We are home! Hudson and I made it home on Thursday afternoon, after he received his last chemo med and got his dressing for his central line changed. We are settling in at home, trying to stay organized with all his daily meds and line care. Hudson continues to have some nausea and occasional vomiting, but overall he is doing great! He enjoyed a day with Grandma and Grandpa yesterday so I could return to work. We’re enjoying a quiet weekend at home as a family!

12:30pm - UPDATE: just got the official word that his CSF from his lumbar puncture was clear!!! No disease found!!! THANK YOU, JESUS!

12:00pm - Overall, Hudson has had a pretty good week and has been sleeping better at night. Last night they had to increase his fluids due to blood in his urine, (side effect of one of his chemo meds) so they had to do a UA (and therefore a diaper change) every 2 hours, but he was able to settle back to sleep pretty well. Hudson’s also been feeling more puny and nauseous this morning, with a few episodes of vomiting so far. We are trying to keep it under control with his antiemetic meds. He’s had some fun this week, too - playing in the playroom and garden and with PT, OT, and music therapy, meeting and playing catch with some baseball players, and romping around the halls in his “pink car” and “blue twuck”.

Hudson is napping so I thought I’d write a quick update. Thursday night Hudson got his first two chemo medications. He slept pretty well that night. Friday and Saturday involved lots of urinalysis and fluids, trying to stay busy, playing and romping around the hall, and watching for him to clear one of the chemo meds out of his system. This morning his labs showed he cleared the medication, so he was just hooked up to the first of two chemo meds he’ll receive today.

1:30pm - Today starts the next phase of our treatment plan. Hudson went back to surgery for his central line placement and lumbar puncture just a little bit ago. As long as everything goes as planned, he should start his first round of chemo later today. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Mother Mary. I think it’s another sign of God’s faithfulness on this journey.

Matt and I have been so overwhelmed by the love and support we’ve received from our family, friends, and community. Truly, prayer is our greatest need right now, and we are so thankful for all the people we know (and many we don’t even know!) who are lifting our Hudson up in prayer.

🥳 TWO! 🥳

I really just want to freeze this moment and stay here forever, marveling at the gift you are, with no fears and no dread of what’s to come. But then we’d miss all the good you have yet to bring into this world.

Thank you, Jesus, for our Hudson James. Happy Birthday, little buddy. 💛