tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68513686262645182562024-03-13T14:44:45.715-04:00Laughter through tears...I love to laugh. I LOVE it. There is something so cleansing about laughing. Laughter is infectious. It makes other people smile and it makes you feel better. Laughter is hope for better moments to come.
Unfortunately, in my life as a momcologist, there are way too many tears that come through and laughing through them is a necessity many times.
Crying, yelling, laughing... it's all a part of life.. but really, laughter through tears is most definitely my favorite emotion. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-32549720850181747862011-03-22T16:03:00.004-04:002011-03-22T16:05:44.549-04:00DISGUSTED with General HospitalThis is somewhere that I can share our journey and bring awareness to people that kids get cancer too. That's what I'm going to do... and that's what I thought one of the TV shows that I've been watching on and off for 20 years was going to do too.. boy, was I wrong!Today, I turned on General Hospital. Michael is in the bath and Timmy is hanging out in his crib. I haven't watched in weeks but I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-64974407920480016872010-09-15T08:36:00.007-04:002010-09-15T09:51:02.830-04:00I get it... I don't like it, but I get it...I had known when this whole thing started 2 years ago when Mikey was diagnosed that my 2 best friends would be there no matter what. They they would put whatever feelings they had aside and be there for me. That the topic of 'kids having cancer' would be uncomfortable for them but they would be there because they were my best friends. They would let me cry and not make me talk about it until I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-31232182066615754712010-09-13T10:20:00.002-04:002010-09-13T10:59:34.485-04:00Go GOLD!!No, I'm not competing for a medal and I'm not shopping for jewelry. I'm talking about going gold for the kids. Kids like my Mikey. Kids who know all too much about the medical field at a very young age. Who have mediports, have surgeries, receive chemotherapy and radiation and lose their hair. Kids who have cancer.Everywhere I look I see pink. Pink ribbons everywhere. Signs saying that October isUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-48401926648202192242010-07-29T23:18:00.003-04:002010-07-29T23:35:20.562-04:00Can any good come from bribing your child??It's round 2, night 2 of chemo. He's 4. We have chemo nights. Chemo nights! How the hell did this happen? When did it become routine to have chemo nights? Anyway... I digress...It's round 2, night 2 of chemo. Round 1 was a disaster. He took it the first 4 nights. Got horribly sick overnight on night 1 but nights 2-4 he was ok. Night 5, he didn't even absorb the chemo before he got sick. We Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-64207711964209706662010-07-10T13:57:00.004-04:002010-07-10T14:26:30.505-04:00Not the meaning of life... but not too far off the markLife is not a competition. It isn't about whose problems are bigger. Or playing games of 'tit for tat'. Or looking past the good parts of your life to find the bad. Or purposely playing the part of a martyr.Life is about learning. And teaching. And believing. And stopping to smell the roses. And being there for those you love. And friendship. And family. Life is about love.Look past the nonsense.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-72789533354509920172010-06-12T08:10:00.006-04:002010-06-14T08:40:09.816-04:00There's a Secret Sorority out there... and I never thought I would be a part of itI remember the days when all you wanted to do was fit in with a certain group. When you saw 5 or 10 girls standing in a circle talking and laughing and then hugging good-bye you would watch as they all walked away from each other knowing that they all had something in common that you obviously didn't have. You wondered what that something was... and then you hoped that one day you would have it. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-47152240300356997592010-06-07T10:29:00.003-04:002010-06-07T10:38:56.319-04:00An old e-mail... who knew it would be all too fitting for my life todayWhen I was pregnant with Mikey I joined an online message board group for moms that were pregnant and due the same month as I was, a December 2005 Pregnancy Board. We shared stories, fears, points of view and advice. After the babies were born we stayed on the message board but some of us branched off into groups. We shared the highs and lows of new mommy-hood and stories, fears and advice. We Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-55453991721426355922010-06-02T08:49:00.003-04:002010-06-02T10:14:34.854-04:00Birthday wishes...I know it's been a long time since I posted here. I've been posting on Mikey's Caring Bridge site but that's been all about Mikey... I need a place to be about me. And what better day to start that than my birthday?Did you ever notice how birthday wishes change so much as the years go by? When you're really little you wish for a pony. Then you realize you can't have a pony so you wish for that Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-55433470408549867022009-07-06T16:54:00.000-04:002009-07-06T16:55:04.917-04:00Multiple tissue reading....A friend of mine sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you. I know some of the people who come here to check on Mike also have children suffering from this awful disease and I wanted to make sure that they all know how special they are. **Warning... this is a multiple tissue reading... The Chosen MothersMost women become mothers by accident, some by choice and planning, a few by social Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-31644442910043851442009-07-06T07:48:00.002-04:002009-07-06T07:49:22.693-04:00My name in print...Good morning everyone! :)I got a text this morning from Aunt Ei congratulating me because I made the comments section of the NY Daily News! It seems that, while they shortened my rant, they printed the complaint that I had about Kelly from Real Housewives New York! Ei is hoping for a response... I am mad that they shortened it!! It was a good rant!! LOLHere is what I sent to them:My 3 year Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-84132297164384359562009-07-05T22:13:00.002-04:002009-07-05T22:36:01.179-04:00Do you ever feel a little neurotic?There are so many restrictions placed on and orders given for Mike by various doctors... not too much sun, not too cold, no community water, be careful of the sand on the beach, try not to let him get too many cuts for fear of infection, watch what he eats, make sure he gets enough sleep, watch for bruises... there are so many things that sometimes I feel like I am becoming neurotic!!We have a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-58867958876745803502009-07-03T21:36:00.006-04:002009-07-05T16:20:20.932-04:00Overwhelmed...***Hi... I hope my post doesn't come across nasty, it's just that there is so much going on that there isn't any good way to answer the question, 'how is Mike?'. Words hold a lot of value to me and the people who ask about him are greatly appreciated and I am so thankful to those who ask about him. I just need people to know why the get the same response almost every time they ask about him! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-19142163375983653032009-05-03T06:46:00.002-04:002009-05-03T06:56:29.682-04:00Quick note about Caring Bridge!Hi everyone...I am so thrilled that so many people have come to visit Mikey's Caring Bridge page. I just want to make sure it's clarified that the reason the page has been moved is because there is a lot going on medically and I want to be able to update everyone knowing that the stories, pictures and information I share are safe and so that I know that who is checking it.I had someone sign into Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-8423175144590289962009-04-23T13:38:00.003-04:002009-04-23T14:17:10.383-04:00A Caring Bridge Site for Mikey...Hi everyone...Well, after a lot of thought I have decided to move Mikey's story to a Caring Bridge site. This will allow me to post more pictures freely because people need to sign in to view the site and you can all still continue to leave comments and read any time you would like. Not to mention the fact that you can sign up for e-mail notifications so you know whenever there is a Mikey journalUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-86073799762375372412009-04-18T18:17:00.028-04:002009-04-20T14:53:30.653-04:00Definitions and defining moments...CancerMain Entry: can·cer Pronunciation: \ˈkan(t)-sər\Function: nounEtymology: Middle English, from Latin (genitive Cancri), literally, crab; akin to Greek karkinos crab, cancerDate: 14th century1capitalized a: a northern zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo b (1): the fourth sign of the zodiac in astrology — see zodiac table (2): one born under the sign of Cancer2 [Latin, crab, cancer] Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-71831191141823576342009-04-14T10:47:00.003-04:002009-04-14T11:07:24.750-04:00A quick update on Mike...Hi everyone...Well, I know I promised to write more before this but it has been an insane week. We ended up staying in the hospital overnight on Wednesday only to be sent home Thursday and go back in on Friday morning because he was still so sick overnight Thursday. I was glad that I stuck to my guns and insisted that we not leave inpatient without leaving a stool sample because on Friday while Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-3023259996922252042009-04-08T04:42:00.002-04:002009-04-08T05:01:56.464-04:00It's been a LONG few days...Hi everyone... It's 4:48 on Wednesday morning and I am up... again... You all know Mike has been a horrible sleeper through all of this but Saturday night around 1 am the roller coaster really started... and it hasn't stopped yet. Katie started with a stomach bug on Saturday afternoon and Mike picked it up Saturday night. I wish they would share the TV clicker and toys as well as they shared thisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-48936873708027846822009-04-01T09:53:00.004-04:002009-04-01T11:25:53.229-04:00To stand or not to stand...when it comesHi everyone... So anyone on Facebook knows that Mike had PT and OT yesterday. It was a big day for him. The physical therapist put him in the stander. There had been talk of a stander before and they have expressed the idea of having Mike use one before but I had never heard of one before all this. And I certainly didn't think Mike was ready for one so when they came out and told me he was in it Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-70326021136642295562009-03-27T08:07:00.003-04:002009-03-27T08:18:15.361-04:00Mike's GI appointmentWell everyone, we had the GI appointment yesterday. I was a wreck going in because MSKCC jumped the gun and said to be prepared for feeding tube talk. I was so relieved when a feeding tube didn't even come up yet. The Drs and nutritionist at NY Presbyterian were wonderful! They were so easy to talk to actually listened. They offered advice and gave me tips on how to get Mike to eat better and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-55274475631147469802009-03-26T10:54:00.004-04:002009-03-26T11:06:31.484-04:00Daddy's Shaving his head!!Ok, everyone... I'm using the power of the internet to raise money for an amazing cause!!St. Baldrick's Foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research and they do it in an amazing way. There are events all over the country where people come and shave their heads in support of kids suffering from cancer. This year, Mikey-Mike is the honored child at the event here in Rockaway Beach, NY at Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-90915623432266410322009-03-25T19:41:00.007-04:002009-03-25T20:23:50.613-04:00Our latest PDH & Ophthalmology visits... & Katie's report card!!Hi everyone...So, after our eventful weekend we had another appointment on Tuesday in the PDH, PT & OT appointments AND the Ophthalmology visit.As soon as we got to MSKCC we had Mike's blood drawn. Getting it done first thing in the AM means no waiting in the IV/Blood drawing rooms and the pedi lab doesn't get backed up so the results come back rather quickly. The poor kid HATES it. We have a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-81640444547253680222009-03-22T11:11:00.010-04:002009-03-25T19:40:44.458-04:00Fevers, Chemo and the Croup... Oh MyGood Morning everyone,I know, I know... I've been slacking again. I am sorry. Thank you all for sticking with me and checking in to see what is going on with Mikey... and all of us. I hope that you are all enjoying your weekend. It's been an interesting week and a half for us here. As you all know we got wonderful news on March 9. It seems that the Temodar has been keeping the tumors from growingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-86120126125778260482009-03-09T14:51:00.001-04:002009-03-09T14:51:33.287-04:00Short but really sweet!! :)Mike's counts were wonderful again today. The doctors are so pleased with how he is doing! Mike's MRI went well. They were able to get him the anesthesia and he fell asleep with no issue. He is such a champ! He woke up on his own and as soon as he did he was asking for Cheerios and water! LOLSo, we were able to wait at MSKCC while Dr. D went to look at the MRI and we got great news when he did!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-74005608437692201482009-03-06T09:55:00.011-05:002009-03-06T10:19:49.137-05:00St. Baldrick's Foundation for Mikey-Mike!!Hi everyone... ~~~~Just a warning... I am hyperlink happy in this post! :) The title of this blog is a link to Mike's tem page and anytime St. Baldrick's or Mikey's Miracles is written just click on either and you will be taken to the Irish Circle event or Mikey's team page! :) When I was approached about this a couple of months ago by a girl that I used to babysit (yes everyone, that made me Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6851368626264518256.post-16244519412340832462009-03-05T13:57:00.006-05:002009-03-06T09:55:12.740-05:00Long time no post...Sorry... this one's gonna be a long one! lolHi everyone... I am sorry it's been so long! Things here have been nutty! Matt got the job transfer and is now working in Manhattan, I was feeling a little under the weather and the kids have been keeping me hopping! Katie has been doing great. She's marching in our neighborhood's St. Patrick's Day Parade with the cheerleaders this Saturday. She's loving school and doing so well! She does still Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0