Monday, June 27, 2011

Round Two...and a whole lot of catching up.

 Shawn started his second round of chemotherapy today...came home exhausted, but otherwise in pretty good shape. As mentioned in the previous post, the last chemo session started off okay. I pushed submit that night, and then  headed to bed to find Shawn in pitiful shape...and the following days turned quickly to the worst with extreme nausea, exhaustion and other really painful or downright strange side effects.

This chemo thing is just a boatload of fun, trust me on that.

Two weeks later, going into this next round, he's feeling good. His smile and wisdom...those have not been stolen by cancer.  He's lost his hair but not his sense of humor. Case in point...the other day I walked in on him while he was studying his new "Charlie Brown inspired" do in the bathroom mirror. He quickly shot a smile, and asked nonchalantly...  

"You think it would help if I part my hair differently?"  

Despite a couple of hard punches, round one goes to Shawn. Cancer just isn't going to win this fight.


On to other news...as it's summertime and I don't want to be a Debbie Downer all the time on a blog meant to serve as memory book for the girls...we've have lots of fun times despite being consumed by all things medical.

For starters, our little Leah had a birthday. In that first week of being a six year old, she made leaps and bounds in the growing up department.

1. She took off the training wheels and rode off into the sunset
2. Jumped off the diving board and swam across a junior size Olympic pool
3. Read her first chapter book with no help
4. She made no complaints and gave up her dream of a "friend party" in light of her Daddy starting chemo treatments.

And the way she handled that disappointment--which is everything to a little girl with a bazillion friends and who has gone to birthday parties nonstop over her first year in school--we were most touched by that over anything.

 
...And we've had some great family times...

cousins





Our birthday boy..2!

Making a box car tonight.

Life is good.




6 comments:

  1. Melissa,

    My heart aches. My prayers are with you all across the miles. Happy birthday to sweet Leah. As the mmom of a birthday obsessed 6 year old, her sacrifice also brought tears to my eyes...years from now, as you all look back on this "time of trouble", she will understand how selfless she was at such a young age. I am also sure that she is having lots of fun...and will agree that she did not miss a beat by not having a party this year with friends.

    Prayers to you all...you remain in my thoughts...

    Kate

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  2. thanks for the update ... knowing you're so busy, I hesitate to email you. Love the pictures!

    And Leah, oh my goodness - how precious is that. Bless her little soul!

    Prayers, prayers & some more prayers for all of you!

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  3. How precious is that sweet litle Leah!! Just want you to know we are checking the blog for updates & hope you know you are still in our prayers!!!

    Love,
    Amanda, Chuck, Lilee & Samuel

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  4. Sweet, sweet Leah!! Happy Birthday, baby girl! What a precious soul you & Shawn are raising!

    Praise the Lord for the win over Round One!

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  5. I know we havent spoken in awhile but just wanted to drop u and Shawn a quick note of prayers. Love u guys!!

    Cousin Leslie

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  6. Missed this post somehow....love all these photo's! Love you!

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