The Payoff

Finally!

We made the drop off without a hitch to the Bronson Pediatric Hemoc Clinic .

"We heard you were coming and about the gifts you were brining. My daughters are so excited," we had just entered the clinic waiting room to visit with a mom who had been chatting with the receptionist. Daughters? Did she say she had two daughters in the clinic?

Nurse Jean was our contact person and the nurse that we had when we first visited the clinic at the very beginning of our trek through treatments.

"Where did you get these?" Nurse Jean was trying to pry information from Hannah.
"We went to Best Buy," Hannah stated.

"Well,... how did you get them?" Nurse Jean asked very patiently hoping to hear Hannah explain about the Cookies for Cancer Kids.
"We paid for them," another brief answer.
"Hannah,... tell her what we did ALL last summer," Kim jumped in with her impatient voice. I personally did the 'stare' at Hannah which said, stop being a knucklebrain and tell her before I fly through air dropping a little hammerlock on her head.

Hannah started off a bit shy and reserved, but slowly came around to being herself.


"What part did you have in helping with the cookies," Sam who sat with the other Wii, was questioned.

"I helped eat them."


Nurse Jean and Doctor Mattano with the kids and all the Wii gear.

Clear Ahead

We received clear scans yesterday - yet the day seemed extremely long. We'll take l o n g any day over cancer.

The doctors spent a great deal of time trying to figure out where to go from here with Hannah's arm. They feel that there's tendons literally pulling Hannah's hand downward, preventing her from straightening the wrist and using it the way it was originally designed.

The order for more tests came late in the day. In order to make a decision, Drs. Shin and Bishop want more information to determine the best path to follow. Although Dr. Bishop commented, "As she grows the bone becomes longer, but the tendons won't stretch further, so her hand will continue to worsen." Dr. Laack described the tendons as rubber bands that stretch with the movement; however, after radiation , they become more like shoelaces. They will have some give, but not the way in which they use to.

When we come back in February, Hannah will have some tests added to her schedule and a plan will be made. Dr. Bishop doesn't seem to think there's any other way then going back into the radiated field and cutting some things loose. Dr. Shin began the conversation with, "Going into a radiated field is tough! It's like making your way through a mine field - you may make it all the way through, but somewhere along the way, something is going to be injured." After listening to Dr. Bishop, who has worked in many radiated fields before, Dr. Shin said, "As Dr. Bishop talks, I become more brave and willing to try." He further went on to tell us that Dr. Bishop has tons of experience with this area - which comforts us a great deal.

However, the best conversation we had was when Hannah told Dr. Bishop that she had switched to the French horn (with his expertise in music as well, he recommended the change for Hannah's sake). Dr. Shin, a professed non-musical person, jokingly told Dr. Bishop, "I think the French horn sucks." To which Dr. Bishop replied, "Well, that's where you are wrong. It doesn't suck, it blows." Classic! Two top notch surgeons in the country sharing wit over music.

We're heading home.

Peace and Prayers

On the Way

Heading back to Mayo this week for scans. Hannah will have the usual series of CT and MRI scans, along with checking out her heart. Strange to use the word "usual", but at least we know what is in store.

We ask for prayers for clear scans and that the doctors have a good plan for reconstruction of her wrist.

Minister of Education

It's Official - Kim has completed her training and education as a Lutheran Minister of Education!

We have been blessed in many ways over this past year, and this is just another example of God working in us and through us. As Kim worked night after night, beginning in January, she has stayed the course (a little political quote for ya, with elections in two days), and finalized her training with two oral exams over the past week.

We are so proud of her efforts!

Hannah is scheduled for scans and plans (for her wrist) on November 17-18. In order to see all involved it will make for some very long days! We'll keep you posted.

Peace and Prayers