Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Treatment #5 (Sept 25th)

Heading to the hospital for treatment #5- For comfort I love to use my finger to rub my lips. Tessa caught me doing this on the way to the hospital.
We just parked the car. I'm waiting for Tessa and Mommy to get all the bags ready.
I love the art table in the waiting area. Today there were even stickers.
Taking a snack break while waiting for Dr. Greenberg.
Having my ears checked by Dr. Greenberg.

Treatment #5 (cont.)

Looking at Sawyer's port area to see where to access it. Okay, I was a little concerned when this nurse asked us where the other nurses usually access Sawyer's port. Shouldn't he know? Tessa held Sawyer this time for his treatment.
Accessing Sawyer's port--I'm beginning to wonder if the numbing cream does anything. Sawyer screams every time his port is accessed and he's been screaming as well when his treatment is given.
Treatment #5--Hard to believe chemo #6 will be next week. Hopefully, after that we'll be on the "chemo every 3 weeks" plan.
Comforting my little man after his treatment. He's so brave!
Yipee! We survived another day at the hospital and thankfully, we weren't there as long.

Treatment #5 (cont.)

The best shot (from the car) of the Children's National Medical Center.

First Street--This street takes us to the hospital. Notice all the row houses--they start out really scary and end up nicer. These are some of the nicer ones. (Tessa's fascinated with this street.)
A chest model that was in our room. The lefthand side shows a Broviac line and the righthand side shows what the port looks like-of course, it's underneath the skin. We just lifted up the flap to take a picture.
A closer view of the port-remember all of this is under the skin. On a real person you would only see a scar from the incision.
Thank goodness Sawyer does not have a Broviac line. Could you imagine what would have happened with these lines sticking out of him? By now his would have been ripped out especially since the Johnston boys love to wrestle. Also, with the Broviac line daily baths would have been a major pain!!!

Treatment #5 (cont.)


Heading to the parking garage after treatment # 5. Sawyer loves the moving walkways.
Where's our car?
One of the many interesting individuals we pass in DC each Tuesday. Be sure to click on the photo so you can read his sign.
Picture taken after picking up Hunter.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Treatment #4 (Sept 18th)

Taking a break before heading up to DC.
Playing the waiting game...at least I was able to play for a portion of the time.
How tall am I?
Getting my blood drawn.
Getting ready for treatment #4 with Nurse Kara.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Tons of fun!!! (Sept 12th)

Tessa took me and Makenna out for an evening stroll. I had so much fun! At first Makenna let me ride next to her but we had to go slow. She didn't want me to fall out.

Then Makenna decided if I rode on her lap she could go faster. I loved this SO much! In fact I couldn't get enough and I didn't want to go home. I was having too much fun. I look forward to going out for another ride with Makenna.


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Fresh Air

I wanted to go for a walk shortly after arriving home from my third treatment.
Makenna and Bridger wanted to come with me and Tessa. I loved stopping and watching them climb up the lightposts.
Go Makenna!
Me watching Bridger climb like a monkey.
He is way up high!

Treatment #3

Eating a snack while waiting patiently for Dr. Pena my ENT.
Getting my port area cleaned by the nurse before she accessed my port. I did not like this one bit and started screaming and crying. (Thankfully, Mommy didn't post those pictures.)
The long wait...are they ever going to call me for my chemo treatment? Notice how the lobby is empty. I was the last to be called.
Dad decided to take advantage of the empty lobby and take a nap.
Watching the nurse's every move as she gets things ready for my third chemo treatment.

Treatment #3 (cont.)

Flushing my port with heparin to get ready for the chemo...
Clean, clean, clean...
My 3rd chemo treatment...I even helped the nurse push it in.
I survived! Heading home...

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Treatment #2

Sawyer in the art room at the hospital...waiting for his 2nd chemo treatment.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Mount Vernon (Sept 3)

Making little sand forts after eating our picnic lunch.
Bridger monkeying around!
This picture was taken after Kori, Terry, and Sawyer arrived at Mount Vernon to pick us up.
Friends Forever!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Tonight!

Aunt Tessa getting ready to take all of the kids out on a walk.Every night we walk down to this hole in the ground and free the frogs that have jumped in there. The kids love it! The hole is only about 3 feet deep. But it never fails...there are always frogs in there.
Hunter holding one of the frogs.
In the tunnel slide at the park.