Authors: Meghan Redenbach
Thursday, December 10
(Meghan writes)
Day six of radiation. I’m feeling good. I’m still mad tired from getting awakened every morning for school. I still think I should and deserve a day off every now and then. Treatment was dumb but went good. Dad tries to be cool and rap on the way home, but he does not succeed. We tell him otherwise to make him feel good about himself, but it’s all good. It was “G” day. Someone got into my locker and put Ghirardelli chocolate in there. I’m thinking it was Olivia. And it was very good!
Friday, December 11
(Meghan writes)
Went to school today, had Dad pick Jordan and me up after school. I went to the nurse with a bad headache and felt lightheaded. I asked her what faucet and knob was hot and cold, and I just wasn’t acting right. It went away. Day seven of radiation has gone well. We were in and out. VERY EXCITED FOR TOMORROW! I’m buying myself a new phone with MY OWN MONEY!!
(Mom writes)
Today was “H” day and Meg got a large bowl filled with four different ice creams, four bowls, sprinkles, peanuts and two kinds of syrup. We couldn’t figure out why Meg received ice cream on “H” day but after reading the card in Spanish, ice cream in Spanish begins with “H”. Meg seems to think it was Miss Dewey who had “H”. Jordan is coming over after basketball to spend the night.
Monday, December 14
Meg didn’t feel well today. She has had pains in her stomach since Sunday night. She texted me today at work saying her stomach was hurting. I called Roswell, and Terri had us take her to Children’s Emergency Room when she got home. We had to miss a day of radiation. We arrived at the hospital at 3:45 p.m. Pediatric surgery notified them that we were coming. We sat there for six and a half hours. They ended up doing a CAT scan to find out that her period is part of the reason. Also, with the surgery she had, she can easily get constipated. Bethany waited the entire time in the cafeteria. We went to get something to eat as we were all starving. Everything turned out okay. Today was “I” day and it was from the Wilson High School volleyball coach (Jackie Benton) and her family; they gave Meg a book of “Introductions” (a picture and introduction of each of them) and iTunes cards.
Tuesday, December 15
Today Meg felt good. We were all a little tired today. Meg went to school and tonight was the first day of basketball. We missed her game but made it for Varsity. Today was “J” day and she got Juicy Couture pajamas from the varsity basketball coach in Wilson. She freaked! She also got a necklace.
Wednesday, December 16
Everything was good today. Meg went to school and today was “K” day. Meg received a huge bag of Hershey Kisses and knock-knock jokes.
Thursday, December 17
Everything is good today. Meg went to school and today was “L” day. Meg received some Laffy Taffy and posters made by a class with sayings starting with “L”.
Friday, December 18
Everything was good again today. I stayed home to catch up. I picked up Meg at 2:10 p.m. and we were at Roswell by 2:55. Our appointment wasn’t until 3:30. We went in around 3:45. We made the start of Meg’s basketball game. Today was “M” day, but we couldn’t find “M” anywhere. “M” actually showed up Saturday. It was an M&M machine. Day eleven of radiation.
Monday, December 21
Meg was tired today, but she only has three days and then she is on vacation. We went to radiation at 4:10 p.m. so she would be out of there sooner. Today was “N” day and it was a nest of cookies. Today was day twelve of radiation.
Tuesday, December 22
Meg is pushing for vacation. We went early again to radiation and it was day thirteen. We are halfway from being done. Meg has been going to basketball practice. Today was “O” day. She got orange pop, Oreos, oranges, Orbit gum, O-Mints, and Orville Redenbacher popcorn.
Wednesday, December 23
Meg is looking forward to today. It is the last day of school and day fourteen of radiation. Meg went to Bridget’s house for their family Christmas party. They went on a hayride and had dinner and lots of fun. She was tired. Today was “P” day and she got a basket of pink pajamas, pink fuzzy socks and a pink blanket from the Brauer’s church.
Thursday, December 24
We had to go to radiation early today. We went at 11:00 a.m. and then went to the mall for a few last minute items. Today was day fifteen and also “Q” day. Meg received Suzy Q’s from Mr. Verdi. We went to Joan and Pete’s for Christmas Eve.
Friday, December 25
Mike had to work today so we went to Christie’s at noon for brunch and to exchange gifts. We had our Christmas around four and then we had dinner. Mom stayed overnight. We all went to bed pretty early.
Monday, December 28
Today we went to radiation a little early because the weather was very bad. We got there around 3:30. Today was day sixteen and “R” day. Meg got a $20.00 gift card to Regal Cinemas. Volleyball was cancelled so we didn’t have to go there.
Tuesday, December 29
Today we went to radiation at 10:30 a.m., and Olivia came with us; it was day seventeen. Meg has been feeling really good, just tired. We stopped at home for about an hour and then we went to the school because they are hosting a Christmas Basketball Tournament. Their game was at three o’clock and Roy-Hart won. Mike and I came home and Meg stayed for the varsity game. She will be tired. Today was “S” day and she got lots of socks from the Wilson JV and varsity volleyball teams.
Wednesday, December 30
Today we went to radiation at 12:50 p.m. because Meg had to be back by three o’clock for the basketball game. Today was day eighteen of radiation. It was also “T” day. There was a huge bag of treats at the door when we got home. There were Bugles, Reese cups, Slim Jims, Swedish fish, Sour Patch and some other goodies.
Thursday, December 31
Meg was feeling good today because she could sleep in a bit. We went to radiation at 10:30 a.m. and had to wait a little because we were early. Today is day nineteen of radiation. It was “U” day. She received an envelope full of lottery tickets with a letter that said, “Here is hoping “U” win the lottery”. She had $30 worth of tickets and won $38. She had a ball with this one. She went to Stephanie’s house from six till ten o’clock this evening for a New Year’s Eve party. When I picked her up she was exhausted. We were going shopping in the morning so she went right to bed. Mike had to work in the morning so we just stayed home.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Meg headed back to school today. We went to radiation and it was day twenty, we only have five more to go. We are so excited! Today was also “V” day, and Meg received a volleyball shirt and a “V”ery big candy bar, along with a candy Valentine’s Day card.
Tuesday, January 5
Meg went to school at 1:00 this afternoon, because she had to go back to the surgeon to be cleared to play sports and then to radiation. He cleared her, and she has no restrictions. She also has a basketball game, and she can run and do whatever she wants. She was just glowing when she was cleared. Everyone was so excited to see her back on the court. She was tired. Today was day twenty-one and “W” day. She got a reusable Walmart bag filled with things like Whoppers, white Orbit gum, a scarf and a warm volleyball blanket from BNCC (Buffalo Niagara Court Center for volleyball).
Wednesday, January 6
Meg was in a great mood today. Today is the first day she can participate in sports. She was running around school showing everyone her clearance letter. Today was day twenty-two and it was “X” day. Meg received a box filled with some “X”tra cash. It was forty dollars in singles with a piggy bank. She loved it. Meg is starting to get more tired.
Thursday, January 7
I took Meg earlier than 4:10 p.m. today because she had to get back for basketball. The girls at radiation asked how many more days she had, and she told them she had to go until Monday. They said no—she had to go until next Thursday. I made them tell her, because she would have complained all the way home if I had told her. They wanted to power three treatments to where the clips are. Today was day twenty-three and it was “Y” day. Meg received a “yellow” vest. She was exhausted today. She took the news of an extra three treatments pretty easily.
Friday, January 8
Meg was excited as today was the day she could play basketball, and they were playing Wilson. Today was day twenty-four and it was “Z” day. Meg received “Zingers”. Meg didn’t play too much, but she did take a couple of falls. My heart was in my throat. She got up and was fine. She had some “BIG” bruises on her knees. They were black the next day, but she had an awesome time.
Saturday, January 9
Meg had practiced basketball from 7:00 until 9:00 in the morning. We went to the NU hockey game and got the royal treatment. We were given box seats, dinner, drinks and a visit to the locker room before the game and after. Meg and Nick dropped the puck at the opening ceremony. They also won the game. Meg was given a t-shirt that the guys were given for Christmas. It said “Man Up” with an exclamation point and the dot was a heart with Meg’s initials in it. The coach told Meg that they keep her close to their hearts. We had a blast.
Monday, January 11
Today was day twenty-five of radiation. This should have been her last day, but they said that she was supposed to get three treatments just to the area of the clips, so we have to do as they say. They still continued with the gifts. Today Meg received a spa pedicure from Bridget and her aunt Erin. Meg will certainly love this. After radiation we went to volleyball practice. Meg was really tired.
Tuesday, January 12
Today was day twenty-six of radiation and yes, another gift was at the door. Today the gift was school spirit. Meg received a hoodie and a long sleeved t-shirt in school colors with a volleyball on the front. These came from the Quackenbush family. Meg had a game at CSAT today, and they won. She needs lots of rest though.
Wednesday, January 13
Today was day twenty-seven of radiation and Meg had volleyball after. Bethany took her there and then to practice. After practice they went to Target to get me a birthday present and then to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Meg came home stuffed and with lots of leftovers. Today she received a Nike “Just Do It” t-shirt from Bridget with a great note on it. They didn’t get home until 10:30 p.m. Meg was completely shot.
Thursday, January 14
Today is day twenty-eight and the day we have been waiting for. This is Meg’s last day of radiation and we are all thrilled (Mike and I more than Meg). We stopped by Chico’s to let Aunt Debbie know and then we went to dinner at Tully’s with Johnny, Lindsay and Debbie—we had fun! Today’s gift was a $50 TGIF card with this great letter about how it will be Friday in eight hours and we are now free… The Jennings stopped over for a bit to drop something off for Meg and it was a $100 gift card to “Finish Line” since she was now finished. We are just so glad that we don’t have to drive to Roswell every day anymore. This was the best birthday present for me that I could ever get. I will be writing only on doctor visit days or for anything that pertains to Meg’s medical issues.
Tuesday, January 26
Meg got to sleep in today because we had to be at Roswell by 11:00 a.m. to get blood work and her drink for the CAT scan. We went up to the 6
th
floor and saw Julie and Kristin. We visited for a bit and then went for the scan. We laughed our heads off in there. We had an inmate across from us and a cross-dresser next to us. This was Meg’s end-of-treatment check-up. We left around two o’clock in the afternoon. Meg had a game tonight.
Wednesday, January 27
We went up to see Dr. R. There was a snowstorm so we were about a half an hour late. Meg visited all of the nurses that were on the floor when she was there. Dr. R said her blood work was good and so was the CAT scan. They want her to come back in six weeks to have another scan, because the area where she had surgery and radiation was still inflamed and they want a clearer picture. Meg is compared from scan to scan because she constantly is changing. Her one number in her blood work was in the high end of normal, and I was concerned and called Dr. R to let him know that the number is usually between seven and fourteen, not twenty two. He said that if she had a cold or didn’t feel well that it could throw the number off. She did have a stomach ache and headache the day before. He decided to have her get blood work also in six weeks. He would rather be safe than sorry. Stay tuned…
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Today Meg had to go back to Roswell for her six week checkup after treatment. We had to be there at 9:00 a.m. for blood work and then we went up to pediatrics to get the drink for her CAT scan. Then we went down to CAT scan and began the two hour process of drinking the yucky stuff and waiting. We always have fun watching everyone choke down the nasty drink. We went back upstairs to pediatrics when we were done. We saw all of our nurse friends and the social workers. They are all awesome. Dr. R went down to read the scan. He said it looked great. Her blood work also came back good. The number fell from 22 to 21. We now have to go back on June 30
th
for the same thing and a heart scan. Until then…
One of the items donated for Meghan’s benefit in March of 2009 was a resort stay in Florida; the winner of the accommodations then gave it to the Redenbachs. Jeff Weber (Meg’s Make-a-Wish coordinator, as well as one of the Niagara University Hockey coaches) donated three-day passes to Walt Disney World. They were not able to go until May of 2010. Following a clear body scan, it was a trip they used to celebrate Meghan’s fifteenth (and last) birthday which was on May 18
th
. Mom became the “vacation dictator,” and it was “Marathon Disney” for Meg. She was the first through every gate and collected and wore every button she could get her hands on. She couldn’t believe how nice everyone was everywhere. Meghan and Nick both loved Tower of Terror so much; Meg’s mother told her it was a good thing she wasn’t wearing her wig anymore. After seeing everything they could during their time in the parks, the Redenbachs enjoyed the remainder of their time lounging pool-side at the Vistana Resort.