Christmas

Sally Boys Christmas

Christmas Day

Hi all – We haven’t sent an update in a week, although we’ve tried to post photos to Sally’s Facebook page throughout that time. As hoped, Memorial Sloan-Kettering was able to arrange for us to start Sally’s three-day chemo treatment on Sunday which allowed us to celebrate Christmas at home.

Sunday was uneventful, Sally received treatment the entire day in MSK’s pediatric Urgent Care Unit, as the clinic was closed. This meant that the playroom and the floor were pretty much shut down, so it was only us, some nurses, our cleaning friend Karen, and a handful of patients there for urgent care. I snuck out with the boys for a bit to see the trains at Grand Central and watch the Bills game, which they enjoyed.

Sally Red Devil

The Red Devil chemo.

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The boys checking out the model trains at Grand Central Terminal

On Monday, it was a bit more chaotic as the clinic was open and people were trying to get their appointments over with so they could be home Christmas Eve and Day. We got started late as Sally’s chemo wasn’t ready, but had fun singing Christmas carols with some of the other kids in the playroom while we waited. Once things got started, Nicole took William to the Natural History Museum to show him the dinosaurs while I hung out with Sally. Thomas stayed with Grandma Sally and helped her ready for the big Christmas Eve dinner she was hosting. Again, we remained at the hospital til around 6pm until Sally’s chemo was done then headed home, to return back yet again early on Tuesday.

Christmas Eve was much quieter at the hospital, Thomas was still with Grandma so Nicole, William and I headed in with Sally. We brought with us a cart filled with gifts and cookies (thanks Teri!) that Nicole and William distributed to all of the staff who have been such a help to us. I wore my elf costume to keep things light, receiving a lot of smiles and laughs, although one little boy scowled at me which was funny. The smile that one little girl gave me while she laid on her father in obvious discomfort made it all worth it. Sally’s treatment was a bit shorter so were able to leave around 3pm.

Sally Fire

Sally napping by the fire. As Nicole said – “sleeping all snug in her bed, while visions of sugar plums dance in her head.”

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We actually had room 24 on December 24th.

Sally Elf

Finishing up chemo on day 3.

We managed to go to Nicole’s mother’s for a bit after. She was hosting the big seven courses of fish dinner for 25 people, Nicole and I had hosted the last two years but obviously would have been too much this year. Sally stayed for about 15 minutes so the family could say hello to her, after which I headed home with her. After three days of chemo, a lot of back and forth of various family saying they might be sick, and our doctor telling us not to risk bringing her to the dinner I had a moment of panic and had to get her out of there. Nicole and the boys stayed for a couple hours and Sally and I hung out and had a quiet evening together.

All of the above was worth having Sally home for Christmas. We got up and opened presents, and good lord were there presents. We actually had to break it up into two rounds for the kids as there were so many. We had to keep reminding the boys not to get used to this, future Christmases will be like in the past with only a handful of presents. Thanks again to PS19 for adopting the family and bringing such joy to the kids!

Sally Presents

Opening presents!!

Sally Mommy

One of Sally’s favorite new toys.

We decided to go to Grandma Sally’s for dinner as there were a lot less people and this time a bit more prepared bringing face masks, they also aired out and cleaned the apartment before we arrived. Following that it was a typical Christmas dinner, which we’re happy to say was a good thing.

Sally Christmas

Beautiful girl.

The rest of the week has been quiet, Sally has had visits from her PT and OT and we even managed to go visit friends in the neighborhood last night. She and William both have colds, so have been keeping an eye on her. On Sunday, her ANC was 1.2, which means her immune system was low to start. All that chemo she got early in the week is expected to knock her counts down over the next few days. As a result, we’re constantly checking her head for a fever, and wouldn’t be surprised to have to make an unplanned hospital trip in the coming days.

I went to buy new eyeglasses yesterday, and went into a small shop down the street. The folks helping me looked familiar and after chatting, turns out that the woman’s brother had been the honoree at the Frankie’s Mission pediatric fundraiser that Nicole and I attended a few weeks ago. He had been asked to speak as he had successfully undergone a bone marrow transplant at MSK after being diagnosed with Leukemia. Nicole and I had met his sister and the owner/doctor that night that I happened to now be buying my glasses from. Bay Ridge and the Memorial Sloan Kettering world yet again gets smaller as we go through this process. Although on a sad note, we also learned that a child at Thomas’ school passed away from pediatric cancer on Christmas Eve. We weren’t aware there was a child suffering from it at the school and feel awful for the family. We also have to discuss it with Thomas before he goes back, as we’re sure he’ll hear about it and know he’ll make associations with Sally.

All in all it was a great week for us Kabels, we managed to celebrate Christmas at home and Sally continues to develop and be in high spirits. However, we also know of two families we follow online who lost their children to cancer this week. Our emotions are always a roller coaster, but was especially true this week between the highs of Christmas and the lows of the reality of what we’re dealing with. Please keep Sally in your thoughts and prayers.

Matt

7 Responses

  1. sara
    sara December 28, 2013 at 9:44 pm | | Reply

    God Bless and Love And Hug’s to you all xoxoxoxoxox

  2. Sandra
    Sandra December 28, 2013 at 10:43 pm | | Reply

    So happy to hear that you had a good Christmas and that Sally is home with all of you. Hopefully the boys stay well and Sally’s #’s start to go up. I am so sorry to hear of the child that passed away on Christmas Eve and I know you will both explain to Thomas so he won’t be frightened. People say 9 degrees of separation but Bay Ridge is 3 degrees of separation. Thinking of Sally and all of you.
    .

  3. Maureen
    Maureen December 28, 2013 at 11:21 pm | | Reply

    Met you at the 3rd Ave Festival. Your beautiful family remains in my prayers. May God bless you all in 2014 with health and happiness.

  4. joyce
    joyce December 28, 2013 at 11:27 pm | | Reply

    Hi, I am Nicole Sodano’s mom, I just wanted to tell you that I (as always) was asking my friend to pray for Sally. As I explained her age, and what she is going through, my friend told me that her cousin’s baby was diagnosed with the same thing at the same age. She went through exactly what you have described. She told me the girl is now 15 years old. She is fine although still goes for tests periodically. I just wanted to tell you so that you know that she can overcome this. Prayers work miracles. I will continue to pray for her… Please tell big Sally, that I asked for her….Joyce

  5. Sister Virginia
    Sister Virginia December 29, 2013 at 1:00 pm | | Reply

    So glad you had Christmas at home, even though the boys might have thought they were in their own toy store. Blessings to that PS that spoiled them. They will have good memories along with the crazy days.
    Prayers for those angels who have passed and for all the Kabels.

  6. Samantha Murphy
    Samantha Murphy December 29, 2013 at 1:28 pm | | Reply

    I am SO happy to hear the Kabels had a great Christmas–and I loved all the stories you shared. I continue to pray for you all and little Sally every day. God bless!

  7. Kim Snively
    Kim Snively December 30, 2013 at 2:00 pm | | Reply

    I’m glad to hear all is going as expected over the holidays. I hope you and your family have a Happy New Year… prayers that Sally gets better and everything goes as planned…

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