Last week, Danny stood on the side rail of an empty Target shopping cart and pulled the red plastic and metal structure over. It knocked him to the floor and when I saw him, after being prompted by his screams, he was flat on his back with the cart balancing on his chest. Shoppers gasped and Target red shirts surrounded me, offering assistance and kindness. An ambulance and fire truck responded, just to be safe, and it was determined that Danny was just fine. He went home with a plastic fire hat, stickers, and a complimentary blue slushy from the Target staff. When I said to him later that day, “Danny, that was scary,” he said, “No, it was fun.”
Last week, Joey and Danny had their teeth cleaned. Going to the pediatric dentist is always exciting for me because my boys are perfect, well-adjusted, kind little men during their visits (they sometimes are not this way which is why dentist appointments are such special occasions). They get their teeth cleaned while I wait in the waiting room with no complaints, no cries for mommy, no problems. I get to read magazines and sit quietly and peacefully. When they march out to meet me, prizes and toothbrushes in hand, the dentist tells me they are so good and so cute and so sweet. And this time, the dentist also told me that Joey has two loose bottom teeth. Exciting! Especially for a boy who just turned five a few weeks ago. So each day we wiggle Joey’s loose teeth and wonder when they will fall out. We talk about the tooth fairy and what she might bring Joey. We are shocked by this milestone that just happened upon us.
And today, I had another Herceptin treatment. Not so exciting. I slept and am happy for the rest. And I am happy that for now, the excitement of Danny’s ambulance adventure and the thrill of Joey’s loose teeth outweigh the enormity of cancer treatment.
Jacki Donaldson
KD on 2/2/2006 at 7:50 am said:
Thanks for sharing!!! Boys are truly amazing blessings. I bet Danny will recount that story hundreds of times as he is growing up. Then, as an adult I bet it will get more and more exaggerated and funny (somehow it will probably be your fault too –his way of teasing the Mom he still adores as a grown man)
Renee on 2/2/2006 at 9:09 am said:
What surprises me most is that you took two boys to Target shopping… made to an aisle… and yet your cart was still empty!!! My boys seems to start throwing things in the cart before it leaves the rack!
Glad to hear everyone is fine… sounds like too much fun in one day!
As far as the dentist visit goes… my best friend and I had this theory… boys will be good for some… and boys will show their true colors for others. If I have to choose… I would rather they be good for everyone else and be ornery for me… rather than vice versa. At least you get good comments from the public to help offset the bad days at home!
Good luck with your upcoming visit from the tooth fairy… and beware of comments that others will make to your boys. I have a certain devilish brother who told my boys on the eve of their first visit that if the tooth fairy REALLY loved them, they would see a 5-dollar bill in the morning… otherwise she didn’t really care. It took me years of explaining before my guys realized their uncle was just being mean! Of course… he is the same brother who taught my boys that “spit makes magnets stick together better!”
Enjoy your day… your boys… and a little ‘less’ excitement!
Love,
Renee
Jane on 2/2/2006 at 10:19 am said:
Isn’t it a joy when sweet stories outweigh the time spent at chemo ! As I was reading your words, Jacki, I thought this entry was a perfect example of why you have fought so hard to beat this disease .. you have SOOOOOOOOO much to live for…. those boys and so many other people and things ! Never falter !
My boys were always so polite in public, too ! Why do they belch and pick their feet at home ???
)
Love, Jane
April on 2/2/2006 at 6:43 pm said:
What a nice entry. I am so glad that your everyday life is somewhat “normal” now and you are able to focus on the little things your boys are experiencing. This instead of all the medicines and doctor’s visits and surgeries you were going through last year. I bet it is nice to have cancer in the background now instead of the forefront. So glad Danny’s fall left him unharmed and excited to tell the tale. Audrey probably won’t remember her several trips to the emergency room, but I have all the armbands to show her when she gets older.
Take care!
Dalene on 2/3/2006 at 10:05 am said:
Boys! They are the best, and when they are not the best, they always keep life interesting..and funny! My boys, as they were/are growing up, make me laugh in ways no one else on the planet can…Thanks for the Target adventure story…
Bev on 2/3/2006 at 5:36 pm said:
I have this vision of the red Target cart balancing precariously on Danny’s chest, while the heart in your chest is nearly jumping loose from your rib cage. Geez, those little ones sure do wreak havoc, don’t they? Glad he’s okay and best of all, thought it was a good time! Danny’s an eternal optimist; we can all learn a lesson from him.
A friend of mine’s 4 1/2 year old just lost a bottom tooth last week. The dentist was floored, it is rare to lose them so early. Joey is just ahead on the evolutionary scale…
I am grateful you had a restful treatment today and some time for yourself. A rare commodity for a mom of two little boys.
See you in March!