Radiation Day 14
May 30, 2006

This morning Michael and I had to wake up early because we had to be at radiation at eight this morning so they could re access Aidan's Port-a-Cathe.  Plus they wanted us there early since this would be the first time that Aidan would be awake while the accessed his port.  To make the process easier for the kids, they have a cream that is given to the parents to put on the site of port one hour before it is accessed.  You just put a big glob on top of the port and then cover it with a piece of Glad Press and Seal (the Press and Seal will stick to the skin but it does not hurt when you remove it.)  The cream completely numbs the area so the kids feel nothing when they get their poke.
So, after Michael and I were up and dressed it was time to put his cream on so it had enough time to work.  The thing was, Aidan was still asleep.  We decided to go ahead and let him sleep and just put the cream on while he was sleeping.  Of course, he wakes up freaking out about the press and seal on his skin.  It took us almost 20 minutes to get him to calm down and to understand that it would not hurt him and was for something good.  Plus, we explained that he needed to relax so he could get George put back in because we could not go to Blizzard Beach until all of our treatments were over, that's right, Mom and Dad has a new weapon in their arsenal.  It's about time too because all of the other ones were getting old and wearing out,
We were very lucky, because today was a beautiful day so we were able to drive the bug with the top down.  Oh yeah, Mom left the bug because Aidan wanted Nanni to leave it here.  And Nanni is a sucker for those green eyes and big hugs and kisses (actually, it was part of Mom's plan anyways.)
When we got to radiation Gabriel was still in the recovery room awake since it was early.  It was the first time that both of the boys were there fully awake.  It was kind of neat that it happened at least once before Gabriel's last day tomorrow.  Aidan hopped up into his recliner but he was a bit apprehensive since he was not sure what exactly was going to happen.  Mike and I are proud to say though that he was one little brave solider.  There was a few tears but he held real still and let them put the needle in without a problem.  After George was back in one of the first things he asked was when was it going to be his turn for sleepy medicine?  We were quite surprised to hear this especially since he kept repeating it.  We had to explain that he needed to wait for Gabriel to finish before he could go.  They tell us that this is pretty normal for the kids to start asking to get the sleepy medicine about midway through treatment. 
Soon, Aidan got his wish and it was his turn to head off to treatment.  Today was my day to hold him in the chair while he was sleeping (it helps the kids to wake up in their parents arms so they are not so disoriented) until he woke up.  Lucky me, today he slept for at least an hour and fifteen minutes and woke up in a great mood.  Of course, when he woke up he asked for Daddy to hold him, but then I sat next to both of them and helped Mike feed him yogurt and a cookie. 
While we were hanging out waiting for Aidan to wake-up, we received a call from Mike's dad saying that they were all going to meet up, downtown at Cutter's by the Bay, for lunch.  This gave us a great reason to drive downtown with the top down.  So Mike, Aidan and myself rocked out to Disney's Electrical Light Parade while driving around the bay.
After lunch we hung around outside for a bit before Anthony, Angela and the kids had to head out to the airport.  After saying our goodbyes we decided that we would head over to the Space Needle since Aidan had been begging to go and we were all ready down town, not to mention it was gorgeous outside.  To our delight, MaryLynne agreed to come with us and gave Sam, her friend, a call to meet us down there also.
Aidan enjoyed the elevator ride up to the Space Needle, but like his mama, he was afraid to be outside on the observation deck because of the height.  So, almost as quickly as we went up, we came back down a lot broker than we had started.  But now he can say that he had been there.  By now we are noticing that Aidan is very tired so we needed to pack it up and head back to the house to hang out for the evening.
A the house dinner was provided tonight, so no cooking had to be done by us, so we were able to just hang out and chill.
You all need to know that Aidan is doing GREAT!  He is no longer stumbling like he was, his walk is not perfect, but he now just walks with a stiff leg instead of having no balance and constantly falling from side to side.  We can also tell he is feeling better because he is getting very bossy.  On the drive back from downtown he kept giving me driving directions and right now he is telling his dad to turn the channel back because he is watching hockey.  He also has a lot more energy than he has had for awhile and today he was jumping which is something we have not seen in weeks.  So please, please, please keep those prayers coming.  They are truly working.  Here he is, no steroids, no shunt and doing better than when we brought him in.  Aidan is indeed a miracle in the works.  Just keep praying for every single cancer cell to be destroyed and never to return again.
We love you all and miss you so much! Know that we think of you often even if we can not stop to call to tell you.  Stay strong and know that life is to be enjoyed and cherished even when it is not going the way we wish it would.
Tanya
"If God brings you to it, God will see you through it."

 
Michael, Aidan and MaryLynne               Aidan Pouting while on the Observation
Showing off their Muscles                        Deck at the Space Needle with Mama & Daddy