Day + 74

June 11, 2012  Monday.  Today Riley got his Hickman Catheter (central line) out.  Hip, Hip Hooray!! What a great day!  This is a continued sign that Riley is doing better than expected!  They originally told us that it would stay in for at least 3 months.  Here we are at 2 1/2 months getting that baby out!!  Riley has just not required the transfusions and medication through this catheter as they expected (since being home)!!
What a freeing feeling!  We have had to flush the double lumen line with 10cc saline and 3cc Heparin  every night to keep the line in working order.  Riley then has to cover the area with saran wrap so he can take his nightly shower.  ... Sure, Riley has not been "poked" during our clinic visits because he has instant blood access with this line.  But with our visits getting further apart, a poke in the port is not a big deal!  Riley will have to leave the port in for a year.  Since it is under the skin and not accessed, he can shower freely and even swim.  Riley is becoming a "normal" boy once again!  So happy for today!

Waiting in the waiting room. 

Waiting in Pre-op.

This is Riley's   "really mom... another picture..."  face. 

This is Lauren.  She is the child life specialist for surgery.  She has been with us every time Riley has gone in for surgery or biopsies.  She talks with Riley about football, school and so much more!  She is very kind and positive!  She insisted on wheeling Riley out to our car today.  She was thrilled to see him go home and not be wheeled up to "his" room on the 6th floor (like we have so many times before).  YEAH for today! :)

Day +73

Sunday.  Kyle and Kayla Young came to visit Riley today.  They have been such good friends for him.  They came to the hospital and visited often.  They are happy and fun and would share all about what was going on in the world of high school.   Thank you sweet friends!

6.5

It has been FOREVER since I have posted to this blog! ...  So sorry to all those who support us and have been getting information here!!!  I have a million excuses... I intended to post a number of times... but I guess we have just been getting back to life - and man, it's busy!  
Since being home, I have been trying to reorganize every corner of my house.  Almost like a "nesting" instinct.  I had so many piles building as I would bring things home from the hospital and just make nice little stacks.  Christmas stacks, books, pamphlets, paper stacks, Valentine cards, birthday stuff and the list goes on.  I could hardly walk into my closet! (and I have a big closet!) 
I also have tried to get back to normal around here, and writing about leukemia kinda keeps you in it.  I needed a break.  We were still living it, but also trying to live as normal as possible.  I don't know if that makes sense? 
I have never been the most consistent blogger.  BUT... This is my journal... I want to remember all of this!

Riley has been doing incredibly well!!  He continues to amaze our doctors and bypass their expectations!  We are learning to live life cautiously, but live it!  I don't know too many people who wipe down movie theater chair arms with clorox wipes.  It might be the late show of a movie about to go to dvd, on a wednesday night... but we are there! :)