A long Day!

It was a blue sky, beautiful day in Salt Lake City, even the air was clean and clear! Warm and Spring like, but I can assure you that this is the last place little Reiss man wanted to come back to.... Other than the fact that he got to see Auntie M again (which is hardly true... he told me to not look at him:)

A Long day for the Timothy's...
Reiss's levels came back low, so Amber and Kenny headed to Primary Children early to get a start on the procedures that Reiss would need in order to get his levels up (Platelets and Red Blood Cells). First thing was Platelets, then Reiss was scheduled for another Spinal Injection of Chemotherapy, this is very common, especially in the beginning because Leukemia tends to hide out in the spinal fluid. Reiss had to be put under in order for this do be done, and by the time he woke up he was a HUNGRY BOY! In my search to find where Amber and Reiss were waiting in recovery, I could hear Reiss's scratchy, groggy voice, "noodles, I want noodles... no I want a ham sandwich, and chips, and cheese!" As soon as the nurse showed up with noodles (Top Ramen) and I went and retrieved his ham and cheese sandwich, he had already decided he, too, wanted a Hot Dog Sandwhich!

It was so adorable, to watch him eat his spread of food. He had it all sitting on he and his daddy's lap. Slowly, and meticulously he would take a bite out of one slice of cheese, then the other, then his sandwich, then his chips and then his noodles. One bite from each, and then he would start the cycle over, until, in fact, this little boy ate ALL of his food.

They spent two hours getting blood after a long morning. In an open room, curtains dividing each transfusion station, which consisted of two Recliner chairs and a Television. It kind of broke my heart to see this room full of children, at all different levels of their recovery and treatment along side their Hopeful, unconditionally loving parents. I sometimes feel like the worst supporter for Amber and Kenny, I find myself constantly forcing back tears, and fear and questioning "why"!? They are strong, and amazing! I am in awe of Amber, and incredibly inspired by her strength as a mother. I look up to her so much, and think that she is one of the most incredible women I have EVER met in my life!

They were at the hospital all day, from noon until 8pm, but were able to go home, which Reiss kept asking for! Kenny, such a good dad, had to get up and start work at 3am, I asked him how his boss was  dealing with his time off, and Kenny expressed so much gratitude for the support and understanding of those he works with! Such a blessing!

So Reiss will be back to Primary Childrens on Monday. If all goes well during the week, and his levels stay where they should the treatment time will be a lot shorter. He will come in for Chemotherapy and thats all. His next spinal fluid Chemo, will be early March.

Sweet Sweet Little Reiss