Well today went well. We visited the Children's hospital here in Jacksonville to go through Ben's chemo plan. He is very thrilled that his next cycle of chemo will be as an outpatient. He will have the proton alongside this. The proton will be every day for just under an hour and will last just under 6 weeks. I just hope that I can find my way each day to get him there as these roads here are something else!!
After the hospital visit we had to take a trip AGAIN to Hooters. Now this was quite cool (yes I am now American) the first time around but I now feel like a frumpy old granny going into these places and being served by a teenager with an amazing body. It actually puts you off eating. No more Hooters please. To top it off when we left, Chloe announced that she wanted to be a Hooters Girl. OMG!!!!
When your child is unwell and they have a good day...don,t make the mistake of saying that we will do anything that you want to do ....or you too could end up in Hooters.!!!
We found the biggest Shopping Mall that I have ever seen in my life. It is impossible to shop here as it is just too much!
The days so far are going quickly and when Proton starts I think it will just fly. Proton is daily at the University of Florida Proton institute, bout 20 mins drive from where we are living. We get a set appointment each day and are in for about an hour per day. It is quite a surreal place. In the entrance hall they have a craft table where all the British people "hang out". They are all really close and are classed as the Proton family. When you finish treatment you also have a graduation day!!
The weather here is really pleasant as is our apartment and basically everyone we have met. I feel very reassured by the Medical care, however the terminology used and the equipment is different. Today I asked for help with Ben's feeding tube as it is now due a turn and push and pull thingy! Noone can help as they have never seen one like his. Just as well I have brought a manual!. Tomorrows plan is following a step by step guide to gastrostomy care. Anyone would think I was a nurse!!
We have no plans with the hospitals tomorrow so we are going to watch a Basketball game, which should be fun!. Ben's words were ...really? What are you coming too mum?? Not sure whether I am going to cramp his style.! Anyway, what do you wear for a basketball game? Something to think about!
Take a look at a couple of snaps of today. They are probably upside down etc but just turn your PC or phone over and all will be well!
Until tomorrow. . . .
Nice blogging Jo. Don't deprive the boys of hooters!!! Hope you enjoy the basketball game, tell Ben to master the dab dance for the hoop celebrations, I think I pretty much have this nailed (kids don't agree). Well done Ben we are all thinking of you xxx
ReplyDeleteLove it! So Chloe is now a Page 3 girl aspiring to be a Hooters girl. Hmmm - let me thing about that.
ReplyDeleteBasketball - go with the flow... low slung jeans (obligatory underpants on show), supporter's t-shirt and back to front snap back. As for what Dean and Ben wear - their choice :-). Enjoy the basketball - it's really great fun.
Shopping malls are all huge.... if you get to Orlando I'll direct you to a much smaller (and much nicer!) one - it's on your instruction sheet.
Look forward to the next one, and report of the basketball.
'Way to go' and 'good job' Ben - you're a superstar,
Much love
Sarah xxx