The kids loved all the animals, especially Julia. All the caretakers were so knowledgeable. We learned many new things about predators, birds, and rabbits.
The kids rode everything they could and loved it. They are a at such a great age- daring enough to ride the smaller roller coasters, but still just as happy riding the kiddie rides.
It has been a tough week in our Wilms' world. Our friend, Emma, relapsed last week at her 9 month scans. I still am in shock over the news. She has already begun relapse chemo in preparation for a stem cell transplant in Chicago. Her ANC is already at 0 and she was hospitalized with her first fever. Our hero, Meghan, has relapsed Wilms' in her brain now. Please pray for miraculous healing and freedom from suffering for her. She has been through so much already. We pray she is able to enjoy her friends, family, and life to the fullest. Hannah, is in the midst of her stem cell transplant right now. She has tremendous pain on many different levels. Please pray for God to sustain and carry her through this next hurdle. Tomorrow is her stem cell rescue day. please pray this is the beginning of Hannah's new lease on life and she can leave cancer behind her. And sweet Riley who just received word that the tumors in her lungs are growing again. Medicine has nothing left to offer and she is completely in God's hands now.
So much suffering and so many loved ones in pain. Lord, we will never understand on this side of heaven- but we pray for Your merciful, loving, healing, and protective hands on every one of these precious children and their families.
3 comments:
So so happy that y'all were able to have this getaway. Holding all of you in my prayers.
Jo Ann Thrailkill
We are so glad you were able to enjoy your escape, but terribly disappointed that Connor's most recent stunts landed him in the ER on Saturday and we missed catching up with you. He was disappointed that he missed meeting Carter and Julia, and we were off to JMU on Sunday. Praying for you and the week to come. Big hugs-
Looks like you had a great trip. Glad you guys were able to make it back to our old stomping ground. My prayers continue to be with you.
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