Chemo regiment

Gracie's clinic appointment last Thursday went well. After spending 8 hours receiving treatment she was exhausted but in a positive mood. She still wanted visit Build-A-Bear, a promise we made to her when her numbers increased. Her spinal tap went well and her chemo continues to go well. She came home from the hospital with her port accessed because Kim and I have to inject chemo into her port until Sunday. It is very uncomfortable for her and she favors her right arm, but we are almost over with it. It is heartbreaking to see our front room transform into a doctors office as Kim cleans, flushes, and administers Chemo into Grace's port. We know it is the best for her, but very difficult none the less.

Tanner was ill with the flu last night, but seems a little better tonight. He is playing basketball this season and loving it. He also is having a great time in school and is continually challenged academically. We are very proud of him.

Eva is obsessed with Sesame Street and loves everyone from Abby Kadaby, to The Count. In fact, usually while counting she laughs like the count "1,2,3 ah , ah , ah." Every once in a while she gets a call from Ernie, or Big Bird (Grandpa Glen) and we cannot pry the phone out of her hands.

I am going to have to have surgery this Wednesday. After 3 weeks of not being able to move my right wedding finger, I visited the doctor. The x-rays show that I tore my tendon and broke my finger. In order to bend it again, the orthopedic surgeon needs to fix my broken bone and reattach my tendon. Just one more thing to add to the Ujifusa household. But good news, Kim turns 29 this week.

We miss you already Grandma Shele. You have no idea how much you have helped this past week. Thank you and please let Grandpa Glen, Nick, Max, and Sam know how much we appreciate all their help in your absence.

Grandma Shele

It has been so nice having Grandma Shele here. She has worked so hard to help with all the many needs. The kids can't get enough of her! From a freezer full of homemade dinners, to happily played with children and everything in between-we're so grateful that she'd come and help out! Grace has her LONG day of chemo on Thursday, if her blood counts are good enough. Though we don't want her to have to go through it, we know she needs to get back on track to keep her Cancer out of her body. So, our fingers are crossed and we're headed to the hospital in the morning.

Looking good...

Grandpa Gill just sent us these great and handsome pictures of him lowering the ears. It is such a wonderful gesture of love. We think you look great and love that you are willing to make Gracie and the rest of us feel so loved.

Surprise of the best kind....

We were excited for Grandma Shele to come into town this morning. She is always such a great help, and recently we have been needing a lot of it. She packed a surprise stowaway and minutes after she arrived at our house Grandpa Glen walked in saying "I heard there was a good barber here who gives buzz cuts." We were all very shocked and excited. We had a great day, watching T play basketball, and hanging out. Grandpa Glen, obviously anxious, was shaved tonight by Grace. Interestingly enough, it was his first shave ever! He was more fond of the hippy-hair as as kid then a buzz cut. When Gracie was asked why Grandpa let her shave his head she said "Because he wants to make me happy." Tears and smiles were plenty as we watched his hair go. What a sacrifice to make our little girl smile. We will be sad when Grandpa leaves tomorrow, but what a wonderful gift for him just to visit, let alone, return with much less hair.

We can't wait to spend the week with Grandma and know that she will make this week, as well as Thursday's long and arduous chemo, easier for all of us.

As for the kids, they are doing great and are excited for an extra day off of school. Gracie has been feeling better and seems to have a little more energy.

We miss you KK!

My sweet sister MeriKaye came for a few days and helped out! The kids had so much fun playing with her and miss her SO much! Thanks for all your help!