I know. I told you in secret that Jasmina and Sébastien would be coming around the 19th. Then swollen lymph nodes happened. Then I said they’d be coming Friday, or Sunday. But nurses and medical staff have long weekends too. So now I’m telling you they’re coming to Winnipeg Saturday July 5th. And the only reason I’m a little more confident this time, is because the plane tickets are bought. As the expression goes: “Don’t shoot the piano player; he’s doing the best he can.”
Archive for June, 2008
Jasmina called later last night to say: “We’re cured!” like a cheer for Sébastien, who was playing with barnyard animals not far from her. The tests came back with good results: no cancer and only some signs of a mild infection that was untraceable. It was perhaps the biggest scare so far, but, if SickKids gives them the “all clear” David, Jasmina and Sébastien are on their way to Winnipeg, as soon as… wait for it… this Friday! We’re excited!
Coming home from work last night, there is a message on our answering machine…
“Hi J & C, it’s Jasmina, just calling to let you know the preliminary results after today’s looonnng test. So far it looks very good. There’s no kind of concern about cancer stuff, but we’ll know for sure tomorrow with the final results, another ultra-sound and more testing. So thanks for the prayers…”
Today, from 10 until 3, Sébastien will be undergoing tests. Forty-five minutes preparation including anesthesia for the PET scan, the CT scan and whatever else comes after… then the wait for a diagnostic. Swollen lymph nodes could mean two things: an infection like EBV (which people who are not immuno-suppressed can easily fight off) or cancer.
The swollen lymph nodes were discovered during an ultra-sound just last week. Sébastien seemed to have been complaining about a sore tummy, and Jasmina was happy SickKids investigated before their trip to Winnipeg.
The Oncology unit seemed optimistic and gave David and Jasmina reason to hope that it might only be an infection. It has to be confirmed, but Jasmina and David are determined to stay positive.
“You’d be amazed to see him,” Jasmina was telling me, “he pulls himself up to sit, and he scoots everywhere… He’s really determined to walk, and yesterday he pulled himself onto his knees!” I didn’t ask if it was to say a prayer…
I overheard my husband talking to David about Jasmina and Sébastien’s visit to Winnipeg: “It’ll be for sure, when Jasmina and Sébastien are on the plane!” I figured it was kind of pessimistic. But, it turned out he was right…
David called yesterday, and said that amoung other things, the tests revealed that Sébastien’s lymph nodes were swollen. Not sure of what it might mean and how serious it might be, Sébastien has been scheduled for further tests… a CAT scan, and an MRI. To stay still, he’ll be put to sleep, and David is returning to Toronto Monday. I still hope that a summer visit will be possible…
Every Friday, Place de choix will post the best inspirational quotes, links and videos noticed throughout the week. Have an inspirational link you want featured? Please leave it in the comments!
First one: The Years Are Short by Gretchen Ruben who started a blog called The Happiness Project.
Second: A quote I love from Jean Vanier
I marvel sometimes when I visit families with a son or a daughter who has a severe handicap. The parents are living each day, and sometimes the whole day, with little help or times of rest. They are not admired or honoured for what they are doing; sometimes they are even criticised for not having aborted their child or put him or her into an institution, outside the general run of society. We in l’Arche have days off; we get help and encouragement from professionals and clergy. We even receive salaries. And often people see us as wonderful and generous people. And yet, isn’t it those families who are living love and truth and humility and abandonment to God in a special way? Isn’t it all those families in the ghettos of large cities struggling to feed their children who are radiating a truth about our humanity? People who have chosen to live in community have much to learn from all those people throughout the world who are living love in a simple hidden way, and who are there welcoming and forgiving.
Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 312
I’m going to tell you a little secret… It’s a secret because we’re not 100% sure it’s going to happen… But, if you cross your fingers, and hope for the best, it might. Are you interested? You might have already heard… Jasmina and Sébastien might be coming in a week. For a visit to Winnipeg! And they’ll stay over a month. If all goes well. No infections, or mysterious red spots… Just fun in the sun, and play dates around home.
But sshhhh… it’s a secret. Come back later, and I’ll tell you if it’s for sure, okay?
Thanks for commenting!