Restricted Use

Posted by Yancy:
The sign on the small elevator to the main lobby read,

Restricted Use
Handicapped, Strollers, Special Needs
All other, please use the Stairs.

There I am walking behind Ethan as i realize he is about to use this elevator so I instinctively grab him by the shirt, “we can’t use that elevador”. Can you believe it, hairless and skinny as a twig from the chemotherapy, a feeding tube hanging from his noise, I started cracking up, then, almost lost a tear or two. What were you thinking Ethan, I thought, that elevator is for sick kids!

You would totally understand if you could just spend a day with him. He has more energy and zest for life then he ever has. Friday, just one of the many days ive spend with him over my 4 day weekend, started at 6 am. He was ready to go and apart from the ½ hour of tv he watched while i showered that was it for the day, minus the bed time movie; Star Wars Episode 1.

Saturday, Ethan had his Papa Steve visit. Johanna came in with the kids later i the afternoon and Eliot, Papa and I went home for the Night. We went out for dinner, watched a movie Planes Trains and Automobiles and Called it a night.

Sunday we picked up Emma, and my Dad treated us to Fathers Day breakfast, and dinner the night before, red carpet treatment! Emma got to show off her new shorter hair cut. After this it was all of us back to the hospital for a fun filled day with the family. We did races in the garden and ordered my favorite pizza for dinner. We also got a visit from my friend Dave and his daughter Danielle, which really brought a smile to my face. Emma, Johanna, Eliot left in the evening and Ethan and I re ranged the room for optimal viewing of the Phantom Menace; his new favorite. Ethan was so happy but the Benadryl knocked him out and he asked to be carried to bed. It was only about 7 steps with him in my arms but it was something only Hallmarks could capture, i won’t even attempt to do it justice. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

Monday was a continuation of his pre transplant testing. Friday was Optho, Ekg, they all went well, Ethan in fact has very good vision and today was Dental and GFR or Nuclear Medicine (to test kidney functions) and well thats it. I would go into detail but all in, they all went well from what i know so far. I’m honestly paying little attention to them seeing how i watched him do the Monkey bars on his own about 8 times at noon. By the way if you missed it in Johanna’s post (i did) when she mentioned “he” did the monkey bars HE really did them by himself and fast. His new lighter body has made it easier to traverse the bars and with a smile, i couldn’t help but think of Lance Armstrong, his post cancer body, lighter, stronger. (Steve S. and Caitlyn) I can feel your smiles .

Today Monday, marks a very special day and as i get tired from the day and typing feel i won’t give it justice. Ethan’s baby ear was born today. Marlyn Nault (spelling?) his audiologist stopped by with all her equipment and at 5:20 EST he was programmed and hearing… beeps. It will take some time to train the hearing part but in time it will happen. I got it all on video so Mommy and others can view; youtube here we come!

So thats it, Johanna is due in in an our and i go back home. I will miss him so.