PART 1
Way back during our first few days at the Ronald McDonald House, we met a lovely American family. Their son is a few months older than Jamie and their daughter is 7. Their daughter was having treatment at CHOP [nothing to do with cancer] and we met up with them again during their follow up visit to CHOP. We decided it would be nice to meet outside of the hospital environment and so with the beautiful weather and Jamie's break in treatment, the timing was perfect for us to get together on Saturday at a theme park!
Our roadtrip started last Friday, so we quickly booked a place to stay, packed the car [again], we checked and double checked that we had all medication and supplies for line flushing and dressing changes and... headed towards the mountains of Pennsylvania. It took about 4 hours as there were roadworks towards the end of the journey. The scenery was beautiful until we hit the traffic jam. As we slowed down, Jamie could see things flying around and asked what they were. John and I said "O'h, probably supersized flies!!" The supersized flies suddenly seemed to multiply and as we came to a halt, the massive truck alongside us was a bee truck with some very angry bees escaping and swarming all around! Of course, we seemed to be stuck alongside this truck for ages and it was just horrible. The photos we took are not that clear but these bees were everywhere!
Our friend, Michelle, called us on the cell phone to make sure that we were still coming and her children were so excited! Jamie spoke with them on the phone and asked if they were going to the fun park with him!
On arriving in Danville [your destination is on the right!!] we couldn't find the place we were staying in. The Sat Nav kept taking us to the river!!! Telephoned the Inn and they gave us better directions! Jamie and Poppy had been so amazing in the car but they needed fresh air!
By the time we were settled and ready for a walk into the small town, daylight was already fading. The sunsets here in USA are beautiful but very quick!!! Jamie enjoyed the guns in the Memorial Park and playing hide and seek whilst I was listening to an American Amateur Dramatic group rehearsing some Shakespeare in the Park at dusk! Jamie was happy to see all the fireflies again and on our return to the Inn [which was just in front of the biggest hospitals in that region!] we thought we would have a meal at the restaurant. We sat outside and Jamie was a star! At first Jamie was not tempted by anything on the menu and decided that he wouldn't have anything. He sat and thought and said "I have an idea, how about I have pasta with cheese melted all over it?" Great plan but not on the menu. We asked and they provided Jamie with a huge plateful of spaghetti and melted Mozarella! He was so thrilled and just said "Wow" with a shriek when he saw it! He told the waitress "It's the best pasta I have ever had!"
I know that we recount Jamie's eating habits as though it is the most important thing but truly it is!!! To see the joy on his face at having something that he has finally managed to decide to eat and enjoy is just wonderful. He ate what he could and we boxed up the rest for him to enjoy for breakfast!!! Mummy and Daddy's meal was great too, as was the wine and the fact that Poppy slept throughout the whole meal! This was one of the best evenings in a long time!
Saturday morning was very hot and sunny - after the effects of the air con in the rooms, walking outside was like walking into an oven. I did panick a bit at the fact that we were all going to be out in the heat all day. When Jamie is on Accutane, he is not to be exposed to direct sunlight but we knew there was going to be lots of trees and shade in the theme park.
Jamie's morning had started as per usual...digging his heels in about taking the Accutane, getting very cross about something which he wouldn't tell us why or what it was about. Constant distraction techniques so as to delay the Accutane. The distraction techniques were based around him eating "After I have finished my pasta then I'll have more pasta before my accutane!!" If we didn't have plans and had 2 hours to spare then this would have been an option. Still, I really do not want to use food in our battles as his appetite is getting so much better! Luckily, Michelle and her family had been held up in traffic so we had golden minutes to get the medicine in before we could enjoy the rest of the day!
Their knock on our door was a surprise for Jamie, he didn't know where we were actually meeting and his smile as the 2 children came in and greeted us was lovely! Michelle showed me her wedding album, they were married last year, at the place we were staying in. Once all the 'mwoahs' were out of the way and gift of strawberries put in our fridge, we set off!!!!
What a wonderful place the theme park was. Nestled in between the hills with loads of shade and trees!!! No entry or parking fees and the rides were 75c each. Bigger rides were approx $1.50. Jamie loved the Mad Hatters Tea Cups and I have to say, they were pretty fast for a Tea Cup ride! I think Jamie went on these 3 times!! It all got a bit much for Jamie as he was too excited to have a sleep so poor Maria and Steven [the familes 2 children] ended up doing what Jamie wanted to go on. They were so understanding as were their parents!
We left the park at 7.30pm, totally worn out and hot!!! We couldn't believe how after our short ride back to the Inn, with Jamie sleeping, he suddenly had loads of energy in the evening!
I know that Michelle will be reading this so thank you once again for a wonderful time and yes, when we go back, we'll meet again!!
On Sunday we moved on to another town to visit a family who had helped us through the Travis Manion Foundation. This I will save for another blog update as out of respect they need a piece dedicated to them. Their son, a Sgt in the US Army [a medic in the 82nd Airborne] was killed in action in Iraq, in 2004. What they have done and continue to do is inspirational.
Today, it is raining but we are all enjoying just being together. Jamie, who is coming to the end of this 2nd cycle of Accutane, is having less and less of the mood swings and is chirpy, cheeky and happy!!! We think he is putting on weight as 2 pairs of trousers now stay up on their own! He is so proud of this!! His appetite continues to improve and he does things to the extreme! It's a bit like the famous book by Eric Carle 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar!!! On Tuesday he munched his way through 4 bowls of strawberries and cream and on Wednesday morning for breakfast he ate almost 4 whole oranges [well sucked the juice out of them!!] I know that we are encouraging him with the oranges to help with absorption of food but rather over the top, don't you think?! We took a photo as evidence as we found this amusing!!!
We do read any comments that are left on here so please feel free to leave messages for Jamie or comments. Once I've changed my password [forgotten it again!] I will acknowledge any comments!!! We would love to hear from our friends in the German Community who are still following Jamie's appeal.
The fundraising is continuing. We have just learned that a lady called Michelle Leonard, won a competiton on TV and has donated her winnings of €5,000 [euro's] to Jamie's appeal!!!!! Michelle, wherever you are and if you are reading this, a MASSIVE THANK YOU from us all in Philadelphia!!
Bye for now!!
Love from us all in wet, miserable Philadelphia!!
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