"You Look Like an Art Project!"

That was the comment from Sarah to Charlie today.  Rachel's comment when she saw him was, "Didn't mom tell you not to draw on yourself?"

Yes, Brendan looks like a coloring book today.  These are the leftovers from his radiation set up yesterday.  I don't even pretend to know what the set up team is telling the radiation technicians.   But obviously, it is a secret code or language telling them where to radiate.

 The black and green marker are permanent markers from set up and the purple is a Crayola water color marker that the technicians used when doing the radiation treatment.  Below is the mark Lark left on Brendan's arm when we were joking about the marker causing his rash last night.

For Brendan, the worst part was that the permanent marker spots were covered in tegaderm tape so they didn't wear off while he got his blood transfusion.  So Brendan had to peel off the tape today one piece at a time.  Ouch!

 Brendan's pain is MUCH better today.  The pain in his shoulder has lessened considerably.  Dr. Poppe (the radiation oncologist) had told me it would take up to a week to start helping, but I assured him that Brendan has always felt immediate relief.  I'm glad to know it will keep helping all week and beyond.  Brendan said his shins still hurt, but they are better than they were.  The pain he had overnight was in his back.  That seems to be where he feels the pain when everything else is feeling better.  It may also have to do with being up all day yesterday and riding in the car.  Yesterday was a lot more activity than he is used to.

This week, three people who have touched our lives have passed away.  Two in tragic car accidents, and one of a fast moving cancer.  It has caused a lot of quiet reflection in our family about the nature of death.  Sometimes it comes quickly -- unexpectedly -- without time to say good-bye or mentally prepare for it.  Sometimes it comes slowly -- with suffering in its wake.  What would we choose?  Good thing it doesn't matter.  Heavenly Father knows us and has our lives in His hand.  He always knows what we need and what is best for us and our families.  Someday, I know the confusing and hard things in our lives will all make perfect sense.  Even if it doesn't now.