Saturday, July 9, 2011

and just like that, chemo is done!

last day of chemo party
{last dose of 6MP}

This afternoon, Rainer took his very last dose of 6MP--his last dose of chemo ever, after nearly three and a half years of treatment! This little boy has been brave and strong through leukemia. We are very proud of him, and so happy that at last he can be chemo-free. We celebrated with a little party.

last day of chemo party
{hand made cards for Rainer}

end of chemo party
{water balloons}

last day of chemo party
{flowers}

crab "cancer" pinata
{"cancer the crab" pinata}

last day of chemo party
{at the table}

"kicking cancer"
{"kicking cancer's bottom"}

homemade ice cream sandwich
{homemade ice cream sandwiches}

end of chemo party
{scooping up dessert}

end of chemo party
{opening his present}

He still has to take an antibiotic for a month or two and will be going to the clinic once a month for check-ups, but no more nasty chemo drugs for our sweet Rainer. Hooray! Hooray! We are so proud of you Rainer! Happy day!

55 comments:

nicole said...

yipee. blessings to you all.

Mozi Esme said...

Yeah Rainer! What a fun time! He wasn't walking when I first came across your blog - and it's been fun to watch him grow...

Susan said...

This is such wonderful news for your family! Rainer is one tough little man. Congratulations to you all!

Di said...

Congratulations to Rainer - but also to you all!! The end of the not so good and the continuation of all that is great!

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

wow = that is awesome. totally worth celebrating. looks like a remarkable young man too xx

Joy said...

That's so awesome, Mary Beth! I'm so happy for Rainer and happy that he had such a wonderful party to celebrate the end of chemo. I remember when I first stumbled across your blog about a year into his diagnosis and I couldn't stop thinking about and praying for Rainer. His story hit me so close to home since he's only 2 months older than Finn. He's grown up to be such an adorable, sweet little boy, and I couldn't be happier for him that this chapter is over.

Anonymous said...

So happy for you all! You are amazing! More joy to you and your family!

Tara

momma rae said...

congratulations!!!! what fantastic news! you all have been so very strong and so open to share with us here. many blessings on this new chapter!

Thors Wagon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Luisa said...

Congratulations Rainer!

Jess said...

Such beautiful news!

Tia said...

What an awesome day for your family! Congratulations!!

Jenna said...

Whoohoooo! Fantasticly wonderful news! Hope things continue to go well. Congrats to your little warrior. <3

Sue said...

I'm so happy for you all!
Congratulations! :0)

oceangal said...

Congratulations to Rainer. And to your family.

Chris said...

Celebrate! He looks so happy and healthy. And the conveyor belt will be a beloved toy. my son's friend had one and it was always the most coveted toy to play with when we visited.

Micaela said...

HURRAY and big congratulatory hugs for your sweet Rainer. God Bless him and this amazing news!!! i would have liked to have kicked cancer the crab's butt too!!!

what a sweet celebration... i teared up reading this.

may your family always be so close and enjoy home made ice cream. xo

Fiona said...

congratulations to Mama and Papa too :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Wishing you all a the very best.

Cadi said...

Awesome. Best wishes!

Vic said...

Huzzah! Better news there never was, certainly a cause for a big (& continued!) celebration!

Laura said...

What wonderful, happy news! And what a sweet party for your little boy. Congratulations Rainer! Wishing you & your family much love, health & happiness!

Anonymous said...

What great news. Please add my e-mail address to get your blog. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

Unknown said...

Tears of JOY!!! sooo happy for your family!! You are such a strong Mama. What an amazing little man. BIG HUGS
Sarah

Rain said...

Yay!!! Congratulations Rainer!

Kristen said...

celebrating with you all!!

elli said...

Oh I am so happy for you all! What a journey it has been and such a blessing to be standing here now. I am so happy for you.

Kelly said...

Oh Happy Day for your beautiful boy. Thrilled for you and him and that he did "kick cancer's behind". Sending blessings to you all!

Anonymous said...

yay!!

(and the crab is awesome!)

The Locklins said...

What a wonderful celebration for your whole family. What a brave sweet boy. Wishing your family only more blessing.

Maiz Connolly said...

Congratulations! I found this post so moving, and even though I have never met Rainer, I feel like I've gotten to know him through your blog. He looks so strong and healthy now, and in some of your pictures I see a strength of character and wisdom beyond his years. What a milestone!

Sunshine Alternative Mama said...

So very happy for all of you!

PatsyAnne said...

Oh - Glad days ahead!!! We are ALL so proud of him and what he withstood for these past 3.5 years - now he's done - Blessings on all of you but especially on Rainer!!!! Look out world - here he comes!

Julie said...

A Happy Day, indeed! Wonderful, wonderful news!

Jonah Lisa said...

I'm so happy for your whole family, Mary Beth. I remember when you first blogged the terrifying news. What a long road. And you did it. I'm letting out a huge sigh of relief right along with you. Onward!

Tava said...

Many congrats to an amazing family and a really amazing little boy! I have been watching his (your) journey and thinking of him all the time. I am so glad to see that it is over and he kicked cancer's butt! Go Rainer!!! The "cancer the crab" is brilliant. I love that he got to literally kick it's butt as well :) I am so happy for you!

Hannah said...

I'm so proud of Rainer and all of you for getting through the treatments - well done and congratulations!
I love the crab pinata idea!
Wishing you all good health and happiness x

Val said...

Oh this is wonderful! Congrats to this awesome little boy and his awesome family!! :)

Elaina said...

I am so happy for you, your sweet boy and your family. Thanks for sharing your celebration!

janedrew said...

What wonderful news! I am so happy for all of you.

michelle said...

Congratulations, it is so wonderful that your son is finished treatment. I stumbled across your blog at the same time my husband was being treated for cancer and was so upset for you, even though you were a complete stranger. I am so happy your son is doing so well.

You have a lovely blog, Mary Beth.

Kind Regards,

Michelle

Carrie said...

Hooray, hooray! Phenomenal, amazing, thrilling news!!! What a relief for you and your family. I am so happy for you all.

Carrie said...

What wonderful news! ;)

Distressed beauty said...

What wonderful news, congratulations!

Sarah said...

yeah, yeah, yeah! What a day to celebrate! I am so happy for your little guy and all that your family has bravely faced together over the past several years. Thank you for sharing with us about all these steps, too. May everyday forward be filled with amazing health and joy :)

ames said...

Yay Rainer!! What a champion. Love the pinata!!

HOA Mgr Lady said...

Yippee Skippy!
Congrats Rainier!
Ruth

Katie said...

Hooray! And you have been brave and strong, too. I love the crab pinata.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful for all of you!! What a strong little boy. And by the way, I love how your dinner table looks, especially the Rolling Rock!! Way cool. We love that beer way over here in New York State!
Kathy

Amy said...

Oh, thank G-d! I cannot believe it has been 3.5 years!!! I remember when you first set out on this journey. What a wonderful day and a wonderful celebration. And kisses to you and Ken for all that you've been through, as I'm sure the road has had many ups and downs.

Holly C. said...

I'm so happy for your family that that is behind you!

What a sweet little guy Rainer is!

Lisa Renata said...

I am so very happy to hear that!!! He is such a trooper. I truly admire children like Rainer- to go through something so hard at such a young age, and to still smile, laugh and dream! But I know a lot has to do with the parents- and you are a wonderful mama. He is lucky to have you and all those that love him around him.

Yey! I am truly truly happy from the bottom of my heart. =)

Mary Beth said...

Oh wow, thank you so much, everyone! We are loving being chemo-free so far! Thanks so much for all your good thoughts and prayers now and over the last few years!

Kelly said...

Just catching up here so very happy for your little guy and your mama heart ~ sending light and love your way ~

Diane said...

Once again, a bit late to the party, but this is such fantastic news! I remember the shock I felt when I read here that Rainer was sick and it has been wonderful to see him growing bigger and stronger all the time. Well done beautiful little boy and well done to you all for helping him through it.