First Day of School

It happened. Charlotte went to school today!

With the chemo schedule getting more condensed and having less time off, once we saw this open week on our calendar, we knew we had to try to make it happen. We got the OK from her oncology team, spoke with Charlotte's teacher about the daily schedule, and even arranged for Riley from Child Life to give a presentation to the entire 5th grade class about what to expect with Charlotte's return. The wheels were in motion!

And then we were admitted on Friday. We knew deep down that our plan was going to change. Because of course it was! This "fly by the seat of your pants" approach does NOT do it for me!

Upon discharge, we were told we'd have to come back Monday or Tuesday for a lab check to make sure her blood counts were on the way up. With no appointments available Monday, the week felt like it was slipping away from us. We were holding out hope that we'd still get a few days.

And thankfully, Charlotte's appointment on Tuesday confirmed she was in the clear. Her counts were WAY higher than they had been over the weekend and she was no longer in the danger zone.

The look on her face this morning was something special. She woke up smiling and kept repeating "I get to go to school today!" Connor and I were a mix of nerves and happy tears. We have surrendered our lives the past five months. To experience even just a few hours of what life was like before cancer was something we won't soon forget.

And to the entire St. Luke crew - our friends, staff members, 5th graders - please know that Charlotte's day was MADE today. Thank you for welcoming her back and letting her be a 10-year old again.