Spring Fever

Whew!  We had a scare with Caleb over Easter weekend.

Things started off great...

including a fun Easter egg hunt with his little cousins...

Then out of the blue, Caleb spiked a fever & we had to race home from his grandparent's home in Granbury in the middle of the night, in the pouring rain, to get him to Texas Children's Hospital.  We considered it an Easter miracle when his fever lowered & hovered around 100 degrees, which meant he didn't have to be hospitalized! 

Caleb's big monthly check-up went really well today.

His incredible and loving Oncologist, Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer, gave him a clean bill of health.  We could not live without this amazing woman.  She is remarkable!

To catch you up on Caleb, he was very touched when one of my co-workers shaved his head (again) for St. Baldrick's, in his honor.  

 Caleb even got to help do the shaving! Thanks, David Canada, for making a difference!  

The timing could not be more bizarre, as a few days later, Cal's hair started falling out in handfuls.  We still haven't figured out why that hurts so much to witness, other than as a parent, we feel completely helpless, and there's nothing we can do or say to stop it.  In fact, I had to choke back tears, as dozens of hairs fell onto his dinner plate and he had to put on a hat, to keep hair out of his food.  He's been scared to take a bath, because when he washes his hair, the entire bath fills up with hair and it's hard to get off of his body.  The whole family was reduced to tears the night we found him singing in the bathtub and writing his name on the side of the tub with all of his loose hair.  Of course, we just smiled and never let him know our pain.  It felt great to see him doing his best to have a great sense of humor about it!  However, we can't help but yearn for him to draw with tub crayons versus his hair.

As usual, Caleb is sensitive about his "lost locks" when in public. One of his classmates, his teacher, & Chaplain of the school teamed-up to pull off the most brilliant plan!!! 

Hats for the entire class!!!!!  That way, Cal doesn't feel different!  We are completely overwhelmed with the loving, caring attitude of these wonderful people. They even gave one to big brother Zach to wear!  THANKS Colton, Mrs. Ashmore, and Mr. Waters!  The hat says "Caleb's Cougars", in honor of Cal & the school's mascot.

It seems Caleb may only lose half of his hair this time, but it's enough for him to feel uncomfortable without his hat.  We keep telling him - it's perfect timing to help keep him cool during the HOT Houston summertime! 

At the end of the day, we are so happy that Caleb is doing well.  It honestly doesn't matter if he has one hair on his head.  He's alive & doing fairly well & is able to be treated in the comforts of home!  We see a lot of suffering from fellow cancer fighters and realize things could always be worse. 

Caleb wanted to go to a fundraiser yesterday for a little boy named Rhett, who is struggling at TCH from high-risk leukemia. Please pray for Rhett.  It was special for us to share Caleb's story with the crowd and thank them for their support to Rhett!

Caleb enjoyed meeting Houston Texans player, Jared Crick, at the event! We met one very strong mom, who now has an "angel" because of leukemia, and it makes us hold Caleb a little tighter. 

"Let me root, root, root for the home team"... Caleb is having a blast playing Dodgers peewee baseball!  He's had a few surprise visitors...

Angeli & her precious mom, Christine, cheered-on Caleb from the dugout!

Caleb's Pre-School teacher, Mrs. Sandra, showed up to surprise him!  (Caleb's up-to-bat in this photo.)

A few other highlights...

I got to experience my very first Mother-Son dance.  How fun to get my little guys all dressed up & dance the night away! 

Caleb & Zach enjoyed every moment of modeling in a Fashion Show, benefiting the Boys & Girls Harbor.  

We all enjoyed hanging out with actor/TV Host Mario Lopez at the event that raised money for a safe haven for children in crisis.

Caleb LOVES a good dog pile - and is smart about it... always on top (his number is #1)... to protect his port-a-catheter that is implanted in his chest for chemo.

 That's where we want to continue to see him - on top of the world, even while undergoing cancer treatment.  Because of loving doctors, teachers, classmates, friends, colleagues, and of course family members, Caleb has high spirits.  Thanks for all you do!  To my unbelievable parents, who answer my calls night and day, to lift us up on the hard days and celebrate the good ones, God bless you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.