Our Sunday

We have not been out to eat as a family since the boys got diagnosed.  Our favorite place to eat is Tony Sacco's.  The kids love their pizza and enjoy watching them make the pizza's and watching the pizza cook in the coal oven.  The boys have been requesting their pizza so we've been getting it take out.  Last week Bob was able to talk to the manager and they told him they would open early just for us, a little private pizza party just for the boys.  Today we went to Tony Sacco's for lunch.  The boys loved it.  Bob and I were in tears with everything they did for us.  They went our of their way just so the boys could eat at their favorite place.

Zane watching the guy move the pizza around in the onen.

Zac looking on.

Zane getting a slice of pizza.

Zac pointing to the slice he wanted.

Zane playing the raw pizza dough that they give the kids to play with while you wait for your food.

Zac trying to slice his pizza dough.

Zoe eating some pepperoni.

 Then later this afternoon we decided to go for a little walk to the school by our house.  The boys rode in their wagon and Zoe rode in the wagon.  Once we got there Zane decided he wanted to play.  The kids had a blast on the play ground equipment.  We were glad to see Zane doing his best to keep up with Zac and Zoe.

Zane Getting ready to go down the slide.

On the monkey bars.

Zac's turn.

Zane wanted Zac and Zoe to sit with him for a picture.

Zoe on the slide.  She was so happy to have her boys play with her.

Zac on the slide.

Playing at the park wasn't enough so once we got home they played on the trampoline.

Day 29/Day 22 Consolidation

Zane had his last lumbar puncture in the consolidation phase and Zac made his counts to start part 2 of the consolidation phase.  I was shocked that he met them, they had prepared us that kids usually get a week off due to low counts.  I took both boys in yesterday for labs.  We wanted to make sure Zane didn't need a blood transfusion or platelets before his procedure today.  Since I was taking Zane in we also decided to check to see where Zac was on his counts.  It was nice knowing he made counts yesterday because the chemo he had today has hydration requirements and last time we had a hard time getting him to those requirements.  Last night we fed him a lot of watermelon and he drank of ton of water.  This morning on his first try he met the requirements.  Zac was able to start his chemo while Zane got his lumbar procedure.  We were out of the hospital by 1:00 pm.  After the long days we have had this was a nice surprise.  Today was the first treatment day were I didn't feel completely drained by the end of it.  It was nice to get home and just relax for a little while.

Can you tell which kid was able to eat breakfast and which one couldn't?

Zac was is such a good mood this morning.

One of the medical assistants bought the boys some Easter eggs.  Zac enjoyed playing with them while Zane had his procedure.

I moved the train table downstairs and the boys had fun playing with it.

At the Park

Last Thursday Zoe and I had a little date at the park.  She had so much fun running around and playing.

Look Mommy, it's a telescope.

Take my picture Mommy.

All smiles.

Getting ready to fly on the swing.

She couldn't get this things to spin on her own.

Day 24/Day 17 Consolidation

On Tuesday both boys had labs, doctor's visit, lumbar punctures, and chemo treatment.  It was an extra long day for us.  It was just me with the boys this time and we did pretty good.  It was Zac's last lumbar puncture in this phase of treatment and next Tuesday will be Zane's last lumbar puncture.  I'm looking forward to having a month off of these procedures.  It's hard on the boys and us.  Procedure days involve waking up the boys super early and them being NPO until afternoon.  They are usually pretty cranky until they get settled into their treatment room and something to eat.

As we were getting settled into the treatment room I realized I forgot to pack Zane's Paw Patrol DVD.  I had a moment of panic and prayed he wouldn't ask for it.  One of the ladies from child life stopped by our room and let me know the Paw Patrol DVD's had just arrived.  (They found out last week Zane loved Paw Patrol and were getting ready to order some new DVD's so they ordered some back up movies for him.)  That was a huge blessing and both boys enjoyed watching the new DVD's.  It made the day a lot more tolerable.

Waiting in pre-op.

Zac after his procedure enjoying some Chuck E. Cheese pizza.

Zane.

Zoe crashed hard on Tuesday night.  She had a busy day with some new friends.  (She didn't want to come home she had so much fun.  She also cried the entire way home.) 

On Wednesday we had to go back to the hospital because Zane needed a blood transfusion.  I decided to take Zoe with us since she likes to play in the child life play room.  She had a blast playing with the baby dolls, the frozen castle, and painting.  Zac joined her for a little while but preferred to be close to Zane.

Zane on Wednesday opening a Minion surprise egg.

Zac

Zac made Zane a gum ball picture.

This was our Wednesday.

Zac and Zoe relaxing in the Bob stroller.

Play Doh Fun

It is so nice to see the kids playing together again.  It's been rough watching the boys go from tons of energy to no energy.  Poor Zoe couldn't understand why the boys didn't want to play with her and she would tell us her boys don't love her anymore.  That broke our hearts and we spent a lot of time explaining to her that the boys are sick and don't feel like playing but they still love her.  The other day the boys wanted to play with play doh and Zoe was thrilled.  She was so happy to have her boys play with her.  And we are happy seeing our little guys regain their strength.

Day 15/Day 8 (Consolidation)

The boys had another round of treatment today.  They had labs at 7:30 this morning, then the office visit, a trip to the OR for a lumbar procedure, and then chemo treatment.  Both boys had low numbers so once again they needed blood.  It was another long day and we are happy to be home.  We are in the part of treatment where their numbers drop pretty fast so they are keeping a close key on the boys.  We are praying their counts stay good enough to keep them at home.  (If their counts get to low they will have to be admitted until their counts go back up.)

Zane getting his blood transfusion.  He loves sitting in the wheelchair.

Zac getting some chemo and making funny faces.

The boys playing with the pinball machine they received today.

Nurse Zoe

The staff at Mott's Child Life did a great job explaining what's happening with her brothers.  They made a doll with a port in it and explained to her that the boys get their medicine in the port and she takes her medicine by mouth.  She understands that the boys have "bad guys" in their bones and the medicines are the "good guys" that are helping the boys get better.  She wants to help take care of her boys in any way she can.
As I get the boys medicines ready she mimics what I'm doing with her baby.  I think we may have a future nurse (or doctor) on our hands.