Last Saturday, Aly swam in her first swim meet since completing her cancer treatments. She was so excited. She did pretty well. She swam in a 100 freestyle relay, 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 50 breast stroke. Unfortunately, in every race, except the breast stroke, her jaw locked up
during each race. She was able to continue and finish her races, but it definitely affected her times. There was also some confusion, by the workers near the starting blocks. In her 2nd race, Aly almost missed her heat because she was told to wait. In the next race, they told her to go at the wrong time, so Aly ended up in the wrong heat with 13 year olds. At least she got some experience in and I think she was happy to be back in the races. I wish we could figure out this jaw lock thing. It is so frustrating!
Mother's Day was awesome. The kids and Kevin brought me gifts while I was still in bed. Aly had planted some flower seeds at school. She made me a card. On the front it had a picture of the
earth with crying eyes. It said, "Earth without moms." On the inside it said, "Earth needs moms. We need moms. You are the best mom ever." She also treated me to the wonderful driveway art. Very cute! Tom bought me a sweatshirt from Fox Hollow Golf Club, where he works. He also gave me a great card. It had a picture on the front of a mom squirrel and a little squirrel in a tree house and the little squirrel had acorns all over the "floor". The mom squirrel says, "Look at this room! No wonder you can never find anything in here!" Inside it said, "Happy Mother's Day, from your nutty son." What is he going to do without me nagging him next year?? Kevin bought me a pool float so I can relax in Aly's pool.
Aly had a band concert tonight. The band did very well. It was Aly's first of the year. There was one earlier in the year, but it happened to fall on the same night as senior night for Tom's hockey team. Aly graciously gave her concert up so we could attend the one and only senior night. Anyways, once again, during her special activities, her jaw locked up on her. It hasn't been happening, at all, while playing her flute. Of course, on the one special occasion...BOOO! I'm beginning to wonder if it has something to do with nervousness or maybe clenching her jaw?? I don't know. I just feel sad that it happens at these important events and not at other times. I sometimes think we should pursue some treatments, but I hate to subject her to something if there is no guarantee it will help.
On another note, we are waiting for all the ducks to be put in a row so she can start her growth hormones. It has been approved by our insurance (yeah!), but now we have to wait for them to contact the manufacturer who, I guess, sends out a representative/nurse to show us how to administer it. Everything takes so much time and as usual, it is hurry up and wait. Aly is excited to start, but not excited to have to get a shot every day. We were told it is some kind of pen that has several doses in a cartridge, so at least it will not be the hassle of filling a needle out of a bottle. I believe it will be something like an EpiPen??? Hopefully it won't hurt! I think the benefits will outweigh the needle. The endocrine doctor said it will help her with lean muscle mass, so she will be able to get back in good physical shape. She will obviously start growing upwards, and the dr. said it helps give more of a general sense of well being.
Other than that, we have already been enjoying the pool. We all got in it on Mother's Day, and had some special family time. It was truly a lovely day with just the 4 of us!
