Tuesday, August 17, 2010

off to clinic this morning

We are readying our things for a trip to Santa Barbara this morning for Rainer's monthly chemo. As you can imagine, the clinic visit doesn't thrill him, but we have made these days into fun family outing days in the summer. Today we will all go and we plan to visit some of our beloved Santa Barbara spots: CrushCafe, Alameda park, and even the zoo! I took the boys to the zoo last week too, and they didn't get a chance to play on the anthill, so we will do that today (and take our own cardboard for sliding, and extra to share too). And did I mention that Rainer hit a small milestone in July? He hit the "only one more year of treatment" mark. Next year, on 7/9/11 will be his very last day of chemo. Hooray! So each trip now is the last for that particular month.

Thanks to all who left such awesome lunch suggestions and links! I'm planning on making a list of your suggestions and I already started a new "lunchbox" category in my Google reader with all your lunch blog links. Suggestions that I am liking right now: flatbread, frybread, hummus, healthy bread & butter with meat on the side, meatloaf cubes, meatballs, chunks of healthy sausage, soy nuggets, pasta salad, tortellini tossed with a little pesto or oil. Do scroll through the comments if you are looking for back to school lunch ideas, as I am; they are wonderful.

11 comments:

Andrea said...

Hurray for only one more year...you have been through a lot! Best wishes to you all.

Anonymous said...

Good luck today! How wonderful that you are closer the end with each monthly trip. And it sounds like you are able to add so much fun into what could be such a hard day.

Patti said...

You should start planning your post chemo celebration now. I am so glad to hear there are only 12 months left.

Heather said...

Wow, how wonderful to only have one more year! Hope you all have a safe and journey.

Jodz said...

Your son is looking so well that I didn't realise he was still undergoing treatment. Im pleased that the end is in sight. You are such an inspiration to all of us mums.

Laura said...

hope rainer's chemo went well. glad to hear that he only has one more year left! hope you all enjoyed the rest of your day!

Joy said...

I hope things went well. Yay for less than a year now. I hope he enjoyed the crushcakes. :)

Anonymous said...

one year to go, that is definately something to be counting down and celebrating! You are so wonderful to bring fun into an otherwise tough day.

likeschocolate said...

What a cute bag. Ir reminds me of Germany. Wishing you all the best!

Nicola said...

Mary Beth,
Why do I not know/remember that you have a child with cancer? My good friend from high school has a daughter (now 6yr) closing in on her last treatment. She's been undergoing chemo for two years now. Her blog is http://allaboutmollie.blogspot.com
I am so glad you are able to spin positive from worrisome. You are in my thoughts and I must say...I am even more impressed by what you accomplish knowing you have this added weight.
Warmly, Nicola

Carol said...

Our grandson, George, was diagnosed in May with leukemia. We are fortnate in many ways-- but we have a long way to go. George is such a brave little boy --he is inspirational. I am happy you are so close to the end of your son's treatment. We are at the point that we are just praying to get to maintenance as we are going to clinic weekly, sometimes more. God bless your family and we will keep you in our prayers. Pop over to my blog if you'd like to see George and his siblings.