Peace out, love Ty

Before Ty was diagnosed, he used to do the cutest thing... He spent every day at Sissy's house while I was at work, and during that time Sissy's daughter Colleen taught him to say "Peace Out!"  The cutest part about it was that he could never hold out his fingers in a real peace sign; instead he would point with his index fingers on each hand and bring them both together in front of his face.  Today is the first time Ty learned to do something that is more advanced than what he was able to do before cancer.  He learned to hold out two fingers in a peace sign.  Actually, we were teaching him to hold out his fingers to show how old his brother is (Gavin is two) and when he realized what he was doing he said,. "Hey!  Peace OUT!"  I can barely express how proud I am.  He is doing so well.  On top of that, he ate a half square of cheese, 3/4 of a turkey roll-up, five potato chips and a mini ice pop.  That is more than he has eaten in weeks - no exaggeration. 

They call each treatment of chemotherapy a "cycle" for a very good reason.  The patient starts out doing well, the chemo is adminstered and wipes them out, then as the patient recovers and gets stronger it's time to start all over again.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was preparing for this past cycle to begin. I was saying how much I hated to think of Ty starting chemo again because he was finally feeling so good.  Today I am thinking the exact same thing.  He hasn't required any pain medication in three days straight, his nausea is under control and his appetite is just starting to creep back into the picture.  Argh! 

I wasn't able to get Ty's bloodwork done until later this afternoon so I'm not sure if he will get clearance to begin treatment Wednesday or Thursday, but it will definitely be this week.  I have a love/hate relationship with these drugs, but believe me, I will put all of the hate aside if it saves my little boy.  Mouth sores, hair loss, fevers, vomiting, head pain... bring it on as long as there is an end in sight when he is cured.

Shop for a Cause at Chico's
Many of you may be familiar with the women's clothing store and cataloguer, Chico's.  A great friend of mine recently moved to Florida to work at their headquarters and she shared Ty's story with her new employer.  As a result, the retailer was inspired to host a "Ty Day" on this Thursday, June 9th.  They will be donating ten percent of all pre-tax sales in their two Manhattan stores to the pediatric brain tumor fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  If you live in the city, please spread the word!  Ty and I will be stopping by the store on the Upper East Side (1310 Third Ave/75th Street) after our hospital appointment that day to check it out.  I can't believe that it is really happening!  They are stuffing shopping bags with postcards to promote the event and hanging a sign outside each location with a beautiful picture of Ty. 

My family is just so touched by this gesture.  I never thought I would see such a large corporation step up for the cause like this, and I am so excited about it.  I am so inspired to continue sharing Ty's story in an effort to build awareness for pediatric cancer.  I hope this is only the beginning. 

Thank you all for caring for us and for Ty.  We are overwhelmed by your love and support.