This is just too nice!

So, we are are the new pediatric cancer clinic at UNC this morning. At the moment, Grant is blissfully playing with his pal William. They are opening boxes of new Transformers that have been donated for the new playroom. Owen and his dad are playing "Sorry" on a real game table. Across the hall, kids are playing "Starfall" at the 2 new computer stations! I am sitting on a beautifully uphosltered bench where I have enough room to sit.... and type..... and breathe! What's going on here?

Seriously, the waiting room at this place is bigger than the whole clinic across the street!

I didn't even wear make-up!? Who knew.... I feel like I should have on heels instead of flip-flops!

So far, counts look great. The sedation clinic (spinal tap) is a little slow to get going. They haven't started yet and I think we are #8 or #9 on the list, so we'll still be here a while. That's ok. I feel like I'm on vacation at a spa! OK - maybe that's taking it a little too far!

I took a bunch of pictures. I'll post later!

Happy 4th from the Hancocks!

The Hancocks got together at Margo's for dinner on the 4th! I feel sure that I am biased, but I think this is just the finest group of folks around!

Can you say August 2010!?

Ok - I know!

I am a sorry blogger!

I would make excuses..... but why?

We've been having a great summer. We've done lots of swimming in a variety of pools! We have had a couple of boat days and are looking forward to this weekend's trip to Cape Lookout! Eden was able to spend some time in Kinston with her friend Claire. We love you, Claire! Jacob has developed quite a fascination with fireworks! Should I be worried?

Our garden is growing and I have more squash and cucumbers than anyone could possibly ever eat! Jake even planted some watermelon plants and we are happy to report that we have 3 beautiful watermelons growing on our vines! The hostas are in full bloom and the grass is green! Life is good!

Grant had his monthly chemo visit yesterday. His counts are great! He has grown an inch this summer... and lost 5 lbs. He is a man child! His foot is 2 sizes bigger than it was just a few months ago! His continues to be a text book patient and we continue to feel very blessed and humbled by this experience.

So, Dr. B asks me yesterday when Grant is scheduled to come off protocol. I respond, I think we're January of 2011. She seemed to think the we were to come off a little earlier, so she checked the computer, and as far as she can tell, we will be coming off protocol in August of 2010. That is only a little over a year! Holy Cow! I can't believe that the time has flown by so fast and that our previous calendar was so "off"...... but, I'll take it!

We wish everyone a happy 4th and a wonderful summer!

Lucky 7!

Happy 7th Birthday to you, Super Grant!

I was just feeling my first labor pains at this hour, seven years ago!

Relay for the Life '09

Grant and I attended the Relay for Life survivor dinner yesterday. We had a great time and were so excited to visit with the McKinney extended family. They were in charge of the dinner this year and they did a fabulous job! Outback catered our meal and we were honored to hear from "Touch of Grace" - a simply divine singing group of young ladies from Harkers Island!

Grant is just finishing a round of steroids today. He did clinic on Wednesday and has had a pretty uneventful cycle thus far.... I dare to say that, because normally when I think that everything is going great is when the bottom falls out!

Recently we have been following the progress of our friend Evan who was burned in a brush fire at his home last week when a paint can exploded. He has been being treated at the burn center at UNC. We are so happy to report that Evan returned home yesterday and is making wonderful progress. Our hearts go out to him and his family. Evan's mom was the nurse who saw Grant on the day of his diagnosis. She has been a friend since Mr. Barker's chemistry class at ECHS. Remember Christine, Doug, Parker and Evan in your prayers.

This past Saturday we were also thrown another trauma when our good friend, my second mama, Marla and two of her grandchildren were injured in a car accident. Thankfully, everyone is recovering and Chandler and Brooke are being well taken care of at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville. We feel so blessed that their injuries are healing and that they will hopefully be home soon! Our love and prayers are with the entire Lawrence clan!

Relay for Life is coming up on May 16th and 17th. We have been slack this year and have not raised money for Team Super Grant..... but we are excited to be able to help the Purple Rubber Monkey Ducks! To make a donation, use the following link....

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/mycoolsmom

Thanks for continuing to pray for Grant. Our next scheduled spinal tap is June 9th.

On the mend....

Grant seems to be over the fever.... It has been a long week of low-grade temps and hacky coughs! Today he is still tired, but no fever to report!

Spring Break has been a cruel joke as the weather seems to have reverted back to mid-February! I hate cold weather!

I took the boys to a movie yesterday and Eden has spent the week with friends. She has one busy social calendar! Ball games begin again tomorrow.... and all day on Saturday, then back to the final push before school is over once again.

I'm considering beginning a full-time job for the summer so I don't have to figure out how to entertain my crew every day! Day care sounds so nice at this point! :)

Another fever today

Grant has not been feeling good this week, actually, he hasn't felt good since his last chemo trip 13 days ago. He has fallen asleep often, and just has had an itchy throat and hacky cough.

Well, after dinner today, he went to sleep, and woke up with a 103 degree fever. Em and Kevin are at Carteret General right now, doing blood work to see whats going on. Preliminary check-up shows fluid behind one ear, a red throat from post nasal drip and probably a sinus infection. They are getting ready to do blood cultures and start him on iv antibiotics for precautions.

Fever is 102.6 after tylenol an hour ago. They will also check his central line port to be sure there is no infection there. We were just talking yesterday about how fortunate Grant has been not to have had an infection in his line- it is very common in the children who have ports for 3.5 years. I would not be surprised if that is what is going on. Well, I will update this as soon as I know anything.