UPDATED JUNE 12, 2009

SURVIVAL: THE NAME OF THE GAME!

So, we survived it all....we survived oncology clinic for yearly visits, survived the hearing test and survived the waiting for the AFP for probably the LAST TIME.  Nurse Erika called on Friday after only two stalking phone calls from me to let me know the AFP was in at 1.41.  FANTASTIC news!!!!  Dr. George said that we will not have anymore chest x-rays and this would probably be the last AFP. It's insane to think it - no more AFP's????  But, I came to a realization on our drive home from our trip from Scouts:  I don't know Zach's AFP today, didn't know it yesterday, two days ago, two weeks ago, two MONTHS ago...it's time to REALLY SURVIVE and let it go!!!  I trust Dr. George implicitly - he has never failed us, never led us down a wrong path and if he says we don't need it.....then we don't need it!

We also somehow survived the "End of the Year' trip for Scouts at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah.  Yes...tent camping, in Savannah, in JUNE - UGH!  It was as hot and humid as you could imagine and of course - it RAINED every day we were there.  Sigh...it was SOOOO good to be home again!  We did have fun and the boys did a lot of fun things like going to Old Fort Jackson and being 'trained' by an old-timey Drill Sergeant and then seeing the Trains at the Roundhouse.  If it was not raining so much it would have probably been more fun, but oh well! 

We of course incorporated a visit to my family before the end of the year trip and played Tourists all day on Thursday.  We went to the aquarium at Skidaway and then to Tybee for some yummy lunch at the beach, and then to the Lighthouse.  Zach climbed all 178 steps to the top and enjoyed looking out and about from the 'clouds'!

So for now, we are surviving, and it couldn't be better.  Shane and I have survived 14 married years together on June 3rd (I love you so much, my darling!) and the anniversary of our first date 17 years ago is June 12th.  We survived the loss of my parents together, the diagnosis and treatment of our son together and many other trials and tribulations along the way, but that's what you do - given the chance, you SURVIVE, and you survive them together. 

In the spirit of survival we are having a party for Zach for his SEVEN year off chemo anniversary!  We are getting together with dear friends to have the boys run around and wreak havoc as they see fit - just like survivors should!

I will put some new pictures up soon.  We took a TON of pictures from visiting in Savannah and from the Scouting trip.  Check back for them soon! 

God bless all of you -

Shane, Amiee and Zachary

The Martin Family at Chuck E. Cheese celebrating our little warrior's 7 year Off Chemo Anniversry!

Daddy works wonders making cool 'Club Penguin' signs for Zach!

  
Zach after the 'Pie Eating' race at Field day on the Last Day of school! 

Daddy and Zachary in Chattanooga - March 2009



Mommy and Zachary in Chattanooga -
March 2009