First Day of School

Noah Style

I can't tell you how excited this kid was to get on the bus this morning. My heart broke just a little as I looked in the window and there he was with that big grin and waving to his mama. They are just growing up so fast. I can't believe that our first born is now a kindergartner!

Back to Reality

We made it back. I can't say enough about how wonderful the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation is at helping cancer families make memories. We had such a wonderful week. Although we've been to Ocean City a million times, this time was most definitely different. The boys loved every minute of the trip and for once we actually felt normal. It was just so nice.

So now that we're back, it's back to reality. Joshua had his weekly count check on Monday and his counts are perfect. Right were the doctors want them and closer to the higher end of that mark which is right where I want them. They even gave us next week off from having to come up for counts. Nice!

Noah had his visit with school on Tuesday and Jeff and I were very happy with his teacher. I know that we had heard a lot of horror stories and although a few of them very well seem like they could be true, I think she may be a good fit for Noah. Time will tell but I can already see that she will expect a lot from our boy.

So we enter into a whole new world now. Noah starts school on Monday and the twins will follow on the 8th. Pre-K and Kindergarten. Homework and school buses. Teachers and PTA's. And to think I was wondering what I was going to do with all that free time!

**More vacation pictures to come shortly as well as some shots with my new camera!!!!**

Beach Time

We're having a blast. The boys are loving the beach and we all became pirate the other day and went out treasure hunting. The pirate adventure was great and I recommend it to anyone with kids that are into pirates. We've enjoyed the water slides and some nice dinners this week as well. Last night, the boys made my year by cooperating for a family beach portrait session. Yes, I just may be able to hang a family picture on the wall where all three boys are happy, smiling and looking at the camera. Of course, I haven't seen the photo yet but the boys were happy so it has potential! Never mind the fact that Jeff and I bribed them heavily. You have to do what you have to do, right?!

Here are just a few beach shots for you. Enjoy!

Joshua enjoying digging in the sand

Noah and Adam ready to try the surf

Our great friends happen to be at the beach as well this week and met up with us for some fun in the sun.

We're Here!

We're on vacation. Yes, vacation. And we're ready for a fun filled week. Today, Jeff and I have to take Joshua for a blood draw but after that, we're going to forget (as best as any cancer parent can) about the cancer and sickness and hospitals and enjoy the beach.

Here are a few shots from the short time that we've been here.

Off!

The cast is off and we're off to the beach for a week! I'll try to download pictures and update while we're there but with three boys I can't guarantee anything. Wish us luck!!!

Ice cream makes everthing better!

Today is Dairy Queen's miracle treat day. With every purchase of one of their delicious blizzards, a portion of the proceeds will go to support Children's Miracle Network hospitals like Johns Hopkins. What could be better than eating a blizzard and knowing that with each calorie loaded bite, you're helping sick kids like our boy Joshua! Now that's a reason to celebrate. I might just have to go twice today ;-).

And since I've started this post on a happy note and I really haven't had a happy post lately, I'm going to continue with the happiness. Joshua finally made counts on Monday and was able to go into the OR for a spinal tap. The spinal tap. The one that puts us into maintenance. Yes, M-A-I-N-T-E-N-A-N-C-E! That means we have another year from now and we're finished. I'm not getting too excited as it's still a long road and he has some chemo left that seems to be hard on his body but it does mean that we're getting there. Again. We've seen maintenance before and I liked it. It was comfortable and easier. Now, this time could be different as he's had a LOT more chemo and he'll be starting school in September. (insert Mommy smiling here) But, we're into maintenance and that means that if for some reason he doesn't make counts and can't get his chemo, we just skip it and keep going. No delaying, stopping or making up!

Now, on to the next topic. After Joshua fell last week and hurt his arm, I took him to see doctor #2. Doctor #2 was smart enough to cut the cast in case he started to swell. It's a good thing he did that as the next day, his arm was huge. So, we no longer see doctor #1 and doctor #2 has now become doctor #1. Did you follow that? And now for the best part. Today, we see the doctor and there is talk about the cast coming off. Yes, off. Just in time for our vacation...

Vacation. I said it. Okay so I wrote it but close enough. We leave on Saturday for a week at the beach. We are able to take this trip thanks to the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation. We will go and be able to do all the things that families should be able to do during the summer. We are so thankful for this opportunity. We'll even be able to get Joshua's blood counts down there and have the results faxed to Hopkins so that we don't have to waste a day coming home for a clinic visit. Now, just pray that Joshua stays in good health and that we don't have any unplanned fevers.

So there you have it. A happy post. I know. From the Czorapinski's. Who would have thought. Now go get some ice cream!!!

That light at the end of the tunnel really is a train!

I swear it never ends. I haven't updated because Joshua has been attached to my hip. He had a really difficult time with his most recent chemo/steroids. He lost some of his hair again so Jeff and I decided to give a buzz cut. He had severe back pain that required oxycodone for about 4 days and gained 6 pounds in a week. But that's not the worst of it. He didn't make counts on Tuesday for his spinal tap to start maintenance. That's good as it will give him a much needed break but it does make us have to move our Disney trip. So that countdown clock in the side bar will be changing as soon as I get a new date (sorry Tylar). Also, yesterday Joshua fell down the steps and hurt his broken arm. That resulted in a x-ray. The stupid ortho doctors at Hopkins didn't even want to see him until his scheduled appointment on Monday. Taking it upon ourselves, Jeff and I got him an appointment to see the "second opinion" doctor and he was able to cut the cast in case of swelling. He said the x-ray still looked good although the bones have never been even close to straight or even together for that point. Today, the arm is swollen so it's a good thing I did take him to another doctor. He's still in a little pain so we're back to the pain meds. It's never ending.