healing happens

my response to this challenge for logan (and our family) has been, from the beginning, that something good will come of it. somehow, it was the only way to frame it, in my heart and out loud for logan, period. the outpouring of love and affection for logan manifests that belief for me. perhaps you have read in the comments that the 'periodic table of elements' at his alma mater, cape cod lighthouse charter school, became an impromptu shrine for logan's healing; then the students clamored to do something concrete, to send a box of goodies. now comes word that the cclcs student government is creating an ongoing project to help other cclcs alumni/students similarly challenged, extending this one response of compassion into the future, to help others as well... they call it "charter cares". this gratifies me beyond my wildest dreams. and we're just 4 weeks into our challenge.

on the medical front, there is fantastic news: the miBg scan done thursday in boston revealed no spread of neuroblastoma cells beyond the known 2 masses (the one large mass described before, and one smaller mass under his clavicle). a different, previous scan cleared his bones, this one cleared his bone marrow. his response to the first round, 5 days, of chemo was tricky, and our return home was delayed daily for 4 days until the doctors were sure he was stable and comfortable enough to return home late monday night. they say it will become more routine the more chemo rounds he experiences. he has lost more weight, but in time, when his appetite returns to that amazing rate we all know and love, that will be easy to get back.

i gave logan a buzz cut in anticipation of hair loss, but he hasn't lost anything else yet. once upon a time, before this introduction to cancer 101, i had felt badly for patients who lost their hair. now i see it as a positive sign that the chemo is working: if the fast-growing cells, as in hair, are falling out, well then the fast-growing cells of cancer are likewise being pummeled out of the way. right on.

the students both at cclcs and nauset high have been super: as i read the comments out loud to logan i love that his friends are mostly concerned with basketball and surfing and just returning things to normal. what a great coping mechanism... to live in the present. other acts of kindness include word from his freshman nauset high school basketball coach that logan's name will appear in the scoring book for all games this year; logan just wishes he could contribute points in those columns as well! on the home fronts, brian's sister sue and cousin denise helped clean his house and stock his fridge, and for logan's return to little pamet, friends kristina and rosa organized a top-to-bottom house cleaning/luncheon, with mary jo, michael p, erin and eileen rounding out the team and stocking the fridge with logan favorites.

the cards, gifts, food and acts of generous compassion have buoyed us all and keep us swimming strong in an ever changing sea of reality. thank you all for keeping him in your healing thoughts and prayers. onward~