Around his neck.

It’s been there since the beginning.  Even before his brain surgery, it was present.  A gift from a friend and at first lovingly secured to his hospital shirt with a piece of Scotch tape because we didn’t have a chain, it would later be transferred to a more permanent place where it is now displayed daily.   He wears it constantly and feels lost when it is not around his neck.  The only time he ever removes it is during his MRI scan when he has to remove all things metal before he is rolled back into the machine.  But as soon as he is finished, he asks for it and wants it returned to his neck.  Sam truly loves his Miraculous Medal or his “Mary Medal” as he calls it.  Soon a second, smaller medal was added, the medal of Saint Peregrine who is the patron saint for persons suffering from cancer.  Another gift.

And as of last week, a new medal has been added around Sam’s neck-a medical alert tag.  A new gift from Mom and Dad.  During Sam’s last hospital stay, we learned that he is adrenal insufficient and even though he is on daily replacement therapy, if an emergency were ever to occur (fever, broken bone, severe accident, etc) medical personnel would need to administer high doses of hydrocortisone to keep him safe.

We too have been given a gift and we are reminded of it daily each time we look at Sam.  We have been blessed with a wonderful pediatrician who ordered a CAT scan early revealing Sam’s tumor.  We were blessed with an incredible neurosurgeon who was able to remove all of Sam’s tumor during surgery.  We were given the gift of having the tumor be isolated to Sam’s brain and not being found in his spine.  We were given the gift of having a proton radiation treatment facility right here in our own backyard when there are only five in the country.  We have been blessed with a wonderful children’s hospital and wonderful doctors and nurses who give Sam wonderful care.  And we have received the gift of friendship from friends and strangers more times than we could ever imagine.  But most importantly, we have been given the gift of more time with our son.  And for that we are truly grateful.

Friday, Sam will celebrate his 8th birthday.  Another gift.  We plan on celebrating his special day with our little family and then celebrating with friends with a party later this month.  And I’m sure he will receive plenty of goodies for his birthday from loved ones, but he is well on his way to receiving the best gift of all…a heathy body and one that is cancer free.

Until next time,

Erica