The next 'new normal'

Wow what a few weeks it has been.  We have had some exciting times over the past few weeks, here is a list of the highlights:

Sinatras last chemo before maintenance

1. We had our final chemo before we go into maintenance
2. As a family we went to a restaurant for the first time in over a year
3. Sinatra got to go with Siena to see Santa clause

Us at a restaurant (outside and in the far corner
away from all human life, but at a restaurant)

It is almost a year since the day that Sinatra was diagnosed with Leukemia and even though the time has flown by it feels like it has been the longest year ever.  There have been so many ups and downs throughout this year that we are really looking forward to things getting back to somewhat of a normal state. As parents though we realize that our normal will never be easy again. We have two years of chemo left and many years after that of blood tests to see if the cancer has come back.  At every blood test while we wait we will not be able to think of anything else in the world besides the pending results of those tests.  For us every cough, sickness, bruise, vomit, minute of dizziness, fever or just acting weird will instantly put us on the defensive wondering of Sinatra has relapsed.  

Sinatra and Siena with Santa

To lighten this blog post up a little. Even though we will forever have the stresses listed above, this entire experience has really helped us change our perspective on things.  For example, last year Christmas was a horrible. We were in the hospital over christmas with Sinatra getting chemo. She didn't get to see Santa and Siena was surly confused because all of her friends were talking about all of the fun gifts they had gotten. We didn't celebrate Christmas until mid January. This year we realize that we need to make up for lost time and enjoy Christmas more than we have any other year. We realize that we need to make every day count. We realize that we need to be happy and thankful for 'today'.  We may get tired and grumpy sometimes but we find it much easier to get out of any funk we are in, because what is important is, making sure that every minute we are all together and healthy, needs to count!