Remembering {day 14}

A year ago today was a memorable day. It was, like today, the last day of Sunday School. It was also the day of our spring piano recital.

And I clearly remember that it was the first time that Sam told me that his legs hurt.

May 20, 2012.

He wasn't diagnosed with leukemia until June. But on that day, this odyssey began. I remember saying, "don't worry, I'm sure you're fine" and "maybe a bath will make it feel better" and other things that didn't really work and barely make any sense any more.

I woke up this morning remembering that day.

Sam on May 20, 2012

This year, Sam is in the hospital. We are on a path that I don't think I could imagine in my wildest nightmares last May. But we're doing okay. Sam is doing okay. The road is incredibly rocky. We are not even nearly at the end of the journey. It feels more and more like a grueling marathon.

But we're doing okay.

I never imagined the love and support that would flow our way. Not because I didn't believe it was possible, but because I just couldn't envision the myriad of ways that all of you would come together to lift us up and carry us along in this river of fire. It has been the greatest blessing, and we are so very grateful. Thank you.

--

Today was uneventful for Sam.
We spend a lot of time keeping him occupied. In between snacks and drinks and walks and books and movies and such...I think we're doing quite well. Weekends are quiet in the hospital, so we can go downstairs whenever we want.

 The weather was spectacular, so we spent at least an hour today in the Healing Garden....well, healing. And hunting for bugs and checking out the newly planted flowers. We took a long walk (almost half a mile, I used a pedometer app to check it out) over to the cafeteria of the adjoining adult hospital (Froedert) for dinner. The Children's cafeteria isn't open on the weekends. It was a nice little outing for us, even though Sam only got cereal and yogurt!

We love all the book and movie suggestions. Tomorrow we'll play games and write notes and do puzzles and stack states and countries....and we are ready.

In other news, this happened in our family:

So proud of my David for chopping his hair off in honor of Sam and raising money for the MACC Fund along with 7 other boys from our synagogue. There were also about 10 kids who donated hair to Locks of Love. It was a pretty amazing day.