About Jane
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dear Friends,
Many have heard that we are taking Janie down to Disney World. She finished her skull radiation yesterday. She doesn't have an appointment at Roswell until next week. That will be the longest she has gone without a trip to the hospital since last November. She deserves this week. We also do not know if the chemo will give her any relief once we try it, so just in case, we are granting her strong desire to see the Princesses.
As if one wish weren't enough, she repeatedly expressed interest in taking along her friend, Amanda. Not that she has too many friends whose parents would entrust us to care for their daughter far away, or who could even try to be away from their parents for a week, but we were delighted she wanted to bring Amanda.
Amanda's parents couldn't agree, however, knowing how important this trip is to us as a family. My eyes welled with tears at once, as I sort of begged them, because this trip is about Jane, not about us. We have tried very very very hard to make everything about Jane. I told them we would do anything Janie asked us to do.
About an hour or so after I arranged the trip, Amanda's parents (who didn't know we booked it), gave it some strong thought, and brought over their checkbook and told us that they would do anything for Janie as well. We hugged and cried and at once tried to get Amanda on our plane. It worked! Two wishes, one day - Janie could NOT believe it! (Nor could Amanda, who has been walking on air all week.)
Amanda was at once seriously concerned about how all of the buddies in their group might feel knowing she was chosen to take our trip with us. She was trying to understand how to deal with that. When she asked me why we picked her, I think I let her off the guilty hook - I told her it was her parents that chose her for the trip - indeed they did.
We are leaving for the airport in about 20 minutes. I am so sorry I haven't updated - Janie was well enough to play all day for about a 4-day spell in the middle of her radiation protocol, but soon became plagued with left-sided leg and hip pain (since Sunday). I was cursing to myself that she couldn't have this week without pain, but we have her on a pain medicine schedule that works well and puts her in a fine mood. I discussed with her holding off for a bit on the trip - she wouldn't hear of it. We are taking a bit of a risk, but the truth is, it may be our last chance to get her there - and even if she is a little sleepy or tired, I can cope with that perfectly. I would rather hold her in my arms in the warm air by the pool than in our living room, if that is what makes her happy.
There has been so much help from so many folks since I last updated - and I will have to wait until we return to write about it - I truly am out of time here, the kids are still in their PJs!!!!!! I hope you all have a good week - I will let you know about Jane again when we get home.
Thank you for checking in everyone - and thanks to everyone who helped make this trip possible!!!!!
