We got to see Sawyer over the weekend since it was time for his next treatment in Rochester. He was only home for Sunday afternoon/evening but enough to get caught up and enjoy his company. The dogs were happy to see him, and vice versa. Itching to cook, Sawyer even made dinner! Food is fine at school but eating in the dining hall every day does get old. Typically he eats breakfast in his room, and has "dining dollars" on his card to be able to eat at campus cafes and a few restaurants in New Paltz.
We drove to Rochester early Monday morning for the appointment, then headed across the thruway to Albany and down Rt. 87 back to New Paltz, arriving early evening. The trees are just starting to show color. Too bad we weren't traveling in a couple of weeks when everything will be decked out in multi-color. I think the fall colors this year will be spectacular.
All is good with his health. This was his penultimate spinal tap, one more to go in December. He has 4 more treatments, then done!!!!!! If counting by numbers, he started at 40 [months]. We'll have to figure out some sort of party in January.... just hope time doesn't drag between now and then ... I'm so excited for him to be done with all of this!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Settling In
Sawyer's been at college for 2 weeks now and seems to be settling in very nicely, whew! He's made a few friends to hang out with. has a study partner for Calc III, has decided that skateboarding around campus is better than biking and has therefore purchased a long board, has been happy to let us call him a few times to check in, and seems to enjoy his classes.
Not that we were particularly worried about his transition but it's still a relief to know that it's going well! One of his classes was required as part of the special interest housing he signed up for: First Year Initiative. The class is "College Student Success" taught by the psychology department and I think it will be very useful to him. There's about 120 students in the FYI program. They're all supposedly interested in things like community service, campus leadership, and doing well at school. They all live in the same building, have additional upperclass mentors, and will do some projects together. In addition to the success class, they're also all together in their English composition classes. Should all help to build a group of people they see regularly and can get to know. They had a retreat today at the nearby Mohonk Mountain Preserve (no details yet, haven't talke with Sawyer).
Tomorrow he's scheduled for a bus trip to the NY Renaissance Festival, about an hour south of New Paltz. He's also planning on signing up for a student organization or two. Wants to get out for some hikes and nature-related trips on the weekends.
We try not to pepper him with a bazillion questions when we talk with him or as text messages, but so far he doesn't seem bothered by the level of our inquiries. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to being home in a couple of weeks. It will be a quick trip for him, probably only home for 18 hours max before heading to Rochester for his treatment, then straight back on the road back to school. Only 5 more treatments to go!!! I don't usually wish for time to go by quickly, but getting to the end of January with no complications and an all-clear from the doctor can't get here fast enough!!!!! What a relief that will be to Sawyer to stop taking all the medications and for his body to start rebuilding itself without constantly getting hammered by drugs.
This morning Mark and I participated in the CURE Childhood Cancer 5K in Rochester. It was our 3rd year and each time I tear up when they mention how many families benefit from their support and services. They made such a difference for us.
Not that we were particularly worried about his transition but it's still a relief to know that it's going well! One of his classes was required as part of the special interest housing he signed up for: First Year Initiative. The class is "College Student Success" taught by the psychology department and I think it will be very useful to him. There's about 120 students in the FYI program. They're all supposedly interested in things like community service, campus leadership, and doing well at school. They all live in the same building, have additional upperclass mentors, and will do some projects together. In addition to the success class, they're also all together in their English composition classes. Should all help to build a group of people they see regularly and can get to know. They had a retreat today at the nearby Mohonk Mountain Preserve (no details yet, haven't talke with Sawyer).
Tomorrow he's scheduled for a bus trip to the NY Renaissance Festival, about an hour south of New Paltz. He's also planning on signing up for a student organization or two. Wants to get out for some hikes and nature-related trips on the weekends.
We try not to pepper him with a bazillion questions when we talk with him or as text messages, but so far he doesn't seem bothered by the level of our inquiries. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to being home in a couple of weeks. It will be a quick trip for him, probably only home for 18 hours max before heading to Rochester for his treatment, then straight back on the road back to school. Only 5 more treatments to go!!! I don't usually wish for time to go by quickly, but getting to the end of January with no complications and an all-clear from the doctor can't get here fast enough!!!!! What a relief that will be to Sawyer to stop taking all the medications and for his body to start rebuilding itself without constantly getting hammered by drugs.
This morning Mark and I participated in the CURE Childhood Cancer 5K in Rochester. It was our 3rd year and each time I tear up when they mention how many families benefit from their support and services. They made such a difference for us.
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