Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Thomas's Trekking Sloths

(Copied from Facebook)

September 2:

Now that Thomas has been home from the hospital for a year and a half, I am ready to "dabble my toes" in the waters of raising awareness and money toward curing neuroblastoma. I keep abreast of the research, of which *excellent* work is being done right here at Levine's, and I can promise you that huge strides are being made every single year that are saving more and more children with this dread disease. The survival rates are exceptionally better even than ten short years ago. Maybe a few years from now, Thomas's case will be a kind that could have been cured with medicine instead of him being cured by a devastatingly damaging surgery. I'm committing to walking this month, which is a small, symbolic way that I, as a too-busy and extremely out-of-shape mama, can join my suffering with that of children suffering cancer right now. Any money donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand through my "team" will be directed specifically toward neuroblastoma research. Thank you for your consideration!

My Donation Page: Thomas's Trekking Sloths

September 4:

Thanks so much to those who donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand so far! Thomas's Trekking Sloths (that's me, I'm the sloth) have already logged 12 miles. In a poignant turn, I discovered two pictures Thomas drew this week. One night, I tucked him into bed only to find a "GO AWAY CANCER!" picture taped above his bed. He knows he is NED (No Evidence of Cancer), so maybe he is processing things emotionally right now, as he gets older and has more full understanding. Then I found on the ground (as I find so many strewn pictures) a drawing of a sad child being pushed in a wheelchair at the hospital with the helicopter arriving, as it did multiple times daily while Thomas was inpatient. Notice the accurate Atrium symbol drawn in the photo! Thomas doesn't know I'm walking to raise money, but he knows we are taking the art supplies to donate to the hospital, and he told me that inspired this picture he labeled "DONATIONS." If you'd like to donate, you're welcome to visit my page!

September 6:

When I chose the name of Thomas's Trekking Sloths, I was being brutally honest about my slow self. I really didn't want to walk tonight, so I just plodded along with my painful knees and let my mind wander in and out of the rooms on 11th floor of Levine's (the oncology floor) where the suffering is a whole lot greater.

I'm up to 21 miles.