Catch a falling star

I don't even know where to begin when it comes to this. It is mindblowing and two weeks later and I am still trying to wrap my head around it.

If you will remember waaaaaay back in February, after much encouragement from our Interlink nurse, we applied for a wish for Brooke from Make-a-Wish Foundation of Canada. Brooke was eligible, so we filled out the paperwork. We filled out the cute little questionnaire about her favourite colours (orange and blue), her favourite store (the blue store--WalMart), her favourite dinner (grilled cheese), favourite sport (she said soccer, even though she has never played it), etc. She also answered several questions about her wish and drew some accompanying pictures. We threw in a few prints of Brooke and Avie (as they asked for photos, too) and hoped we'd hear from them.

Well, fast forward a few weeks (nine to be exact!) and a polite query to see where the status on Brooke's application stood. Immediately following my e-mail, we received a call from Anne, our local Make-a-Wish (MAW) co-ordinator. She told us that they had not forgotten us and were, in fact, going to contact us shortly to arrange a meeting between our little family and some volunteer wish grantors. She said that ''our daughters were beautiful and they were honoured and looking forward to granting Brooke's wish.''

Sold. That sentence alone was enough for me.

A week later and we had a date for our little meeting. Anne herself would be coming (I couldn't have been more pleased as she was so sweet on the phone) and so would another volunteer named Laura. They were to come that Saturday morning.

On Saturday, I vacuumed the house like a fiend and cleaned up a bit. It was raining outside (uh---until yesterday, when has it not this spring?!?), so I knew we would have our meeting inside. I made a pitcher of iced tea. Hot Wife will tell you that I love iced tea. Hubby put on a pot of coffee. Hot Wife will tell you that Hubby likes his coffee. We were prepared.

The day before the wish visit, I had told Brooke that her fairy godmothers would be coming to grant her her wish. Her response--and I should have expected this--''Will they be coming in a car or by their wings?'' (When I told this to Anne and Laura, they laughed. Laura has determined to get herself a pair of wings and a wand for her next wish-granting visit.) Curious about the fairy godmothers, Brooke prepared herself for her wish.



Anne arrived first, carrying with her a huge gift bag. Brooke was so excited, that she gave Anne a hug before the woman had even stepped over the threshold. We welcomed her in and that's when the magic began.

We chitchatted until Laura arrived a few minutes later. The ladies were simply lovely. They told us all about MAW and then, not wanting to keep Brooke waiting any longer, handed her the gift bag.



MAW always tries to have a little 'icebreaker' gift for the wish child. Well, Anne and Laura went above and beyond. They had clearly read that questionnaire and knew just what Brooke liked. They brought Brooke an Ariel books-on-CD set, a huge tub of Play-Doh and a giant Ariel teapot, full of tea party dishes with the mermaid princess etched on them. Brooke was delighted, to say the least! They even brought Avie a little something--some chunky Crayola crayons for the bath. Perfect!

Brooke busied herself with the teapot (pouring tea for all of us) while we adults discussed Brooke's wishes. She needed to have three of them--but one had already been 'fulfilled.'

Brooke's third wish had been 'for a park,' which we interpreted as a swingset/slide playstructure. One had been massively on sale at Toys R Us a few weeks beforehand, and not knowing if the wish would ever be granted, we went ahead and bought it. Brooke and Avie would need it this summer if they were to spend the whole summer at home with my mother-in-law instead of at daycare.



Then, it was time for the formal wish from Brooke. Anne pulled something out of her bag and handed it to Laura. Laura started unwinding this little trinket and revealed that it was a special wishing star necklace. She clasped it around Brooke's necklace and it began to glow with a blue light! I started to get goosebumps, as Laura asked Brooke what her wish was.



Brooke's wish? ''I want to see all the princesses checked off in my book.'' The ladies laughed at that and asked "What book?"

Remember that Disney Princess magazine Brooke's picture was in last spring? Well, shortly after her 'win,' I ordered a subscription for her. (Which was a good thing, too! Getting her monthly magazine was a wonderful distraction for her when in the hospital.) Anyways, there is a page in each issue that has a space for readers to draw their favourite princess. Around the border of the page is a picture of eacho f the princesses with a checkbox beside it so that readers can select which ones are their favourites. Brooke had checked them all off.

Brooke raced over to the table, grabbed her magazine and flipped it open to that page to show Anne and Laura, naming each princess along the edge and stating how Ariel was her favourite and that's the one she most wanted to meet. She continued that she had all of the Ariel movies and was even Ariel for Halloween. (She also insisted on showing them the tail I had sewn back in the fall for the costume.) And, finally, how she wanted to see the princesses at their castle in Disney.

Well, folks, the grantors looked at each other and then at us and said ''We think we can do that.''

Then they launched into details about the trip to Disney World and how we would stay at this amazing resort just for sick and special needs children called Give Kids the World. I knew much about these trips already from joining an online forum for wishtrippers back in March. At the time, I didn't know if Brooke was going to get her wish granted, but I had hoped against hope! And, being my neurotic, research-crazy self, I needed to know more about these trips--just in case. I just sat there on the floor, listening to the volunteers talk about the beautiful parades and the wonderful resort, stunned. Teary-eyed. Her wish was coming true!

As much as I wanted her wish to come true, I hadn't really banked on it. I even outlined the second wish (princess for a day) in detail to the ladies, as the first one seemed soooo 'big.' Almost unrealistic. (We even started looking into how much it would cost us to take the girls to Disney next spring if the wish fell through. We were determined to make her wish to meet Ariel a reality.)

And, we thought, there are just so many kids who are (and don't get me wrong, I am beyond thankful for this!) more priority than Brooke. Kids who are terminal, kids who have chronic pain and illnesses. Kids who won't ever get old. We figured Brooke wouldn't be selected in favour of those children. And, we were fine with that. In our minds, there are kids who deserve it more. (Not that she doesn't deserve it--just that there are others who could benefit from it more than she.)

This, however, couldn't be further from the truth. It's a myth that kids need to be on terminal to have their wishes granted. Kids don't even have to currently be ill to be wish kids. Lots of children with serious illnesses qualify, but not everyone knows this. And, no wish child is ever deemed 'less important' than another. All of them get a wish. And, most of them grow up to be healthy, happy adults.

As one MAW volunteer, who is a friend of a friend, put it--a wish is a way to make up for all of the pain and discomfort of hospital visits and treatments that the kid has had to endure. ''At the end of the day,'' she said, ''the nurses and doctors get their paycheque. This is yours.''

But, still--something as big as Disney?! But, as Anne explained, the problem isn't funding. Although they always welcome and appreciate donations, MAW has plenty of that--what they don't have is enough wish grantors and volunteers to make the wishes happen. And even fewer wish kids. (So, if you know of a kid between the ages of 3 and 18 who has or has had a serious illness, regardless of their health right now, encourage their families to refer them to MAW.)

Anyways, after the wish grantors left (leaving behind a MAW star magnet and chocolate, fish-shaped treats for Brooke), we nearly jumped out of our skin from sheer excitement!

Within two days, not only had Anne and Laura called to confirm that Brooke would be going to Disney, but they had already confirmed our flight, a reservation to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon (for a princess makeover) in Magic Kingdom, followed by lunch with the princesses at Cinderella's Castle. Amazing! We were elated. Totally walking on air!



We are currently making plans for our trip, which we will be taking from September 8 to 15, 2011. We can't wait! We've decided to keep it a surprise from Brooke for now. Anne and Laura want to plan a special 'presentation' for the actual wish package (tickets, expense cheque and flight info, etc.), probably a month or so before the trip, and we'll wait until then to tell Brooke about her wish coming true. They are doing all the work (really, MAW doesn't want us to lift a finger!), so they should get the honour!

And, besides--Brooke has no concept of time, so how would she be able to understand that we are only going in three months? She would ask me every day if today was the day we're going to Disney.

So, yeah--to say the least, it's been pretty friggin' exciting around here lately.



Brooke caught a falling star and she put it in her pocket. She saved it for a rainy day. And that day came. And, with it a special wish.

We are beyond thrilled to be going on this amazing trip with our little girls. It really will be a dream come true!

P.S. Apologies for the huge pics. Am using Photobucket to upload pics nowadays and still haven't figured out the correct sizing yet. Clearly, I have my homework to do.

I am.

Editor's note: It has been nearly a month since my fingers have skipped along this keyboard for anything more than a quick e-mail reply to my grandmother (who has become quite adept at her iPad-use--in fact, some might call it an iPad addiction!) or to look up directions on Google Maps. For that, I apologize. Rest assured more posts coming soon. In the meantime, I humbly offer up an
'I am.'

Every year, I write one of these little stream-of-me lists, but I never bother to scrap or blog them, even though I love the idea that one day, these lists will help my daughters to know me better. Call it shyness. Call it a desire for undue attention. Call it what you will, but it's high time I put myself out there.

And, because I am so rarely seen on the other end of the lens, I've included a few. Avert your gaze as necessary. ;)

I am.

I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a neighbour, a stranger on a bus. I am a writer and a reader. A photographer and an artist. I am a Libra, a blogger, a hum drum housewife. A ginger and proud of it. I am a girl. I am a woman. I am the man on the street. I am English, French, Irish, Scottish, Swiss and everything in between. I am a terrible musician with wonderful taste. I am a guffawing rube with the heart of a poet. I am addicted to greasy pizza, blue jeans, flip flops, stationery and really inky pens. I am Ottawan. I am a GLEEk and a Gabaldonite. I am creative. I am quiet. I am sarcastic. I am not as green as I'd like to be. I am living my life through the lens of a camera and keystrokes on a computer screen. I don’t like coffee, but I love coffee shops. I like the weight of my BlackBerry, but I don’t know how to use it. I am good at remembering names and faces. I am terrible with numbers. I am early—and yet I am out of time. I don’t see the point of Twitter. I am a volunteer and an advocate. I am afraid of getting old. I avoid conflict. I like martinis and manicures and never treat myself to either. I like cuddling on the couch and baking in the kitchen. I am practical, I am predictable, I am logical to a T. I chase rainbows and unicorns and look at life through a half-filled glass. I am generous. I am kind. I am not always the role model I want to be. I am a good student, a good employee, a good girl. A traveller, a home body, a person who sees herself in everyone. I am a scrapbooker. I am a list-maker. A party planner. I buy high-heeled shoes I never wear. I have 10 Christmas trees. I like to decorate for every holiday and celebrate every milestone. I am happiest when surrounded by bubble wands and baby dolls, puzzle pieces and Barbie shoes. I am a pathetic farmer, but a decent gardener. I raise chickens and collect eggs. I am a carefree spirit. I am a worry wart. I am a planner without a plan. I cannot multitask, but I am good with details. I am a font of trivial knowledge. I am a connection between people. I am simple. I am complicated. I am a face in a crowd. I am a work of art. A big kid, a couch potato, a 30-something who has started to notice laugh lines in the mirror. I am past my expiration date, but I have not yet begun. I am a klutz with two left feet. I have freckles and burn like a lobster. I am a fan of vintage clothes, Michael Bublé, graphic art and magazine glossies. I am happy. I am vulnerable. I am confused. I am intuitive and introverted and a social butterfly. I am boring in my fashion choices but have very eclectic taste. I am rural and urban in the same sentence. I am arm charm and I am in love. I am the change I want to see and yet I am so incredibly lazy. I am the eye behind the camera, not the star of the book. I am moving on, moving away. I am freaked out by laser eye surgery and content to do without. I wonder, I daydream, I forget to take out the recycling. I am left wishing and hoping and making excuses. I am an Etsy fiend, a Flickr friend, a Facebook acquaintance. I am colourful. I am challenging. I want more, but want to do less. I am cheerful. I am laughter. I am passion. I am a believer. I am a dreamer. I am inspired. I am uplifting. I am falliable. I am honest. I am an unfinished story.

I am you.

Making a difference

Every May, Hubby participates in the CN Tour--a cycling and walking event that raises money for CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and the local Candlelighters chapter (an organization that provides financial, emotional and medical support for families with children suffering from cancer). He's probably cycled in this yearly event for the past four or five years.

And every year, the same scenario plays out--he forgets he's signed up for it until about two weeks before the event and then he makes a half-hearted effort to raise funds. He often ends up getting a few donations, but the bulk of it is a self-donation he makes as a result of feeling guilty for not canvassing enough. He generally raises a few hundred bucks, but never anything significant.

Not 2011. This year, cycling the 70km for CHEO and Candlelighters means so much more than it has ever before. The tagline for the event is 'Help Kids with Cancer.' Uh...yeah, as you can imagine, we're pretty emotionally tied to that one.

Over the course of this past year, we have been on the receiving end of the support offered by these great organizations. The programs. The compassion. The thoughtfulness. The respect. The amazing staff. Words are simply not enough. Both organizations have been behind us 125% during this whole process. We've seen how the money they raise is actually spent. We've seen how much more is needed. (Trust us, there was a period of time, we wondered how we could afford to purchase one of those expensive, but oh-so-wonderful blanket warming machines. We so desperately wanted to get one for Ward 4North!) And, in the end, we know how much these deserving organizations appreciate our help--in whatever form we can provide it.

Although it is a big fundraising event for CHEO, it's not the only one--but, the CN Tour is the premier fundraising event for Candlelighters. Last year, the event brought in over $570,000 for both organizations, which is fantastic--but the need is great. So, once again, the goal for this year's event is blowing last year's total out of the water!

This year, with Brooke as his inspiration, Hubby decided to set a CN Tour goal for himself. His team's fundraising target was $2,000 and Hubby's personal goal was half of it. $1,000 seemed a far reach, but he was determined to make it--even if he had to donate the remainder himself, he was determined to see it through!

Well, here we are a week from the event and he's at $1,150! We are so proud of him.

Of course, every bit counts, but this year, it feels good to say we've done our best to make a significant contribution (or at least a genuine effort to make others aware of how wonderful CHEO and Candlelighters has been to us and to many other childhood cancer families in our community). We feel really good about being able to give back to these organizations that have helped us so much this last year.

Anyways, all this to say, that we've set a new goal for ourselves! We are trying to make it to $1,500 by the end of the week. So, if you haven't been completely tapped donating to your own personal causes and have a spare $10 to give to a good cause (tax receipt supplied, of course!), please check out Hubby's site: CN Cycle for CHEO. We would be most obliged!

And, if you are interested in participating, it's not too late to register or volunteer! Lots of races (cycling, walking or in-line skating) to partake in and lots of good, old-fashioned, kid-friendly fun (think bbq, Little Ray's Reptiles animal demonstrations, moon bounces, clowns, face-painting, Craz-E-Crew stunt show, magic show, slides, etc.) that will take place at the Canadian War Museum parking lot (at the Lebreton Flats) during the races and afterwards. You can even bring along the family dog. Definitely not an event to be missed!

Hubby will be cycling the 70km on the morning of May 1st with his team from work. B, Avie and I will walk in the Family 5km. Well, the girls will be waving like royalty from the fine comfort of their little red wagon, while I'll be the one hoofing it, but it'll be fun nonetheless. Hope to see you there!

Toddlerhood begins

Craziness has ensued and with it an endless list of reasons for which I have not had the opportunity to blog lately. In spite of a time-crunch and two sick little girls (no worries--just nasty colds that both of them woke up with this morning), I cannot let today pass without a mention of how important it is, even as unremarkable a day as it has been.

Today, at 11:20 a.m. this morning, while the rain was dwindling and she was busy napping off some Tylenol, our sweet little Avie turned one year old. She now joins the ranks of toddlers everywhere--but to us, she is still our sweet little baby girl.

It was a very unexciting birthday, unfortunately. I returned to work this morning (ugh!) after 13 months of maternity leave and the girls started the week with the aforementioned colds. Luckily, my MIL has offered to babysit for the summer, so I didn't have to leave the girls at daycare today--or, take off my first day back, as would have been likely. But, because of a restless night of crying children, I also started the day off exhausted--and, did I mention it was raining? This morning certainly wasn't the way I wanted to embark on this next phase in our lives.

And, because Avie was so exhausted and oozing with snot this evening, it was a eucalyptus bath, some BabyRub and to bed with her shortly after we returned from work. No cake, no party hat, no pressies. I think Brooke would have been thoroughly disappointed with our cancelled party plans tonight had she not been feeling crappy, too. It's alright--we'll still have her little party. We'll celebrate in style on Saturday with family and friends and goodies galore.

Regardless of how her actual birthday day turned out, we are still amazed at how eventful this first year has been. We can't believe she is just turning one--it seems like she has been part of our family since time began and it's hard to imagine our lives before her. Wouldn't be the same without her silly smiles, kooky hand gestures and raspy growling voice.

We've delighted in watching you become the little person you are today, Aviecakes. We've loved watching you discover your place in the world and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. (Just don't let it be your first step--Mommy's gotta be at the office by 8am!) May you have many, many more birthdays filled with all the love and laughter you bring to our lives every day.

Love you forever and always, Mommy, Daddy and Big Sis Brookie. (And Fergus and Dealer, too!) oxoxoxo

Smilin' and lucky

Top o' the morning to you!

I wouldn't be much of an Irish girl, if I didn't stop by today to wish you all a very green, beer-filled and potatoey day, would I? So, here I am. Tapping out a quick post while I still sit in jammies at 10:30 a.m. Maternity leave lets you do that. (And, yes, my kids are dressed. But me? I'm last on the list.)

We started our day out with green scrambled eggs and green milk with a green straw and green grapes and orange slices. (Okay, I couldn't make the oranges green. So kill me, already.) Brooke was thrilled. Avie was wary, but she ate her toast and grapes and yogurt sans question.

Been a crazy, cabin-fever past two weeks. Hubby has been out West for two weeks now (well, he was home in the wees hours of last Saturday, but flew out again on Monday) and the girls are missing their daddy and I'm missing him, too and we're all just missing getting out of the house! We've been grocery shopping twice this week just to have something to do.

I am sooooo sick of snow. It's always this way with me come March, but it is especially trying this year because I know I only have four weeks leave before I go back to work. I crave days playing on the back deck or afternoons sitting on the sunny lawn. I want to spend my days digging in the dirt or playing kickball with the girls. I want to hold Avie's little fingers as she learns to take her first steps on the green grass or to run alongside Brooke as she peddles madly on her bike on our semi-paved driveway. I want to eat cut-up watermelon slices and drink from juiceboxes on the porch. I want to blow bubbles and make rainbows with sidewalk chalk.

Now, I'm really kinda regretting not taking an extended leave so that I could have another spring and summer with my girls. I can't believe how much I will miss spending every day with them!! Reality is settling in.

Meanwhile, yesterday I received a photo from my mother of my grandmother when she was 18. Couldn't stop staring at it. My Granny is gorgeous--then at 18 and now at 80. I hope I look half as good as she does when I'm her age. She's beautiful and wonderful and I can't wait to celebrate her birthday with her--and I know both her and her sister, Auntie Alice, are so excited for the party.

Anyways, back to the photo--I'm going to scan the photo and make tiny copies, then pop them into frames as placecards for the tea party. I think everyone will love having a photo of Granny as a young lady for a little souvenir of the special day. I know I will!

By the way--gotta an awesome vintage hat from Etsy for the tea party! It's 80 years old (how fitting is that!?) and bright turquoise with bows and fragile little netting and...and...and it's gorgtastic. I can't wait for the package to arrive.

I was also busy last night making decorations for Avie's upcoming birthday. Sweet things as cute as my Aviecakes! Just love the Neopolitan ice creamyness of it all! Here's a few sneak peeks for you! Maybe I should finally send out the invites? Yikes. A month today!!!

Lastly, even though I have a million things to do before returning to work (haircut much? Need work shoes, too. And gotta finish weaning Avie off of nursing....the list goes on) and I don't really relish going back to the office, I still count my blessings for having what I can call the Luck of the Irish.

Brooke is doing wonderfully. She is getting her balance back, her hair is growing (almost long enough for barrettes!) and she is gaining back both weight and height. AND--we got fab news last week--next Thursday she will have her surgery to have her port removed!

Finally--she will be in full remission. Cancer-free status. Once that thing is outta her, this whole cancer ordeal will be done (well, as done as it can be when in remission). No more port flushes. No more blood tests. No more impending surgery. Just her regularly scheduled CTs and MRIs. We can't wait! We will definitely have to celebrate that event in style, too.

We were at the hospital one day when a fellow patient received his last chemo treatment. His mom brought in a huge sheet cake, all decorated with fondant clowns and pennants and balloons and fireworks, and then she and her son, his brother and their dad spent an hour going around the MDU, pushing the cart with the cake, handing pieces and spoons to patients and nurses alike.

Made me tear up. I accepted the cake graciously, wished them well and a gave the boy a hearty 'congratulations!' The whole family looked so happy. What an awesome way to celebrate the triumph over cancer. I told Hubby right then and there that we had to do something similar for B when her port was out. He totally agreed. Was a good cake, too.

Well, I probably have about 10 mins left before Avie wakes up, so I best get dressed. Have a Merry Leprechaun Day, folks!

Pic-sharing Thursday

Time to download some pics from my SD card. Thought I would share some recent ones of the last couple of weeks.

B's game of 'puppy tea party' yesterday. She gathered together all of her stuffed puppy dogs (Gawd! I didn't realize how many she has until she kept pulling out another one from her room or the toy bin. I think she was up to five?!) and a few bunny stragglers ('cause we can never leave a bunny behind) and set up all her teacups.

















She even included Dealer in the party. He looks thrilled to be in attendance. Can you figure out which dog is the real one?

(And, yes, if you look closely enough, you'll see little plastic 'dog bones' on each of the dog's plate!)

















Besides playing with dust motes in morning sunshine and bouncing her bum up and down whenever the Wiggles or Yo Gabba Gabba songs start, Avie has been pulling herself up a lot lately. Maybe walking by her birthday? Hmmm, not likely, but stranger things have happened. Anyways, she was super excited to be standing on her own here (well, cheating anyways--she's holding onto a rolling walker toy, but she's not holding anyone's hand--and she seemed pretty stoked about it!).
























Brooke post-school registration last week--full of face-paint and beans.
























The kids attended a little friend's second birthday party at Starr Gymnastics the other day. (This is the second time we've attended a party there and the girls just love it! Great place to hold a party if you want a no-fuss affair. The entertainers are great, the kids have a fabulous time, plus no having to clean the house beforehand or after!)

The kids all had a blast jumping and running and sliding into piles of foam blocks. Then, after an hour of working off all their energy, they rejoined in a little party room for juice, goldfish crackers and cupcakes. Yum!

Then, as we started singing 'Bonne fête' to birthday boy Olivier, Brooke burst into tears. Why? She wanted to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, but didn't know the song in French!

I was torn between feeling bad for her and embarrassed that my kid was hijacking the limelight away from Olivier in the middle of his song! Here everyone was trying to wish him a great day and my kid was sobbing in the corner. (Sorry, again, Max!)

Anyways, my doll of a friend Maxine decided we needed to sing the song again, in English this time. Poor Olivier looked confused as to why he had to wait to blow out the candle for another song, but the drama queen was appeased. Ridiculous!



Plus, a little strange because she has heard--and participated in that song a dozen times before--since many of our friends' and family are francophone. Weird! Anyways, I chalked it up to having been a very long and very active day (swim class that morning, then the gymnastics party that afternoon) with zero nap.


Here's some photos of the kids having a wild time!

Smarchy smarch

So, it's March now and we just got slammed with another snowstorm--one on Monday and another good dumping last night. Great for our snowshoeing expedition coming up this Saturday, but not so great for those who are suffering from severe cabin fever (ie: me and the girls!) and were hoping the groundhog was right this year about the early spring. Sure, it's just March, but with that freakishly warm weather we had a couple of weeks ago, things looked promising.

We are all restless these days--B wandering from room to room, jumping on the sofa, clinging to my legs, begging me to come up with new games or craft. I know how she feels. I feel like I am just wasting away the days here in the house, scratching my itchy skin (I hate winter dryness!) and longing for sunshine and greenery. Don't get me wrong--there is plenty laundry and dishes and vacuuming to do, but man--I just want to open up all the windows and let in some fresh air!!

B needs to expend some serious energy this morning, so I am about five minutes away from calling to her to put on her boots and coat, so we can go out for a bit and play in the snow before Avie wakes up from her morning nap.

Just thought I would update anyone who is still tuning in about last week's first off-treatment appointment. All is well. The oncologist is quite happy with Brooke's recovery and progress. Since Brooke had no re-admissions, no blood transfusions and no fevers, she does not anticipate any additional problems and has even put an order in to schedule a day surgery to remove Brooke's port.

Typically, the oncologists leave the port in the body for six months post-treatment (in case of a relapse), but B's doctor thinks we can remove it now. I'm thrilled--as the whole treatment thing doesn't seem officially over until that surgery is completed and the weird central line and port pump are out of my kid. Here's hoping that the surgery takes place before I return to work!!!

Also, Brooke will be switching clinics, so now she will be in the 0-24 months clinic at CHEO, which just means she has a new case manager (the person who handles all of B's appointments). The 'road map' as the oncology nurses like to call it, is pretty much as we expected.

Basically, B will still continue to take the Septra antibiotic until June. At that time, Brooke will also receive some blood tests to determine if she is still immune to the vaccinations she has had to date. (We'll need to revaccinate her for chicken pox and measles and whatnot if the chemo has killed the immunities in her body.) She will also undergo MRIs and CT scans every three months for the next two years to keep on top of things. She will receive both tests every three months for the first year, then alternating MRI and CT for the second year. And, sprinkled througout those appointments will also be echograms and cardiograms. So, lots of visits to the hospital still in our future--even if she doesn't relapse (which, of course, we pray she does not!).

Once she has been off-treatment for two years, she'll still be monitored (although less often) for another three years until she has reached the five-year survivor point. If after five years, she has not relapsed, then she is considered 'cured.' Can we get to five years already?!?

Lastly, Avie was given a date for an ultrasound as well. The chance that Avie has familial Wilms' tumour is pretty minimal (I think the oncologist said it was about 2% of cases), but she offers an ultrasound for any additional children as a way of giving parents' piece of mind. I jumped on the chance to have Avie checked out, too. With our luck, Hubby and I's combined DNA create some sort of genetic mutation that is prone to tumours! Hope not.

Anyways, fresh air beckons, so off I go....