We are in the zone. Just made our final trek to Utah for the clinical trial appt. that we owed them. Several updates to share!
Anthony is healthy and looking great. Still squeezing in every nutritious, immune building, weight gaining piece of food and drink we can. Still stretching him and getting him in the pool. Being joy detectives and finding happy moments wherever we can, laughing a lot and talking about what he can expect. He knows he will wake up with a tube in his mouth and he needs to try to stay calm. We will get things off of him as soon we can. He’s being incredibly brave. He still tells everyone we see “he’s a bad-ass”. And now after trying out the arms last week and finding out there will be metal rods in his back, he’s also telling everyone he’s pretty much going to be like the terminator. His whole attitude is completely inspiring me through all this preparation; I don’t have much time to be anxious. I’m sure that time will come!
Another silver lining alert… people are amazing. Amazing. My dear friend/angel Melissa Forney has arranged a vigil on the day of the surgery. The surgery starts at 7:30 and since we are using 2 surgeons will hopefully be cut in half to 6 hours instead of 12. Therefore, she is holding a little power of prayer service at 9:30 am at Mountain View Presbyterian on Hayden in Scottsdale. This will give our family and friends something to do instead of sitting at the hospital feeling helpless. There are also about 10 ladies who have stepped up and are taking 30 minute prayer assignments where all they focus on is AC and our family. Even writing this right now brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes I wonder why it takes such craziness to remind us we are not alone. During these times, we have the privilege of witnessing these incredible examples of how much pure love there is in our community. It seems to me, the trick is to carry these examples in our hearts during dark times knowing by letting in this light, it guarantees to brings about that much needed balance.
Since from here on out there the updates are going to be more technical, I’m switching back to Anthony’s CaringBridge page:
www.caringbridge.com/visit/anthonycastle
The last time I wrote in there was in June of 2013. I was upset because I had to get a shower chair. Wow. Perspective is very powerful isn’t it?
One last thing….as most of you know, AC loves travel. And he loves postcards. If anyone from anywhere other than the Scottsdale/Phoenix area wants to add to the collection, I’m sure he would be very grateful. He will be at Phoenix Children’s Hospital starting February 13th for at least a week. If you want to send them out of that timeframe, message me and I’ll give you our address.
Anthony Castle
C/O Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 E. Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Since this blog is about lessons from the trail, I will say today’s lesson is community. The same thing I learned in the canyon. While we can certainly try to do things alone, everything is richer when we do it together. Like the saying goes, “We may go faster alone, but we go farther together”. Thank you village. We are forever moved by the generosity and love. And even though I fancy myself as a writer, I’ve yet to find the words needed to convey our gratitude adequately. So for now, just know it’s in our hearts and not one thought or action expressed goes unnoticed or unappreciated. I can only promise I will continue to pay it forward for all the days to come.
Upcoming Adventure: Red Carpet Event for “Anthony’s Adventure” premier, March 31st @ Tempe Arts Center. Details to come!
