FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL...JUNIOR

Taylor insisted he start school today.  He wants to move on with his life AND be a normal kid.  He is apprehensive about how he looks and how kids will treat him.  But like everything else, he jumped in with both feet and a smile on his face.

He said that there were lots of kids with whom he was friends with last year, who did not recognize him.  Some even asked if he was a new student. He was mentally and physically exhausted when he got home.

PORT REMOVAL

One step closer to life without cancer. Taylor had his port removed this afternoon.  Things were crazy at Shane's office and there was no way he could come, so Taylor and I went at it alone.  I, myself was somewhat nervous.  Taylor on the other hand was raring and ready to go.  He wanted the port OUT!  It was somewhat symbolic of getting rid of the last remnant of cancer treatments.

The wait before the surgery felt like forever.

When we finally met with the surgeon, he informed us the surgery would only take about an hour.  They took Taylor back, I went to get a drink from the hospital cafeteria and when I returned to the waiting room, the surgeon had already been there to tell me how it went.

Shortly thereafter I was let into the recovery area to be with him. 

He was in some pain and quite nauseous.  However, it wasn't long before he was feeling well enough to come home.  As we left the hospital,  he said, "I am done with Cancer.  I am going to live my life!"

We drove home and I got him situated and then went out to the backyard.  A few minutes later Taylor ventured out to sit on the patio.  A couple of his friends were biking down the path behind our house and shouted out to him.  They came around to the house and ended up hanging out for several more hours.

What a kid!  Surgery a few hours ago and now hanging out with his friends.  It's a wonderful thing to see!

A donation in Taylor's name to Primary Children's Hospital...

During this year as I have gone with Jennifer and Taylor to his chemo treatments at Primary Children's Hospital, I noticed something wonderful. At the end of a child's treatments, the nurses and doctors in the oncology department come out and present the child with a quilt and toys and sing them a song. The first time I witnessed this, it brought me to tears! I came home and was telling my family about it when McKenna announced that she was going to do something big for one of her Young Women's projects. She wanted this project to be something other girls in our Ward and Stake could be a part of too, so she talked to our Stake leaders and was given permission to set up quilts at girls camp so that all of the girls could help tie them. It was a huge hit! In addition to the ones tied there, she wanted to tie some more, and I helped pin and sew all of the quilt together. We finished this week.... We tied a much bigger quilt just like this one as soon as we knew that Taylor would be undergoing chemo treatments. He received so many compliments on his that we knew we needed to use the extra material we had left over to tie a smaller one...

A pile of quilts ready for me to pin and sew...

McKenna ended up giving this one to another friend who's dad is undergoing chemo treatments and a bone marrow transplant...

Quilts everywhere... and Kenna taking a break... to read her scriptures? Keep reading!!!!

Here are 10 of the 12 we took up today. Jennifer and her family wanted to tie 2 more to add to the pile... And never forget... it is all about the presentation! Love those bows!

This morning, Taylor and Jennifer needed to meet with his doctor's about removing his port, so I brought Jonah along with McKenna, Courtney, and Camilla (a friend), and myself...

We decided to stop and pick up 2o coloring books and crayons to pass out to random kids at the hospital. Since the younger kids couldn't come into the oncology area, I wanted them to have something to do while we were in there...

We got a cart for all of the quilts and toys... Kenna was so excited!

A few of the toys....

McKenna looking less than thrilled about having me take another picture... but that is what I do! She's used to me!!!

The three musketeer's on the look-out for unsuspecting children in need of cheering up!!!

We went in and met Taylor and Jennifer and made the donation in his name. The nurses were all going crazy over how wonderful these 2 are! Of course they all know and love Taylor... 16 year old boys just don't come any better than him! They couldn't believe that a 15 year old girl had done this... aren't they adorable?!

Here are the little one's and Jennifer handing out the last of the coloring books and crayons....

What an incredible experience! And here is what I hope is my last parking pass for Primary Children's.... August 15, 2011. We love you Taylor!

Thank you Primary Children's Hospital and the awesome nurses and doctors that helped Taylor kick cancer!!!! We will look forward to a happy and HEALTHY 2012!