First a note on the benefit…
If you’re planning on attending the benefit, please email or phone Troy Eigner as soon as possible — even if you’ve recently sent a registration form. The mail lags behind a more accurate head count is needed. Spots will only be secured with payment.
Troy Eigner
Click to email Troy
612.867.4202 (cell)
763.494.2368 (work)
Second on my list is some good news. Peter’s bone marrow tests are clear of neuroblastoma. Wait, that wasn’t good news. That was great news. Good news is that Peter spent 2 1/2 hours in his kindergarten class on Tuesday morning. He’ll return again tomorrow for a bit and ease into it further after MEA break. He loved every minute of it.
Moving on, Erika had quite an evening. At 5:30, Kate swings on the weight set bar, falls off, splits her forehead. They speed to the ER. Kate’s forehead is literally glued together. The cut was not quite an inch long, but it was deep.
Back home, making dinner while Ty’s at the rink, Kate removes her poopy diaper. Erika jumps into action and on the way notices that Ellie has written on the couch with black pen. Erika turns back around and Kate is pooping on the shag carpet. Ahhh parenthood.
And then an email comes from the hospital with the news about clear bone marrow tests, as well as an updated plan. Unfortunately, the plan as communicated in the email had very few details, raised more questions than it answered, and left a pit in Erika’s stomach. Apparently Peter is in for a “cystoscopy with retrogrades and placement of a left ureteral stent” on the 30th or 31st (Halloween). This has something to do with preventing further injury to Peter’s left kidney. The doctor’s are the best, so there is a a rhyme and reason, but when only part of a picture is revealed it can be confusing. Or it leads the mind to conclusions, good and bad, that may or may not be accurate. I can only imagine that this is not a fun exercise when the subject is your child’s health. I don’t even want to speculate on what this means, so I’ll just try to post the facts as they become available.
What a surreal ride. Ty, Erika and Peter alike are doing an amazing job hanging on at every turn.
Here’s a picture of Peter with his usually angelic sisters at the fireman’s chili cook off in NYC.
Peter,
What great news about the bone marrow tests coming back clear, AND that you were finally able to spend part of your day in Kindergarten! What FUN! And what a relief to have the tiniest bit if normalcy in your life for a change. I’ll bet you will have a lot of stories to share with your classmates through all of this, some not so good, but many good ones too – friends you’ve met, airplane rides, special events, and special gifts you’ve received. All in all, I’m guessing you’ll have an appreciation for things that many people much older than you have taken for granted. You are a special child, and everything you have been going through has made you even more special Peter, even though it probably doesn’t feel like it some times.
Erika – the stories of poopy diapers (and carpet!) and trips to the ER brought back a wave of memories from my own parenting joys (our youngest has had more stitches than our other 4 kids combined!). I laughed and my heart ached at the same time. All I can say is hang in there, we’re all praying for you parents as well!
Hugs and prayers for all,
The Swansons
Lori, Cary, Luke, Brooke and Erica
Pete – Thats so exciting that you got to go to school! I know how exciting it is to start again. I know you’ll make lots of friends because you are such a cool guy. I wish I was in kindergarten again! have a great week Eigners!
Mary Virnig
Kindergarten is a great adventure! I am sure you will find it a lot fun–Do you get to ride the bus? Hope that every body at your house managed to survive the poopy capers. Enjoy kindergarten–do you go every day?
Mary’s Aunt, Ann
Ty shared with me the news this morning…. about the clear scans, the upcoming kidney procedure and Kate’s boo-boo. What he didn’t mention was the chapter about the poop! I haven’t had a good belly laugh in a while… but I certainly did this morning! Erika – I am sure it was NOT funny to you at the time….. but, we all have our share of “Calgon, take me away….” type moments! I can imagine last night was one of those moments for you! 🙂 Oh— and when I questioned Ellie about her artistry on the couch, she denied all rumors and insisted that Kate was the culprit!
Thinking of you guys always – and hoping for a less dramatic night tonight!
With love~
Jenni
Peter,
We are so happy that you got to go to Kindergarten! Way to go…and to last for 2 1/2 hours…good for you! Even some of my first graders are still having a hard time making it through the whole morning. We are so pleased that you got to meet your friends at school. I bet you have lots of friends already. Have fun at school little buddy!
We continue to wish happy times for your whole family!
The Westrums
Eigners,
The news sounds as good as can be hoped for right now. Here you are in the middle of a life crisis and life goes on all around you! Ain’t it the poops!
Not funny, God.
Ohhhh, what a day! Ty and Erika: kudos for your grace, support for your tears. I couldn’t help but smile, remembering growing children, poop, other than in diapers and potties, and boo boos. As always, best and heartfelt wishes.
Wow….so happy to hear you are going to kindergarten, Peter!!! Along with the bone marrow scan results, what great news from Minnesota! Love the picture!!!!! Erica….SOME DAY you will remember these crazy days when you were at you wits end and wonder how you made it through them. Those are the days you are truly thankful when they go to bed for the night.
Thinking of you and sending best wishes!