School's Out! School's Out!

Tuesday was another landmark day.  We started with an appointment at the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Children's Hospital and ended at the final Awards Ceremony at school.  Both events proved to be encouraging.

At the clinic appointment, Michael got good news.  The recent surgery to remove his broviac went perfectly, and the insertion site is healing beautifully.  He has gained a little more weight and was described as one of the most "rock solid" of the current transplant patients.  The transplant team is turning him back over for his continued care to the original team of oncology doctors.  They decreased his medications again; as of next Tuesday; he will only have one regular medication left to take.  We left the clinic so grateful for such a great report.

We raced from St. Louis back to school for the last event of the school year.  All of the kids were so excited (and so ready!) for this day.  We went to celebrate the end of the year awards for the younger kids but were quite surprised to find that Michael was included in the awards as well.  One of the teachers referred to him as the "ghost" in the classroom, but he was credited with some academic awards since he'd done the same work at the same time suffering at home with Mom.

It was wonderful and incredibly hard to think back over what this last school year included for our family.  When Jeffrey and Katherine were awarded their "Perfect Attendance" certificates, I marveled again at the wonderful health that God provided to our children this year to protect Michael.  When Timothy asked why he didn't get a perfect attendance award, I reminded him that he did miss a couple of days when he was at the hospital to share his "blood" with Michael.  He seemed perfectly satisfied with that little trade.  What a remarkable year!

Timothy has now finished first grade; Jeffrey, third grade, Katherine, fifth grade; and Michael, seventh grade.  The backpacks are emptied.  The year's important papers and keepsakes are on display or stored away.  The school year is finally just memories.  Bring on the summer!