For around 17 months, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital was our home away from home during Isaac’s treatment for brain cancer. We were there each and every Friday for blood work and quick chemo appointments and there many days in between for inpatient chemotherapy, countless scans and procedures, and unexpected bumps along the way. The doctors, nurses, staff…even down to Miss Linda in the Gift Shop became a beautiful extension of our family. Most would not look forward to going to multiple doctors appointments in one day, but Isaac’s yearly check-up is one that we always look forward to. It is reminder of just how far he has come.
Unfortunately, many have come and gone and things have changed through the years. We no longer go to the same location that he had clinic, but rather a beautiful new infusion center that they built a few years ago. His one oncologist, Dr. Kwon has retired and we haven’t seen Dr. Goodell in quite some time. But there is still much that remains the same! Isaac’s clinic nurse Noel is still there. She was also the only one that Isaac would allow to access his port. To see him now the same height as her and the hugs they share melts this Momma’s heart. We are still graced by the amazing presence of the one and only, Dr. Ruge! I truly sit in awe of him as I watch him and Isaac interact. I give so much credit to this brilliant man for Isaac being here with us still today!
We were able to meet up with Kevynne, the child life specialist and deliver 10 care packages for kiddos who are inpatient. Also, for the second year in a row Camp Out From Cancer was able to make a $2000 donation to the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center to use towards research and family activities. We know that this is not much in the grand scheme of things, but just a small way to show our thanks for the amazing care and support this hospital has provided to us for the past 8+ years. If you have not had the chance to see the video Isaac was featured in a few years back for the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center you can check it out here!