Here is our family at the beach...we all went to take pics....what were we thinking? The funny thing is that Judi's family went too and took amazing pics....she has an 18 year old and a 13 year old...haha

Yesterday's clinic went well. Eli's counts are:

ANC 670
Hemoglobin 11.9
Platelets 168

Not bad, but could be better. We thought at first that we wouldn't be able to do the LP, but then realized the counts only have to be 750 to start maintentance, not continue it. So everything went on as planned. Eli had a "bronchial spasm" while he was sedated that the anesthesiologist wasn't too happy about, but everything worked out OK. We got to see Kinsey and Stacey Lewis...Kinsey was such a trooper. She was supposed to have an LP too, but her counts were too low.

The steroids started yesterday. I am glad we are getting them done before Christmas. Eli has been moody enough without them lately, and I think it is caused by the simple fact that he is a three year old boy. I have been putting off toilet training him but I think my time has run out and I need to get it started next week. The thought of having to take him to a public restrooms just gives me the willies, but we will have to manage through it.

Wanted to share this with you.....

JACOB'S PRAYER

As the balloons take to the sky
May we think of the children
Who are fighting the battles of their lives
Hoping for a cure
We hope with them
We send our blessings
And our prayers
To conquer the beast
May they win their battles
May their wishes be granted
May their dreams come true
And for their wishes
Their dreams
Their lives
We send this prayer

To the children
With their wishes granted
Their lives ahead of them
How wonderful it is
To have them on this earth today
We wish them luck
In their journeys ahead
May they be happy
Also pain and sorrow free
Let them have
Luck in their adventures
Let their families
Live on

For all the spirits
The beast has claimed
May they be in peace
For they have faced
The monster
Though not victorious
They put forth valiant efforts
May their families
Though they grieve
Know that their beloved
Are in a wonderful place
They are our heroes
They are our Angels
With this prayer
We send our love
May these Angels
Guide us to the cure

An amazing poem I got off of another blog site..it was a poem read at the funeral of Miles Levin, an amazing 18 year old that died recently of brain cancer after an incredible battle...balloons were released and this poem was read...really is beautiful.

Thanks for checking in. I hope everyone is enjoying this season. It really is magical with the kiddies....have fun!!

Maria

I am thankful for Eli and the smiles he gives me everyday.