Clinic

Somehow it has already been 6 months, and time for Sawyer’s Clinic visit.

I am thankful.

Sawyer leapt out of bed, eager as always. He loves Clinic day. Loves spending the day with Aunt Gina. Loves the focused one-on-one time. Loves that he gets to see his people and gets to choose a toy from the prize closet. I think his FAVORITE part, certainly what seems to always be at the forefront of his mind throughout the day, is that he has the coveted privilege of choosing ALL the day’s food choices. It is officially Sawyer the Warrior Day, and he 100% knows it.

It always amazes me that after all he has been through, he still loves going to the hospital.

I am thankful.

As always, Gina Sue does the driving. We catch up on each others lives, punctuated by Sawyer asking how many minutes until we get to Bucee’s. The company & conversation was great. The drive, uneventful. Gina always takes very good care of both of us.

I am thankful.

The best and most important news, glory to the Lord, our beautiful boy remains cancer-free! He cheerfully drew his own labs while nonchalantly chatting with beloved Miss Sharon. We had a great visit with Dr. Winick, and several of our favorites. And when we finally made it to the actual checkup, everything on the lab report and exam was perfect.

What a miracle. A miracle I absolutely do not ever take for granted.

I am thankful.

Our precious social worker facilitated an introduction with a mama whose 6 month old was just diagnosed (like less than a week ago) with the same infantile leukemia that Sawyer was diagnosed with 9 years ago. The social worker told me quietly, “I think this mama could really use some hope today.”

It was the first time in a VERY long time that I’d been in a room on D6. The vinyl recliner beside the stark hospital crib looked the same. There was a heavy stillness in the room that I think I had somehow forgotten. I listened to the frightened young mother as she held her beautiful baby girl in her arms. I did my best to encourage her, shared Sawyer’s story, and we prayed together. She smiled through her tears at the picture of baby SaSa in his pool, and then my vibrant, healthy boy with Lasagna the Chicken.

Looking back, I realize that to this day, I’ve never met another mom of an infant leukemia survivor older than Sawyer. There aren’t many of us. But God.

I am thankful.

Before we left the Oncology floor, I showed Sawyer the framed plaques hanging in the hallway, the heartfelt, raw observations written by my friend Shelby, mom of Sawyer’s little friend, Sophie. Shelby’s Facebook post thanking Sophie’s nurses went viral, and has been shared around the world. After Sophie the Brave went to be with Jesus, her family donated the plaques to the hospital that had been their home during her care. I’ve shown them to Sawyer before, and he remembers Sophie fondly, although they only met in person one time. But this time, Sawyer stood there quietly and read every word for himself.

I am thankful.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

“My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” (Psalms 71:15-16, 19-21)