Sideshow

"I like blue".

This was the first complete sentence spoken by Vampboy, which took place last week during some fierce artistic expression. This was followed a few days later by "I like bear", referring to any one of the arsenal of teddy bears he carries with him constantly. I'm not quite sure if he understood what he was saying, but he clearly got from our squeals of parental glee that he did something right.

We're waiting for today's lab results, which will give us a sense of whether or not this weekend will bring another stay in Chez Healing for chemotherapy. Although the idea of celebrating mother's day on "the floor" is a bit of a downer, the idea of a delay brings it's own frustration. Plus, this stay will introduce a new player in the treatment arsenal. Sing it with me, everyone:

M-I-C-K-E-Y

B-U-T-T-O-N!

Since November, Vampboy has had a tube sticking out of his stomach, through which medications (and more importantly, food) can travel. Looking back, we really credit the insertion of this for the bounce-back we've experienced from our days with him looking like a ghost. Sadly, we've also become big fans of the ease it brings to some of the typical headaches parents with toddlers deal with. Your child refusing to take tylenol? No worries -- just squirt it down the tube and you're done! The young one resisting eating his veggies? Forget about it -- a little liquid nutritional supliment down the tube and their daily requirement is met!

Before you rush to your pediatrician for the quick-fix, there are some draw-backs. Obviously, a tube hanging out of your child's stomach like a replacement umbilical chord can be a little tough to look at. Plus, it needs to be taped, tucked into clothing, and otherwise handled to ensure that it doesn't get "forcibly removed" by mistake. Trust me -- we almost had that happen once, and it's not something you'd want your child to go through.

Now comes the "Mickey Button". After a few months with the tube, it's replaced with a button that sits flat against the child's stomach. No more tube to manage. This leaves me looking forward to this weekend, yet at the same time remembering how sad it is that I am looking forward to something like this.

In other news, last night the Discovery Channel had a special on cancer. As part of the documentary, a " Cancer Collage" has been developed on-line to bring attention to the disease. You can find it here, and if you do a search for "Vampdaddy" and scan around you'll find a card about us -- along with some photos of Vampboy and I. While you're there, take a look around -- sadly, you might see someone else you know.