Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Atlanta











We went to Atlanta this weekend. We were hoping to leave on Friday, but had to wait and leave later b/c Iz and Tre' were sick. They both are on antibiotics and feeling much better. We missed out on seeing Grandpa Mike Mike and Granny Liz b/c we had to leave later and we hated that. We'll get back up soon though. We were able to go to the circus at Philips Arena. Iz loved it. She was really tired that afternoon, and as you can see, fell asleep before it was over (how she and Chip could sleep through all that noise, I have NO idea!!). Even though she dozed, she loved the show. This evening she was on the phone w/ GaGa and was telling her about the elephants, horses, little horses, tigers, clowns, etc. It's so funny to listen to her tell a story. :) She really did have a big time and I think us grown ups enjoyed it as well! Thanks Dennis for getting the tickets!!

We were also in town to have Izzy scanned. She's doing just fine, Dr. Claire just recommended that we scan once a year until she's 5. The scan was perfectly normal. :) WOOHOO!!! Even though we weren't seeing anything concerning, it is always nice to get confirmation. We saw Dr. Claire and had a nice visit with her. It was so nice to see her and we ran into some other folks as well. As we were leaving and heading to the parking deck, we also ran into Dr. Hudgins (Catie's neurosurgeon). We hadn't seen him since the day Catie died when he came to say goodbye, so that was a nice surprise.

Iz had a rough morning as she turns out to be a really tough stick (took 6 tries). She cried and kept telling them no, but she didn't fight them. Tre' and I were really proud of how well she did.

Being away from all of the medical stuff for so long, it was odd to be back. It was only for a day, but I saw everything in such a different light. When Catie was sick, it was what we did. It was our life. There was no choice. We took it , ran with it, and just made the best of it. We lived well and lived full and didn't spend a lot of time focusing on all the "stuff" that had to be done to manage her illness. I didn't do a lot of thinking about how it must have felt to be her. Sometimes I wish I'd given her a chance to talk about that more. As we went through the familiar routine yesterday, I was struck by how much kids with cancer and other chronic/serious illnesses must deal with each day. So many procedures and sticks and pokes and prods... It was all new to Izzy and that made me focus a bit more on just how much a child has to go through just for a simple MRI and a quick clinic visit. It really is amazing what must be endured to fight cancer.

Thankfully, all was well, and today all is back to normal for Ms. Izzy. Normal for her usually starts out something like in the picture at the top of the page. There's her crazy morning hair. :) Still as we enjoy what is now our normal, we think of those whose normal is what we did yesterday...

(The other pics are of Chip and then Izzy w/ Dr. Claire, both kids passed out before the circus ended, Izzy goofing off at the circus, and her first taste of cotton candy

8 comments:

Circus Mama said...

OH! That morning hair is too much!! =) And the duckie pjs just warm my heart . . .

So glad all is good - normal.

Love ya!

Sandy P said...

Can I be nosey and ask if they want to scan Chip as well?

jandkland said...

Wow. You really had quite a weekend. I can't imagine how your heart must drop when you walk back into that place and especially as you wait for results from Izzy's scan. I join you in rejoicing that she is healthy! I also appreciated reading your thoughts of what it was like to walk the journey of childhood cancer as your "normal." I found it strangely comforting. You know that my kid getting cancer is worst-case scenario for me. And you faced it, and you faced even worse—the loss of your daughter. And yet you have two more beautiful children, and you get up every day and keep moving through, and even enjoying, your life. It's inspiring and encouraging that you can remember Catie with all your heart and grieve that she is absent from you, yet still live an abundant life until you see her again. Okay, long-winded, but you got me thinking. Thanks!

--Kelley

Unknown said...

Sad we missed you but glad you had a good time!

Anonymous said...

I love how Lisa and Izzy have on matching shirts. Too bad Dennis didn't get the memo :)

bp said...

That morning hair picture is so cute, the glasses really add to the look!

I'm so glad she had a clear scan. I was also wondering if they'll want to scan Chip as well. That came to me as I was reading.

Hugs to you all. Thanks for the pictures!

Robin said...

Glad to hear that Izzy is ok. All the best!! Love the dancing video Very cute.

Ryan said...

Tell me we weren't both at SR on the same day and missed each other! That would have been such a treat to see Chip. and you and Tre and Iz, too, of course! :) Love you and wishing you so many joys everyday! Missy