Radiation Vacation Update 5: The Tale of the Turnip

34 treatments down, 10 to go! It's time to count down people! We've bought out tickets and our flight date is set for November 28th! As our time winds down here I am finding that I am having some mixed emotions. I am definitely ready to go home, I am so ready to see faces that I love so much. I can't wait to be home and turn the page on this particular chapter of our lives. But, as much as I want to go home, I am also anxious about the future. I am terrible at waiting, and for the next six months we will be waiting to hear if Belle's tumor has grown, shrunk or has just sat nicely inside Belle's sweet little noggin. I have figured out that I better learn how to be better at waiting. Much of our time this past summer was spent waiting for doctors to tell us what our next move was, it was horrible. I hated feeling like we were not actively fighting this thing, that while we were sitting and waiting, this tumor could be growing. Now, after we have been in combat for almost three months, we will go home and try to return to a "normal" life for six months before we return to see if anything has changed. Blah. I'm sure it will all work out. "IT" has been working out for the last 5 months with strength from above, much prayer, and support from loved ones and strangers. I don't think I will ever really be able to express how thankful I am for everything that God has done for us and for everything our amazing community has done for us. You are all incredible and you each hold a special place in my heart.

We have met so many wonderful people here, another reason I feel confused about going home. I don't want to say goodbye to the faces we have seen almost everyday for the past three months, these people feel like family and we will miss them. Thank goodness for facebook and email. I hope with my whole heart that we will be able to stay in contact with our neighbors and proton friends, we are so blessed to have had them touch our lives.

Anyway, on to the Turnip. She is doing so well! Her energy level is climbing and she is having less headaches and nausea! A visit from Great Aunt Barb, Nacky and Papagogi (my parents), 15 pounds of candy (more on that later), and the realization of only having two and a half weeks left has brightened her spirits and she is flying high. At least once a day she squeals in delights and announces, "Only ten treatments to go!" Let's all close our eyes and savor her sweet joy, it's delicious.

Here is the long awaited picture of the Turnip:

This is what Belle does everyday. Isn't she brave?

At the Public Garden with Aunt Barb.

Why, yes, that is a spider on my Dad's head.

Someone got a new hat! She is quite shnazzy.

A bumpy bicycle ride with Papgogi! What else could you ask for?

Cuddling on the "T." We are such city people now.

Our Tucson blood is not made for this cold stuff.

Fun times at the Children's Museum.

CarniVAL!

I love that Belle is wearing earmuffs, or "earmuffins" as Kierra calls them, with a short sleeve shirt. Crazy kid.

That's it for now, more to come later!