Camp

The boys go to American Cancer Camp this week. Doctors and nurses come from Dornbechers. They have the records of the sick children attending, at the camp. They draw blood and administer medications. Riley would not be going to camp if it weren't for this program. The medical staff know the issues these children have and accommodate for their needs.

Trevor was invited as a sibling guest. Both boys have been going to camp every year since cub scouts in first grade. They did day camp and then graduated to overnight the next year. Then the lengths of the overnights got longer until they were gone a week. I went one year to the overnight on the sub at OMSI, and the overnight at the zoo. What I didn't do was the longer than one night stays. I just like my hot showers and real bathrooms too much.

There was a mom who liked to go. She was another den leader and quite capable. I would give her my seven seat mini van for the trip with my blessing. I did not mind being without a car for a week if the alternative was camping with 200 stinky boys for a week.

My week was bliss, freedom and peace. I did miss the boys at the end of the week. I was excited to hear their adventures when they got back. I anticipate the same experience this time. I am a little more stressed though. I worry Riley wont drink enough fluids or remember to take his pills. I am grateful for the staff. I am relying on them to remind Riley.

I will talk to Trevor about saying only the right things at all times. Some of these children, boys and girls, will be bald from their treatments or in wheel chairs from missing limbs or weakness. The brochure shows a pool and an indoor four wall climbing wall. It also showed some very sick children have a wonderful summer camp experience.

All the children on the 10th floor at Dornbechers get invited. It is one of those benefits to being on the 10th floor, Hemoglobin and Cancer. At Dornbecher's the sign shows a pink starfish for the department. The dermatologist is on the 7th floor which is frogs. A kangaroo shows the location of the elevators. They try to make the place as child friendly as possible.
In the clinic, a TV plays G rated movies all day, in the waiting room. I anticipate this camp to be of a similar vein. As fun and friendly as possible under the circumstances.

I wonder how primitive the cabins are and what the shower accommodations are like. I am assuming unlike the boys other camps, they encourage bathing and cleanliness. Riley would come home in the same cloths he left in a week earlier, or if he changed, the cloths in the bag would stand by themselves with the filth. Riley needs to keep a certain level of cleanliness now. I will send him with toothpaste and soap, in hopes. Of course when I drop Riley off, I will discuss it with the staff. I think I might make a list for his file of the medication schedule and needs. I am sure other parents will do the same.

While the boys are gone I am going to try motivating and getting Trevor's room cleaned up. I am also going to see a few friends. It is much more freeing to tell friends I am not bringing my children with me when I come to visit. Its kind of like not bringing your dog on a trip. You don't have to go check on them to see what they are up to or if they are making a mess. Trips are the one time I do let the boys play on line or computer games. That way they are quiet and not making messes.

I think Riley will like being at camp. He wont be the odd protected sick child there. He will be with other kids even sicker than he is,. It will be "normal". Not only that, but I love the idea of camp yet knowing he is under full supervision of nursing staff. Tom and I feel so much more comfortable when we are at the hospital. If something were to happen the staff is available immediately to respond. The doctor had to sign off on Riley's ability to go to camp , which makes me feel even better. If the doctor thinks he is healthy enough to participate, then who am I to worry.

Well, as a mom its my job to worry. I have to be so careful not to make Riley even more paranoid than he already is. It is hard to wait this time out, when we know with Bone Marrow Transplant, all this would be past us and Riley could get on with his life as if nothing happened. He could play contact sports again. I don't think he will do football again, having lost a season. It is hard to play catch up, but we'll see. At least he can ride a bike and play golf on a busy day. He can learn to drive a car and not worry about surviving a fender bender. I have reached a point where I realize life moves on. Riley cannot be bubble boy. He can't live this way forever.

The doctor says Riley has some resistance. Be germ phobic but don't lock yourself away. I would like to go up to the mountains again. I know the boys love sledding if not getting back to skiing. Snow shoeing might be fun to try. All this is on hold until Riley is fixed. Camp will give the boys a feeling of that freedom again. The ability to do fun aggressive activities that are so important for their courage. Riley is looking forward to the climbing wall. There would be no way I would let him do that now. I know the camp will be well supervised. If they don't think Riley should do it, they wont let him. They will know his case.

From what I understand each nurse that attends will be assigned specific children. They will have consulted with the doctor about those children. They will know the dangers and the limitations. They will know the medications and when to administer them. i am handing the boys over to a capable crew to have a wonderful week of total play.