Worlds Colliding

Today is a roller coaster of emotion for me.  My worlds are colliding, changing, morphing.  I'm so excited to be done with radiation tomorrow.  But saying goodbye to the good people we've met is breaking my heart.  The Radiation Oncology teams at the Huntsman Cancer Institute have been amazing.  Kind and helpful, encouraging, and always so thoughtful of Brendan.  Even the front desk would notice if Brendan needed a warm blanket while he was waiting to be called back for treatment.  

Second to last day of treatment.

The best radiation therapists at Huntsman -- Rosemarie, Carli, and Lark with Brendan.

Packing up from Sheldon and Angie's home in Farmington was another teary event for me.  I've grown to love their family.  Their kids, Cameron, Austin, Breyden and Brynnley treat Brendan so well and always ask him how he is doing and about his day.  We've eaten together, played together, watched movies together, and they have been the family support we needed while we were away from home.  It's been a privilege getting to know all of them better and becoming "family."

After an icy drive up to Huntsman, it was nice to see the sun coming out for the drive home.

 Driving today was a white knuckle affair.  Icy roads into Salt Lake, then snowy conditions driving home made for a tiring trip.  On top of that, Sardine Canyon was closed due to an accident and we made the long trek over to Valley View to get into Cache Valley.  Tacking on 45 extra minutes of driving time was no fun for either of us, but we made it home in time for the wedding.

 This past week I'm seeing some incredible progress in Brendan's independence.  After Brendan's brain surgery he was like a baby -- needing us to do everything for him.  We had to feed him, bathe him, reach everything for him, dress him, put his blankets on him, etc.  Each day he's gotten stronger and is doing more for himself.  This week his neck was strong enough for him to hold up himself, so he began washing his own hair.  Today he carried his own bag from the car.  And -- much to my surprise-- after spilling a cup of water, he cleaned up after himself.  Now that's progress!

That independence comes with a price, though.  He's learned how to run the feeding pump and when he's tired of it pumping food into his stomach, he simply turns off the machine.  He's feistier and more vocal about what he does and does not want to do.  But, hey, we'll take it!

 Weeks ago, when Brendan was too sick to complete his radiation, we knew he would have to have radiation on Riley's wedding day.  We thought we would miss the wedding and reception.  Brendan cried all the way to Farmington that afternoon.  But, somehow, when scheduling the extra visits, we ended up with an early radiation time on just the 30th.  Tender mercies.  It gave us time to complete radiation this morning and still drive home this afternoon in time for the wedding.

 Brendan loved being with Grandmas, cousins, and family.

 Except Sarah could not convince him to dance. (Although I thought I saw him dancing later. . .)

 But he was willing to clean up chairs.

 Brendan was the energizer bunny tonight and just kept going and going.  He's so glad we could spend the day with family.  With only one more radiation treatment tomorrow, he's headed back to Salt Lake tomorrow.  That will be three trips in four days.  It's worth it to him to be home with family.

Brendan with his cousin, Riley.