Scan Day

This is the longest we have ever gone in between scan days. Six months feels like forever. In some ways it is good because it gives us more opportunities to live in the middle, where the time is far enough away that you can try to forget. The doubt creeps in at times making you wonder, "what if.." and "has it been too long?" Sometimes you just wish our kids came with a read out strip that gave us the info we needed anytime. The past few weeks have been so hectic it has given us very little time to think about it. This past weekend I found out that power washing is a great outlet for scanxiety. For my hubby, it's mountain biking. He clearly wins on the calorie burn for this one, but I'm enjoying the cleanliness. If only I could use it inside the house... I digress.

Julia, Carter, and I headed to Brenner's this morning for her scan day. She decided to take Kourage with her for the day.

The clinic was hopping when we arrived. The kids saw Ms. Betsey and made a bee line to the art table. As she ran off Julia declared she wanted her blood drawn first so it was over and she didn't have to think about it. I checked in and went to wait in line at the lab. An hour later our turn had not come, but it was time to head downstairs for ultrasound and x-rays. We left Carter happily crafting away and went down to radiology. Kourage found a happy perch on the desk.

I needed a little courage paying Julia's portion of her deductible today in full. For as much as our insurance premiums continue to go up, it's crazy how much more we are asked to pay out of pocket, too. While those getting free care are still required to pay nothing?! I better stop, before I get riled up again. Maybe I should join Kourage in the chairs and do some deep breathing. Julia spent a good while getting her to sit "criss-cross-applesauce". She was very frustrated by Kourage's lack of knees.

As I lamented the amount of money we just handed over, one of our favorite people walked out- Calista. As soon as she saw us she said hi to Julia and told us she was going back to set up and would be doing her scan- yipee! I feel so much better knowing she is in such capable hands. Apparently Julia does, too...

When the ultrasound was done, we waited for her x-rays, but they were never ordered. So funny to me how we can do the same routine every time, but parts still get left out often.

They were quick to get it ordered and make it happen and we were back upstairs. Julia went back to art and I headed in to find Nurse Pat to work on getting her labs done. Julia was surprisingly agreeable. Pat warmed up her hand before sticking her and she sprouted blood like a fountain. I was so proud of her for not flinching, resisting, or shedding a tear.

By the time we got back out to the waiting room, it was completely full. I was happy to see Haley and her mom Donna. We had fun catching up, I got to hear Haley sing and play with her beautiful new hair, and watched a few you tube videos of her recent adventures. Here's one of my favorites in the clinic- classic Haley- bringing joy to those around here right where she is. Soon it was Julia's turn. Nurse Diane was excited to see us and could not believe how much Julia had grown. She is a giant compared to the 2 year old who started this journey three years ago. She was happy with how great she seemed to be doing and had to laugh as Julia was devouring food from her lunch box while we talked- happy that her NPO time was over.

Her physical went great and we were given the clear to leave, just waiting on her scan reports from radiology. We decided to wait in the playroom and I was thrilled to see Rima sitting at the table with Ms. Stacy. This is the first time we have seen her since the stroke in January. She was rushed back from rehab because of brain pressure and then again for cochlear implant surgery when they discovered the stroke had taken her hearing. To see her playing and getting around just took my breath away. She is a living testimony to God's power.

We also had a chance to catch up with Stacy. She had been looking forward to talking to us about sharing Julia's story with the Beads of Courage organization. As Brenner's celebrates their one year anniversary of the program she is sharing patient testimonials of the power of this program. It was such a powerful force in her recovery last spring and continues to help her talk about her journey and heal. We are so thankful to give back.

As we hung out in the playroom, the kids started doing projects at the table with a new friend, Sofie. We hadn't met before, but the kids were playing happily. An hour or so later Sofie's mom arrived and I knew instantly who she was... Sofie is a current Wilms' patient on the floor. I knew their names, but had yet to connect with them. The majority of childhood cancers are leukemia and lymphomas. The solid tumor cases are much rarer and when you divide them into the 20 different types, you greatly reduce the number of each type at each hospital. With Wilms', our kids are usually the only one at any given time. In an instant we connected on so many levels and began chatting a mile a minute like old friends. We had so much to share and so much common ground. I am so thankful for this new friendship and blessed that God orchestrated it to happen. By this time it was close to 2:30 and we were still waiting on results, but God so faithfully used our time waiting and filled it with so many friends- old and new. We finally got the reports around 3pm and are thrilled to say JULIA IS N.E.D.!!!! Thanking God for this undeserved gift and blessing. We will embrace it and celebrate every day. 

Beautiful artwork from a joy-filled day....