It's Just "16"

"Things look great," those three words from Dr. Laack were all we needed.

Today was a two-fer day. We're crashing at the Hucke's on this trip (getting in yesterday, with doctor appointments first thing in the morning). Come to find out, Danielle was scheduled for her scans as well. It was nice to have both girls and parents together the night before scans because everyone is just on the same page with thoughts, "I said a prayer for both Danielle and Hannah," Steve mentions as we got ready to hit the air mattress last night. "Me too," I replied.

As we wrapped up Hannah's MRI visit, we had about an hour to wait before meeting with Dr. Laack. "Dawn and Danielle should be meeting with Dr. Arndt right now on 16 (that's what we refer to the pediatric oncology department because it's on the 16th floor of the Mayo Clinic). Let's head that way and meet up with them," Kim was already on the move towards the bank of elevators.

As we got to 16 I decided to hang back and wait it out in quiet. The last time I entered the pediatric area, it was kid central. I just wasn't up to the commotion. No, I would have rathered just sat quietly and read from my book, Hell's Angel, which gave me a glimpse of the hardcore biker life. I also figured that a pediatric waiting room wouldn't be the proper place for such a book cover.

The phone began to ring in my pocket about 5 minutes after Kim and Hannah made their way to the waiting area, "cl_____ _ a____!"

"What? I can't hear you. Hello?????" I raised my voice like most do in an attempt to make my phone work better.

"___ea__ s____!" came the broken voice again.

"Okay,...I still didn't get that but if you can hear me, I'm moving closer to the window," I was now talking louder AND slower.

Finally I heard the message, "Clea_ sca_s!"
I stepped on top of the vent that lay at the foot of the window, "Dawn?"

"Clear scans!" she repeated.
"That's great! Where are you?" I was assuming that because Kim and Hannah had been down the hall for a bit, that they would have already seen Dawn and Danielle.

"We're on 16, and in a room," Dawn was now coming in more clearly. Must have been my last move to heighten my stature.
"We're on 16 as well. In fact, Kim and Hannah are down in the waiting room," with the last ounce of energy I had to remain balanced I said my goodbye and went back to my novel of motor oil, hard riding, and patches.

Kim and Hannah eventually made their way back to me and we were off to see Dr. Laack for our results. Two girls, two excellent results - one night to celebrate before heading back to Michigan in the morning.

Foto Friday

One of my favorite moments in a match is when the players forget the score.

Alex - partnering with Sam and readying themselves for another run at STATE!

USTA Tennis - Service!

WAM Cookie

"We've been on many visits to wish kid homes, but this has to be the first visit we've had to our home," Harry greeted us at the door with his familiar smile. It's been over six months, but I finally finished the all-encompassing DVD of Hannah and our family's Make A Wish trip to Give Kids the World and all the theme parks imaginable. As I finished the final burn, Kim took no time in announcing throughout the house, "We're going to Harry and Sharon's!"

Harry and Sharon are the two nicest people you would hope to never have pay you a visit (because that would mean that they were there for Make A Wish). However, meeting them in a different capacity is all together fine. While they train with 40-60 mile bike rides, I find walking down the steps on most mornings a bit slow. Harry and Sharon participate in WAM: Affectionately known by riders and volunteers as WAM, the Wish-A-Mile 300 is a three-day, 300-mile bicycle ride from Traverse City to Chelsea, Michigan to raise funds and awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. We wish them the best of luck and the cushiest of seats.


Changing gears a bit. From the fitness test of WAM we shift to the sugary sweets of South State Street and Hannah's Cookies for Cancer Kids. "I'm ready to get started," Hannah's been informing us (by us, I refer to the baker, Kim). With her surgery behind us and one more visit to Mayo in July, she's hoping to sell some lemonade and cookies for the kids undergoing cancer treatments at Bronson. With our visit to Mayo in less than a week, I believe Hannah will begin her corner lot stand over the Venetian Festival weekend.



In other related news: Max turned 9! Kim and I survived the Boy Party Sleepover!!