Super-done
WordPress just added a “Like” button to their posts. And there couldn’t have been a better time.
We’ve learned to celebrate small victories along this journey. Because sometimes small victories are all we’ve got. But today was a pretty big victory.
The removal of that PICC line signifies the end of cancer treatment. The end for now and perhaps, we hope, the end of cancer treatment forever. I told Austin, as we finally walked out of the hospital at ten past six this evening, that I hope he never ever needs chemotherapy again in his entire (long, long) life.
The PICC line last week
It was a complicated day, not without its hiccups, such as at ten this morning when I got a phone call from Fairfax saying Braedan was in the nurse’s office with a tummy ache. Luckily my mom had taken Austin to the clinic and I was able to pick up Braedan (who seemed miraculously fine as the day went on) and secure a babysitter all before I was due there at lunchtime.
When I showed up and told Austin I was there for the long shift, he reminded me that I was there “for the happy time too!” I had told him earlier that we were “sort of done” after today. He asked for clarification a couple of times and I said that he was done with chemo and done with hospital sleepovers and done with his PICC line and, aside from some blood draws, mostly done with cancer. And he asked, “Done done?” And I (hemming and hawing) said yes, for now, but that we would have to start again in a little bit to take care of the kidney (he knows all about dialysis already; he refers to it as “the four hour thing”) but that for now, we would be done. To which he replied, “Super-done?”
For us, yeah … I guess this counts as super-done.
So we waited through hour after hour of blood, followed by an extra IV antibiotic to clear up a lingering ear infection and finally, finally, as everyone (staff included) was itching to go home, the woman from IV team showed up to pull the line.
It was no big deal; Austin said he couldn’t feel a thing although he sat nervously in my arms chewing on his shirt while it happened. And then it was done and everyone clapped for us and we went on our way.
Whoosh, just like that.
Nothing but a band-aid
And then tonight, after a few meltdowns on the part of both boys, we drove over to my parents’ house and did just what we’ve been waiting to do:
You can click on these pictures to make them bigger (if you really want to see Mark’s spectacular golf tan)
They are now sleeping soundly (nothing like swimming to get your kids to sleep through the night) and we’ll go back again tomorrow. Because for now, for today, we are indeed super done. And that is definitely worth celebrating.
Super like!
It sure is! I can hear the splashing in my head. Go Gallaghers.
Yee haw! That is all.
I looked all over for the like button! I don’t think your kids could possibly get any cuter or look any happier in these pictures. I Hope it’s a great summer for your family.
Here’s to super done, no more chemo and no more cancer, EVER! WHOOSH!!!!!
Such a happy post! Enjoy your summer.
Joanna Baker
Great news!! So happy for all of you.
Wonderful to finally be done! The pictures are gorgeous! This little Austin is an absolute miracle – I mean it! Your whole family is a miracle! Keep keeping us posted.
Barbara
Yayyyy!