Thursday, April 30, 2009

I thought I was going to write a long update tonight about our CRAZY day of waiting--- but I am too tired!  
We were told to be at the hospital at 10:30 for our 11:30 MRI--- so we were there and that is when the wait began--- Let me just say that by 3:30 Grier was finally taken back for his MRI--  Apparently, this day was full of emergencies and since Grier had anesthesia with the MRI and then Bone Marrows right after it-- we just had to go with the flow- and if it were Grier in an emergency I would hope people would do the same and not complain-  This is an extremely busy place -- we met lots of people in the waiting room today-- Grier entertained them with his southern accent so it helped pass the 5+ hours!  The hardest part was not eating or drinking (NPO) since last night at dinner-- Grier is really a good sport about that I on the other hand need some caffeine !!!  He knew he was going to eat a Willy Wonka bar that Jeanna got him and that is what he did after he woke up-

We got back to the ronald around 5 --- I was so glad we did not try to change our flight-- that would have added so much stress to this day.  

We did get a quick moment with a doctor and he said the prelim of CT and MIBG are negative--- we still need to hear about MRI, urine, and BM--

I will update more from home-- this day was mentally exhausting-- I watched so many people get bad news... it is something I dread to see at Sloan--because as with the emergencies that happened ..I know the roles could be reversed at anytime--

We should be home by 8 :30am so I need to watch grey's, clean, pack and  sleep.... You would think I had enough hospital drama for today--- now I just need Jeff to stop flipping to the Yankees game!!!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

one more day!

Today was fine-- Grier was up really late last night because of the late nap in the stroller yesterday -- So, around 11 he was out and I knew this morning would be tough to get him up at 7--He surprised us and got up and ready to go-- 
He had his MIBG this morning at 8 and we were handed a sleeping Grier around 10-- He slept off the anesthesia a little--- Did not do anything exciting but we needed a day to chill--- I am exhausted and I know Jeff and Grier have to be too-
This afternoon he did the 4 hour urine collection--- and I met Jeanna on 3rd Street for some window shopping and dinner-- She was here on business so it was good to see a familiar face!
That is it-- we know nothing from the tests so far-- And as Grier has reminded me several times today--- ONE MORE DAY and then we are DONE!  

Tuesday, April 28, 2009







We are back in the room but there is NO chance Grier is going to sleep anytime soon--- he had a long nap this afternoon in the stroller as we walked back from Build A Bear on 46th & 5th!  He really needed to rest so I am glad he did--

Today went well--- we met with the team and got "our goodie bag"-- this bag has all the supplies we will need for the next several days, YUCKY sski drops ( iodine to protect his thyroid from the radioactive injection-- he takes these for 3 days), urine collection bucket, a throw up bucket-- ( you never know when you need it !), contrast & measuring cup, forms that have his height and weight on them to hand to each technician at each test- and last but not least the BIG container with some kind of preservative in it for the 4 hour urine collection-- It has warnings all over it about being dangerous if on your skin-- all of this is in a HUGE brown Shopper!  I think it should be printed with the words "I HATE CANCER" ---  but it is plain and lots of people carry them down 1st and York-

His check up went fine-- he does have another bad ear infection and they can not believe he is not complaining--- UGGH!  They are going to check him every day to make sure it is getting better-- The bad part is no vaccines this trip!  Really bad since he was going to get his 4 shots while he was asleep--

CT went fine-- he fell asleep while we were waiting and when I woke him up he seemed fine.  As soon as they went to touch his IV to inject contrast he started to cry-- I held it together and told the tech to keep going and Grier settled so we could finish--- there was not any anesthesia back up so we had to do this-- I think it was the IV causing the problem--- It is a good one according to the nurses and if good blood return means anything they are RIGHT!!!  LOTS of BLOOD--- even Grier commented on it-

We didn't have to wait too long for his MIBG injection and after he was done we headed to Build A Bear for his reward-- He made a Mets Bear and he is wearing a uniform WITH cleats! He had fun doing this for the first time and it was not crowded which made it more enjoyable-

We had a quick dinner at the pizza place-- and played in the playroom-- he is coloring now and may do that until he just can't keep his eyes open anymore! 

We head to the hospital at 7:30 for his MIBG and then we are done for the day--  so maybe we will get out of there by 10~!  

I will post some pictures soon--- they are of us waiting all day and "Home Run Henry"

Grier wants everyone to know he has 2 days left!!! 



Monday, April 27, 2009

Live from NYC !

I am locked out of caringbridge--- :(  So, I can not update it--- anyone know how to fix that?





Three months have flown by and we are back in NYC for Grier's check up--- We flew in this evening with a fairly uneventful flight--- we did have a "first" for us--- we got to witness an unruly passenger almost get escorted off the plane! She wouldn't power off her cell phone!!!!!! Seriously.... She was right behind us and Grier only stopped coloring twice to ask what was going on! Finally it was settled and we took off-- a bit late-- but it was better than going back to the gate!

Grier had a great flight-- coloring the whole time and challenging me to a game of skeet ball--I was a bit worried since we found out late last night that he had some ear pain--- what timing- But with Andrea's help we made it without any pain due to the pressure-- whew! Thanks Andrea!

Grier choose to go to Southern Hospitality so we walked to dinner without our stroller---NY is so much nicer when the weather is nice-- It is a little hot... I am still waiting for the Air to work in the room-- :(

Tomorrow we will head to the hospital and do a check up with the NB team. After that he will need to chug his contrast so he can have his CT scan done--- Hopefully all will run on time and we can make our 2 o'clock appt for his injection for the MIBG scan--- I have done this enough to know that will run late :) As soon as we can we are going to Build A Bear--- that is the reward for staying so still in CT! He is still trying to talk me into going to BAB first instead of the hospital!!

That is it for now--- I will update a lot this for those of you that are following this crazy adventure we are on---

ps-- Grier yelled "I call shotgun" when we were waiting for a taxi-- 

GO STEEL FAB!

GO STEEL FAB!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Grier's address in NYC

Grier Christenbury
Ronald McDonald House of New York

405 East 73rd Street

New York, NY 10021

Before 3F8

Before 3F8

After 3F8

After 3F8
30 minutes later

Free Money for Go Grier Go!.. just by shopping online!!

iGive.com

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC
www.cornellpediatrics.org-- Great hospital!

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street
just transporting-- not an emergency!

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor
Monday 10/29/07

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park
Thanks to everyone that helped!!!

On the way to NYC!

On the way to NYC!

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC
Playing with the doctors and nurses 10/19/07

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

HOPE IS GOOD!!

HOPE IS GOOD!!

Supersib- GRACE

Supersib- GRACE

SuperSib-- HAYES

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!
I am 3!

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Pat

Grier & Pat

Go Grier Go!

Go Grier Go!




Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's

Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's