Snapshot

Jettie and I finally got the bikes out, pumped up tires, and readjusted rusty brakes and headed out for a bike ride.  We have been having absolutely beautiful weather here the past couple of days. Perfect bonding moments :)

Together...As a Family

This isnt normal. We are eating meals together as a family again. We have all been in church together as a family for 3 weeks in a row. We have time (and ability) to go to the beach together as a family. 
No longer are we getting up in the morning and rushing to get to an appointment at the clinic. In fact, Jethenro hadnt been to the clinic in 2 weeks until yesterday. And even yesterday his visit was simply for a lab draw.

These past couple of weeks have been incredible. Jethenro has had so much more energy now than he did even a couple of months before diagnosis. No longer is the couch being sat on. Instead he is at his computer, doing homework, talking cars with friends, running PA/AV at church, texting me as I am getting off of work asking if we can go bike riding when I get home. As one friend put it... "It's like you were never gone."

Sunday afternoon my dad and I were off work (we were supposed to go camping but it didnt work out) and decided on a family day at the beach. Both my parents and Roshi and I went once at separate times after Jethenro's diagnosis last summer but Jethenro hadnt been out to SPI since before he was diagnosed so it definitely was about time :)

.:.Genuine Smiles.:.

.:.Roshi had a test and spent most of the time studying for it.:.

.:.Mom: "What are you doing?"

Us: "We are digging a hole. Looking for a crab" lol.:.

.:.Sunset over the lagoon.:.

.:.Watching the sunset.:.

.:.Sunset.:.

God is good. All the time. These past 9 months have not been easy but God has blessed and blessed abundantly.

Caught in the Act #2

Was he inspired last weekend by watching others on their ripstik? You can decide.

I know he got his heart rate up in just a few minutes~and used muscles that he hadn't used for a long time....

A New Normal

 Jethenro had a clinic appointment earlier this week for the chemo and lumbar puncture that had been postponed due to our weekend travel.   It will take a little while for the ONC team to adjust the meds to meet the desired defense levels thru maintenance.  

We can now get accustomed to attending church as a family again, and Jethenro becoming involved in more social gatherings.  There is a caution as he is and will be immuno~surpressed throughout the next 30 months, but it will not be as severe as the past 9 months have been.  There may still be times that he might refrain from certain activities due to lower then 'normal' defenses. 

Our hearts are full of gratitude to the Great Physician who has protected Jethenro thus far.     

Gods Timing is Perfect

We made plans to attend a Family Camp, and sent in our registration forms all while Jethenro was still in the hospital.  It was our prayer that if it was Gods plan for us to attend, Jethenro would have regained his  defenses to handle the trip. God granted us this time to refresh and renew our spiritual batteries as we spent time with old friends and made new ones. This was just what the Heavenly Physician ordered for our family~ just at the right time ~as Jethenro goes into his last, but longest phase of treatment. In Jethenros words, "This was a good transition."

State flower making the drive a beautiful experience.

Each took a  turn driving

Having to watch Freeze Tag was a new experience...

Blessed with accommodations that fit our needs

Giving announcements at one of the meetings 

A Popcorn~watermelon supper on Sabbath

Enjoyed the view

Jethenro canoed for the first time since May 2011

It is Official

Today Jethenros blood draw shows that he qualifies to begin chemo again.  His bone marrow has fully recovered from the last phase.  This means that he will begin maintenance mode~for the next two and a half years. He was scheduled to have an 'in clinic' chemo given today, but due to our travel plans, the ONC team have postponed those until we return. He begins oral chemo immediately.

A Day To Remember

This was the first time we have had company for a meal since Jethenro was diagnosed in June, 2011.  He has been feeling better each day as his defenses improve, and thought it would be good to start getting into a 'new normal' after all the hardships he has been through. The sisters did the cooking, and we gathered after church. Great fellowship!

Dessert looked and tasted awesome!

Caught in the Act

There were errands to run one day, and Jethenro was 'Home~Alone!'  When I walked in the door, I discovered the piano was on, and that he had actually been playing it!  He willingly played a little more, to humor me.  It was truly music to my ears.  One of the chemo drugs makes his fingers tingle and affects feeling in them, so has not been actively playing for some time.