All the build up + excitement wasn't hampered one iota by the fact that "technically" we were at the mercy of Samuel's lab results Monday morning.... if his counts weren't high enough, of course, his drug would have to be postponed for another week - and, well, we just were not going to accept that! We are SO grateful for all of you who were prayerful + in agreement with us that Samuel's body was completely healthy + his counts would be in the clear for chemo. THANK YOU! Prayer + agreement always works!
Samuel's ANC came in well over 2100 (!!!), so all proceeded as planned....
The crew for last chemo day :)
Getting ready for LAST PORT ACCESS EVER!
(enough exclamation marks don't even exist for this one!!!!!!)
Last time, bud.
Trinity being the little helper
Aaaand, we're in. No more needle pokes in chest. Just one de-access to go!
Getting checked out by Dr. Setty
...and of course Nurse Trin has the ears covered (she's making sure there aren't any "monkeys" in there)
Making the exam bed covers more colorful as usual
Prepping for LAST ZOFRAM DRIP EVERRRRR!
No more after this!
The hang out session while Zofram "drips"...food + fun, haha
Daddy brought Grippos for the special occasion :)
Mmm...Grippos
This may be one of the few moments worth "missing"...sibling time in the infusion chair
Nurse Annie prepping the LAST DOSE OF CHEMO (Actinomycin)
And there it is, the LAST CHEMO EVERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ready to go...
While Nurse Annie flushes the port for the LAST TIME (with Heparin), the other nurses are gathering in the hall for Samuel's great bell ringing celebration!!!!!
Last de-access EVERRRRRR...such a champ. LOTS of Detachol (helps remove the adhesive)
Hates bandages for now...but always recovers with such a great attitude
"WAY TO GO, LAST CHEMO" poster signed by our wonderful nurses - and presents!!!!!!!!!
Loooooved having surprise gifts to open! Got lots of cool stuff from this amazing place :)
And special candy treats :)
His incredible nurses cheering for him at the end of the hallway that leads out of the infusion room...
THE BELL..... it reads:
"Thought this day would never come,
But now it has arrived.
I am a strong survivor,
And it's great to be alive!
It's been a long, hard road;
Now I'm walking in the sun.
I ring this bell to tell the world,
My chemo treatment's done!
In honor of Maria Little's
Last chemo treatment, December 29, 2006."
Our CHAMP ringing the bell! Very well deserved honor.
And his partner...with us every step of the way...she earned the right to ring it, too.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
It was quite sincerely a SPLENDID day. God was soooo good - as always. We are honored to have been in your thoughts + prayers throughout this year so far. We're not at the end of this journey, but we're blessed to be past the drug part.
After about 10 days, Samuel's body would theoretically experience it's last ever drug-induced immunity suppression. In the meantime, we're scheduled for another round of CT scans, ultrasounds + blood work for this Monday (12/6). We're looking forward to having Samuel's surgery to remove the IV port removed scheduled for some time before Christmas (!!!). Once the port is removed, we will officially be "in the clear" with regard to the major immune system issues (ie, no more hospital visits for low grade fevers, etc).
We'll know more about the details of follow-up visits soon. We're also starting a year of physical therapy this week, and Samuel is looking forward to "exercising" at the Children's place :) He will be fitted for his orthotics in a couple weeks, too. All in all, we are moving ahead with smiles + excitement for what the glorious future holds!
"You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell"
(oh yeah, we sure were singing that for days! haha)
