Faces of steroids

We just finished another round of steroids. On Thanksgiving Henry screamed for six hours straight. Inconsolable. Horrible. Lucas and I both wanted to stop giving them... we hate seeing our happy Henry so miserable. But, we know we have to give them so we do. We just try to focus on the fact that we only have two more rounds of them. Yesterday, Lucas captured some of the misery.

Fun with Leaves

My boys wanted to go puddle jumping. So they put on their boots... but there were no puddles. So, they opted to ride their bikes until Beatrix came over... then we went leaf pile kicking (and throwing)

 Trying to get three kids to throw leaves, or look at the camera, or jump at the same time is impossible. But they were all having fun.

Hawaii: relaxation

We only had a few things planned. The rest of the time, we relaxed. Played. Went on our schedule. We read on the beach, swam in the ocean, and pool. At late dinners, and enjoyed ourselves so much. Of course, while we enjoyed the time away from the boys, we also kept saying how much the boys would love Maui. Really, any excuse to get back there!

 

This is the beach just a block from the condo.

 Black Rock.

 We splurged and had dinner at Mama's Fish House. Amazing.

 

Our camera died from sand in the lens 12 hours before our departure. It missed some great views of the Iao Valley... We'll be back!

Hawaii: snorkel

On Sunday morning, we boarded the SeaFire and went on a snorkel ride to Molokini. Our boat was small, and had a total of seven snorkelers on board. Wonderful service, and we saw much more than promised. Lucas got to feed birds, while we were speeding on our way.

 A view of Molokini. Beautiful snorkeling

 After looking at fish, we started our trek back towards Maui. Then we saw dolphins. See them?

 There's a better view.

 Then whales. It's the begining of whale migration, but if you look close, I caught the whale's back.

 And turtles. I swear the back of him is there somewhere... but we hopped out of the boat and snorkeled at a turtle cleaning station. We saw at least five huge, beautiful turtles.

Hawaii: Sunset

The same day we watched the sun rise, we took a sunset sailboat cruise to watch the sunset. The sunset wasn't nearly as pretty, but the service and ride were amazing. We would do it again any time.

 Ah... relaxation.

 It was very windy.

Hawaii: Sunrise

Lucas and I "escaped" to Hawaii for a few well deserved days away from reality. Thanks to our parents, we were able to go to Maui for four nights. Four, amazing lovely days. Our first morning, we woke up EARLY, and drove up to Haleakala Summit where we could watch the sunrise.

 

Do you see anything? We saw stars, but it was dark. I suppose anywhere is dark at 0445. It was cold and dark.

Then, first light.

 We thought this was pretty, we had no idea what we were in store for.

 It was cold!

 We were above the clouds.

 Every minute the colors changed. It was truly beautiful.

 The sun rose around 0630. We quickly left the summit to avoid traffic and drove back down. Ready for beach time by 0800.

Max ride

On Sunday, we took the kids to Munchkin Playland. After Lucas and I got our coffee fix, and the kids got some energy out, we went on a ride on Max.

 

 We rode it to Pioneer Courthouse Square, they were setting up the Christmas tree. A perfect opportunity to enjoy some hot... warm cocoa.

 Owen liked exploring the steps.

 And being a statue.

 Not a great picture of Henry, but a great picture of Owen almost pushing the emergency button.

 Silly faces.

Bob-Bob and Mimi

A great picture of the boys and Bob-Bob and Mimi. It was before Owen's gymnastics class.

Another Day

Last week, Henry seemed to be bleeding and bruising easily. So, we took him for labs on Thursday. My bet was that he needed platelets. I was wrong. Platelet level was fine, but he needed some blood. So, a "quick" lab appointment turned into a six hour day. Not too uncommon for us, but still... a long day.

 

Henry and doggie waiting to have his port accessed.

 While waiting for labs, we played in the hallway of clinic.

 From clinic, we were moved to the Day Treatment Unit. Henry in enjoying his prized lollipop while watching Thomas the Train, while waiting for the blood.

 Lucas and Owen showed up in the afternoon. They are enjoying watching garbage trucks while Henry gets blood.

 It's always funnier with masks.

 Henry wanted to walk the halls... Owen enjoyed a ride.

 Now, I think all boys are watching airplanes.

 The Day Treatment Unit closed, so we were moved up to the fourth floor. It was our first time being admitted to the BEAUTIFUL new rooms. They are huge! The bathroom is bigger than our old rooms. I'm not joking.

 Family photo. (look at that HUGE couch!)

 I'm sure the floor is clean... right?

 Walking the halls. Henry and Lucas pulled Owen around.

 One of our favorite nurses, Melanie, de-accessed Henry's port. Almost like old times.

 And, our escape. Henry was more than ready to leave.

It was Lucas and my 9 year anniversary. We spent it together, as a family, surrounded by friends from the hospital. Clinic, DTU, and the unit. We got to see most of them. A very good, typical, day in the life of a cancer kid.