110) Thanksgiving (beter late than never)

I started writing the following post after dinner on Thanksgiving Day. I was interrupted by J, who wasn't falling asleep with my wife, and requested that I go upstairs to snuggle with him. Since then, I've had maybe 3 or 4 nights where I haven't passed out while putting one of the boys to bed, and I haven't been able to finish up. It's late, but it's posted now.

It’s the second Monday in October, so that means Canadian Thanksgiving. Or, as we like to call it here in Canada: Thanksgiving. It’s fairly similar to the Thanksgiving celebrated in America, but our Thanksgiving is on a Monday versus the American Thursday, and we have a 3-day weekend instead of the American 4-day weekend. It’s not a big travel weekend like it is in America, nor does it have one of the biggest shopping days of the year like in America. It’s a time to reflect, and be thankful for what you have.

I’m thankful for my wife. She carried & birthed our two boys, and we’re partners in the craziness of raising a family; I couldn’t do this without her.

I’m thankful for my two boys: J, and E. They have both caused us more than our fair share of worry, and anxiety (especially you, E), and there’s been days where I feel I can’t do it anymore, but their smiles, giggles, hugs, and snuggles make up for it. They have their faults, and they sometimes drive me batty, but I love unconditionally them, and I’d do anything to help to see them succeed in life.

I’m thankful for SickKids. It is truly a world-class children's hospital, and we are so lucky to have it here in our back yard. It’s not necessarily a place you think about having to go when you bring a child into the world, but if you do eventually need it, it’s great that it is there.

I’m thankful for the dedication, hard work, and compassion by the nurses, doctors, staff, and volunteers during the care E’s received during his leukemia treatment. These people encounter so many stories of heartbreak, of tragedy, and of triumph too, and they come to work ever day and deliver professional, compassionate care to children who were dealt a bad hand in life.

I’m thankful for POGO, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, and the satellite cancer clinics they have set up in various locations around the province. As much as I think SickKids is a wonderful hospital, we have been able to get many many many incidents of bloodwork, and chemo at our satellite clinic in Scarborough, saving us time, gas, and money by not having to travel to SickKids for every appointment.

I’m thankful for Alex, Lynn & Kirsty, the Child Life Specialist, RN, and Nurse Practitioner respectively at our satellite clinic in Scarborough. These three women are a great resource for anyone in the east end of the GTA who has to take their child in to be treated for cancer. They are wonderful, caring people, and they bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of families who have to go through one of the worst things imaginable.

I’m thankful for the support of strangers, friends, and family while we walk this difficult path. Monetary donations, gift cards, meals, and toys for the kids are just a few of the ways that people have helped out. Grandparents & family who have supported us with child care services, have enabled us to get to SickKids for early appointments, go to work, and get out of the house for a small break from the kids in order to keep some semblance of our sanity.

I’m thankful for Hearth Place in Oshawa, its staff, and all of the other childhood cancer families we have met along the way. Talking to other people who just “get” it has been great for reducing stress and worry. It’s nice to see familiar, smiling faces at our monthly parent support meeting, and to get updates on how their children are progressing & to compare notes on side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or rashes. It may not happen every month, but there is usually one parent/family at the meeting whose child is finished treatment. It’s heartening to see them come back, and to continue to support the community. Seeing other families who have been through treatment, and have come out the other side is like a beacon of light and hope in a long dark tunnel. It also may not happen every month, but there are new families who will show up. I don’t ever wish for other parents to join our club, but it’s also nice to meet new families who aren’t very far in treatment. It’s cathartic to share our experiences with them, and to provide support & hope to others new to childhood cancer.

I’m thankful for all of the great organizations out there who are supporting children, and families. There are too many to name them all, but a few such organizations are: Camp Ooch, Kids Up Front, Million Dollar Smiles, The Super Sophia Project, and Make-A-Wish Canada.

I’m thankful we live in Canada, with our universal health care. We’re out of pocket on some things such as medication, transportation to & from hospitals, lunches, etc., but it’s manageable. We’re not in a situation where we have to fight with private health insurance to cover basic costs of treatment, nor do we have to worry about having to sell, or lose the house because of astronomical medical bills.

I’m thankful for anyone who has ever donated, organized an event, or raised awareness of childhood cancer, and how it needs more funding for research so there can be new, more successful, and less harmful treatment options for these kids.

I tend to be a negative thinker, so it’s good to do an exercise like this once in a while. It can change your whole world view by being appreciative of what you have, and seeing things in the light of glass half full.