Radiation update

Five down and two to go! Elliot and I made a trip to Mayo Monday-Friday last week for radiation, and all went well. We will finish up with another trip tomorrow (Monday) and our final trip on Tuesday. Thankfully, the process has been quite smooth with minimal side effects, and we've only had to make two trips by ourselves, thanks to some dear friends.

Needless to say, Elliot is so brave. I am amazed each morning when I wake him up bright and early for another road trip to Mayo, and he says, "Are we going to the doctor?". Of course I answer, "yes", and he simply says, "okay". Not a single complaint. He is truly my brave little hero.

I wish I could put into words what it's like sitting in a radiation waiting room. It has been way more emotional that I ever imagined. Each person there is either receiving radiation or supporting someone who is receiving radiation. Each one represents a different stage of life ranging from as young as Elliot all the way into one's 90's. Some are clearly receiving chemo and are worn down, and others appear to be in great health and couldn't be recognized as a cancer patient to the naked eye. Because radiation is given at the same time consecutive days Monday-Friday, many of these people have become nothing short of family to each other, and it is so evident how much they love and care for each other's well-being. They sit in the same spots each day, with the same people. They discuss their treatment, how they're feeling, their families, and almost always talk about how many treatments they have left. On the day each person's final radiation treatment, the patient rings a bell in the waiting room that hangs on the wall. Everyone in the waiting room claps, cheers, and gives hugs to the outgoing patient. This description doesn't do justice to the feelings in that room. Tears stream to everyone's faces, including my own as I sit there and wait for my son's treatment to finish. My heart is full of joy each time another person rings that bell and walks out of that room with a smile on their face. On Tuesday, that will be US! Elliot can't wait to ring the bell, and neither can I!!!!

Thanks again for all your prayers, notes, messages, financial donations, meals, hugs, and so much more. Please continue to pray as we complete radiation this week and continue with chemo next week and the following eight weeks after that. Thanks to all of your support, this journey has been much more tolerable than what it otherwise could have been!

In the waiting room on his first day of radiation

 Fast asleep on our way to Mayo

Nothing like a bloody nose in the car. He managed to stuff a piece of tissue up his nose and was pretty proud of himself.

Each day after radiation, they send us home with a hospital gown to wear the next day. Of course Julia gets one too!

Walking into treatment hand-in-hand!