An Update on Stefan

Hi family and friends…

I’m so sorry for the long hiatus. It was good to ignore this blog for a few years.

While things have been going on in tumour world, we haven’t been very public about it. Stefan has been working, and now we have teenagers, so life has been busy and, for a while, things were relatively stable.

Unfortunately, we are now at a stage where a return to work looks very unlikely for Stefan, and we are needing the support and love of our family and friends.

Just over a year ago, we were told that Stefan’s tumour was growing at a pace where it was time to take action. He started on a low dose of temozolomide in the fall—the same chemotherapy he had in 2020.

After six months, though, it became evident that the temozolomide wasn’t being effective. In June, Stefan moved on to a new chemotherapy, lomustine.

June was a very busy month for us. We were moving Stefan’s mother from the Sunshine Coast, but Stefan insisted on finishing the school year. I had convinced him to take a trip to England to see family, and in an effort to make that happen, we decided he would go with our son, Nathan, just the two of them, to help keep the costs down.

We had noticed that Stefan wasn’t quite himself in early July. At the time, we chalked it up to the new chemotherapy and the busyness of June.

During their trip in England, though, Stefan had a significant cognitive decline, which was incredibly scary. Thankfully, Nathan managed to get them home safely, and Stefan was started on steroids right away.

After three days on steroids, Stefan returned to normal.

He doesn’t remember much from that time. He had significant difficulty with his memory and finding words, and he was extremely low energy.

We now affectionately—and somewhat grimly—call that version of him “England Trip Stefan.”

In speaking with the oncology team, there was agreement that these symptoms likely meant tumour progression. He was fast-tracked for another MRI, which he had on August 6th.

Yesterday, we met with both the oncologist and the neurosurgeon.

The scan showed evidence of changes that explained the cognitive changes we’d been seeing. The original tumour has continued to grow slowly. In addition, there is a new cyst, and this cyst has been growing much faster.

The walls of the cyst are tumour, and it is filled with fluid. The fluid can expand much more quickly than the tumour itself, which means the cyst can cause problems relatively quickly.

Unfortunately, the cyst is in an area where there are more limitations on what can safely be done.

Both doctors agreed that the next step isn’t black and white.

One option is surgery. If we decide not to do surgery, that isn’t necessarily a decision we can change later. Essentially, it’s now or never.  This would be Stefan's last surgery.

The neurosurgeon believes they could remove some of the original tumour. They wouldn’t be able to remove the cyst itself, but they could potentially drain it, possibly placing a drain that would allow it to be drained again in the future.

The surgery would also provide an opportunity to have a personalized oncogenomics study done on the tumour. This could potentially give us more information to help guide future treatment decisions.

But there are some very significant risks.

Because of where the tumour is, surgery carries an increased risk of speech and memory loss. In other words, there is a risk that Stefan could permanently become “England Trip Stefan.”

And even if the surgery goes well, it wouldn’t remove the part of the tumour that is currently behaving the worst. It might leave us with less tumour and some additional information that could help with treatment planning—but it might not.

The doctors also don’t have much confidence that the personalized oncogenomics testing would actually lead to additional treatment options.

Whether Stefan has surgery or not, there are two additional chemotherapy options available. Unfortunately, we were told that they don’t think either is likely to work particularly well.

We’ve also been told in the past that further radiation wasn’t an option because of the amount of radiation Stefan has already received. Yesterday, however, we were told that in select patients, radiation can sometimes be used again, and that it would be worth having another discussion about whether Stefan might be one of those patients.

When I summarized everything back to the neurosurgeon, the gist of it was:

“So we can do surgery, with the risk that Stefan could be like ‘England Trip Stefan’ afterward, and get a chance at some additional information that might help with treatment—but probably won’t extend his life by much…

Or we don’t do surgery, and either way, there is a risk that ‘England Trip Stefan’ eventually returns as the tumour continues to grow…

And there really aren’t any other treatment options that look particularly promising.”

All in all, it sucks.

Stefan is leaning toward surgery. At least it gives us something to hope for, and I think we need that right now.

Once we give the confirmation, the surgery will likely happen within 2–3 weeks.

So, that’s where we are.

We don’t know exactly what the next few weeks, months, or years will look like. We don’t know what the surgery will accomplish, or what options might come afterward.

But we do know that we are going to need our people.

We know that everyone is going to have questions, and we are happy to share what we can.  If you have questions, please feel free to email me at taleen.lageston@gmail.com.  I may not have all the answers, but I will do my best to keep everyone updated here.  

We also know that many of you will have ideas, suggestions, stories about treatments that have worked for someone you know, or recommendations for things we should try.  We truly appreciate that these suggestions come from a place of love.  However, at this point, we would really ask that you refrain from offering treatment suggestions or medical advise.  We are working closely with Stefan's oncology and neurosurgery teams, and we need to be able to focus our energy on the decisions in front of us.

What we need most right now is your love, support, encouragement, and understanding.

Please send love, prayers, positive thoughts, healing energy—whatever you believe in—our way.

We appreciate every bit of it.  💗

10 Years

Wow.  This day snuck up on me......even though I had booked the day off, I hadn't clued into the fact that this was Stefan's 10 year cancerversary.  The day has certainly brought back some memories of 10 years ago....and that call from Stefan saying he had a brain tumour that shook our world.  I'm grateful for every single day of those 10 years and keep praying for more.

I haven't blogged in a while - what do you say in a year like this one, when everyone is struggling with something.  Seems like our gripes pale in comparison to many....so we just hibernate in our bubble, and try to keep positive.

Stefan is in the good phase of his chemo cycle at the moment, (and luckily for Christmas) he has about 3 good weeks to the one bad.  During the good weeks, I can pretend that everything is normal.  For about 7-10 days of each month, while Stefan is taking his pills and the few days after, we can't pretend.  Stefan manages pretty well.  Instead of morning runs that week, he does his walks, and he may actually take some time to have a nap or watch a show in the afternoon.  Swallowing the pills is a challenge for him, and gets a little harder each month.  These are the hard days as we are reminded that Stefan is fighting something pretty bad.  He only has 4 more cycles to go (assuming all is okay as things go along).  He has his MRI roughly every two months, and we have been told that everything looks stable.

I have been quite busy with work, which is perhaps a hidden blessing as busy work means I can't stress over brain tumours.  Being at home has been beneficial since I can sneak extra cuddles in at lunch.  COVID stresses us out I'm sure as much as everyone else.  I put serious thought into moving us up to the Yukon for the school year to see if we could find a solution that would keep Stefan safe and let the kids go to school.  It obviously didn't pan out, and we felt the best option was to keep the kids home.  They continue to be supported by two amazing teachers, and of course Stefan.  They keep a pretty regular schedule with their hours the same as the school day.  I know it's been a struggle for Charlotte as this would have been her first year at middle school, a time when friends and meeting new people is so important.  Thank goodness for some solid friend connections, facetime and roblox.  

Ultimately, I think this COVID/Chemo duo has been most challenging for our family, as they haven't been able to visit/support us this year. and vice versa  But, we are doing okay.  I feel a bit selfish being able to covet Stefan to myself this year.....but due to COVID, I don't even have to feel guilty about it.  We would usually be so busy in December hosting parties and family dinners....I miss our family and friends very much - but taking the opportunity to enjoy the quiet, kids and Stefan.  

Today - we managed to get in a family walk in our beautiful 'back yard', and we toasted 'surviving 10 years' over some take out tonight.  I didn't do Christmas cards this year - so don't be surprised if I ring you up to catch up instead!  I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.  We look forward to hopefully seeing many of you sometime in 2021.  

Covid and Chemo

Well hello family and friends.  I guess I'm not as good at blog updates this go around.  Let's blame Covid 19. Why don't we.

Once Stefan received his additional stitches, he was on the mend.  It did seem to take longer then the last two surgeries for the fluid to reduce from his surgery area.  We were tempted to draw a face on the pulsating bulb protruding from his head.   We settled for him moving it at will as entertainment on our various zoom calls.

Stefan was back to his morning runs and bike rides within a few weeks, and then we just played the waiting game to hear from the Cancer Center on when chemo would start.  Since we had the pathology report confirming the grade of the tumour hadn't changed, we weren't feeling to stressed with the wait.  We also were prepared from some extra delays due to COVID 19.

COVID 19 life hasn't been too bad.  We would have been laying low key anyway.  I am fully working from home and removing my commute has added time for family.  Even though Stefan is currently off from work, he isn't really off as he has taken over the teaching of our kids (which for all you parent teachers out there, is much different then teaching other people's kids).  It's been a nice treat for me to witness him at his job though, and I can see why kids love him as a teacher.

COVID life is not too different then cancer life.  I see many of my fellow momcologists make similar comments.  Bubbles, anxiety over viruses, isolation and fear.......at least we have been here.  I think though, now everyone who hasn't walked this path can maybe relate a bit to what we've been through - and maybe can see there is a silver lining.  Learning to appreciate the small things.  Being thankful for your family and friends and a roof over our head.

We received word from the Cancer Center last week, and things moved pretty quickly after that.  Blood test Friday, and his medicine was couriered to him today to start tonight.  Stefan starts his first cycle tonight, 5 days of Temozolomide and 23 days off (28 day cycle).  He will have bloodwork and appointments each cycle to assess weather he continues to the next one, for a maximum of 12 cycles.  All the usual chemo side effects (less the hair loss): low white blood cells, low platelets, nausea, fatigue.

So, even though BC is going to phase 2, we will likely be staying bubble bound a little longer, and appreciating the small things.

Chemo deliver (did I mention Stefan's COVID beard?)

Surgery Update

We are home and doing well.

Perhaps I shouldn't get as nervous as I do with each surgery, but when our first neurosurgeon said to us "if you do another surgery, you will be a vegetable", that kind of weighs heavily on your mind each time you go into the operating room.

Things change over 9 years, and the pre-op process was a little different this time around with regards to washing routines and rules for eating.  We were lucky to be blessed with a 7:45 surgery time which meant no hard fasting time for Stefan.  We were up at 4:30 am on March 3rd to do Stefan's second scrub down before heading to the hospital.  I was very lucky that my sister Trudi came from Salmon Arm to stay with us for the week.  The kids adore her and it was one less thing for me to worry about.

The volunteer at Royal Columbia that day was an angel and would give me updates on if Stefan was out of OR and provided re-assuring words.  Stefan's sister and parents came by right when I got the news from Stefan's surgeon that Stefan was out of the OR and in recovery and that the surgery had gone well.  It was a relief when I saw him and we could confirm we had proved our first surgeon wrong again.  Stefan was speaking and moving - despite the drugs - he was not a vegetable (pause for old rugby boy jokes here)!

Stefan spent the first night under careful watch and was up and moving about by the morning.  We were very surprised when it was looking like we would be able to go home on the 5th!  I'm always very happy when we can go home since it's hard to split my energy between Stefan and the kids.  Stefan is always a bit worried, and I suppose this time he had a reason to, as shortly after we were home, he started leaking.

Many people have asked me if this is normal.  Like I'm an expert since we have been through three surgeries?  I don't know if it's normal, but our post craniotomy guide said 'Call your surgeon if: your incision is warm, red, swollen, or has blood or pus (yellow/green fluid) draining from it.  Since it was clear fluid, and at first it was a trickle, we weren't overly worried.  But after a few days, and as the trickle turned into more of a stream, it was growing increasingly frustrating for Stefan.  So, we sent a picture to our surgeon and, on Monday, we were given a choice to  either meet up with our surgeon in the ER on Monday or his office on Tuesday.  Since I was at work, and we wanted to avoid the ER, we took the Tuesday option. 

On Tuesday, we went in and Stefan got three stitches on the lowest part of his incision where the leakage was.  But, that night, it started again, just above the stitches.  So, on Thursday, we met our surgeon in the ER in the morning to get another inch covered above the previous ones.  Home for lunch, only to have the leak move a little further up his incision. (yes, like a leaky roof - we started joking about pulling out the duct tape).  We were back to the ER at 5:30 to have the whole incision done.  The end result was 30 something stitches over his 30 something staples (along with the side of his head feeling like a waterbed).  If this didn't work, the surgeon said we would have to go back to the operating room to open it up, reseal and do it again.  (argh - fingers crossed as that did not sound fun).  Stefan did not feel great and needed to stay laying down for quite a while after that.  Not sure if it was the extra pressure, the freezing drugs, the shock of all the extra stitches?). 

The whole process has slowed down recovery, but as of today, he is back to daily walks and doing his puttering around the house.  The stitches/staples removal has been pushed back as well as the surgeon would like to do this as opposed to having our family doctor do it.  And, as for 'if it's normal?', we were told our body is full of liquid and it will follow the path of least resistance, but we did need to stop it from coming out so the incision can heal.

We also got Stefan's pathology report back.  While I don't know everything it says (will find out more once we meet with the cancer agency again), I can say that it looks like the tumour has not changed from before (ie. it's still grade 2).  This is great news.  We are dealing with the same beast as 9 years ago, just with one less weapon in our arsenal (radiation).  

The kids are doing well.  They were definitely not themselves the first few days Stefan was in hospital, but once we were home and they could see Stefan doing ok, they were doing much better.

Being home recovering during a pandemic has reduced any FOMO (fear of missing out), but having to spend 5 hours in emergency on Thursday had Stefan and I cringing the whole time.  I hope everyone is staying safe and embracing home and family time.

Big thanks to all our support out there.  Special thanks again to my sister Trudi for helping us out last week, my sister-in-law Rebecca for taking care of Stefan's family and ensuring I was fed during hospital time.  We have been so lucky to receive meals and support and are feeling very loved.

If you get queasy with wounds/stitches pictures, you might want to stop scrolling now as I'll end this post with some pictures, least queasy to queasy.  (Stefan approved - I would not normally post pictures of wounds, but I think Stefan kind of wants to show off his war wounds).

Post surgery - looking pretty good.

Walking out of neurosurgery after only two days.  Brain surgery poster boy.

The leakage.

Incision before any stitches.

Today - the full incision with staples and stitches.

Not our favorite update...

I really did not want to be adding a blog post with bad news….but that’s where we are.

We were told some unfortunate news from Stefan’s MRI in November, and are now at a position where we are ready to share.

First off I would like to apologize to our friends and family – many of you were suspicious when we cancelled our annual Christmas party on short notice.  I’m sorry we were evasive.  We are in a slightly different world this time around with the kids being a bit older, and we wanted to ensure we were ready to tell them the news before letting others know.

Here is a little recap from when we first started this adventure a little over 9 years ago along with a summary of the recent news:

Dec 2010: After several doctors appointments over an 18 month period for Stefan’s fatigue and (near the end) occasional loss/jumbling of words, Stefan receives an MRI at Burnaby Hospital.  They discover an 8x5 cm tumour that has moved his brain stem 1 cm and rush him to emergency brain surgery at Royal Columbia.  He recovers well and we are home for Christmas.

Jan 2010: We are told that the tumour is an Astrocytoma, grade 2.  There is still significant bulk and it is recommended to do another surgery and then radiation.

March 2010: Stefan get’s his second surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, we are told 98% removed.  He recovers well.

April 2010: We are told that the tumour is an Oligiodendroglioma, but he does not have the chromosome deletion that bodes well for chemo.  Still told chemo can be an option down the line “when it grows again”.  

May to June 2010: Stefan completes 5.5 weeks of radiation

March 2011 to July 2013: we pause on Stefan to make our way through Charlotte’s cancer.  He continues with semi-annual MRI's.

October 2018: We are told another "no growth" MRI result and the decision is made to move from semi annual to annual MRI's.

Early November 2019: Stefan had his MRI in October 2019, and we met with our doctor in early November.  They had not received the official report (backlog) but our doctor said when she looked at the scans, in her opinion they looked consistent with past ones.  Without the official report, we did not do our usual celebratory facebook post but did silently rejoice.

November 20, 2019: Stefan receives a phone call at the end of the day getting the unfortunate news that: "His tumour is growing.  While it was hard to see in comparing sequential images, when compared to 2 years go, there has been growth.  It's 4x2 cm now."  It was a call that was hard to take and hard to comprehend.  Especially the size.

December 5, 2019:  We review options with the Oncologist.  We find out that Neurosurgeons can perhaps exaggerate.  We hadn't actually seen images after his second surgery and radiation and were never really told the size.  By the sounds of it, the tumour was about 2x1 cm after treatment.  This made the new size make a bit more sense.  (In hindsight, I think it was better living the last 8 years picturing it in our mind as a minuscule thing.)  We are told that the tumour is now considered an Astrocytoma.  (the World Health Organization changed the prognosis model in 2016).  THe oncologist laid out our options: radiation again (don't recommend, 35% risk of something bad happening), surgery (5% risk), chemo (5% risk).  His recommendation was to do another surgery to decrease the tumour size (chemo is more effective when there is less to deal with), and then do chemo.  He said if we don't go with surgery, then he wants to start chemo ASAP.  If he does go with surgery, he said it should be done within the next 6 months.  Stefan is otherwise healthy (he has had zero symptoms) and could continue on as normal for the time being.  That was a lot to digest and brew on over Christmas break. 

January 17, 2020:  Met with the neurosurgeon.  This was one of the three neurosurgeons that we met with before Stefan's second surgery.  Overall, we left this meeting feeling more positive then after the December meeting.  We compared the recent images from the image 2 years ago, witnessing for the first time the actual large hold in my husbands brain (and you all thought we were joking about the half brain the last 8 years).  We grasped onto the opinion of our surgeon that the images don't indicate it's transformed into a malignant tumour (aggressive tumours don't pick up dyes as easily) although we are cautious.  (surgery will allow us to have a conclusive pathology done).

Scan from October 2017.

Scan from October 2019 (note the closing in of some of the black areas).

March 3, 2020: surgery date

TBD: Start chemo.  Chemo will be Temozolomide.  It’s a less invasive oral chemo, 1 week on, 3 weeks off (1 month cycle).  He will start with a 12 month cycle.  Main side effects will be fatigue and nausea (he will receive additional medication to help with the nausea).  Effects liver and kidney's so he will have to limit drinking.  Also results in bone marrow suppression, ie. reduced white blood cells/platelets.  Like Charlotte's treatment, a fever will likely mean a trip to the hospital.  We will move to MRI's every 3 months.

I know that's a lot to digest....especially when it's been 9 years since we were on this roller coaster.  

Overall, we are doing okay.  I would say one of the more difficult challenges this go around is that our kids are older and more aware.  A large part of not telling friends/family of what has been going on the last few months is ensuring the kids were told first.  We weren’t ready to tell them until we knew what the next step was.  Having had 9 years of preparing for these moments has helped though and we continue to be thankful for every day.  We are getting very close to the surgery date and I am reflecting on how we made it through this all last time and realizing that our support system was likely what held us together.  You all helped us so much last time and we welcome all the love, prayers and support to get us through our next hurdle.  

We did make it to Disneyland for a pre-surgery trip - so I will leave with you with a photo of our crew's battle pose.  Our thoughts are with everyone who is struggling with something.  Hug your loved ones.

Giving Thanks

Sorry (but not sorry) for the long hiatus.  I thought I was long overdue to update this blog, especially for those who happen to fall upon it without knowing our family and end up wondering about the ending.

Well….we have been busy…..LIVING.  Huge ecstatic smiles right here!

I thought it was appropriate to post an update today, (Canadian) thanksgiving day, as that is what I am – so thankful!

Thankful for…..

• Being able to live in (happy, crazy, busy) chaos!  We had a dozen over for our 23 pound turkey (prepared for extra drop ins), additional family in and out over the weekend, and threw a Pokemon birthday party for 14 kids (9 of those were cousins)…..all without breaking a sweat.  I think back to 3 years ago when the idea of having any one single person over to our home would have given me an anxiety attack.  My heart is so full after an amazing weekend with family.
• Thankful for a happy and healthy husband who is back to work full time, while not back in administration, he is loving teaching and I can see his passion for it!
• Thankful for my beautiful daughter who is tougher than anyone I know!  She got her first case of needle anxiety this year after I don’t know how many pokes and prods.  She still has to get bloodwork every three months, her last visit they couldn’t do her usual finger poke since they required more blood to test her immunization levels (since treatment had destroyed previous immunizations), so they had to access her vein in her arm.  She managed, but when we then had to go for immunization boosters a month later (three shots), she understandably had a meltdown.  She managed to calm herself down and think of what she needed to do to get through it.  She is remarkable.  She is quite a bookworm and has discovered theatre this year and we are very much looking forward to watching her first production at Christmas.
• Thankful for my happy energetic boy who just turned 5 on Friday – how did that happen?  He loves cuddles, scary things (Halloween is his jam), transformers, Spiderman and star wars.

 I still have days where I look back at those crazy couple of years and feel overwhelmed with emotion.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the support we had that got us through those years:

• the emails/prayers
• the hat campaign for Charlotte,
• the yummy delivered dinners (even the 6 different lasagnas!),
• pina-coloda delivery to the hospital, 
• the well needed walks with girlfriends,
• the gifts of financial support, gift cards, toys, you name it
• the wonderful nurses and doctors,
• those who watched Nathan for us,
• those who drove Stefan to radiation
• those who made us laugh (or let us cry);
• most of all, our amazing family and friends.

I hope everyone has a fantastic thanksgiving – love us.

Labour day weekend trip to Harrison Hot Springs!

It's Official

Charlotte is DONE treatment!  She was technically done in July, and we have had a few mini-celebrations since then.  We celebrated in July twice, once when she had her last in hospital chemo, and again when she had her last dose of chemo.  Then we celebrated in October when Charlotte had surgery to remove her port (aka, the button).

But today - it was official!  Celebrated with an award and all!  She received her Award of bravery from her Oncologist and nurse clinician!  Pretty exciting!  It was a regular check up, which these days just means bloodwork, but was made extra special with this little award.  SO proud of my girl.

It's been a long delay since my last post.  We have just been busy being a normal family.  I will say, I am so thankful and appreciative of EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. that I have with my beautiful family. 

I am also very thankful for all of the amazing people in our life.  I don't know how we would have survived the last 4 years without all of you.  THANK YOU.

Charlotte with her amazing oncologist and nurse!

Nathan wasn't forgotten, he received an Oncology Sibling Squad award!

Catch up!

A little catch up post on what we have been up to besides our super awesome wish trip since our last blog post in February!

 - No hospital visits since the stay in March just before our wish trip!

 

- We celebrated Easter in Sechelt

 

- We got another 'stable' MRI results for Stefan on April 28th! 

- Nathan is practicing to be an actor (who does his own stunts).  Here he is pretending to fall down the stairs (no one was hurt in the filming of this video). 

- Charlotte had her LAST lumbar puncture on May 12th!

 - Charlotte turned 5 and we had an actual birthday party!  I might have gone a little overboard, but totally rationalize it with the fact that her last two were at home with family!  She wanted Angry Birds theme and that's what she got.  It helped that she received a super awesome cake from Jennifer Fedje of Harmony Cakes.  We were matched up through Icing Smiles, a great charity!

Jennifer giving Charlotte her 'dream cake'!

- The weekend after her party, Charlotte was a model in Show of Styles, Kids with Smiles.  A fundraiser for Children's hospital that features kids from the hospital.  I really wasn't sure how Charlotte would do, but she thrived, and I think she was pretty proud of herself!

- Charlotte had her intro to Kindergarten, and is getting excited to start school (assuming the strike will be over in September :( )

 - Stefan participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, on a tandem bike with fellow survivor Mike.  It was their first time ever on a tandem, and they did 245 km in two days....in the rain.  Crazy kids.  Stefan had the better deal, being in the back with the lovely rain shield Mike.  Way to go boys!

Amazing Team Nothing Butt Class!

Who here loves Daddy?  We do!

- We are looking forward to summer!  Charlotte's last chemo pill will be July 20th - counting down the days!

Wish Trip Day 6/7

Day 6
Our last day!  While we still had one more pass for Disney World, we were feeling pretty tired and content.  We decided to spend the morning at the village, and see how we felt in the afternoon.

We had breakfast at the Gingerbread House, and headed to the Amberville Train Station to play with the remote control boats and games.  Nathan and I rode the train 4 times, and he had one more ride with Daddy.  We explored Mayor Claytons house too!  Stopped into the GKTW gift shop for a few things before we all hit the pool.

The train - Nathan's favourite!

Charlotte loved driving the boats!

inside Mayor Clayton's house

After the pool, we decided we would head to Downtown Disney for lunch and a couple last souvenirs.  We ended up at the Dino Cafe, which is the same concept as Rainforest Cafe except with Dinosaurs.  Kids loved it of course and ate well.  We went to the Magic of Disney (World's largest collection of Disney items).  Kids picked out their last souvenirs and then we stopped at the outlets on the way home since Nathan fell asleep in the car.  Stefan got a couple pairs of running shoes and I grabbed a sweater.  We headed home for a quick bite to eat before heading to the Pirate and Princess Party.  Kids had a blast at the party - a great ending to a fantastic trip!  We went back to our Villa for Ms. Merry to tuck the kids into bed.

Day 7
We were up at 4am Florida time to head to the airport for our 7:30 flight.  Dropping of the rental car (no charge, even on an empty tank!) was a piece of cake.  Flight 1, 2.5 hours to Dallas was a breeze as both kids fell asleep.  We had just enough time in the airport to grab a coffee and snack before boarding flight 2 home.  Just over 4 hours.  Nathan was still very tired, and had MANY moments of screaming/crying.  The seat belt sign was on pretty much the entire trip which meant I was trying to keep him seated.  It was painful, and I was traumatized from being the one on the plane with the screaming child for quite a while after our trip.  Everyone around us was very patient, but I felt bad for the people in front of us, as Nathan kicked the seats a lot.  We were pretty happy to be home, and everyone had a very good sleep!

We are so very thankful to Make-a-Wish for this once in a lifetime trip!  And to the amazing Give Kids the World Village for the unforgettable stay!

Wish Trip Day 5

Today was the day my allergies hit me full on.  I woke terrified I was sick, and realized by late morning that it was allergies.  With how well our trip to Universal studios was the day before, we decided we would try it again.  We awoke around 8:45 and went to the Gingerbread house for breakfast.  Met with Pluto and Belle and then played with the remote control boats for a while.  We got lunch to go from Katie's Kitchen, and ate in the car on our way to Universal Studios.  We only spent about 3 hours in the park, but that was more then enough time to do the following:
- meet Dora and friends
- meet the gang from Dispicable Me
- meet Spongebob and friends
- meet Bart Simpson
- Watch the Shrek 4-D show
- Kids both had a nap, and Stefan rode the Transformers 3D ride

We headed back to our villa for a little rest before going to the Gingerbread House for Dinner, and attending the Village Christmas Party.  They really go over the top with the Christmas party.  They had a little parade, we met Santa, the kids got to pick out a toy, and there was a little dance party complete with snow.  And of course, like every night, we finished off the day with ice cream.