heather + finn !

Hi all,
Quick entry today…leaving tomorrow for yet another week in Boston, just when I thought we had a break! I have two days full of testing, poking and prodding me to make sure I am really up to all that is ahead of me (should I fail on purpose?), then one more (grrrrrr…) day of intensive chemo to slingshot the mobilization of my stem cells. This will begin the 10 day process to prepare me for harvest, to take place in the second week of May. After that, REALLY, a break! Well, a break called radiation, but honestly, that seems like a break to me right now.

I sent Jen a bunch more pictures today. Four of a photo shoot I did with the fabulous Finn the other day…i shot 180 digital photos of him in the space of 20 minutes (don’t worry, there are only 4 of these here). The other two are self portraits I did of myself today, a good day, I am feeling pink. In the bald pic, you can see that I am ACTUALLY growing a little hair on my head! Dr. Joyce said, “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that”. Thank you very much. Again, grrrrrrr. The other, is of me in my favorite scarf, which I bought for myself last year in Morocco…another life time, but a place where I made many friends, two of whom often appear on the message board. Finally, another beautiful pic of my two boys.

Anyway, all for now. Will get more news out soon, including word about some severe joint pain (about which we are waiting for some answers), as well as the results of the bone marrow biopsy, and all the cute adorable things Finn does. Thank you all, we love you and need you still.

Love and ever forward,
Heather

Awake in bed, listening to the murmurings of Finn, wondering when he will call me for his next feeding, I am remembering another night, a very different night, not long ago. It was one of our darkest, but was saved by the light of heroes who came to the rescue. To put my mind to rest, I am writing about it to share with those of you who are moved by the intimate minutia of our battle, but also so that it is on record for Finn when he gets to reading about the incredible way things were in his first months of life.

It occurs to me that I do not, in these posts, make enough mention of my own parents. The omission comes disturbingly naturally to me in a lifetime of taking my parents for granted; a syndrome I am sure I did not invent, and am equally sure I will rightfully be a victim of as Finn grows older and learns to take Dick and I for granted. It’s shameful to recognize that we often think least of the people we trust most to be there for us (when you think of it like that, it’s almost a compliment….alright, that’s probably pushing it). At any rate, in a vast sea of days and nights when parents, both Weafer and Perry, have come to our rescue in this battle, there is one night I am thinking about tonight. there’s more →

I’m sorry!! Contrary to a post on the message board, I have not been bored, and this month has certainly not been without it’s challenges….Thankfully, the three methatrexate treatments are done. Each stay was at least 5 days, and the time apart took a bigger toll on the three of us than we had anticipated. Dick struggled between work, Finn duties and trying to get to Boston to see me (for those of you sitting there screaming “WHY didn’t they call me!? I would have loved to take Finn for the night!!”, we really appreciate it, but there is a level of normalcy we try to keep for the little bugger in spite of the craziness around him, and nights spent with one (if not both) of us is one of them). I struggled with increasingly difficult treatments, and missing Dick and Finn. At least Dick knows how much I love him and when I am coming back. there’s more →

Dad beat me to it! I just spoke with Heather who, as we speak, is being pumped full of sodium bicarbonate fluid to super hydrate her and change her body chemistry from acidic to basic. Her kidneys are well within the normal range now, and the docs will proceed with the next round of methotrexate as soon as the bicarb does its job. Great work everyone! Even the IV’s went in smoothly. We are hopeful for an uneventful hospital stay Finn and I are on our own tonight, but will head to Boston for the weekend to cheer our chemo girl on. there’s more →

GOOD NEWS
We just got news of Heather’s bloodwork at Beth Israel. In five days she has regained 2/3 of her lost kidney function. The doctors were surprised and pleased and credited Heather for drinking so much water even though last weekend they said drinking water would probably do no good. We have great faith in Heather’s doctors, and we owe them everything. They are among the best in the world at what they do, but we have an alternate explanation for Heather’s “kidney mini- miracle”. there’s more →