There are no quiet days at the hospital

Originally posted: December 17, 2015

We thought today would be a nice quiet day. Santa and Mrs Claus and the police department were coming at 9 and we wanted to be down there to see them. We were and it was a lot of fun. That wore Derek out pretty quickly so we went back to his room so he could lie down again and rest. He didn't get much time for that as PT came and he had to start working. During one of his PT sessions(he has 2 every day and 2 OT session) he walked around the neuro floor again and he also walked up and back down a flight of stairs!! He was really exhausted after that.
We found out that the spine MRI did NOT show any metastases so that was wonderful news. Thank you Lord!!
We were able to talk to the oncologist for a while. She is still waiting to hear back about more information about the tumor. She also did another blood draw to do more testing to see about further treatment options. No word on a start date for radiation yet. However, Derek may get to come home in the next couple days hopefully.
He has his walker ready to go and his wheelchair will be ready soon as well. But if we cannot be home for Christmas, that is all right with us. We learned many years ago that is does not matter where you celebrate, as long as we are together that is all that matters.
Derek also got the last of his external tubes removed today!
Derek and Kate planted another plant with Leonard who has been volunteering at Children's for the last 29 1/2
years he said. He is very patient and lets the kids to the work and helps when needed. I got to spend a few hours tonight with my AEC family and they continue to amaze me. I have no idea how to thank you all.

Also a huge thank you to Love Your Melon for the hats for Derek and Kate. They are an apparel brand run by college students across America on a mission to give a hat to every child battling cancer in America. These are super thick hats too!! https://www.loveyourmelon.com/pages/mission