Christmas at MSK

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Working with Sally on getting into a crawling position.

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Enjoying the train going around the Christmas Tree.

Hi Everybody,

We confirmed on Friday that Sally will be having treatment on the 23rd, 24th and 25th (Christmas Day) of December. Although she’ll be able to come home every night, she will need to spend several hours at MSK each of those days. Emotionally we prepared for this situation and we are more than fine with it. The hardest part is telling all of you whom I know will feel sad. During the season of thanks and merriment we are grateful, humbled and count our blessings.  Hopefully everyone will be healthy and we can be together on Christmas Day at the hospital. MSK has become a second home, and the staff is an extension of our family. They do an amazing job on every holiday and I’m sure this will be no exception. The logistics with the boys being home and Sally having her last few days of treatment this cycle I wasn’t sure how I was going to juggle everything.  Matt’s bosses Jeff and Rick generously gave him Christmas week off to allow us to take care of Sally and have family time. I cried when he told me. So many blessings. I also went into work on Saturday and my bosses Rudy and Lynda surprised me with vitamins and supplements for Matt, myself and the boys. Staying healthy allows us to care for Sally. We have many angels, that includes all of you.

Speaking of Christmas, we’ve received a number of requests to purchase presents for the kids this holiday. P.S. 19 in Staten Island reached out to us awhile back and “adopted” our family for Christmas, so will be taking care of presents for the kids. We’re trying to limit the number of gifts for them as it’s been a challenge keeping our home tidy and are a bit overwhelmed spacially in our apartment. We’re actually in the process of purging stuff to make it easier to clean and keep sanitary for Sally. If you do want to do something nice for the boys, a gift certificate to The Art Room for them would be great. It’s a small business around the corner from our home that does fun art classes for kids. You can find their website by clicking here. The Fresh Direct and diapers.com gift certificates have also been extremely helpful.

We actually spent the day today making Sally’s room a “safe place” where we will keep her toys and allow her to play away from any of us if we’re sick. Coincidentally, Thomas wasn’t feeling well today and this evening ran a 103 temperature. Luckily, we had him wearing a mask all day, which he was happy to do for Sally. We’ll have to take him to the doctor tomorrow to see if he has anything serious so he can get treated and we can notify MSK that Sally has been exposed to it.

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Willing to wear a mask for his baby sister.

Sally had a great day today with lots of energy, play and smiles. A week that started off with her in a lot of pain got progressively better as her mucositis improved. She goes in for chemo and a standard echocardiogram, plus PT and OT tomorrow.  Her bum is looking better. The Methotrexate she receives is thought to be the culprit of the nasty mucositis she’s had every cycle so far. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll evade the sores this time. Say a prayer, and cross your fingers and toes for good measure.

Please keep Sally in your thoughts and prayers.

Nicole

3 Responses

  1. Lisa De Santis
    Lisa De Santis December 9, 2013 at 1:53 pm | | Reply

    What a good boy Thomas is for wearing a mask so his baby sister doesn’t get sick ♡ thats very thoughtful and caring of him. Hope he feels better very fast. Hugs & kisses to Thomas. And P.S.19 in Staten Island is the school I attended the entire 6 years of grammar school. Pre K-5th grade. It was a really wonderful school back then, and I see it still is a wonderful school now. I actually live across the street from my 2nd grade teacher right now. What a wonderful thing they are doing for Sally. Thank You P.S.19. Matt & Nicole you both are doing such a great job with everything you have on your plates these days. You are both the ABSOLUTE BEST ♡ God Bless You Both, Thomas, William & especially our Little Sally Sunshine too ♡ XOXO

  2. Colleen Price
    Colleen Price December 9, 2013 at 7:21 pm | | Reply

    Sally…during this holy season of Advent you and your loving family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers! God will continue to bless you with determination and strength, I’m sure. You are one of His sweetest, loveliest baby girls, that’s for sure. Praying for you each and every day! Love, Mrs. Price, Aunt Sarah’s friend

  3. Sister Virginia
    Sister Virginia December 10, 2013 at 4:52 pm | | Reply

    What great presents your bosses gave the both of you. It’s very important that the two of you stay healthy.
    Love and prayers every day.

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