Late last night as we were all getting ready for bed we heard a loud thump.  Mike looked under the door and saw feet moving around and could hear voices.  After further investigation, we figured out that it was our friends Laurie and Patty decorating the door for Aidan's birthday.  We decided that we did not want to ruin their surprise so we let things be.  Then, about 15 minutes later we realize that we have laundry downstairs to get.  We figured we were safe because it had been awhile so Mike and I ventured out the door.  As soon as we turn down the hallway we see Patty coming out of the library.  Mike and I panicked.  We were busted.  At about the same time Patty saw us and she and Laurie also panicked.  The four of us were quite the sight in the hallway giggling and laughing like little kids.  What an awesome thing for them to do for Aidan.  A bright way to start his day.
Good thing for the decorated door because aside from that Aidan did not have the best birthday morning.  As soon as he woke up and realized we were putting Emla Cream on he knew what was in store.  Thank goodness for the door.  Telling him he has a surprise outside was the only way we got him to calm down.  He loved the door and we took many pictures in front of it.  They even included a birthday button for him to wear today so everyone would know it was his special day. 
Once at the hospital his nerves started to act up again.  Luckily he had another surprise that we were not even aware of.  When we checked into the Radiology Department there was a large gift bag waiting for Aidan.  He loved being able to open a present that early in the day.  The bag of gifts helped to distract him as we waited to be called back.
Soon enough Nurse Debbie came and brought us back to the room that we have become much too acquainted with.  Same old routine: height, weight, blood pressure, temp, breathing, heart rate & mouth check.  Aidan is so used to the procedure that he will even tell you when you have forgotten a step.  How very sad that a little boy knows that much about hospital procedures. 
Next up was his port being accessed.  Once again we had Eddie come in to ease the nerves.  Aidan enjoys being the doctor on Eddie but it surly does not help when it comes to him.  After another crying fest his port was accessed and he was ready to go.  Aidan couldn't wait to get his sleepy medicine.  We headed over to the sleepy room where Aidan quietly went off to sleep as Mike and I kissed our baby before he went in for yet another MRI.  What a terrible way to spend your birthday.  Oh well, at least we are celebrating a birthday.  It could be worse.
Not long after Aidan went in Mom, Dad & Sage arrived to the hospital.  They were there just as Aidan was being wheeled into the room to wake up from his anesthesia. After a quick kiss, the three of them headed upstairs to get a quick bite while Mike & I stayed behind to wait with Aidan. 
The first thing out of Aidan's mouth was, "I wanna go home and have my party."  This was said in a very slurred voice and without even being able to open his eyes.  Mike and I assured him that we would be going very soon after we saw Dr. Geyer.  Although he was not happy about being there any longer he was at least satisfied with the answer.
At about 10:30 we headed upstairs to the sixth floor to the Hemoc Clinic to wait for what we hoped would be great news.  While we were waiting Aidan was given yet another Birthday surprise.  Dr. Chen came by to pay Aidan a visit.  Even though Dr. Chen is all Aidan can talk about, he barely gave him the time of day when he came to visit.  I will say though that it must have meant a lot to him because he kept talking about it for the rest of the day. 
As we are waiting in the waiting room Cori comes by and hands a preliminary report to Mike.  The news was not what we had expected or hoped for.  The report states that the tumor is stable and without any change from the last MRI in June.  We were all standing there in disbelief and disappointed.  We just knew that we were going to receive the best birthday gift ever.  We were sure that the tumor would be gone.  None of us could understand what was happening.  How could things be going so great and there be no change?  Aidan is symptom free yet his scan shows no change.  We all kept reminding ourselves that no change is much better than growth and yet there is a knot in my stomach the size of a cantaloupe.
Soon we are called in to see Cori.  After speaking with her we all begin to feel a bit better but still a bit confused.  Cori explains that we should be "elated" and that swelling can last for up to four months and what we are seeing could be dead tumor cells that have just not sloughed off yet.  Then we take a look at the actual scan and compare it to his last scan.  To our very untrained eye, we see what we believe to be a small be definite shrinkage.  Next we compare the actual measurements from the June MRI to todays.  Now we are even more excited.  The measurements show definite shrinkage.  After a few more questions and a quick once over we all leave the appointment feeling quite good. 
Aidan decides that he wants to have his birthday lunch at Subway.  Not everyones favorite but for the B-day boy we will do anything.  So we grab a quick bite and then Mike and I head off to get balloons and ice cream for the party at the house.
Once back Dad explains that he did the math and by the numbers that the report gave Aidan's tumor shrunk 2/3 of what it was in June.  At first this seems like great news but we soon realize that the numbers must be wrong.  We saw the two scans side by side and there is no way that the tumor had shrunk that much and the report stated it had not changed.  Something was not right.  I gave a quick call to Cori and left a message with our concerns.
Tumors had to wait though because we were about to have a birthday party.  Aidan was beyond excited.  Papa Zaugg, Aunt Heidi, Uncle Chris, Sidney, Morgan, Ashton, Aunt MaryLynne, Sam, Laurel, Mercedes, Thomas, Lauren, Erin, Aunt Patty, Papa, and Nannie were all there with us four Zauggs to celebrate.  We were missing Laurie, Carlos, Patty and Jazmin though.  We waited an extra 45 minutes but then decided we could not wait any longer.



It was a simple party with cake, ice cream & presents.  As always Aidan loved being the center of attention.  He also loved opening presents.  Even presents from his Uncle Anthony and Aunt Angela in Arizona.
Although the day was not as planned, a birthday is a definite reason to celebrate.

Tanya