A Restful Week

Caleb spent the past week, quietly at home, because of doctor's orders.  With flu in our area, his Oncologist wanted us to be pro-active and not take any chances. 

He's very well-rested now and more than ready to get back to school!

Caleb had a positive check-up this week at Texas Children's Hospital!

 Luckily, his appointment was on President's Day, and his big bro had the holiday off from school.

That means Zachary planned plenty of funny actions & distractions, to help keep Caleb's mind off of needles & medicine. 

Caleb has now undergone seventeen months of treatment.  He doesn't like to talk about cancer or sickness, so we constantly avoid the topic.  

As you can see, he still has a great sense of humor (silly boy at the Houston Zoo).

Caleb just started practicing with his new team for spring baseball.  He's been doing great, but is very frustrated that his little legs get so tired.  He has also gotten somewhat fearful of the ball, concerned it will hit him in the upper chest and smash into the port-a-caterer that is implanted there for chemotherapy.  David is helping coach his team and trying to help him overcome it. We'll soon be cheering on the Dodgers!

Caleb is also quite the Tiger Cub Scout this year and loves every aspect of it.  

The boys were given the challenge of baking & decorating their own cake with only their dad's help.

That was a fun mess, and they rocked it with their sweet racing derbies!  They were excited to win "most colorful cake". 

Caleb recently enjoyed a fun hiking & boating outing with his grandparents, though his legs failed him.  He had a hard time keeping up and asked to be carried most of the way.

It's hard for people who don't know Caleb's situation to understand.  I often get "dirty looks" from other moms who wonder why I'm carrying my "50 pound baby" in the store or why he has to sit down in the middle of an aisle sometimes to rest.  I try to shrug it off and think, "If you only knew."  We know, and that's all that matters.  I do know they'd feel really bad if they found out he was undergoing daily chemo and how tired he gets after a long day of playing at school or after pushing himself in baseball practice.  We've come to accept this side effect of treatment (tired, sore legs), and it never keeps Cal from at least trying anything & everything.  We believe that's because of his incredible support system and prayers from you.

Caleb's love of golf continues, so we're thankful for GOLF CARTS.  :)

Cal has two exciting events coming up.  He has been asked, along with our family, to model at a luncheon for the Boys & Girl's Harbor on March 28th at Houston's Omni Hotel. 

Then on April 28th, the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance is honoring Caleb as a "Courage of Light" at their luncheon at River Oaks Country Club.  We hope that his appearances will bring to light the prevalence of childhood cancer and how much we can learn from these little ones who are fighting disease.  Caleb has taught us so many life's lessons.  He seems to clearly understand that we all suffer from trials and tribulations, but no matter what, we have to overcome the obstacles.  Jesus can always "walk us through it", if we just ask for help.

Romans 12:12 is the perfect example:  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

God bless you all, and thank you for your continued love, prayers, and support throughout this loooong treatment process.