Update on Atticus

I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I know many of you fasted today in our behalf and we want to thank you. Meals have been brought. Goody bags and gifts have been given. Visitors have come. We just can't put in to words how blessed we feel to be surrounded by such amazing people. Your fb messages and text messages have been a huge strength to me and Eric. Im sorry if we don't respond but know that we do check our phones and the text messages give us strength to stay strong and are a reminder that we are not alone in this battle. So keep 'em coming! It has been a very very hard and emotional day. Eric and I spent most the day in tears. A bit of reality is setting in and its not very pleasant. We are both exhausted but sleep means you have down time and down time means you think and thinking right now doesn't lead to anything but heartache tears and complete frustration. Atticus however, is doing amazing. He is taking this all in so well. He is adjusting. He's accepted that he needs to hold our hand while walking or go in the wagon, and his coming to terms with the activities he can and cannot do (I'll go over all that another time). He is so strong. So strong. Not once has he complained. Not once has he asked why. Not once has he fussed. Even when it hurts and he cries, he sits still allowing the nurses do what they need to. I have a tiny boy with a giant spirit. After meds or a procure he'll say, "I was braver than a daddy huh mom?!" He has surgery tomorrow morning at 9 am to put the port in and depending on how that goes and how well he tolerates it we may possibly go home tomorrow (Monday) but if not will get to go home Tuesday. He will start Radiation Wednesday and will have it every day Monday thru Friday for 4-6 weeks along with Chemotherapy. As of now he will just get one series of Chemo. You have to be incredibly still for the radiation, so each day he will have to be sedated. Normally radiation would only take about ten minutes but for us it will be about an hour and a half. They are putting the port in so that he doesn't have to have a new IV each day. The steroid he is on is called Decadron. Last night they switched him from IV to oral. Since that is what we will be going home with. They warned us that it is incredibly bitter so it may be a fight getting him to take it after his first dose, so Eric and I were prepared for the worst thinking he would spit it out or fight us. I know, I KNOW, Heavenly Father is giving him strength. I know all our prayers are being heard, because my sweet sweet 4 year old little man took it without a fight. The nurse said that he has taken it better than any other patient and she has been on the oncology floor for 25 yrs. He prefers to give it to himself sitting next to me so that I can immediately give him his drink. He has it every 8 hours. And is on a 6am 2pm 10pm schedule. He will be on it for at least 3 weeks but it could be that he stays on a low dose for the duration of the cancer fight. We just don't know yet. We have experienced a few effects of the medication... mood changes, extra hyper at times, super big appetite, and very very rosy cheeks. So, here we go! I know that we are in for a tough emotionally draining time but we are going to try really hard think positive find something good from each day and treasure theses precious precious moments that we have left with our Atticus. I am so in love with this little boy that I can't think more than 10 minutes ahead or I completely break down. He is my hero. My superman. My sweet Atticus. Thank you for loving him too and keeping him in your prayers. We need them. ALSO.... if you could maybe put a little emphasis in your prayers for Atticus to get his balance/coordination back we would really appreciate it. That has been the hardest thing for him. Today he broke down in tears because he couldn't kick the soccer ball. Please pray that once Radiation/Chemo is complete he will have a good chunk of time to do what he does best. Run and play sports. Love, Cindy