Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The story of a boy

This is the story of a boy who had a difficult start in life

but he was a fighter and we thought it was all over even though we had a lot of worries for him. Here he was with Emma during the summer of 2003.
Then on november 11 th of the same year, our life crashed down: Pierre's life was in jeopardy. This time it was leukemia ... And the treatment started. The oncologist told us treatment always lasted for at least 2 years Soon after, Pierre's hair started to fall down but even though I had taken him to the hair dresser, I didn't realize he looks funny with some hair left on his head ... My skinny boy was not skinny anymore: he had big cheeks, a double chin and a swollen body.
After the first round of chimio, hair started to grow again but we knew it was going to fall again after the second round of chimio. It may seem silly to think of hair in these kind of moments but falling hair is the most visible sign of the illness.
After that, his hair all fell out and I had a bald 7 years old with no eye lashes, no eye browns ... Hat was now necessary to go out but sometimes he didn't want one and we were going out without. Of course, people were starring but he didn't care too much.

I like this picture: still the same without hair . It was a happy time during this hard time: Chuy has came back from the US. When a child has cancer, you don't know at first if you will take pictures and then you come to the conclusion that it is an event that will always be a part of your life.
In august, something was starting to come back: yep, the hair First we started to notice something different in Pierre: the eyes lashes grew first. It was the first sign, my boy was going to look like himself again. Admire his perfect skull
And here is a picture of Pierre all hairy His swelling was starting to disappear and he had lost his big cheeks. He was almost the same except that now, he has more hair that before His treatment was not over but it was lighter.
Today we have reached a milestone: he got sick five years ago. It is a long time ago but it still feels like yesterday. There are dates we can never forget ... We still don't know what the future holds for him but we can always hope for the best ....

I want to thank you all for the birthday wishes. You really warned my day . I didn't get gifts, like always, but it was nice you thought of me !!!

A stitching update: I finally started my fuchsia .... I know I'm soooooooooo weak but I couldn't stand the map anymore Of course, it is such a pleasure to stitch a Lanarte again I love it and I feel I making giant progress everyday !!! The colours are so bright! I know I didn't finish the treasure map but I promised myself to stitch on it once a day (hope I can keep my promise ... )



27 comments:

Andie said...

I think you are all very brave and will keep Pierre in my preyers for continued good health! Your new start is gorgeous!! Love the colours!

Cidalia said...

You have a brave boy and he have a brave family! Hope that the worst is finally gone for good.
well, well, so you didn´t slap the other hand to hard as you already started your lanarte ;)!!! Hope that you will ending the treasure map... some day! But I understand that you were tired of the stinky boy and want some flowers instead!
Beautiful colors, a lot done already!!!

Yany said...

Por favor dale a Pierre un gran abrazo y un beso muy fuerte de mi parte, y que la salud le dure muchos, muchos años mas...

Y otro abrazo atrasado para ti, con mucho cariñito...

Besos

Tammy said...

What an adorable boy! Pretty start you have going there.

Anonymous said...

A sad start but a happy ending. Yay for Pierre. :)

Petra said...

Bless your heart.
What a story to remind us of all our blessings.

Pumpkin said...

My heart goes out to you Chiloe. I know what it's like to have an anniversary like that but when it's your own child, I'm sure it's much worse. But five years have gone by and Pierre is still here :o) That's better than TERRIFIC!

Oh you weak girl! LOL! The colors are lovely and I can certainly see why you wanted to start stitching it ;o)

Margie said...

Chiloe ~

You & your family are so brave! I don't know what I would do in the same situation. My daughter has autism, which I know is nothing near leukemia, but there are certainly some trying times. I commend you for being such a wonderful & strong mom! :~)

BTW ... I tagged you on my blog ... come check it out! :~)

Margie
www.its-all-about-cross-stitch.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

juste de très gros bisousssssssssssss .

Tammy said...

Pierre has really been through the wringer as has your entire family. The photos of Pierre, as sad as what they represent, they are sweet. His eyes are just gorgeous!

You weak wonderful woman! Love the colours in your new piece.

Tanja said...

It breaks my heart to see Pierre like that and to read what he has all gone through. Give him a big hug from me!

I know what you mean about the pictures, but when Siep had cancer we did it too. And I'm glad I have those pictures, even the one that we shaved his head for the first time after his hair started to fall out. And aren't they beautiful like that? Look at their eyes, so hopefull, so full of life?

I'll keep Pierre in my prayers, he's one special kid!

By the way, I thought of you yesterday when I was browsing on Ebay. Some European woman has put Lanarte kits on, with flowers, poppies, one with violets and another one, tulips I think. But a lot of people are bidding on them already and they are getting expensive, I can tell.

Tanja

Lisa said...

Chiloe, your post has made me feel honoured to know you through blogging, you have put everything so beautifully.
I will understand if you do not wish to, but if you don't mind, could you please email me on lis.simmons@ntlworld.com with your mailing address as I have something I think you may like. Hugs

Sally said...

Chiloe your son and your family are so incredibly brave. Thank you for sharing Pierre's story. I hope he continues to have good health. {{{{hugs}}}} to you all.

Marie said...

quel bel article que tu as fait... on se prend la tête souvent pour des futilités.... il y a des choses tellement plus importantes...
je ne peux que souhaiter le meilleur à Pierre.... et à vous tous.
gros bisous....

Stitchingranny said...

We get through these things, where we find the strengh I dont know but I think the children give it.
When a child is ill like this (beyond normal childhood woes) they seem to see the best in life, they rarely moan about things and somehow you cant either because they face it you do. I am sure that will make sense to you Chiloe, though to many it will not and God willing they will never know both the pain and the joy that comes from a child with an illness.

Natasha said...

Pierre gets a great big ((((HUG)))) from me. I am amazed at the spirit of children who have/had cancer. Their sprit is amzing and unyelding!!!

I jump for joy at the 5 year mark! YEAH for him and for the family....Thank you for sharing your story.
Natasha

Windy said...

What a fighter! You should be so proud! I am sorry I missed your special day. I have been so busy , even too busy for my computer. Take Care,
I always enjoy reading your blog, thank you for sharing such special thoughts near and dear to your heart.
Windy

Anonymous said...

so happy to see Pierre looking so happy, It must have been a diffcult time for all of you, but eespecially as his mum. I hope Pierre continues to thrive and grow, he's a handsome lad.

Meari said...

Thanks for sharing pics of Pierre's life. What a scary experience... glad he's doing better now. :)

Anonymous said...

Coucou Chiloe,
Je venais voir si c'est vraiment plus difficile de laisser des comm chez toi (voir le forum d'AS) et je tombe sur cet article. J'espère de tout coeur que l'avenir sera plus clair pour vous, et surtout pour Pierre. Ajouter des angoisses existentielles et les tracas d'un traitement lourd au vécu d'une adolescence (déjà pas facile !), ce serait trooooooooop. Je croise les doigts. Bonne chance, Pierre, faut y croire évidemment !

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful brave young boy you have Chiloe.

mainely stitching said...

I've been offline a lot lately, so I'm behind.

These pictures and your story are so powerful. I can't imagine going through what you've been through, and I'm so glad Pierre is doing so well. :D

Yvonne said...

Pierre is a fighter indeed! I love to see his pictures as he always has this happy smile on his face. Dark and gloomy here eventhough it is already 8am but his smile and his fighting spirit bring such a big smile on my face on a day like this :0))

Yvonne (Denmark)

Hazel said...

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing ir with us. We sometimes don't realise what is really going on in people's lives till they tell us a story like that. What a beautiful VICTORIOUS boy! xx

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on reaching the 5 year mark, Pierre! Such a milestone. You just have to take it one day at a time.

How did you know that he was sick in the first place? A parent's worst nightmare for sure.

Such a handsome little guy with a perfectly shaped head.

: )

Anonymous said...

Wow, I cannot imagine how difficult that must have been for you to watch your baby go through that. I have a son who's almost 8 and the thought of watching him suffer through a disease like that breaks my heart! I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers that you (and, he!!) never have to go through that again! Big cheers of victory for his success!!

Unknown said...

ça faisait un bout de temps que je n'étais pas passée sur ton blog .... merci pour cet article, merci d'avoir raconté un peu de la vie de Pierre .... je vous souhaite, à toi et ta famille, le meilleur pour l'avenir
bises
sophie / lasof