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Four Years
By Margot | January 19, 2009
 Sam in the hospital shortly after diagnosis 4 1/2
New Pics from the amazing Deb Schwedhelm
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Four years ago today our life did a free fall into the world of cancer. We spent the next several months in a daze trying to adjust to what cancer families call “the new normal.” We were interviewed by a production team for the annual Rady Children’s hospital gala this weekend and were asked a lot of questions about living with cancer. I keep thinking back to a quote from Spencer Dolling http://www.caringbridge.org/canada/spencer/index.htm “Apart from my cancer, you can see that I have a fantastic life.”  That is what I want and hope for Sam.
 The normal today is that I give him vicodin before he plays his basketball game. He goes up to the park with his friends to play football just like always and no one would really know anything is wrong except that he’s slept most of the afternoon before getting there and his mother gave him a pain pill so he could play.  He’s not complaining much as usual but has been up and down in terms of mood, either an angel or very cranky and he’s been sleeping some during the day. Usually after he sleeps some he wakes up in a great mood – go figure. His appetite is hit and miss. I’ll make pancakes and he’ll have one bite and then no more.
We’ve had a good weekend, been outside to the park, the Catamaran, to basketball, made two recipes from the food channel that Sam and I saw in the hopsital last week (Giada’s Citrus Garlic Chicken is awesome) and Emeril’s cheesecake(also a hit).  All the kids did really well for Deb’s pictures.  These are the first few she worked on but I’ll post more as I can. Thank you so much, Deb. You are wonderful. Sam hasn’t had much nausea but does have pain in his left leg. Still don’t know if it is disease related or Velcade related.  We are talking with MSKCC about 3f8’s. I think we’ll need much higher dose chemo before we can go but I’ll update more after we talk with Dr. Modak.
Sam is going to school tomorrow and will have chemo afterwards (his day 8 infusion of velcade). He’s on 25mg of oral cytox this week.Â
Thank you to all of the family and friends and nurses and doctors who have gotten us through this past four years. I am writing on the run as the kids are downstairs and need helmets and I don’t have much profound or inspiring to say.  Just thank you.
 Margot
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Topics: Progress Reports | 14 Comments »
January 19th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Margot,
The pictures are breathtaking. Your family is gorgeous. We are praying here in Washington as always.
With Hope,
Abra
P.S. Just so you know your post was both profound and inspiring.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
The pictures are beautiful
January 19th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
So I was searching those motivational posters online for something brilliant (and obviously so original that it is on a poster…hehe) to send your way. Then I went to check teamsam and leave a comment, and alas there were Deb’s awesome photos! And in my head I added some of the best quotes I could find to your photos… Somehow a rock climber hanging upside down over a huge canyon (per seen in the ‘perseverance poster’) AINT got nothing on the Hutchisons! So know that when I was looking at your beautiful faces I was thinking the following:
*Perseverance: What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve!
*Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. (Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon)
*Dedication: It is the effort of many that create the ripples that can move mountains. (Go Magic Water!!!)
*Believe: To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. (Anatole France)
We BELIEVE in you guys!
Love,
The Brunettes
January 20th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right! Fire up, Redman. The battle continues. In your corner. Your Michigan family!!!
January 20th, 2009 at 2:09 am
Those pictures are so beautiful. If you ever question whether Sam has a fantastic life all you need to do is look at those pictures. There is nothing but pure JOY on his face.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:57 am
LOVE… that is what I see when I look at the Hutchison family !
Pure love !
Sam feels it,
we see it,
we send it !
All our love,
Colleen and Nick
January 20th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Margot, I had the pleasure of taking care of Sam and your beautiful family 4 years ago. I remember giving him an enema (his platelets were fine then) he was so constipated! One thing that I’ll never forget is the amazing attitude you and Neil had and that resonates in your posting today. Sam is leading a wonderful life, you are wonderful mother and you are doing a great job providing him the most ‘normal’ life a cancer child can have. I am still and Onc RN working at CHLA and I follow your blog. Keep up the good work, you are raising 3 terrific boys!
With Love, Danica
January 21st, 2009 at 1:51 am
absolutely gorgeous. there is no doubt about the joy and love on those faces.
we continue to pray and keep your family close in our hearts and minds…..dianne and family
January 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Priceless I adore the pic of Sam w/ Margot…. In my constant thought and prayers.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Sam, kick that cancer’s butt!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Sam, you are so cute.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Margot,
Been thinking of you and thought I’d check in to the blog. What wonderful Pictures! The boys have all grown so much!
You all are in my thoughts often.
Cheers,
Ruth
January 24th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Hi guys, we were at Childrens on Thursday b/c our little red head had a seizure and thought about yuou guys. She is doing good now and was D/C Friday. Not sure how you do it. Sam is lucky to have a great family. Great pics. Have fun in Hawaii. Aloha-Madison’s family
January 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Those pictures are great!!