I'm not sure how to start this post. I try to enjoy every single day. I worked hard to get to this point, and I am also very lucky, very blessed, and very supported by Mike.
I try to live my life by making the most for our family; loving our extended family; enjoying our friends; continuing to learn and explore; experiening new things; and more. Importantly for me, I try to give back and teach my children, despite the luxuries they are afforded, that life is not a bouquet of roses.
Enter Cole's friend, Jett. He and Cole have been in class together the past two years and are sweet friends. As you know, Jett was diagnosed with Leukemia last winter. He is in the maintenance phase of treatment, which pared down means chemo once a week with lots of pills in between and invasive tests once a month. He receives treatment at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
As my earlier post mentioned, Brook Hill First Grade collected small items for the Prize Closets at Children's, which are given to cancer patients after invasive procedures. Jett's mom invited Cole, Braxton, and me to join Jett and her on the trip to Dallas to donate the items collected and support Jett during his "Clinic" check-up. She treated the boys to a day and night at Great Wolf Lodge before the day at the hospital.
Two days off from school begins with lunch at Esparza's in Grapevine
The boys had a BLAST at the water park inside Great Wolf Lodge. They were moving so fast for hours on end that the few pictures I was able to take all ended up blurry!
After the Great Falls ride:
Water basketball:
We also went for a 3D short movie ride, ate pizza and ice cream, spent way too much time in the arcade, and had an in-room dance contest at night. Cole and Braxton got matching wolf-print tattoos and dubbed Jett the "master" with his red dragon tattoo :)
Today, we went to Children's and the boys were able to see the medical staff access Jett's port to give him medicine, put him to sleep for a spinal tap, and then support him in recovery after the procedure. The doctors and nurses were amazing and patient, answering questions and laughing at First Grade humor.
The boys then saw the Prize Closet on the floor where Jett received treatment, and we went downstairs with the Director of Child Life Services at Children's to unload the huge boxes of prizes the First Graders donated.
I love that Cole was there to support his friend, high-five him after a spinal tap, have FUN with him for a few hours to get his sweet mind off the medicine, learn to give back, learn to appreciate his health, and be humbled. I am very proud of how amazingly strong and courageous Jett is, the giving hearts of Brook Hill students and staff, and the loving and kind nature of Cole and Braxton.
When we got home this evening, Jett's mom posted a sad story about another boy who lost his fight with cancer today. It really puts things into perspective after Jett's "good" day at clinic.
Prayers and love for God's precious children.
so amazing! proud of ya'll and sweet Jett!
ReplyDeleteAmazing kids all around.
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