It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Davis with Santa

Bennett showing Santa his two-page list

Carter had an appointment at UCLA last Thursday and all his blood work came back great. They are anxious for Carter to get his Broviac (central IV line) taken out, so hopefully the surgeon at CHOC can get us in soon. UCLA told us we can stop giving Carter one of his oral meds. One down, eight to go! Two of these meds he will probably be on the rest of his life, but it is nice to reduce the amount of meds we currently have to give him.

Grandma (Matt’s Mom) came down to visit for a few days and just left this morning. She sent Matt and me out to dinner two of the nights she was here. It was a nice treat, thanks Jill! We got to celebrate a friend’s birthday with him one of the nights. It’s a pretty surreal experience for us to be out now. Not only is our perspective on the world different, but it’s just strange to be out after so many months of being in hospitals or isolated at home. Carter was feeling good and had tons of energy for Grandma, which wasn’t the case when she last came down. And now that they both lost their hair, Carter AND Davis’ hair is growing in!

My family had a Christmas party tonight. Matt and I decided it would be best to have Carter stay home with him, and Bennett, Davis and I would go. It’s a big crowd of people, and if Carter gets sick and happens to get a fever…we’d be inpatient at CHOC for Christmas. It wasn’t worth the risk. Well, we also didn’t want Carter to be sad about not going. So, Matt took Carter to go pick up dinner while I rushed around getting Davis changed, Bennett dressed and myself ready. I was worried they’d be getting back soon. Finally, I got both boys in the car and we were driving out of our neighborhood as Matt and I passed by each other waving. It was perfect timing, and Matt made sure Carter had fun while we were away. Santa came to the party, and (luckily) Bennett had printed out his two-page Christmas list just in case he saw him. He also asked Santa for a couple gifts for Carter. Thanks big bro!