Bestest Birthday Ever

We were home for Stefan's birthday!  While that in itself would have made it the bestest birthday ever, add a rugby game, steak dinner, curious george theme decor, and two happy kidlets, and it was one of the best days this household has seen in awhile!  (Yes I realize bestest isn't a word - I think it should be though!)

The hospital stay overall went pretty well.  Thanks to Mike and Pete for bringing by dinners, and the Bruce family for the gift drop off for Charlotte.  Also to my parents, Rebecca and Erin for helping out with Nathan!

Wednesday, while Charlotte's chemo was running, she was very low energy and looking a little green.  I braced myself for another long week.  She doesn't want to 'miss out' on anything though, so we still made a number of trips to the playroom.  We ended up curling up on the play mat and Charlotte dozed off for a little nap.

Thursday Charlotte perked right up and things were looking pretty good.  Friday we were moved off the oncology ward as they were so full, and since Charlotte was just post-hydrating, we were moved to another ward.  We took this as a good sign, and it probably meant we were the healthiest there.  It was not unlike the time Stefan got the coveted 'bed in the hall' at Royal Columbian.

Stefan's bed in the hall - 5 days after his first surgery - December 22, 2010.

We met a really lovely resident Dr. who had had leukemia when she was 7.  It was pretty reassuring to meet this survivor and dream of our little girl all grown up and healthy!  She had some really nice things to say too; "it's harder on the parents then the child", and "you have a really great family - I can tell you are really supportive of each other.".

And that leads us to Saturday.  We knew first thing in the morning that we would be heading home based on her methotrexate levels.  But we didn't actually leave the hospital till about 1pm.  That gave Charlotte and I time to make a couple stops on the way home so we could hold an impromptu birthday party for daddy.

And party we did.  We had Stefan's sister and our niece over along with my parents.  BBQ'd steak up for Stefan, and Charlotte had picked Curious George for his theme, so a couple decorations and hats were in order.  Charlotte had lots of energy and was super silly and fun!  We are all still on the high of the happiness that filled our home!  Charlotte has some oral medication while at home, but we aren't back to the hospital until October 5th - looking forward to the little break!

Today we did the Terry Fox Run - I'll post some pics from that in another post.  Meanwhile....

Nathan gets to enjoy the playroom too!

Charlotte's playroom nap.

meat = happy Stefan