Can't Stop Smilin'!

Sarah:  I went to Salt Lake on Saturday and spent the night with Charlie.  I actually usually sleep like a rock at the hospital, unlike my parents sometimes. The beeping machines and constant bathroom breaks just don't wake me up as much. Which I'm not sure is a good thing...  Definitely one of the things that separates the parents from the siblings. 

This morning the doctors were true to their word and got us all ready to check out early. Even though all of our information that they put in last night got deleted and the technician had to redo all of it this morning. The fiasco with the insurance got worked out, and we got to walk out of there. 

It's kind of funny watching Charlie moan and groan to get up in the morning, but as soon as he's going home, he magically has a ton of energy! He was practically skipping out of the hospital. 

He decided to drive home with me, and we listened to Michael Buble's Christmas album the whole way home. 

Kerry:  So Brendan was discharged from the hospital this morning (thanks to some hard-working nurses and doctors who knew how badly Brendan wanted to come home) and he arrived home around 11 a.m.  He hasn't stopped smiling since.  

 He's played and played and played.

 Bounce off with Maddy. . .

 Brendan received this great hat from Brad and Nan Checketts.

 Brad said that Top Guns are the best of the best and since Brendan is the best of the best he needed a hat that showed that.  Thanks Brad!

 Brick Wars with Chris and Landon. . .

 Time for a drink.

We watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  It was great! Of course, Linda K. Burton's talk about her experience with cancer really hit home.  All of the things she said she experienced resonated with me.  If you missed it, watch it here:  lds.org

 Debbie and Stan brought Brendan a bag to take his stuff to the hospital.  He also got some new pajamas.  With his John Deere pajamas from Vanessa and Valeen he finally has enough to get him through a week in the hospital.  It's just what he needs this week as we head in for his chemo treatment.

 Brendan couldn't resist the snow.

 Tonight Brendan had enough room to roll out the notes from his schoolmates.  Thanks to Dennis Spackman (favorite bus driver) for planning this and Dorothy for getting it signed!

 Brendan loves his friends and all of their support.  Nick brought Brendan a pill to play with.

Tomorrow morning we head back to Salt Lake for radiation and admittance to the hospital for his 2nd chemo treatment.  Again, it is amazing to see that when Brendan gets home his nausea stops and he has all the energy in the world.