This has been an amazing week in our family!!

ELI IS FINISHED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY!!


On Sunday, we had our family over to watch Eli take his last pills and celebrate with us. I got a little weepy when I thought about the past years, everything he has been through, and that we are really finished.

Monday we pulled the boys out of school and went to the clinic to "Ring the bell". I realized when my dad said, "what?" that many folks did not know what I meant by this. At the oncology clinic there is a bell on the wall. No one plays with the bell...and everyone sees it each time you are there for treatment. To me, it was always a symbol of where we would be "oneday". When a child is finished with treatment he or she gets to ring the bell three times with the docs and nurses surrounding him and cheering him on. It was amazing!! I have included some pictures.

I am continuously reminded of how many people have been praying for our family and how many folks have helped us along this journey. I can only say THANK YOU!! We have come through the other side, and it feels great. The strength that God has given us has been tremendous...and much of that strength has come from all of you. Our prayers have been answered....God is sooo good. Our family is stronger as a result of this, and our faith has grown so much.

We will still have follow up appointments and what not, but no more meds!! Eli will not be officially "cured" until he is close to 18 years...he is considered to be in remission now, then in five years we will be cancer free, only 10 years later is he considered "cured".

Our big celebration will be on May 29 here on Daniel Island. I will be sending out evites and inviting Christ Church as a whole. If somehow you are reading this and you haven't "officially" gotten an invite, please know you are now invited. There have been so many of you helping and praying along the way that I am bound to miss a couple, so please accept my apology in advance, and please come celebrate with us!!!

Rejoicing,

Maria