Well, we're all back under one roof again.  Ethan was admitted Monday morning and we were able to get started by about 7:00 that night.  As a bonus, Fireman Kevin was on spring break and scheduled to work Monday through Wednesday.  Kevin treated Ethan to donuts every morning and took him on countless 'fire calls' around the floor in Child Life's new car. 

Ethan had a previously scheduled MRI on Tuesday morning, which turned out great.  Two of his doctors have both told me that his scans look "beautiful".  I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is to get through one more MRI with good news.  The bad part of his MRI is that he had to be disconnected from his anti-medics for a little more than 2 hours, which caught up with him shortly after we returned to his room.  Once the vomiting starts, its VERY hard to get in front of again, so we battled late into the evening before his stomach got some rest. 

Wednesday was better, except his Benadryl/Ativan/Decadron gave him a bad case of the loopies.  He was weeble/wobbling (except sometimes falling down), slurring his words and had a relentless case of the hic-ups.  Most importantly, though, he wasn't sick.  The effects today seemed to be a little lessened, although the mood swings reappeared.  They weren't nearly as intense or as constant as last month (THANKFULLY), but he had his moments.  Although Fireman Kevin was not working today, he came in just to play and was fortunate enough to witness a few of the swings up close and personal.  He told me he would bear witness to anyone who suspects that the mood swings are not really that bad... 

On our way out, we stopped by Radiation and a few of the ladies there were nice enough to walk us out to our car.  As they waited by the entrance to wave good-bye afterwards, we were waiting to pull out of the garage when a HUGE fire truck came thundering down past us with sirens and air horns blowing.  Even in his altered state, Ethan's eyes were as big as kiwis and he thought that was quite a send off!  It looked like Denise and Cindy were also hysterical over the timing.

While we came home comforted by Ethan's latest scans, we were saddened by news from two of our friends.  One has suffered a relapse after coming off treatment in December.  We had missed her in the office, but never wanted to see her under these circumstances.  She has a long road ahead but is an incredibly strong young lady.  The second friend, Lizzie, was moved into surgery yesterday morning and then the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where she's fighting very hard hour by hour.  She just turned 3 in February and is a little angel.  Ethan asked me relentlessly all week if he could go visit her room and play.  I can't stop thinking about her and am filled with anxiety over it all. 

On the way home I turned up Ethan's Veggie Tales CD and just cried ~ a technique that I mastered this fall during radiation when another of his friends was going through a very hard time.  Then, like the grown woman I am, I retreated to my parent's house where I rested and ate.  It was so nice to be taken care of, if even for just a few hours.  I feel better now and am ready for tomorrow.  Ethan also rested with me and woke up happier.  By bedtime, he was charming and full of hugs and kisses.  I'm confident that tomorrow will be easier for all of us. 

Thanks to everyone who volunteered to man the Ride for Kids booth at the Motorcycle Show next weekend.  Jackie said she was flooded with volunteers from the Team Ethan community, which was great!  I'm anxious to see some of you there ~ thank you again.