Spinal Tap & ATRT

Nana & Papa arrived mid day on Tuesday to join us in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia care unit) after Madeleine's spinal tap. It's a huge ordeal for a 5-10 minute procedure, for both the girls considering this time Annalise had to go with us. Madeleine cannot have anything by mouth (nothing to eat or drink) for 6 hours before the procedure, and it takes approximately two hours afterwards for the propofol to wear off, to nurse and not throw up and get ready to go home. Big sister was so good, we stopped for Yogurtland even before nap as a reward.

Nana and Papa are such a huge part of our lives from so far away: they inspire us, the counsel us on many levels, they love us, and funny enough, they are the most like us; Jeff is very much like Papa and I am JUST like my grandma. Perhaps this is one of the biggest reasons we enjoy their company so much. As much as they have been a part of Madeleine's journey, this has been their first opportunity to experience first hand Madeleine's happy spirit, her laughs and screams of excitement, and her overall sweetness. We are all very happy they've come to stay with us for a few days this week.

Our last post of Sunday, I wrote how I was so happy for Madeleine's treatment to be over, her overall success, and how I long for people especially close to us to fully grasp her achievement and to never take her for granted. The very next day, on Monday I was reminded that being an ATRT cancer mom is so incredibly difficult since we all jump for overwhelming joy when one of our children has success, big or small, in their fight against the disease; likewise, I think we are all touched beyond our heart to the very depths of our soul and gut when one of our children has earned their angel wings.
Little baby Jude Chauvin Smith in New Orleans, may God rest your soul.