Charlie woke up Sunday, his first day back home, at 5am screaming for eggs and bacon! This kid has his priorities straight! By 9:30am he was asking for grilled cheese, this was to be a pattern for the morning - asking for more at 11:00 and 12:30. The steroids are really stimulating the appetite of this little fighter. However, the chemo is also starting to affect him, causing a lot of puking during the day. He is going to need to keep up the healthy appetite in an effort to maintain normal caloric intake! He is also starting to lose some hair, which is rather unsettling to the parents, even though they knew it was coming. The rapidity of onset with regard to the chemo drugs brings a sudden and irrefutable reality to the whole situation.
In spite of the effects, he was happy to snuggle his dad and get a solid three hour nap in Matt's arms. He woke to exhibit short periods of normal activity, followed by fatigue shortly thereafter. He started walking a little bit after being laid up for a whole week, but was unsteady on his feet. As a result of the chemo, he bruises very easily, making even the simple act of walking a source of potential concern. Through it all, you could see moments when Charlie seemed entirely himself, with no regard for the disease attacking his body. It is these small acts that we strive to impress in our memory, knowing it will only get more difficult for him as time goes on.
Matt had to leave Charlie in Indiana as he returned to his life in Michigan. As if it were not hard enough, Charlie's sobs for his father only make it that much harder. The importance of a constant support for Matthew becomes all the more evident as I see him enter my home carrying the burden of a newly ill child to whom he has had to say good-bye. Even for only a few days.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Children always find comfort in their father's arms. Charlie is lucky to have such a devoted and doting father!
Matt,
Just wanted to let you know you and Charlie our in our prayers.
Grace went to church on Saturday with us and told us she prayed to God for Charlie to get better.Love, Uncle Tim, Sharon, Grace and Sophia Drummond
Matt, Lauren, Charlie, and family-
Wanted to let you know that you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers (as you are also in Ryan's and in my family's). I can't imagine how hard it is to watch your loved one go through such intensive treatments, and I can't imagine the strength it takes to be a constant force of love, devotion, and, well, constancy for a son.
You all will remain in the Reynolds and Dykhuis families' prayers in the coming days, weeks, months, and longer as you power through this.
Charlie is so blessed to have so many people caring for him and giving him good, fuzzy, warm thoughts. And plenty of that red car from that animated movie. I don't know what he's named, I've only been a mom for nine months; give me a break.
Charlie- Hang in there, buddy, you are such a strong little fighter! (You must get that from your daddy! Oh, and when you're hungry, you should ask for popsicles. They always make me feel better after I've been sick!:)
Matt- We can't tell you how often you are on our minds. Every time I think of you, I send a prayer up. I know many of us believe different things; I KNOW that all these prayers are being answered in different ways every day: The snuggle time you get with your boy, the glimpses of the vibrant son you have, the healthy appetite he's got...it will be a battle, but we know that you're up for it. You've got all of us to lean on, for ANYTHING that we can help with. You are teaching us all important lessons through these trials. Hang in there, you are SO loved & supported. Love, Megan (& Ave & Ellis)
Post a Comment