Day 1174 - No mo' chemo!

     This evening Cristy, the boys and I had a small celebration with just the four of us to recognize Evan's latest milestone:  his last day of oral chemo.  While we didn't go to Del Taco for dinner, we did his next favorite thing and went to Dave and Buster's for an evening of video games.  We're capping the night off by letting the kids sleep with us tonight (Evan is with Cristy in our bedroom and Nolan and I are in the basement).  Needless to say they've both been looking forward to this day for a while now.

     When we were at D&B's Cristy presented Evan with a card and a nice surprise.  Cristy and I have purchased tickets for a Disney cruise in November.  We filled Evan and Nolan in on the excursions that we've already booked, but I can't wait to see the looks on the kid's faces when they see the cruise ship for the first time.

     Remaining appointments in the future will be a monthly check-up of Evan's counts.  I'm anxious to see his blood counts, especially once the chemo has fully worked itself out of his system.  If the doctors determine that IVIG isn't required there is a good chance we'll schedule his port removal shortly thereafter.

His last dose of chemo!

     August is a busy month for us.  On the 11th Nolan celebrated his 5th birthday.  He wanted to go to a place up by us called Lakepoint Station.  We try hard to make sure Nolan feels as loved as Evan and wanted to make his day as special as possible.  He had a great time, but it's rare that he doesn't enjoy himself.

Happy birthday to our sweet boy

Evan reaching the top of the rock climbing wall

 
     On August 24th Evan celebrated his 8th birthday.  He wanted to keep it really low key this year.  My parents, sister and niece came up and our next door neighbors joined us for a day at the house.  What did we serve?  Tacos of course.  I let Evan stay up (probably later than I should have) and he and I ate junk food and watched movies until late in the night.  Even though his day didn't have the pomp and circumstance I might have wanted to shower him with, it was great spending time with him.

Nolan is ready to celebrate Evan's big day

     A couple of weekends ago Camp Sunshine offered us tickets to an Atlanta Braves game.  While there we met a few of the players and their team president John Schuerholz.  It was a very nice event and we're glad that the tickets provided were in the shade.  I know I sound like a broken record, but we are very appreciative of the opportunities that Camp Sunshine has afforded us over the years.  They are a wonderful charity and Evan will be allowed to be a camper from now until he ages out, should he choose to keep going.  I really do hope that Evan uses the platform and perspective he has gained to help others along their journeys as well.

     It's going to feel so weird tomorrow at 6:00, and even this weekend, when we don't have to give Evan his pills.  Just as it became normal to schedule trips, meals, events and other activities around his treatment I'm sure we'll get back to our new normal again soon.