September is national Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For us it has felt like a long, somewhat uneasy month. We are in a new stage of our cancer journey and it is very unfamiliar. After the last MRI, with the advice of our Doctor we have stopped chemotherapy. Jackson is officially done with treatment. We are so happy to be done and try to return some "normalcy" to our lives and yet at the same it has become very apparent how much the treatment has changed our little boy. It is unclear how much of his disabilities are due to exhaustion and how much are here to stay. Because of that we are unsure whether he needs rest or rehabilitation. To qoute my husband, we were "floundering" with this phase of his care. SO, I spent the better part of the month researching rehabilitation services for Jackson and have finally found something that seems perfect. Jackson is going to be starting a special ed. preschool at the end of October. It is a small class for children with physical disabilities. (for those of you who haven't seen Jack since before treatment, he has severe balance issues and often falls down). He will also be continuing with speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. All of these services will be provided through the school and during his preschool hours. The program is provided through our school district and is really pretty amazing. Jackson will be going three mornings a week, like a regular four year old! I will admit that after spending every minute of every day of the last 18 months with Jack, I will have a little separation anxiety, but I am hopeful that going to preschool will help him learn to be a kid again.
On the medical front, Jackson has been fitted for ankle braces and will be getting them in two weeks. He has appointments in October with a nuerologist and endocrinologist. Our next MRI isnt until early December so we are going to enjoy every minute of his stability through Thanksgiving and continue to hope and pray for remission.
For those of you eating out on Monday September 28, Chili's is donating 100% of their profit from all their restaurants to St. Judes Children's Hospital!!
Prayers for remission and a happy Jackson are headed your way. I am so glad to hear Jackson is headed to pre-school. I have a hunch that it is going to help more than anyone or any treatment could. I love the optimism that I hear in this entry, it brings a smile to my face.
As for the “floundering” in this next phase.....Mr. & Mrs. Jobe, there has been nothing easy thrown at the two of you, and neither of you has ever waivered in your strength and courage in helping your son, so if you consider yourself “floundering,” I could only hope to “flounder” as well as the two of you!!
I will enjoy myself some Chili’s today.
Lots of Prayers,
Patricia, Juan, Tommy & Nicky
Yay for Jack!! We hope the he really enjoys “big boy” school. We plan on eating at Chili’s on Monday per Jeff’s request. We saw it and couldn’t refuse! Separation is harder for the parent than the child....I’ll be experiencing that with Abby come February when she starts preschool herself. I know what you mean about being with Jack every minute of the last 2 years...Abby is my left hip and I cannot walk without it. We’ll just cope together and spend lots of time at Starbucks...lol. You guys have fun in Boston and we’ll see ya when you get back!
Jamie, Jeff, and the girls
Hi Keri,
Good to hear Jack has finished treatment and starting school soon. I believe he will be enjoying it so much and won’t even remember those hospital stays. I can’t wait for my girl to start school too, I am thinking next year, hopefully. We think of you a lot and wish the very best for Jack.
Hugs,
Frida and Davina.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davina1
We’re so glad Jack is in this new phase of recovery. Go get ‘em at school Jack!
Good for you Milkman on starting preschool,, I bet you make friends in no time. I know WyWy will miss you on those mornings you are at school. You have fun on your vacation and hopefully can catch a ball game. Auntie Poe Poe has been to Boston and there “light rail” system makes ours look patheic (sp?). Love you all.