So March 2012-October 2012 is kind of a blur for me. We fell into a comfortable routine, well as much as it could be...under these circumstances anyway. Twice a week we headed up to Hamilton to Clinic, every third week, Griffin was admitted to Hospital for his "big chemo". We stayed at the newly renovated Ronald McDonald House (which is an absolute wonder of a place!) We would head up to the hospital for the 8pm check in, my glorious Mother would take the night shift. and then Marty & I would show up early in the morning to be ready for his chemo at noon. Then Griffin would sleep for most of the afternoon and my Mum would head back to our room at the Ronald McDonald House to have a shower and have a nap. Marty would usually take work emails and phone calls (trying to run a small business from a hospital room really sucks by the way!) and I would usually clean up the room a bit before it was dinner time. He would pick at his dinner, then we usually played until sleepy time around 8pm. My mum would be back and take over the night shift again, the start the whole process the next day.

By this time, I have learned to reach out, and ask for help. Which was very hard for me to do in the beginning. I'm usually a giver, not a taker. I didn't feel comfortable taking things and felt that there were "wprse off" families, and people should help them first. It wasn't until a friend thrust a cassarole into my hands and said YOU ARE WORSE OFF EMILY! YOU ARE LIVING EVERY MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE! that it finally sunk in! My work was amazing, they collected money and send gift cards and even cooked a home cooked meal for us every Friday night! (Which was amazing! If you are looking to do something for a cancer family, cook some real food! Hospital food can only take you so far!) A special shout out to an Aunt (that lives far away) of mine who sent a cheque the second she heard. That cash was vital to set up our "at home" medical station. Including a very expensive digital ear temperature taker (I can't of the proper word at the moment...lol) new clothes to fit his bloating body, and much needed gas to get back and forth. Another Aunt who lives closer, would come by with random giftbags filled with handy hospital snacks, a mix of junk (Kraft dinner in a bowl) and good food (trail mix, etc) and wonderful hospital toys! Little dinky toys to play with, dog shaped mini back pack and of course the famous Dino flashlight that when it turns on it says ROAR! Were you scared? Which caused major giggles and laughter in the hospital, mostly from Griffin, but also his nurses and roommates too!

I will continue when I get feeling back in my fingers! LOL