I apologize for not posting a “follow-up†to our last week in NY. We made it (well Peter did it! I should never give myself credit for what he has to go through). The girls came with Daddy to the airport to pick us up late Friday night, and Kate, who is a real momma’s girl, ran right past me into Peter’s arms! They love their big brother, that’s for sure.
We spent last weekend up in the Brainerd area for a Hanson family reunion, and had a great time with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, lots of extended family; a big group had traveled all the way from Texas! Thanks for hosting Tom & Judy – we weren’t sure we’d ever get the kids out of the lake!
Ty, Peter & Ellie spent the last 2 weeks at MN Hockey Camps while Kate & I stayed put in the cities, and the kids loved it (so did Ty of course!) They thought it was great to tag along with Dad, stay in the cabin, do some of the dryland drills, see the guys at the rink, and of course spend some time in the pro shop… can you say treats?
I can’t believe summer is coming to an end. We hit the state fair today and have some very tired kids (they just asked what’s for dinner so apparently we didn’t eat enough there!) Peter is excited to start 1st grade next week at All Saints School and Ellie’s excited to be in preschool in the same school as him. I am glad to have them going to the same school since it’s a new place to them. Pete is starting Flag Football tomorrow. He’s counting on his buddies Tucker & Sammy to show him the ropes!
On the medical front Peter is doing well. He had blood drawn on Thursday and we will find out Wednesday what his HAMA level looks like. However, we just booked flights back to NY in 2 weeks because even if he is HAMA-positive, they are now able to administer a drug that wipes out the HAMA. This means he should be able to get 2 more rounds of the 3F8 every 4 weeks. He’ll be due for testing in NY in October too, but after that we should just be heading out there every 3 months for continued testing! Wow, could we possibly on a slow approach back to a more “normal†life?! Stay tuned…
And as usual, we cannot possibly begin to thank all of you enough for all you have done to help us throughout this journey.
A journal of Peter’s journey
Hi Erika,
Just want you to know that you and your family are always in my heart and prayers. Stay strong. Good luck with the new schools. You are a fabulous Mom, Erika. I know your parents and all of us are very proud of how you have handled all this. Just take care of yourself too. Your family needs you.
Love,
Your old friend,
Bette Noble
Hi Eigners,
So great to hear how well Peter is doing! You have all been so strong through all of this and are truly an amazing example of what love, family and perseverence are all about. My continued thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep the great news coming!
Sami Wozney
Great news and what a relaxing way to start your Fall.
I hope the school year goes well for the kids and that Peter’s future trips to NY are a success!! We will be thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers!
Hope to see you at some point this year!!
Take care and good luck to all of you as you finish up the summer!
Love from Brainerd and the Olson’s!!!
Ty, Lisa, Paige, Drew & Hallsey
Dear Peter,
First Grade sounds really exciting! There are lots and lots of neat things to learn in First Grade. There may be some new friends to find there too. I still have a friend from first grade and that was over 50 years ago! I like being a friend to people that I work with at the sawmill, being a friend to someone is lots of fun.
I’m so glad to hear you are part of a loving family. Your house sounds like it is a very busy place.
Enjoy your schooltime and your friends.
God bless you and all those you love,
Mr. Schroeder
Hey guys, Glad to hear that all is going well and you that you are transitioning into the “big city life”. I heard on the news the other day that they have found the gene that causes Neuroblastoma?!?! Had you heard that as well? What a breakthrough if thats true.
Good luck in Football Pete!
Lara
Hello-
I am glad to read that things are going well for your family! Good luck in 1st grade Peter. Jack is excited to start kindergarten on Tuesday! Your family is often in our thoughts and prayers!
Love, Kerri & family
Dear Erika, Ty, Peter, Ellie and Kate,
Hey, it’s great to read an update like this and feel the joy of your family’s quest for normalcy and peace in every word you write. Paragraphs laced with words like; Daddy, Mommy, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, family reunion, treats, state fair, starting school, flag football all surely conjure up some regular thoughts for a young family like yours. Your posting reads and feels really good. We interpret a sense of simultaneous peace and celebration in your composition and it makes us feel good for you all.
On the medical front, although critically necessary and important, the forthcoming activities are low key compared to activities during the past year which you all have endured.
We are very grateful you share your journey with us and we are more than happy to be able to share our support with you all. We wish there were some way we could help carry some of your burden.
We hope Grandpa Hanson is doing well.
You are all in the center of our hearts and we are pulling for you.
Great news!
Your friends and supporters, sincerely
Terry Forbord & Rebecca Hopf