This week....a year ago today....and NINE years ago..

Saturday, September 14, 2013

This week has been an emotional and reflective week for me.

On Monday, September 9, my sweet little one turned nine years old....how does that happen???  Just a minute ago he was a tiny little preschooler.  And then I remember that he was an innocent 7 year old when his brother was diagnosed with cancer.  My mind goes to a year ago when we were all at the apartment in Colorado for his birthday.  It was a joyous time, but oh so very bitter sweet.  Luca and Sean were leaving the next day, to return to Santa Fe and "normal" life, while Dillon and I stayed behind in Denver embarking on a yet unknown journey.  Luca, in all of his wisdom, knew that his real life super hero was about to meet the battle of his life.  He knew that the very next day his most favorite person in the whole wide world was going to be getting poisoned and irradiated in the name of healing.  It was wonderful having my boys all with me a year ago....but this year is so much sweeter without so much bitter.

Always so full of enthusiasm

New bike shirt....you know Luca is ALL about the gear!!

This kid LOVES pumpkin pie

Later in the week....September 11, 2012....the horror and the memories that will plague me for a lifetime.   Yes, the recollection of the terrorism, the death, the buildings, the heroism, the sorrow 11 years previous.   But also.....my baby boy began radiation that day and two hours after the first treatment he was so incredibly ill that he had to be admitted to the hospital three days earlier than planned.  The severity of illness even shocked the doctors.  And the bitterness and anger that Dillon felt at having "lost" the last three days that he was going to be out of the hospital before his transplant was profound.

And now, it is Saturday.  We had Luca's birthday party today.  Many friends came to ice skate with him and then enjoy some cake, Grampy's home made ice cream, and some fresh fall air.  Luca is at a sleepover with a buddy.  Sean and Dillon are having some much needed boy time at a movie.  Here I sit at my computer in silence, contemplating, reflecting, feeling so much gratitude for life.  How has it been only a year.....it feels like a lifetime.

Luca and Grampy making cherry ice cream.  A tradition that started when Dillon was born and all the Mott grandchildren have had a chance to do this on their Birthday

Luca and a few of his friends skating

Dillon and Joseph heading out onto the ice

Couldn't keep the candles lit, or get them lit for that matter.....(see below)

everyone crowded around, but it was not enough......(see below)

So then they crouched down, Dillon lit the candles, and we sang really fast, just before the wind blew the candles out :))

Look at these 9-year-olds all trying to read the card...it was so sweet.

and then the laughing at the punch line.....priceless!!

Dillon's health, energy, endurance, and spirits continue to grow and thrive.  He is loving the social aspect of school but is also thriving with the academia.  He is so focused and motivated.  My inside joke...."What middle-schooler looks forward to starting school and is excited about homework.....One who missed a year because they were in the hospital."  We went to UNM yesterday (friday Sept 13).  He did amazingly well with the blood draw.  He only got nervous right before it happened and then he stayed calm and completely focused.  He demonstrated so much strength and courage.  They discovered that Dillon's immune system is taking a tiny little dip (maybe because he has been exposed to so much more the past 2 months) so we have to go in next week for a 4 hour infusion of antibodies.  It is nothing really worrisome.   The nurse assured me that "sometimes it happens."  We (especially Dillon) were so sure that we were done with infusions....so it was a little bit of a shock and definitely a disappointment for Big D.  He definitely would rather be in school and doing double extra math homework instead of being in the hospital for half a day with a needle in his arm.  All the rest of his labs are good.  He lost another 3 pounds (eat Dillon, eat!!!) but he grew 1/2 cm....YAHOO!!!   He put some pants on today that he has not worn since the spring....and they are definitely too short.  He has grown just over an inch in the past 18 months.  So that is proof (for him and for us) that he is in fact growing.  With the eating....Mr. Almost Teenager is using this opportunity to make repeated attempts to eat copious amounts of junk food whenever the opportunity arises. 

Next Denver visit is in October.   We will keep ya posted as to anything new or exciting happening....otherwise, be well and savor all the moments that life is throwing at you (even the cruddy ones :))