Posted on Friday, 22nd January 2010 by Catherine
My sweet boy:
You have rosy bright red cheeks, you have not eaten all day, you have a high fever and just want to sleep but you can’t because your cough is driving you crazy. You take a bath at noon hoping that might help your aches and pains. You try to sleep but can’t get comfy. You are frustrated and irritable. We pack up and head to Children’s Hospital because the rule is, a oncology child with a fever must be seen. That makes you even more irritable. The last thing you we want to do is drive to the hospital and be poked and paraded.
A chest x-ray, exam from at least 3 doctors, a nasal wash(one of the worst procedures ever), IV fluids, oxygen a pneumonia diagnosis, and admit to the 9th floor. This was not how tonight was supposed to go.
Tonight you were supposed to be home with a babysitter having fun and eating pizza. You were supposed to be playing hide and go seek and eating junk food. I was supposed to be at a the Avalanche game with Daddy and some friends. I realize the best place for you is here at the hospital. I realize there will be other Avalanche games to see and friends to visit with. I also realize that this treatment journey we have been on for 5 years is nearly finished.
I wonder, is that why it seems so much harder to be here? Is it because we are already “ready” to be free from chemo, fevers and hospitals. We have done our time and paid our dues and spent over 100 nights here at Children’s. Well apparently we are not quite done. We do not have any control over this illness but we do try and make the best of it. It doesn’t make it any easier or any more fun.
Sitting here listening to the oxygen blowing into your nose and the dripping of the humidifier water, the beeping from the nurses desk and the low whine of the IV fluid pump somehow makes me feel comforted. I feel secure knowing you are getting good care and that we can do this. We have done it before and we may have to do it again before we are all done. You are absolutely by far the strongest person I know. I draw from your courage and am so proud of how you handle all the unfairness of your life.
So I guess this IS how it was supposed to go. I might as well embrace it because it is our life, it is far from perfect but,there are so many perfect things about it.
Love,
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:43 am
Catherine & Family,
You are all such an inspiration to us all! This week, you were wearing high heel shoes with gladness that you are so close to being finished. Unfortunately, as us "chemo" mom's go, we know that somewhere there is always gum on the ground!!! Now, tonight, you have gum on your shoe….BUT, you know so well, gum can be pulled off!!!! I know tonight is not what you thought it would be, but there is comfort in knowing you are right where you need to be! So, tonight, slip off those high heels and cuddle up next to that little man who has been so strong through it all!! Hey………..you can always wear slippers! Love to you and yours,
The Wiggins Family
Darrell, Jennifer, Mason, Joshua, Owen, and Emma
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
[...] 22, 2010 by bernac I have summed up our day over at The Shoe Box Daily. Why don’t you head over and check it out. See what your little friend Mighty Mason is up [...]
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:42 am
Catherine,
I am so sorry to hear that Mason has pnuemonia. We missed you tonight at Pizza Bingo, I never thought that you would be at the hospital. Mr. G and I were talking about getting our darts for the big party. My guess is that Mason has not been in school this week,. If not, tell him to get well soon, there are some darts waiting for him there. (The kids could not wait to bring them to school). Put those slippers on and cuddle up.
Kelly Bates
Kelly Bates
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:41 am
Feel better soon Mason! We are all looking forward to your party. So many more fun days in store for you right around the corner. We are all better because we know you…. even if it is just a little bit!
Hugs for you,
Stacy, Steve, Katie & Ryan Nelson
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:10 am
Hi Catherine –
What an inspiration you are to your little boy and He to you. He will grow up to be an amzing young man one day.
Garcias
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I am so sorry to hear that you have been in the hospital with Mason. How many hurdles is one supposed to jump. He is truly blessed with a mom of such strength and patients. Our thoughts and prayers are will all of you. Get Well Soon Mason!!!!
The Avena Family
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Mason, We hope your feeling better and you heal really fast! You,re in our prayers. Giny Rosenberry
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Another hurdle another bump in the road and you will prevail as this is what you do
January 24th, 2010 at 2:01 am
Oh, Catherine, I'm so sorry. I will pray for you all and especially Mason!
January 24th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Catherine,
You and Mason are the strongest people I know. My family is praying for yours!
January 30th, 2010 at 6:24 am
As a survivor of childhood cancer, this breaks my heart! I can't imagine being the mom. I just found your blog, and will be praying for your family tonight.
Congratulations on being near the end of treatments! I love that peach fuzz and grin.
My recent post A bird party!
January 31st, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Catherine,
I am so glad to hear that Mason is getting better! We live in Winston-Salem, NC now, but I have been keeping up with your journey! I am so proud of you! Your website is awesome and I am so happy that you are now a published writer! YEAH! I would love to read your book! Good luck on your journey and if you ever need to vent regarding writing, blogs, etc…. I am here for support! Angela Simpson (Sarah's mom from Ms. Ronda's preschool class)