Teeter -Totters

Growing up, teeter totters were my favorite part of the playground.  Of course, I had the best playmate -- my twin who was the perfect balance for me.  We could really make that teeter totter go!  Up and down and up and down.  She was always careful not to let the board hit the ground -- because we all know what that feels like -- when it almost sends you flying.   

Well, here we go.  Into the unknown once again.  The drop this week made my stomach lurch.  And hitting bottom rattled my teeth.   But finally feeling like we know the truth about what is going on has given me some relief from the unsettled feelings I've had.  Since Brendan first had his bone scans in March, I have felt really unsettled.  Even when the MRI showed he was "cancer-free," I just didn't feel good about those unexplained "lit up" areas on the bone scans.  Nothing made sense -- no matter how hard we tried to explain them away.

Today was much like a teeter totter here at home.  Sometimes we were up, and sometimes we were down.  Everyone in the family was either up or down and our ups and downs were sometimes out of sync.  It made for rather a chaotic and contentious morning.  But as we worked together, (we opted to clean house together rather than divide and conquer), we began to all get into a rhythm.  

Check out how much hair Brendan is growing!  And look how much darker and thicker the hair is near his neck where he lost it first due to the radiation. 

Brendan felt great all day.  But he was frustrated at feeling "stuck" because he couldn't get up and move very easily.  He spent almost all day on the couch.

For awhile he took a nap.

Friends and family dropped in to visit.  It was good to have smiles and support from so many.  We needed them today.

Physical therapy came by to assess Brendan and his needs.  Brendan wasn't very happy to see them.  He remembers all the work they made him do in November and December while recovering from multiple surgeries and going through his radiation treatments.  They are hoping to get his leg and hip strength back and build up his stamina.

While teetering down, we hit bottom pretty hard this week.  We've appreciated all who've rallied around and given us that push upward again.  I suspect there will be lots more ups and downs in the coming months -- but I guess that's all part of the ride.