For your fourth birthday, we were all together. We went on a train ride, and we ate sushi.

We went to the beach a lot. This was one place that we didn't have to worry about germs as much. Because of the chemotherapy, Henry's immune system was weak, so we were worried about germs. But we were told that sand didn't carry as much risk as dirt, so we loved to let you two dig in the sand and play in the water.

Spring 2012

The second year of chemo was "easier". We only had to go to clinic once a month. Henry had a five day course of steroids once a month, and those weeks were bad. He would cry and eat. He loved macaroni and cheese, especially Sponge Bob macaroni, and pirates booty. One month, he loved butter, he just wanted to eat cubes of butter. He would get such a puffy face, but once that week was over, our "happy Henry" would return, and we would continue to play. 

 We enjoyed the fresh spring air.

He loved spaghetti, and you two would make "mop faces" at each other.

And of course, we always went to the beach.

Henry was eating so well, that in April we took out his PEG tube. He no longer needed a tube into his stomach to feed him, since he was finally wanting to eat. The second year of chemo was less intense, his hair started to grow back.

This picture was after a lumbar puncture. Every three months, he would go in for chemotherapy into his spine. I always thought that if it were me getting this, I would go home and sleep in bed the rest of the day... not Henry. As soon as he woke up, he wanted to eat and play. So, we followed his lead and played. He never really minded those days.

My three favorite boys reading about airplanes.

January 10th, 2012

Our last scheduled stay in the hospital. When Henry was diagnosed, we were given the schedule of his chemotherapy for an entire year. Each day was mapped out for us... each day scheduled. We called it our "road map". This stay was the last one we marked off. One year of chemo done... one year to go. But the second year was promised to be easier, no scheduled hospital stays. Mostly home chemo.

 

We got to celebrate these last few nights in the hospital.

 

 Henry was a great patient. He would spend time flipping through "Mr. Brown Can Moo" while his chemo was infusing.

 When he was up to it, you two would spend hours in the children's garden sweeping and playing.

 The final ride home, from that first year. We were so happy!

Fall and Winter

The air museum in McMinnville.

 A family picture in the reflection of an airplane.

 Fall leaves!

 Zoo lights.

Our overnight stays became less frequent, but Henry still needed to go to the hospital weekly for labs, and at least once a month for chemotherapy. He needed chemo in his spine called lumbar punctures. He would be put to sleep with medication. He would sleep for a while afterwards... you wound gently touch him, and tell everyone else to be quiet, because he was sleeping. You were so sweet to him.

 

When he woke up, he would be HUNGRY! So, we would have milk, yogurt covered pretzels, and gold fish waiting for him

 

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I think we got to go home more often than other kids, partly because dad and I weren't scared to give a lot of medications at home. We also realized the importance of getting back to the hospital when Henry got a fever. We had a bag packed by the front door for the times when we emergently went back to the hospital.

 

When we weren't in the hospital, we would visit dad at work.

 Or play at home.

 Or go to the airport to watch airplanes. You loved airplanes, Henry loved watching the helicopters.

Seaside

Somehow, we ended up at the beach a lot. This time was an overnight at Seaside.

 You and dad tried to fly a kite, while Henry played in the sand.

 Clean off time in the bath.

 Henry loved to be naked. You two would run around naked, dance naked and giggle naked.