We’ve been on the go! We spent the last week at Camp Sunshine, a 6-day retreat for families of children with life-threatening illnesses (this was one of the oncology weeks). It was really refreshing and a very special week for the 5 of us. The camp is held at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park/Three Bears Lodge in Wisconsin. It was a busy week; full of really fun activities (“day campâ€) for the kids, lots of playing in the waterpark, and some really quality discussion time for the adults. It is a camp designed as much for the parents as the kids, which makes it really unique. It ends with an unbelievable evening of all kids (cancer kids and siblings) releasing their “Wish Boats†into the lazy river in the water park. The kids make their boats during the week, and they each have a little candle that is lit while they make a wish and send the boats onto the river. We met lots of wonderful people, including 3 other NB families whom we had not met before! The camp was founded in Maine, and I believe they have camps running out there almost year-round! Thank you Donna for encouraging us to go, and a huge thank you to Mrs. Titus, Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Johnson, Peter and Ellie’s wonderful teachers who have been more than accommodating and understanding about them missing a lot of school lately!
We went straight to Mpls on Friday so we could attend a benefit for our little friend Ella Hauschildt (caring bridge / ellahope) and it was a blast, and a very big success! We had a great time and got to catch up with lots of high school friends.
We got home yesterday afternoon and will head back to the cities tonight to fly out to NY on Monday morning. Peter will have the full gamut of tests again this week. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 months since the last round. We are cautiously hopeful that his HAMA level will be lower again; maybe even low enough to get some treatment in the near future? They assure us his level will come down; but some kids’ levels come down in 2 months; some kids in 6 or 9 months.
Best of all, Peter has been able to spend a lot of time lately being a normal kid. I asked him the other day what he wished for, and he said “Well why don’t wishes usually come true?†I said, “What makes you think that?†and he said “I have wished to be happy all the time!†So I guess he has pretty high standards. He is about the happiest kid I know – it’s pretty rare that he gets down or upset.
Well enough of my rambling (once again you can see why it’s a really good thing that Uncle Matt does the writing!) We will get pictures posted of Disney, Camp Sunshine, etc. Matt is working on a new photo album!
We appreciate your prayers as we head into another agonizing week of testing!
A journal of Peter’s journey
Thanks for the update … sounds like camp was a great bonding and positive family experience. Fingers crossed and prayers daily for great test results next week. Can’t wait for the pictures.
Peter and family~
Sending tons of prayers and wishes for this next week of scans. We know how anxious you are right now, but we know that Peter and your family will get wonderful news. Hope the HAMA levels go down, so you can recieve another treatment. Keeping you all in our every thought and prayer! Good luck Peter!!!
All our love and prayers~ Ryan, Megan, and Logan
Hello Eigners,
We are still checking in on you guys and keeping you in our prayers always. It is great to hear Peter doing so well. I am sure you will have a stressful week in NY, so remember we are all thinking good thoughts for Peter this week!!
Love, Glenda, Steve, Josh, Megan and Jacob
Hi Eigners: We are sending you all lots of love and prayers that all will go really well in NY this week.
Sounds like Peter and the rest of the family have been having some really great fun this last few weeks. Camp Sunshine sounds like such a wonderful place .
Peter, you just keep being such a happy boy and always inspiring all of us.
Love,
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Rose
Hey Eigners!!
Glad to hear Camp Sunshine was so much fun for all of you! We will be praying for you as you head to NY – and as Peter gets his testing done. We hope he passes with flying colors! Looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Ohhh, tears rose to the surface reading Peter’s wish to be happy all the time, that he is such a happy person. Thank you for letting us know about your wonderful week!
Hi Pete-Man~
It sounds like you had a blast at Camp Sunshine… I caught a little bit of first hand insight from Katie-O last Friday! She acted out her version of the waterslides and told me how much fun she had — but that some of them were too scary for her…. (and the way she said scary ~ it was pretty comical!)
From MN to NYC, we send our thoughts & prayers for another A+ report card!
With love~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
Pete and Family – I am so glad you are all having such a great time. I think about you guys daily – good luck out in NY. I’ll be praying for more great news!
Love
Mary
We are thinking about you and hope you have good results this week. Cole says he cant wait for you to come back to school. We are praying for you always!
Love,
Jason, Melissa, Cole and Paige Beyer
Hi!
It was so nice meeting you at Camp and getting to know Peter in person! I am praying for good results for Peter this week. I know testing week is just agonizing, but hang in there. It will be over before you know it.
Love, Kerri
We are saying extra prayers as you head out to NY.
Andi
Peter and Family,
It’s been ahwile since I’ve written anything. It sounds like you’ve had allot of stuff going on!!! It was great reading about Disney and Camp Sunshine, you had tons of fun!!!!! You certainly were deserving of all that fun and special treatment. I hope everything goes well in New York this week. I will keep my prayers focused on SUPERB results!
Take care Eigner’s……. Brainerd sends you the best!!!
Love from the Olson’s
Ty,Lisa,Paige,Drew and Hallsey