Immuno Day 3

Today was a much better day for Caden. He woke refreshed, ate every single one of his snacks, only needed one poke which he did not feel because we had numbing cream on multiple places, and was done with all appointments within two hours. He felt well enough to catch up on work in Spanish, Seminary, and started on his Math. And he's beat me twice at our card game. It was a much better day all around.

While waiting for his EKG, he filled out a survey for another study he's been enrolled in for one year. It is actually questionnaires to see how his cancer diagnosis has affected him as a youth. I've helped him fill out two of these now, both at different times along the way, but I still feel so surprised by some of his answers. He answered that he "sometimes" fears he's a burden to his family. He said he "rarely" worries if treatments are working. He "never" feels hopeless. He "almost never" feels sorry when getting a procedure. He "absolutely" feels stronger because of his cancer. And cancer has brought our family closer together "a little."

"We have always been really close."

All of the answers were split-second decisions. He is telling the truth-- he does not feel hopeless, even after all that he's been through.  He doesn't worry wether it's working, his thoughts are on living during the treatments. Man, this kid amazes me.  I had to stop myself from staring in shock at so many of the answers. He really is the epitome of courage and strength.