Radiation started

Quick update on the past two days. Joseph has started his radiation and is doing well. He has also started his chemo which is a little difficult to schedule because he has to have three hours without food. And he has to be without food for eight hours before radiation because he has to be knocked out for it. This is difficult for adults let alone a three year old whose appetite is already voracious due to steroids. The good news is that he is just a few days away from being completely tapered off his steroids, so very soon he will be down to his Tarceva (the chemo/biologic agent) and his anti-nausea medicine (he gets this during radiation). The radiation procedure is very quick, but because he cannot still completely still for 15 minutes he has to be put to sleep every day for it. They give him some Versed (sp?), which makes him sleepy and happy (and then they put him to sleep). This is really quite hard for us b/c after he gets the versed and before he is conked out he starts to act like his old self--silly, confident, funny, flirting with the nurses, teasing Mommy and Daddy, etc. It is a glimpse into his beautiful little personality that we all know and love. Ever since his first surgery and all the hospital visits and medicines he has to take he has become much more subdued and quiet, so his personality is a lot different now. We hope and pray that once some of the fear has subsided he will get back to being his old self.
He is already getting more comfortable at St. Judes, starting to play at the play tables in the waiting areas (at first he only wanted to sit in the wagon, or lie down in it and go to sleep). He goes to Occupational Therapy and he has shocked us by LOVING that; he pulls me down the corridor to go b/c he can't get there fast enough. I have learned that even a 2 year old can use scissors (something I never thought to give my kids), so Joe and I have been working on that at home. I'm still not sure I want to give them to Holly. I'll just trust the OT that she could do it. He basically draws lines with paint or crayons, plays with putty, strings beads, etc. It is to make sure he keeps his fine motor skills and stays on track with kids his age. He also does physical therapy, which he also enjoys. At first he would not participate in ANYTHING, so the fact that he will talk to these people and do what they are asking is huge.
I have also become a little more comfortable there and have ventured even to speak with other parents. It is neat to talk and share and hear what other people have been through. At first I was just getting my bearings, figuring out where everything was and how the place worked. I feel like we have become part of a club with very rare members and nobody wants to be a member. But it helps to know others are making it and how they do it. I know we couldn't make it without the many many prayers that are holding us up while we are on wobbly feet. Sometimes I will find myself singing a hymn of praise and I will think to myself, "Someone must be praying for me b/c I certainly don't feel like praising right now!" But then I am reminded of God's amazing presence and how it can be felt even through the darkest days and deepest pain, which I'm sure many of you can attest to.
In other news, Joseph (for the very first time EVER) went poopy on the potty today. I have never been so proud!! You would have thought he discovered electricity, my excitement level was so high. He has been potty trained (for pee pee) for over 5 months, but he absolutely refused to do number 2 on the potty. But, somehow Allen (who can get Joseph to do things I can't dream of) motivated him with a new car (which of course I've tried) and he did it, twice! Other good news is that Joseph is Daddy's boy again. He would not let me out of his sight for many weeks, but now he is starting to let Daddy back in and they are best buds again. This is a great joy for all of us, and it relieves a lot of pressure from me to do and be everything for him.
Okay, so this is not a "quick" update at all. Allen started this and I finished it, so I take responsibility for boring you all with toilet news. Please keep praying that this radiation will shrink the tumor and that the Tarceva will be very effective in stopping its growth. We are using the best that science has to offer but trusting God to make it work.