Yes...this boy had surgery today

Three hours after surgery and this little monkey is running around at Joey's football practice. It was a long day at the hospital but surgery went well and Owen, as usual, was an angel. Hopefully he will have a nice little break from CHOP, with his next MRI not scheduled until November. It will be nice to have life get a little closer back to "normal."

Bye Bye Port

If you ask Owen where we are going today, he'll tell you "CHOP." The boy...like his mother...

loves a "plan" so every night we talk about what we are going to do the next day. Today is the day Owen's port will be removed. So as we are getting ready to leave, I find him sitting in his chair reading a Spiderman comic book, chanting bye, bye port.

Such a nice way to spend the day...

Enjoying summer days...

First week of football conditioning...Joey finished strongly. Tonight in 97 degree heat and full pads I am hoping he keeps up that determination he struggled to find the first week. Spending time @ the pool...the only kid I know that eats sushi for lunch instead of a snack bar hot dog...flick and float, a great night of floating on rafts while watching Bolt. Eagles training camp...our ninth year taking Joey, he waited in line 45 minutes to get those balloon hats for he and Owen. Leaving in a few minutes to relax by the pool at Aimee's, since I really don't get to swim at our pool unless you count sitting in the baby pool, I am really looking forward to jumping in the cool water on this hot day!

It has begun

With the start of football the clock has begun to click down the minutes of summer. Both Joey and I find the start to the football season a little shocking!

Owen's MRI results show that the tumors have remained stable. I am waiting for a call back to schedule the removal of his port. All very exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time.

Almost have all the fundraising info. sent out for NF run and MS ride...I really have a hard time with that aspect of participating in these events...I much rather train than raise money. It has been hanging over my head though so I am glad to have everything basically set up.

Got to get the boys ready for practice...funny thing is that Owen is the one that wants to be on the field..

Successful MRI

I'm counting down the hours until I can call for Owen's MRI results...

Owen was amazing as usual, taking everything in stride. This was his second time having an MRI w/ general anesthesia and everything went smoothly except that he needed a

breathing tube since he had labored breathing. When I was brought

back to sit with him in recovery he still had the tube inserted, in which the nurse told me he would cough out when started to wake up. He did and as I was unwrapping the tubes from around his ears to help to remove the tube he groggily says, "Done Mama." He then holds up his arm with the IV and says "Off." Shortly after he is sitting up on the stretcher eating graham crackers with a sippy cup of milk blowing the nurse kisses and saying "Bye Bye." Listening to the many other kids being tested that day, the crying and complaining... I think I would be a wreck going through all of this...but Owen is just his normal self on these days. He doesn't really cry or fuss, he plays during the 2 1/2 hr. wait before the test giggling and flirting with the nurses and wakes up ready to roll...leaving me no time to even be weepy. He is amazing...

Mama, Train!

Today Owen had his first train ride. Owen loves trains, cars, trucks, busses, airplanes...anything that moves and he was thrilled to take Joey to his Comic book writing class @ the Michner Art Museum today. Joey thought it would have been more fun if we didn't have to run to catch the train this morning to make it to his class on time. Tomorrow Owen has the MRI that should determine whether or not he will be able to have his port removed. Going to general anesthesia is always a hard day, but Owen does amazingly well. The hardest part with him is keeping the hungry boy distracted. We should have the results early next week...I'll keep you posted.