ANC 3020It was a short visit for a change, after our long day on Wednesday. Alan's counts looked great and his nurses were excited about seeing him on TV yesterday. Since things were looking good, Doc B has given us the go-ahead to start Alan's chemotherapy again.
09/28 12:40
Friday, September 28, 2012
Office visit 9/28
More video of Alan's wish
Thank you Graham Weston, all the tenants and staff of the Weston Centre, and the amazing folks at Rackspace who worked with the Make A Wish Foundation!
Video - Make-a-Wish, Push all the Buttons
Video - Make-a-Wish, Push all the Buttons
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The power of Yes
When we were told there were no more treatment options for Alan back in Houston, one of the things his social worker Miss Chelsea did was to expedite his case with the Make A Wish Foundation.
Since the start of his treatment, there have been so many times we have had to say "No" to Alan. And not like typical parents have to say "No". No, we can't let you out of the hospital crib that is practically a baby prison. No, there's no choice we have to stick you with a needle. No, you can't leave the hospital room if you don't wear a mask. No, you can't go home. No, you can't join your big brother at school yet. No, you can't swim today because your counts are low. No, you have to have this tube stuck in you. Once he was finally able to attend school, one of the counselors at his ARD meeting noted that it was no wonder that Alan has had speech delays. Not just because of the physical and social isolation that his treatment has required, but because in his experience, language is not a tool that works. Little kids usually start with simple requests that get fulfilled, thereby learning the power of speech. That was not Alan's experience.
Today was about saying "Yes". When we started talking to Make A Wish back when we were still in Houston, we asked if we could go to the biggest office building in town so Alan could watch the numbers go up and down and let him tell us which floors he wanted to go to. Riding the elevators wasn't just about the numbers that Alan loves so much, it was also about letting him make the decisions. It was something we did on our long rambling walks at MD Anderson - setting out in his wheelchair and letting him tell us where he wanted to go. He would tell us "this way", "that way", and what floor he wanted to go to. It was some measure of control we could give him, even while he was stuck in the hospital for over 12 weeks.
Last week, Make A Wish told us that the Weston Centre would be happy to have Alan come by. There was talk of a cookie cake, a few balloons and some people cheering him on, perfect since Alan is a notorious attention hog. And then dinner after the elevator ride at Chuck E Cheese with his little friends. Well during the 24 hours before the event, we got a few hints that it was going to be bigger than that. Friends were being encouraged to come by the building to cheer Alan on and I got a text from a friend whose company was in the building, apologizing that he would not be able to join the 150 to 200 of his coworkers that were planning on greeting Alan. Chatting on the phone with our contact at Make A Wish, she indicated that Alan's event was taking on a life of it's own.
Sure enough, when we got out of the limo that Make A Wish had sent to bring us to the Weston Centre, there was a big crowd in the plaza, many of them our friends who had come to see Alan on this special day. Sponge Bob Square Pants himself (wink) was there to greet Alan! There were more people in the lobby once we finally went in, including a camera from the local news station. When we rode up to Alan's first floor of choice (nine!), we were greeted by that floor's tenants with a big banner and a rousing rendition of Sponge Bob Square Pants! This was actually to be one of the smaller greetings. Each floor had more people, more balloons, more toys, and on one floor, King Fu Panda! On our second stop, Alan wanted to go past the elevator lobby and explore the offices. Even though they were pretty boring compared to the decorations that everyone had put up, today was about saying yes, so we wheeled him around before heading back to the elevator and another floor.
One of the building supervisors was in the elevator with us, calling out on the radio each time Alan made a choice so that the next floor would be ready for us and so that the other elevator full of photographers and Sponge Bob could follow us. We chatted with the building manager as she rode in the elevator with us and she told us that when they told their tenants that Alan was coming and why, they had asked if they could decorate their floors. They had all taken it upon themselves to make this event bigger than we ever could have imagined.
The Weston Centre is 30 stories, with three separate banks of elevators. There was no way we were going to be able to go to every floor and even Alan was getting overwhelmed by the amount of attention. We went down to the lobby to rest and regroup, then headed up to the 30th floor where they had made one of the corner conference rooms available for Alan to survey the view. People on the floors that Alan hadn't visited made their way down to the first floor and by the time we were ready to go, they lined both sides of the lobby. Alan was basking in the cheers, waving and saying "Bye bye!" as we went out.
Then it was off to Chuck E Cheese, where Alan was able to indulge in one of his favourite activities, feeding the Ticket Muncher. The kids were so sweet, giving him their tickets. It was a long day for Alan, and he was pretty tired by the time we got home. But though we were all tired, we were buoyed up by all the support. Not just from our friends, who have stood by us for the last three and a half years, but by all the wonderful people at Make A Wish and the 30-story building full of people at the Weston Centre who knew us only by a name and a story but took time out of their busy day to shower us with kindness, warm wishes and support. It was overwhelming, joyous, and fun for Alan.
You can see the story on Alan from KSAT News here.
Update - a slideshow of pictures taken by the San Antonio News-Express is here.
Update #2 - another video of the event is on YouTube here.
Update #3 - a blog entry written by one of the people who came to support Alan's wish, including a picture of a rainbow over the Weston Centre, here, and another blog entry by a participant here.
Update #4 - another story, tweeted by Graham Weston
It started with a limo
Alan likes this ride!
Auntie Karen, Auntie Janet, Kevin, and Grandma
Alan checking out the reception waiting for him at the Weston Centre
In the lobby with Sponge Bob
Afterward at Chuck E Cheese, it's all about the tickets!
In the Ticket Blaster with Elizabeth
Ready for blast off
Get those tickets!
"Ticket Muncher, here I come!"
Munch, munch, munch...
Since the start of his treatment, there have been so many times we have had to say "No" to Alan. And not like typical parents have to say "No". No, we can't let you out of the hospital crib that is practically a baby prison. No, there's no choice we have to stick you with a needle. No, you can't leave the hospital room if you don't wear a mask. No, you can't go home. No, you can't join your big brother at school yet. No, you can't swim today because your counts are low. No, you have to have this tube stuck in you. Once he was finally able to attend school, one of the counselors at his ARD meeting noted that it was no wonder that Alan has had speech delays. Not just because of the physical and social isolation that his treatment has required, but because in his experience, language is not a tool that works. Little kids usually start with simple requests that get fulfilled, thereby learning the power of speech. That was not Alan's experience.
Today was about saying "Yes". When we started talking to Make A Wish back when we were still in Houston, we asked if we could go to the biggest office building in town so Alan could watch the numbers go up and down and let him tell us which floors he wanted to go to. Riding the elevators wasn't just about the numbers that Alan loves so much, it was also about letting him make the decisions. It was something we did on our long rambling walks at MD Anderson - setting out in his wheelchair and letting him tell us where he wanted to go. He would tell us "this way", "that way", and what floor he wanted to go to. It was some measure of control we could give him, even while he was stuck in the hospital for over 12 weeks.
Last week, Make A Wish told us that the Weston Centre would be happy to have Alan come by. There was talk of a cookie cake, a few balloons and some people cheering him on, perfect since Alan is a notorious attention hog. And then dinner after the elevator ride at Chuck E Cheese with his little friends. Well during the 24 hours before the event, we got a few hints that it was going to be bigger than that. Friends were being encouraged to come by the building to cheer Alan on and I got a text from a friend whose company was in the building, apologizing that he would not be able to join the 150 to 200 of his coworkers that were planning on greeting Alan. Chatting on the phone with our contact at Make A Wish, she indicated that Alan's event was taking on a life of it's own.
Sure enough, when we got out of the limo that Make A Wish had sent to bring us to the Weston Centre, there was a big crowd in the plaza, many of them our friends who had come to see Alan on this special day. Sponge Bob Square Pants himself (wink) was there to greet Alan! There were more people in the lobby once we finally went in, including a camera from the local news station. When we rode up to Alan's first floor of choice (nine!), we were greeted by that floor's tenants with a big banner and a rousing rendition of Sponge Bob Square Pants! This was actually to be one of the smaller greetings. Each floor had more people, more balloons, more toys, and on one floor, King Fu Panda! On our second stop, Alan wanted to go past the elevator lobby and explore the offices. Even though they were pretty boring compared to the decorations that everyone had put up, today was about saying yes, so we wheeled him around before heading back to the elevator and another floor.
One of the building supervisors was in the elevator with us, calling out on the radio each time Alan made a choice so that the next floor would be ready for us and so that the other elevator full of photographers and Sponge Bob could follow us. We chatted with the building manager as she rode in the elevator with us and she told us that when they told their tenants that Alan was coming and why, they had asked if they could decorate their floors. They had all taken it upon themselves to make this event bigger than we ever could have imagined.
The Weston Centre is 30 stories, with three separate banks of elevators. There was no way we were going to be able to go to every floor and even Alan was getting overwhelmed by the amount of attention. We went down to the lobby to rest and regroup, then headed up to the 30th floor where they had made one of the corner conference rooms available for Alan to survey the view. People on the floors that Alan hadn't visited made their way down to the first floor and by the time we were ready to go, they lined both sides of the lobby. Alan was basking in the cheers, waving and saying "Bye bye!" as we went out.
Then it was off to Chuck E Cheese, where Alan was able to indulge in one of his favourite activities, feeding the Ticket Muncher. The kids were so sweet, giving him their tickets. It was a long day for Alan, and he was pretty tired by the time we got home. But though we were all tired, we were buoyed up by all the support. Not just from our friends, who have stood by us for the last three and a half years, but by all the wonderful people at Make A Wish and the 30-story building full of people at the Weston Centre who knew us only by a name and a story but took time out of their busy day to shower us with kindness, warm wishes and support. It was overwhelming, joyous, and fun for Alan.
You can see the story on Alan from KSAT News here.
Update - a slideshow of pictures taken by the San Antonio News-Express is here.
Update #2 - another video of the event is on YouTube here.
Update #3 - a blog entry written by one of the people who came to support Alan's wish, including a picture of a rainbow over the Weston Centre, here, and another blog entry by a participant here.
Update #4 - another story, tweeted by Graham Weston
It started with a limo
Alan likes this ride!
Auntie Karen, Auntie Janet, Kevin, and Grandma
Alan checking out the reception waiting for him at the Weston Centre
In the lobby with Sponge Bob
Afterward at Chuck E Cheese, it's all about the tickets!
In the Ticket Blaster with Elizabeth
Ready for blast off
Get those tickets!
"Ticket Muncher, here I come!"
Munch, munch, munch...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Office visit 9/26
ANC 1954We started early since we knew we might have to have a blood transfusion today. Sure enough, Alan's hemoglobin count was down to 8.6. We headed over to the Children's Cancer Clinic after our visit with Doc P. After the vitals it was off to choose a spot for the next several hours. Alan was not interested in on of the kiddie recliners. Instead we went to the play room, where he found some new toys and we found a number-themed Sesame Street dvd to play. The transfusion went smoothly, so we were on our way home for dinner in no time!
09/26 10:00
Monday, September 24, 2012
A better weekend and office visit 9/24
ANC 3523The TPA in the nephrostomy lines on Friday did the trick. On Saturday morning, we were a little concerned at first, since the output was so bloody. It turned out that was just the result of the TPA loosening the blood in the line. Chris had come by again this morning to take a blood draw. They wanted to be sure that we were getting a correct dose of the antibiotic. By Saturday afternoon, the output of the lines was clear and in quite large amounts. The backup on the tubes may have caused some of the pain on Friday morning. Between flushing the lines out with saline and TPA, increased hydration from the new TPN formula, and a weekend on the Vancomycin, Alan was feeling much better! We even made it back to Morgan's Wonderland on Saturday and Sunday for more fun.
09/24 13:15
Auntie Karen came by with a special duvet cover. Friends, neighbours, and angels had been dropping off team jerseys with numbers on them with her, which she turned into a duvet cover with numbers all over for Alan. The number blanket has completely supplanted his old favourite letter blanket now!
The docs were very pleased with Alan's progress this weekend. The results from Saturday's blood draw were in and the concentration of Vancomycin is good. They still want to see us Wednesday and Friday to monitor his situation.
"Catching the candy" with Kevin and Daddy
Alan fell asleep, all the better to get his hand prints on the jar.
Checking out Daddy's game
At Morgan's Wonderland again to "catch the candy"
Bubbles with Auntie Karen this weekend
Checking out his awesome number blanket
So nice to sleep under
Friday, September 21, 2012
Office visit 9/21
We came straight to the office from Morgan's Wonderland where we had been taking pictures. Alan was having a good time when all of a sudden he started crying and holding his stomach. We had an appointment early in the afternoon, but after calling, came in right away.
Alan was dehydrated, hot with a fever, and showing signs of infection. Based on yesterday's cultures, the docs want to continue fluids for hydration, IV antibiotics and Toradol for the pain. The additional hydration will be added to Alan's TPN. The course of antibiotics Alan needs is usually done in the hospital, but Doc P saw that I was not happy with that option. I am so afraid that if Alan goes into the hospital, he will never make it out. Instead, he will order the Vancomycin from Coram, our home health infusion company. We will get one treatment in the office, then Coram will deliver the rest to our home for us to administer. Our nurse Chris will come by the house to show us how to set it up. It turns out the vancomycin will be dispensed in an elastomeric pump similar to the Eclipse balls we use for his normal saline every day. No need for yet another pump and backpack.
In addition to the newly TPN formulation and antibiotic, we waited for Doc P to be free so he could flush Alan's nephrostomy tubes. None of us were happy with the output and were concerned that they were clogged (and possibly clotted because of the blood we were seeing in the bags). It meant more delay. This was something that Doc P wanted to do himself, so we had to wait until he was free. He flushed some normal saline into the lines several times, then put in some TPA. Hopefully this will do the trick.
"Come on Doc P! I have places to go..."
He's here!
"Good job Doc P! Now let's put these bags away..."
Alan was dehydrated, hot with a fever, and showing signs of infection. Based on yesterday's cultures, the docs want to continue fluids for hydration, IV antibiotics and Toradol for the pain. The additional hydration will be added to Alan's TPN. The course of antibiotics Alan needs is usually done in the hospital, but Doc P saw that I was not happy with that option. I am so afraid that if Alan goes into the hospital, he will never make it out. Instead, he will order the Vancomycin from Coram, our home health infusion company. We will get one treatment in the office, then Coram will deliver the rest to our home for us to administer. Our nurse Chris will come by the house to show us how to set it up. It turns out the vancomycin will be dispensed in an elastomeric pump similar to the Eclipse balls we use for his normal saline every day. No need for yet another pump and backpack.
In addition to the newly TPN formulation and antibiotic, we waited for Doc P to be free so he could flush Alan's nephrostomy tubes. None of us were happy with the output and were concerned that they were clogged (and possibly clotted because of the blood we were seeing in the bags). It meant more delay. This was something that Doc P wanted to do himself, so we had to wait until he was free. He flushed some normal saline into the lines several times, then put in some TPA. Hopefully this will do the trick.
"Come on Doc P! I have places to go..."
He's here!
"Good job Doc P! Now let's put these bags away..."
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Office visit 9/20
ANC 3256
06/20 10:10
ANC 9146Alan has been having fevers, nausea and vomiting over the last couple days. The docs took cultures and gave him some IV antibiotics and fluids. Hopefully that will make him feel better, but we will be back to be seen again tomorrow. Miss Jennifer from Child Life dropped off Alan's beads from the first year and half of his treatment here in San Antonio, so Alan started stringing.
09/20 16:15
Stringing his beads
Look at this pile!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Office visit 9/18
ANC 3440It was a very straight forward visit today. We were soon on our way to Barnes & Noble where Alan made a bee-line to the train table. Alan had a great time playing with the trains and bossing Daddy around. He was pretty tired by the time we got home and fell asleep pretty quickly.
09/18 15:20
"The trains go that way Daddy!"
Sleepy after a hard afternoon of playing
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Pictures of bracelets and visitors
Hello Angels! Judy has a favor to ask everyone. For anyone that has a bracelet from Team Alan's Angels, can you please take a picture of you and/or your family wearing it and then add it to the bracelet album on the Alan's Angels Facebook page? Judy also is setting up an album for anyone that visits Alan. While visiting, please have Harold or Judy take a picture of yourself with Alan. Then add that picture to the Alan Visits album on the Alan's Angels Facebook page.
If you need to be added to the Alan's Angels page, let Sara Barnaik or Becky Cunningham know. If you don't use Facebook or don't know how to add a picture to the album, email the picture to Sara or Becky and we will do it for you.
Thank you!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Office visit 9/12
09/12 17:25Today was our second full day home, and Alan was ready to go out and about. Miss Krysia came to visit and blow bubbles at Alan's command. Alan was showing off all the numbers on his throne, but when we started gathering things to head out to take family photos, Alan recognized the signs and threw aside his blanket. He was so eager to get out of the house he used his hands to start scooting out of his throne towards the garage door. He was ready to "Go, go, go!"
ANC 1724
After the portrait session, we headed over to the Medical Center to see Doc P. He wants to see Alan twice a week to check on counts, since we will be starting him on a course of oral cyclophosphamide. He is good to go to school as much as his energy levels and white counts allow and is good to go to the beach one more time. He introduced us to his new partner, Doc B, who is fresh from a fellowship at MD Anderson.
After the visit, Alan was very tired but ate a few fries and asked for "ice cream/yoghurt" AKA frozen yoghurt at our favourite place, So Sweet. He was asleep when we pulled up but when we asked him if he still wanted his "ice cream/yoghurt" he woke right up and was bouncing by the time we got in. After the treat he was still pretty tired and went right to bed when we got home. We started the palliative chemo after he was asleep since we are able to crush the pill and put it through his G-Tube.
Miss Krysia blows bubbles
Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at the boys' school. One of Alan's classmates and his big sister wear gold ribbons
Showing Miss Krysia all the numbers
Where's the bubble Miss Krysia?
Time for vitals
Counting down the numbers
Raising his shirt for a blood draw, but he doesn't have a port anymore!
Time for ice cream/yoghurt!
Yum!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Learning curve
Today we had our first visit from Chris, our home health nurse. He did a basic exam of Alan and we changed the dressing on his IJC. Chris also verified that we knew how to prepare and change the bags and lines for Alan's saline and TPN. Doc M2, the home health and hospice physician, also came by to see Alan and introduce himself.
It was a busy day for visitors. Miss Becky came by to give Alan kisses and see how he was settling in. Some of our neighbours came by with an awesome shirt they had made for Alan. Finally, representatives from Make-A-Wish also came to do an intake interview and get information to pass on to the central office for Alan's wish. They brought a cool wand filled with glitter and stars for Alan that we dubbed "The Wish Wand".
After barely a day of handling Alan's equipment, fluids, meds and lines, we have come to the conclusion that we need more hands. It's a steep learning curve, even after three and a half years of watching Alan's care closely. We have always admired and appreciated Alan's nurses, but now we think they are superheroes!
Ahhh, asleep at home!
Miss Becky had to go through the balloons to find Alan's head to kiss
Colourful!
Bubbles!
Asleep at his throne
Cool t-shirt dudes!
Make-A-Wish
It was a busy day for visitors. Miss Becky came by to give Alan kisses and see how he was settling in. Some of our neighbours came by with an awesome shirt they had made for Alan. Finally, representatives from Make-A-Wish also came to do an intake interview and get information to pass on to the central office for Alan's wish. They brought a cool wand filled with glitter and stars for Alan that we dubbed "The Wish Wand".
After barely a day of handling Alan's equipment, fluids, meds and lines, we have come to the conclusion that we need more hands. It's a steep learning curve, even after three and a half years of watching Alan's care closely. We have always admired and appreciated Alan's nurses, but now we think they are superheroes!
Ahhh, asleep at home!
Miss Becky had to go through the balloons to find Alan's head to kiss
Colourful!
Bubbles!
Asleep at his throne
Cool t-shirt dudes!
Make-A-Wish
Monday, September 10, 2012
Home
The ambulance ride home was rather bumpy, but to Mommy's surprise Alan actually fell asleep. The paramedic riding in the back with us wasn't at all surprised - apparently it happens all the time, even with adult patients. The trip was uneventful and we were home by dinner time. The boys' room had been cleared out and a medical bed and IV stand brought in for Alan. Our dear friends had also decorated the room with Sponge Bob wall stickers and the hand and foot print art that we had made with Miss Sheila back in July. Auntie Karen had finished the prints with backgrounds and details. Alan liked his "new" bed and the way his room was decorated but after a little while insisted on coming downstairs.
We set up his 'throne' in the family room with a pillow and he happily directed Auntie Karen in blowing bubbles while Mommy and Daddy went over his medications and equipment with the home health nurse who had come to do his intake visit. Between sleeping in the ambulance and the excitement of being home, Alan was awake until 1 am, partying all night long!
Asleep...
... and home!
Up the steps...
Through the door...
Sitting on his throne downstairs
It's nice to be home with his letter blanket
We set up his 'throne' in the family room with a pillow and he happily directed Auntie Karen in blowing bubbles while Mommy and Daddy went over his medications and equipment with the home health nurse who had come to do his intake visit. Between sleeping in the ambulance and the excitement of being home, Alan was awake until 1 am, partying all night long!
Asleep...
... and home!
Up the steps...
Through the door...
Sitting on his throne downstairs
It's nice to be home with his letter blanket
Getting ready to head home
Alan slept well his last night in the hospital except for one pain wave at 4 am, so we pushed the button on the PCA. He vomited around 5 am, but fell asleep after having the bed raised so he could see his reflection in the window. Because of the returning pain waves we decided to keep the PCA so that the demand button is available for morphine for now. Alan's stomach may have been upset by oral Dilaudid on an empty stomach. That meant nurse Sarah had to scramble to get orders written and a PCA pump delivered to meet us at home and getting in contact with Doc P back home as soon as the office opened so he could "own" the pump and prescription. We will have syringes of morphine for the ambulance ride home and Sarah was also arranging a pump for feeding during the trip.
Nurse Sarah had not only customized Alan's bolster with a crown with his favourite rainbow beads on the tips and the letter A, this morning she painted the crown and the letter A and wrote the numbers 0 to 9 on the back rest so he could have all numbers. She also had rest of the Beads of Courage he had earned at MD Anderson gathered.
Miss Becky, Miss Cookie, and Miss Aimee had come to help with the packing and discharge since Daddy had gone home last night to make sure everything was ready for our return home. It was a hectic morning getting things gathered up, changing his dressings one more time, and making sure all the medical orders were in place. There was a farewell party scheduled at 12:30 - Alan had been here at MDA so long and had charmed so many people that they wanted to give him a really big send-off. Along with his doctors, nurses and aids on the floor, there were also several of his therapists, Miss Sheila from Child Life, Miss Chelsea our social worker, our case manager, the chaplain, and several of the shuttle cart drivers from the skybridge.
Alan rang the bell and was presented with a certificate and balloons, including a great big Sponge Bob balloon that everyone had signed. While we won't miss being in the hospital, we are going to miss all these wonderful people. After some tearful good-byes, the driver and medic from the ambulance were there for our 1:15 pick up and the ride home.
Last sleep at MDA
Darci brings the last of the Beads of Courage earned at MDA
Miss Linda, Mr Ron and Miss Fairy came out to say good-bye
Alan comes out for his farewell party
We will miss all the shuttle cart drivers, who always had a smile and a wave for Alan on our walks
Gathering to say good-bye
Ringing the bell
Mr AJ presents Alan with the balloons
Miss Chelsea presents Alan with a certificate signed by all the staff
Nurse Shelby came on her day off for one more high five (ten, twenty, thirty....)
Alan loaded up onto the ambulance (Sponge Bob yellow!) stretcher
Alan was handing out his thank you cards like candy!
One more ride on an MDA elevator
Up we go!
Nurse Sarah had not only customized Alan's bolster with a crown with his favourite rainbow beads on the tips and the letter A, this morning she painted the crown and the letter A and wrote the numbers 0 to 9 on the back rest so he could have all numbers. She also had rest of the Beads of Courage he had earned at MD Anderson gathered.
Miss Becky, Miss Cookie, and Miss Aimee had come to help with the packing and discharge since Daddy had gone home last night to make sure everything was ready for our return home. It was a hectic morning getting things gathered up, changing his dressings one more time, and making sure all the medical orders were in place. There was a farewell party scheduled at 12:30 - Alan had been here at MDA so long and had charmed so many people that they wanted to give him a really big send-off. Along with his doctors, nurses and aids on the floor, there were also several of his therapists, Miss Sheila from Child Life, Miss Chelsea our social worker, our case manager, the chaplain, and several of the shuttle cart drivers from the skybridge.
Alan rang the bell and was presented with a certificate and balloons, including a great big Sponge Bob balloon that everyone had signed. While we won't miss being in the hospital, we are going to miss all these wonderful people. After some tearful good-byes, the driver and medic from the ambulance were there for our 1:15 pick up and the ride home.
Last sleep at MDA
Darci brings the last of the Beads of Courage earned at MDA
Miss Linda, Mr Ron and Miss Fairy came out to say good-bye
Alan comes out for his farewell party
We will miss all the shuttle cart drivers, who always had a smile and a wave for Alan on our walks
Gathering to say good-bye
Ringing the bell
Mr AJ presents Alan with the balloons
Miss Chelsea presents Alan with a certificate signed by all the staff
Nurse Shelby came on her day off for one more high five (ten, twenty, thirty....)
Alan loaded up onto the ambulance (Sponge Bob yellow!) stretcher
Alan was handing out his thank you cards like candy!
One more ride on an MDA elevator
Up we go!
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