Endocrine And The Journey Home

Steven and Miss Leslie, the IV goddess

Our last day was endocrine clinic, where they attempt to quantify what we can all see with our own eyes, that Steven is growing up.

He's grown a whopping 5 1/2 inches in the last year, making growth hormone something we will most likely never have to consider.

We suspect that puuberty has arrived early for Steven, one of the many gifts of radiation, but one that we can live with. He's not quite 13, but he has most likely passed the peak of his adolescent growth spurt.

Steven and Miss Tracy, Dr. Gajjar's former nurse

We got the results of his hearing test, his hearing declined after the third cycle of chemo but the good news is that there have been no further declines.

His bone age is 13 1/2, bone age is an indication of how much longer he has to grow.

We visited E Clinic before we left, Steven always brings gifts for Dr. Gajjar and the nurses.

Steven and Miss Valerie, Dr. Gajjar's soon-to-be-former nurse

Dr. Gajjar's nurse Valerie will be leaving St. Jude next month for Baylor University in Texas, she's getting married.

All in all, a good visit. Next month marks four years from diagnosis for Steven, many were the days during his treatment when I couldn't imagine ourselves getting to where we are now.

We flew home uneventfully, Hurricane Dean turned out to be a false alarm.

So for now, we take a deep breath until the next time. First day of school is Monday.

- Kathleen