LAST DAY OF CHEMO

Anthony has endured 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy to prevent his leukemia from ever coming back.

This week was his last chemo in Seattle!!!

Before chemo, we went to the cardiology clinic to get an EKG and an echocardiogram, to see how the chemo has affected his heart function.

Anthony was born with a heart defect and had open-heart surgery at 3 months old to repair it.

Chemotherapy is toxic to hearts, but is necessary to keep those hearts beating!

In the past, Anthony had a clot in his neck that needed ultrasound done every month.

It was always a task to keep him still enough for the ultrasound to be clear.

This time, we came prepared.  

A bag of pepperoni, his DVD player with the Lorax, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the tv.

The pepperoni and the tv worked like magic.

The EKG was fast and simple.

The echo tech said that was the fastest and easiest echo 

she's ever done, thanks to the "magic pepperoni!" 

 After the heart tests, we went to visit the new addition to Seattle Children's Hospital, the building of Hope.

There is a new cancer unit there, with a separate area just for teenage patients.

Gorgeous!

After that, we decided to take a walk to the Ronald McDonald Houses to see the remodels that were recently completed.

 Maggie had fun doing the arcade games in the basement, while Anthony played in the playroom.

It's so nice to let him play without worrying about germs.

The playroom is cleaned each day.

 Back at the hospital, we were so excited to have a visit from my friend, Jen!

She loves Anthony, and he loves her.   :)

 Finally, it was time for Anthony's LAST CHEMO!!!!

My cell phone pic was better, but I don't know how to transfer it to the computer yet.

Anthony loves his nurses.

We are so grateful to be DONE with chemo.

We'll still have to visit Seattle every few months, but not every month anymore!