Happy Birthday!

Lisa turned 7 on Wednesday.  I found my self wavering between gratefulness and anger.  Gratefulness that she has doubled the time doctors originally predicted she had to live and anger that she has had to fight so hard for that time.  Then I find myself thinking, thist is the life lesson I am supposed to be learning... to appreciate and be grateful for each and everyday. How many birthdays do I truly appreciate?  How many times do I  actually think about the year that went by and what the person accomplished or lived thru, or how they grew, or appreciate that they still have a decent quality of life?  Probably not enough.  With Lisa, it's easy to always count the blessings; but with myself or my other kids, siblings, parents, friends, I often take for granted that they have got another day, week, year under their belt...that they have grown, and that they still have a very high quality of life.  I was having  a conversation with my dad the other day regarding how he did in the city senior Olympics this year.  He was lamenting that he only took one medal this year...it was bronze....prior years he's always gotten at least  three medals with at least one of them being gold.  I snickered as I realized that next year he would move up to a new age group and there are so few people that compete at that age he would get a medal because he's the only one that shows up!  It struck me....I often fight so hard for the "gold" or to be the best, when will I realize that "just showing up may be good enough".

Enough of my philosophizing.  Lisa had a great birthday and it was made special by many people.  She was scheduled for a day of exams at the hospital.  There was a major complication...there was a flood of all things in the basement of Motts which caused all of the scanners to go down.  Our awesome techs let nothing stand in their way and moved Lisa to the adult side so that she could get her scan done.  They also pulled strings and used all their powers to keep things moving along on time so that she could get out and enjoy her birthday party that evening.  Each department Lisa met with provided her with presents for her special day. She came out of sedation quite quickly this time and mutter to me "Let's go".  When I got her to the car she groggily informed me that she didn't even yell at me or act grumpy waking up this time.  I asked her what was up with that and she said "Chuck E. Cheese".  Hmmm...does this mean I need to go to Chuck E Cheese if I want to avoid the wrath of the waking Lisa...ughh!

We headed home and I was hoping that Lisa would get a little nap in before her party.  No such luck, she was groggy, but ready to go.  We had a wonderful surprise when friends brought by a present for Lisa.  I had posted that I was looking for a "used" DS for her.  They said they had one and brought it over nicely gift wrapped.  When Lisa opened it, I noticed it was in a brand new box.  Their response..."it will be "used" in a few minutes".  I would  love to argue the point or reimburse them, but I'm pretty sure they're not going to let me!  THANK YOU for your generosity!!

Lisa had a great time at Chuck E Cheese.  She had five friends join us and no one could have guessed what Lisa had been thru that day. She got her picture with the mouse, ran and climbed on the equipment, and used all her tokens.  She had a wonderful time and kept on going even after the last friend had left.  We finally went home at 9:30 and she succumbed to the pain from her bone marrow biopsy, asked for a pain pill and headed to bed.

She was up early the next morning and ready to go back to the hospital.  We completed all the tests including repeat bloodwoork and EKG.

Today we received word that finally all the tests came back good enough to start her on the newest antibody study.  So, next week, after her first day in first grade, she will head to the hospital for the new study.  She truly is a warrior.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we are having a big party at the lake.  Any of you in the area who are interested in coming, give us a call.  We will be celebrating Labor Day, end of summer, life and fully appreciating Lisa, Mike and Maranda's birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUYS....I PRAY THERE ARE MANY MORE AND THAT EACH DAY IS LIVED TO THE FULLEST!