Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Life has been busy the last few days. We did do our day trip with our 2 older boys to see "The Revenge of the Sith". It was a successful excursion. The movie was well worth the 3 hour (round trip) drive to see it. The storyline was excellent and all questions were answered. From the Damstroms we give it a "thumbs up!" (Even though my husband bored me with reiterating every fact and trivia from the movies on the ride home.)
Jonas and I flew to Vancouver yesterday to see his specialist. Our original plan was to stay overnight, but my best friend's step dad passed away from cancer the day before. I knew it was better to be at home for her support,than in Metrotown shopping. (better on the wallet as well!) We arrived at the airport and Jonas was just giddy with excitement. Outside we went to catch a taxi, but Jonas saw "buses". (My children are sheltered I suppose, and have only been on the school buses.)
"Mommy, could we please catch a bus to the hospital!" he begged.
"Only if it isn't too complicated getting there!" I answered.
We found a concierge person who assured us that it wasn't at all complicated to get to the hospital. Well...the bus was jammed, and we were all packed in like sardines. We transferred twice, missed our connection, waited forever at a bus stop that we found out (after a "good" half an hour) that was headed to UBC. We finally found the correct bus stop and got on the bus. The bus took us 5 blocks (estimated guess) to our destination. Jonas and I could have walked quicker from the UBC stop to get to Children's hospital. All in all, this excursion took us over 2 hours! Oh well! My son got to experience the joys of catching a city bus. We caught a taxi back to airport. I didn't want to overkill the bus experience for Jonas and I. The rest of the afternoon we spent at the airport browsing and eating. I came home feeling bloated and tired. Oh well, all in a day's work.
Side note: The second bus that we travelled on was packed and had standing room only. There were two little, old Chinese ladies sitting on the seat beside where we were standing. One would fall asleep, wake up and then the other would fall asleep. This cycle kept repeating itself. The one Chinese gramma noticed Jonas holding on to dear life to the railing of the bus. Immediately she was concerned. Her and gramma number 2 moved themselves over and offered Jonas a butt space on their seat. He sat down and then first gramma clinched her sweet little arms around Jonas like he was a grandson of her own. She hugged him for dear life. She was proud and Jonas wasn't quite sure why this sweet little old lady was hugging him. When we got off at the stop the two little grannies waved at us like we were part of the family. How sweet was that?
Anyhow, I am pleased to report that Jonas doesn't need to see his specialist again. His doctor said that in his 5 years of life he has discredited all of the physiology text books. She also noted that out of all her patients Jonas' recovery(from a brachial plexus injury from birth) has been the most remarkable. His range of motions are all back to normal, except his supination, which is a little weak, but at this stage he has the motions of what most functioning adults have. I couldn't believe that 5.5 years ago his arm was paralyzed and we were considering nerve transplant surgery! His doctor said that she would love to see him again "only to see his success story and prove everyone wrong!" I was happy and overwhelmed and left the hospital with tears of joy. Unfortunately, as I was happy with my son's positive outcome, I looked across the street to the Oncology wing,to see little tiny children going in for radiation therapy. I felt blessed, sad, and aware of how precious children are. Sometimes we (as parents) get caught up in the stresses of day to day life, but nothing else matters in life! That was my lesson from my visit to the doctor's office.
Seamus' class took their big train trip to the town of Usk. Probably it was a "good" 10 minute train ride. Seamus was excited about his day trip to the "kind of like a farm" place. They saw chickens, found bird feathers and Seamus found a moose tooth. He had so much joy from a simple visit to his teacher's parent's home. Having him describe his treasures and activities during the day made me smile even more.
Scott held up the home front with me gone. He did complain that with Gavin he couldn't nap when he wanted. (duh!!) He managed well, but was happy to pass the "parent-in-charge" torchlight to me immediately.
All in all, it has been a busy week for our family: a plane trip to Vancouver, a train trip to Usk, and a day trip to Prince Rupert. Oh yeah, you can't forget the infamous bus ride through Vancouver! That was Jonas' highlight of the day.
Here is my thought for the day:
Dr. Verchere: "Jonas can you raise both of your hands in the air for us?"
Jonas: (with a smirkish grin) "You mean like this Jedi pose!" To which he sang the Darth Vader anthem and held both arms up to an imaginary Light Sabre. We all chuckled...
Enjoy your day!
Jenny