The Warm and Fuzzies!

This week sent us back to Montreal for another M.R.I. exam with Maya. The days and hours leading up to this exam were the calmest we’ve ever experienced. When we first told Maya this test was coming, she was nervous and immediately asked if there was going to be a “pic” (needle). We told her that there would be and she was upset. However, it didn’t last and she enjoyed her time in the days leading up to the M.R.I. playing and enjoying herself.

We drove into Montreal on Sunday and spent the day at our friends’, Adrienne and Efrem’s house, where the girls were able to play to their hearts’ content.  On Monday morning, we kissed Ella good-bye (thank you to Adrienne for taking care of her so she was away from us for a few hours as opposed to 3 days)) and headed to Sainte-Justine’s hospital with Maya was calm as can be. She was excited to get there and went straight to the oncology waiting room where she got busy preparing pretend meals and playing with Barbies. Her oncology nurse called her in, put the numbing cream on her hands and told us to come back and see her forty minutes later. Maya took advantage of this time to paint a birdhouse for Ella. Then came the pic. She resisted quite a bit but calmed right back down as soon as it was over.

We then ventured over to the M.R.I. department where we found out her M.R.I. was delayed for an hour. This was actually a good thing as it gave us plenty of time to get her gown on, which for the first time she did not fight, and we spent the rest of the wait just talking the three of us. We made jokes, giggled and gave her lots of hugs. When it was finally her turn she sat on the table, without hesitation, and told the technicians she preferred to remain seated until she was asleep. Again, for the first time, she did not fight sedation and at some point said, “Mommy, I’m starting to feel dizzy. I think I’ll lie down now.” She went to sleep and only awoke an hour after the end of the test. Contrary to the last M.R.I., she woke up with a huge smile.

The rest of the day was spent at Adie’s playing lots more and having her burn off a ridiculous amount of energy by triking around the block a few times. Although she needed to be watched closely as she had no impulse control, she was much more stable than the last time. No face plants this time!

The following morning, Maya and I went back to the hospital to get the results. Maya immediately got herself another birdhouse to paint and spent her time drinking hot chocolate and painting. The doctor soon called us in and told us that the scans came back clean. With each appointment we have little doubt that the results will be positive but hearing it is still always a relief.

I’d like to share a special moment we were privileged to witness while we waited to see the doctor: A nurse came over the loudspeaker and announced the following: “Congratulations to Florence who just completed her final chemo treatment!” Everyone in the waiting room started cheering and clapping. The family walked into the waiting room and everyone jumped up to go hug and congratulate them. I sat in my chair watching this with tears streaming down my face (as they are right now writing about this moment!). It was such a beautiful moment and the family was absolutely glowing. The dad had tears streaming down his face and the mom was grinning from ear-to-ear. What amazed me most was seeing the other parents who automatically put their pain and struggles aside to genuinely rejoice for this family’s good news. It was yet another moment that I will never, ever forget.

Now we are back home and busy preparing for Music Fest this coming weekend. The cooking and packing are almost done and I’m practicing my speech. We look forward to this amazing weekend of music, family and friends as Maya is presented her Wish!