Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Someone else

Steven is at school today and is doing pretty well. He still won't let me shave or pull out the rest of his hair, so he has got just a few patches of very short hair left. And it bothers him to touch it with a hat or anything, so he has been bare headed lately. I think he'll be a lot happier about school when it is warmer or when he starts wearing hats.

I just wanted to share a few things he has said to me recently. When we were waiting to be discharged from the hospital, he laid his head back on his hands and said, "You know, this place really has great service. The nurses are really nice and will get you whatever you want. When you have to have a scan, they let you watch a video. I mean, it's just a great place. The only thing that isn't so good is the food."

And then last night he said, "I keep thinking about this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where they get robbed and the mom says, 'This is the sort of thing that happens to someone else' and the dad says, 'I guess someone has to be the someone else'. I keep thinking that is what it is like for me. I never thought I would ever get cancer--I thought that only happens to someone else." I told him it was probably a good thing that he never thought it would happen to him--chances were that it wouldn't. He thought about that for a while. I think he was wondering what it means that he is one of 5 in a million kids to get osteosarcoma.

I've thought about that a lot myself. Another recent conversation we had gave me hope that maybe it's so he'll be motivated to work on a cancer cure someday. He was reading a book about different jobs people have and he came across the job of biochemist. He got really excited and called me over to read about it. He said, "I bet there is a lot of money in cancer research. Maybe I could be a biochemist when I grow up." Perfect. The only thing better is if someone beats him to the cure.

10 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post Sonja. Steven would make a fantastic biochemist--and it IS very competitive so he would be working with other people as smart as him. When Brian's cancer research is starting to eat up a lot of time, I just think about the fact that maybe, just maybe, someone's loved one will live longer someday if I let him stay at work late. We sure love you guys!

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  2. Steven,
    You are doing awesome and stay strong. I am praying for you and Alisa. Good luck. Miss you.
    Mels

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  3. I love this post. Steven would make a great biochemist. He is so smart and he would most certainly have the compassion and motivation.

    I also like the service in the hospital, but not the food.

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  4. Wow, what an amazing boy! No doubt he'll accompish much with such a great attitude. And I agree, hospital service is pretty great and actually I don't mind the food either. When foods brought to you in bed, there's nothing better!

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  5. Steven you are fast becoming my new super-hero. You are brave, strong and have the most powerful mind. I keep wondering what you are being prepared for.

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  6. So, do they let you smuggle good food into the hospital?
    There has to be some comment to be made about Steven being 1 in a million-but it has nothing to do with the cancer!

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  7. You guys are in every prayer. Steven we are so impressed with your courage. I think you are going to something outstanding for this world with your intelligence and the things that you are learning through this whole process. Hope you know we love you.

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  8. Steven,I'll bet those nurses will give you just about anything you ask for to eat so live it up!! Have ice cream at least three times a day (I don't think that even hospitals can mess up ice cream!)
    P.S. I think you will make a great biochemist!

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