To Infinity and Beyond...

In September, our school sent out this "Save The Date"...

I taped it to the back door along with Zach's fifth grade musical save the date.  I knew it was either going to be a very happy day on March 4 or a sad one. We thought Braden had only a few months left to live in September and March was a REALLY long time from then.

March 4 was going to be a day that Braden would be here to see...

or not.

I almost didn't put it up because I didn't want to risk that he would be an angel and I would have this stupid sign to take down as yet another reminder he was not here.

And while we are heading to transplant soon, tomorrow is his musical and he is going to be there.

TAKE THAT cANCER!!!

He gets to dress up as his favorite character from a movie...

and he chose Buzz Lightyear.

Ordinarily, I would have said no because I didn't want to buy a costume, but this musical is special, so I ordered a Buzz costume.

I think he looks pretty cute. :)

And he is really good at shouting, "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!"

No, that's not part of the musical ;) but he's pretty darn cute when he wears it.



We also got his hair cut today and that was a tough moment because it will likely be his last haircut while he is 9 years old.

Once in transplant, he will lose his hair and then it will have to grow back.









IF we are super lucky, he might grow those beautiful curls back that he's gotten each time it's grown back from chemo. I LOVE the curls...

Even if Brian says it makes him look like a girl. :)

They are so sweet...





He even wore his Hulk costume for his haircut and showed the lady his "muscles" and gave her his best "Hulk SMASH!" impression. It was pretty precious!

Zach was very insistent that Braden should not wear his costume to the salon because it would be "embarassing" (he's going to middle school next year so he's preparing for that life change and more things are now "embarrassing".

Sigh...

But even Zach had to admit he was cute! :)

Tomorrow morning, my sweet baby boy walks out the door and goes to school for his musical performance and THAT is a victory.

cANCER gets too much time and too many memories from people who have it.

But, that's sort of the point...Braden has cANCER, cANCER doesn't have HIM...

and tomorrow we get another "W" in our column.

This 9 year old is kicking cancer's ass even though it keeps picking new battles.

And Braden is going to keep winning...

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND...

TAKE THAT cANCER!