A Slice of Normalcy

     Last I posted, we were administering antibiotics to treat an infection in Our Little Hazelnut's line (central venous catheter placed in her chest), in the hopes that it would not have to be removed.  I am happy to report that they did their job and she was able to keep her her line in place!  If all continues to go well, and her end of treatment scans she will be receiving in July(!) come back clear, she will have it permanently removed during that same month.  Hazel keeps saying, "When my line comes out, I am going swimming in the cool!"  Not only is it so endearing to hear her call a swimming pool a "cool", but it just melts my heart to hear how excited she is about doing something she has missed out on for the last year.  She hasn't even been able to take a proper bath, so it will be a glorious day when we can finally allow her to be submerged in water! 

A bath in the sink because mommy's belly won't let her get down to the tub!

     Other than the antibiotics, Hazel has had a pretty uneventful couple of weeks in regards to her health; which for me is absolutely marvelous.  She has been feeling very well, has only had to go to a couple of appointments and has just been able to be a normal kid.  Something Aaron and I have been talking about lately is that is so amazing to see Hazel be just one of our kids, rather than having our whole family life revolve around her diagnosis and care.  Because we are not all focused on what Hazel needs at every moment of every day, it has made our children's relationships flourish.  Instead of catching vomit, or keeping a close eye on fevers, I have been spending my days watching them  and joining them in play, changing diapers, making meals, scheduling naps, monitoring arguments and all the other normal things that we mothers take for granted.  If you would have told me a year ago that I would be thankful to hear my kids argue, I would have thought you crazy.  But now the sounds of arguing means my children are all together under one roof, and I am actually there to help them navigate.  I have missed this more than I ever thought possible.

Making cookies!

Enjoying toast with Nutella

On an impromptu trip to Monterey, CA

     In other news, our family is finally settled into our new home!  We still have a few things left to unpack (isn't that always the case though?), but the major areas are done and we have been enjoying the new space quite immensely.  To have the weight of moving finally lifted off our shoulders is such a relief!  Also, I am now 34 weeks (about 7 1/2 months) along in my pregnancy.  Despite being utterly exhausted, I have been feeling well and things have gone very smoothly.  I thank the Lord each day for this fact knowing how difficult pregnancy can be for many women because had I have been struggling, everything else we have been going through would have become absolutely unbearable.

     Now, Hazel and I checked in last night for the week for her VERY LAST ROUND OF  IMMUNOTHERAPY!!!!  Please keep us in your prayers this week that her side effects may be minimal, it will go smoothly and we can spend Friday celebrating her last day ever as an inpatient!