A lot of people have reached out and asked about how the kids are doing, so here you go…

They have all known something was going on for a while now. They knew mama’s tummy was bugging her, that going to the bathroom was a problem, and as soon as the consistent doctor’s appointments started we could see they were more in tune to what we were talking about, even as we tried to talk in code

We waited until last Thursday (2/29) after the MDC (meeting with medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and surgeon) to tell the kids all the details and use the “C” word. We figured it made sense to wait so we would be able to know the treatment plan and give them an idea of what to expect.

All 3 kids took the news differently.

Jude (12) immediately clammed up. Didn’t say a word, other than “I don’t know what to say.” Since then, he’s opened up a bit more; he’s expressed his worry for Liz’s well-being, and has expressed a desire to be more helpful when needed.

It hit Dylan (10) the hardest. She immediately burst into tears and sat in mama’s lap sobbing. Thinking about it now makes me tear up. Since then she’s made comments about “doing things for mom” like wanting to get the win in her weekend basketball and soccer games for mom, etc.

I am not even sure how to describe Theo’s (7) reaction. When we told them, it was right before his bed time and he had just come home from basketball practice so he might have been dozing off. When we asked him afterwards what we had said, he remembered maybe 1/4 of it…clearly it was too much for his tired little brain to process at that point. Since then he has made it clear he knows mama will be going to the doctor a lot, this is how her tummy is going to get better, and he needs to give her “hugs and loves” as much as he can.

Obviously all of this can and probably will change as Liz starts treatment, I will be diligent about including updates on the kids’ journeys along with Liz and I’s. Hopefully the next post will include confirmation that we have a treatment plan start date (still waiting for insurance approval).

CCM