This past week was Hunter’s first week back to school after being diagnosed in March and hadn’t returned to school on a daily basis. It was an interesting week for all of us. The night before the first day Hunter threw up several times while trying to go to sleep. He was so nervous and so was I. I was standing with him as he was throwing up and wanted throw up right with him. My stomach was doing flip flops. His first day was great but by the second day he was tired. He made it through lunch but called for me to come pick him up. He made it all day Wednesday and Thursday but by Friday was exhausted and I ended up taking home around 9:15. The Friday before school started Jon and I meet with Hunter’s teacher, Ms. Becker and the school nurse and talked about Hunter’s cancer and brought them up to speed on his current status. I talked with the social worker at the hospital to have paperwork filled out regarding Hunter’s participation in P.E. and recess. So Monday morning I made by rounds and dropped off the paperwork to the nurse, front office and the school counselor. The counselor and I discussed Hunter’s status and when and how we should talk to his class to let them know. We decided on Friday morning. Well by Friday morning, as I mentioned, Hunter was exhausted and didn’t want to go to school at all. I dropped him off at class and went back to talk to the counselor so we could discuss beforehand what we would say to the class. Hunter was ready and had been asking be all week when we were going to tell the class. I think he was nervous all week about how the kids would react and wanted to get it over with. It went well. The counselor talked to the kids and explained what Hunter has and to be careful not to hurt his head and for them to watch out for him if he said he was tired for didn’t feel well to make sure to tell and adult. After that was over Hunter when home with me. I talked with his teacher some before school to see how he was holding up during the day and she mentioned he was really tired by the end of the day and could see him struggling to do the work. I talked with counselor as well and we agreed the best thing for Hunter right now is to have him go half days to school until he gets in back into the swing of things. If he feels like going all day, then that will be fine too. We just don’t want Hunter to be penalized for missing if he isn’t feeling well or too exhausted to go of finish the day. So Friday I contact the social worked at the hospital again to get the paperwork needed from the doctor for the school. I have to say that Aubree, our social worker, has been terrific through all of this for us. She is so kind and helpful and knows what is needed. All I have to do is call and she is on it. So this next week well the paperwork from the hospital and meet again with Hunter’s teacher, counselor and assistant principle and look at his class schedule to see what part of the day is going to be best. I know that once we do this and Hunter is aware of the shortened day, he will feel much better about school. Hunter had a fun weekend riding his four wheeler and building and rearranging his train tracks. We cooked out Sunday night at my parents. This week is a chemo week for Hunter so we will see how that goes with school as well. Last Friday was a very emotional day for me trying to make sure what the right thing to do for Hunter should be. I want him to be as normal as possible, just as he wants but at the same time we have to be aware of his limitations. Yes, he has cancer and the treatments that continue and these are not normal for an 8 yr. old so we have to make a new normal and we are still trying to figure that out. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. Continue your prayers for Hunter and thank you all for you continued support. I updated photos and I also added my email address to the home page under “My story”. Michelle
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