Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Shopping Day

Another day closer to Christmas break. Tomorrow is her last day of school for a while! While most parents may look upon the time off as a bit of a burden (how do they fill the days?) I now look at it in quite a different light. I am so looking forward to it. It relieves me from a lot of stress..I don't have to send her into the germs, and I don't have to worry about her missing anything either. Don't get me wrong, I like for her to go to school. But I also like when we don't have to worry about it. It is so so stressful for me to wake up every morning and just not know. I never know how she will feel, if she will go, if she will resist, etc. So now we can just sleep in and hang out and HOPEFULLY remain well.

Ally is not looking so hot these days. I went in to school today and had lunch with her in the cafeteria. She loves when I go to school, but it is hard for me to do so with also having a two year old. Anyway, she just looks tired all of the time. She has deep circles under her eyes. The tops of her eyes are red and basically very sad looking to me. She had a very sad demeanor about her now, but again it is all caused by the steroid. The decadron really pulls her down and also prevents her from sleeping at night. I also have the dark circles under my eyes, you might notice. I think I have aged 10 years in 2009. Really.

One of my kids favorite days in Christmas years past was to go shopping with their Ma and Pa. They always head to Target and they each pick out a gift for me and Jerad. They then go out to eat (Red Robin) and back to MaPa's to wrap the gifts. Well, today was shopping day! Of course, Ma wasn't there this year, but Pa took care of the whole day...he brought a friend to help him along. Which is good when you have two five year old boys (my sister's boy went too). I was leary to let Ally go....she shouldn't have gone with her counts so low....but the Dr's always tell us if there is something that is really important to the child, you have to let them do it. And this would fall in that category. So against my better anti-germ judgement, I let her go. I stressed a lot of hand washing to my Dad. They came back happy and crawled right into bed.

I am looking forward to spending the weekend with my first born girl. I love to have time with her just to myself. Even if we are trapped in the bubble again. Our friends will visit and maybe we will have a sleepover in my room.

7 comments:

  1. One more school day before Chistmas break? Really? Already? Seems like she's going to make it just fine. Glad she was able to shop for you- that HAS to be important to her. And once again, I have faith that when this is behind you guys, she'll remember to play with greater zeal than before. I have faith.
    Enjoy your weekend/ I hope it's the good kind without too many posts.

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  2. Terri Barnett ShumakerDecember 18, 2009 at 5:16 AM

    Janel, you and Ally enjoy your girls weekend. I hope she feels better soon.
    If you have only aged 10 years this year I think you are doing marvelous because I feel sometimes like I have aged more then that and am not going through everything you have.
    You and Jared are doing great, I honestly don't know how you do it all. I know you have family and friends but still you guys are so strong.
    Love you all and hope you enjoy the time with the kids home from school.

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  3. Way to go Pa! So glad he was able to keep up a great tradition and that ALL of your kids were able to go! Enjoy the weekend and the break, sounds wonderful, it's not often we get such special one on one time.
    Oh, and you look fabulous, my sweet!

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  4. I just love reading your posts. I relate so much to everything you say....I haven't found a mom yet through all of this who is right on with my emotions. Even though I don't know you, you are amazing and so is Ally! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas :)
    Diona Guy
    www.caringbridge.org/visit/allisonguy

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  5. Good job, Janel and Pa, that is awesome that the kids got to do this. I have not commented for a while but have been reading, you are doing a great job. I hated when John took that vincristine well really all those crazy drugs and their side effects, but they are blasting all the rotten stuff too Enjoy the time off with the family and let all those folks help that want to help, that is their donation and i know it makes us feel good. Sometimes all we have is time, so that is good. Ally's safe place is with you and Jerad, she does not have to explain anything and that works for her right now She will play again and be even stronger, you can be sure of that. You guys have remained in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. Keep up the good work.

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  6. Hi my name is Paul Nottoli. I am Betsy Nottoli's brother. She works at Dayton's Children and help raise the 40.000 for Light the Night walk a few months ago. Anyway I just want to let you know that I am a 24 year old survivor of ALL. I know it can be hard and what you have to go through as a parent everyday is sometimes unbearable. I just want to say that always keep hope and Trust that God will lead you through this. I have grown up completely healthy with no side effects. And I believe Ally can as well. I am about to graduate from Chiropractic school in February and also run the Boston Marathon in April. Ally and your family are a true inspiration to me and any words of encouragement or anything I can do send me a message and let me know. As much as it seems sometimes you are not alone and myself and my family truly know what you are experiencing now. You can email me @ paulnottol@hotmail.com or call me @ 563-340-1552 if you ever need anything. In the words of Jimmy V "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

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  7. Janel, I hope you and Ally have a good weekend. Just wanted to let you know I am available all of next week to do ANYTHING that would help you guys out (clean, shop, sit, or whatever). Also, do you need food? Let me know and let me help so you guys can have a good holiday together, too. Hugs.

    PS Does Jerad want me to go to Junction City with him?!!!

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