Hi all – since our update on Thursday, we had quite the busy weekend.

On Friday night, Nicole and I attended Hope Fest, a fundraiser for pediatric cancer right here in Brooklyn. It was put on by Frankie’s Mission, one of the non-profits that contributed to Sally’s fundraiser in October. They featured a video that included Sally and Nicole’s interview from a few weeks ago, which brought tears to our eyes seeing it for the first time. It ended up being a more emotional night for us than we expected, hearing the stories of pediatric cancer that had both happy and unhappy endings. We were very happy to have been able to support the organization, and had fun with some of our friends who happened to be there as well.

On Saturday night, Nicole took the boys to Disney On Ice. We had a private box donated by our friend John. It was too late for Sally so we were excited that Scarlett and her parents were able to join, as well as Thomas’ friend Carissa from school. Scarlett wore her princess tutu (she LOVES Disney princesses) for the event and the kids had a ball together.

We had hoped that Scarlett could also bring Cami along, but Cami was dealing with a cold all week so couldn’t make it. They all had a great time, while Sally and I had Daddy Date Night which involved us watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation together and a bit of silliness.

On Sunday morning, the boys came into our room and asked to snuggle with Sally and watch a cartoon in our bed, which they all did together happily.

Later that morning, the Bay Ridge Cares folks got us together to present us with a $10,000 check! It was from the fundraiser they organized for Sally back in October. They really have been an incredible organization to be a part of. They’ve organized meals for us, given us emergency rides to the hospital, helped organize a police escort during the marathon if we needed it. Most of all, many of them have become good friends and an amazing support system.

Some of the volunteers from Bay Ridge Cares, Sally helping to hold the big check!

We spent the afternoon putting up and decorating our Christmas Tree. Yes it’s early, but we always have it up before Thanksgiving, a tradition from Nicole’s family which I happen to love. Sally was in an incredible mood last night, she had a ton of energy and was very playful after taking a long nap. Nicole and I just sat in the living room with her after the boys were asleep and watched her scoot on her butt across the floor to a magazine and proceed to tear the thing apart, amused at how much she enjoyed it.

For now Sally’s treatment day has switched to Mondays, so Sally was at MSK for chemo, her only planned visit of the week. Unfortunately, her good mood from the night prior didn’t carry over. Nicole said she was very moody and clingy all day. She’s received oral chemo from us over the weekend, which blood tests today revealed that her counts have dropped, not including the dose she received today. We’re going to have to keep a close eye on her this week.

Next week Sally is on steroids, which brings the huge appetite and energy, and has chemo as well. I am off to Florida with the boys for a couple days to see my parents, so Nicole will sadly have to tackle this on her own. She also realized today that Hell Week 2 of Sally’s cycle, the stretch of 3 days of intense chemo including the Red Stuff, falls during Christmas. Sloan Kettering does not close on Holidays, treatment continues on schedule. She is going to ask them if there’s a way to alter the schedule that week, if not we’ll have to plan around it and set expectations with the boys.

It is what it is, you do what you gotta do. Please keep Sally in your thoughts and prayers.

Matt