We Made It!

We arrived in Boston on Sunday morning 4:45am Boston time....2:45 Boulder time. Zoe slept for almost the entire flight from Pheonix to Boston, Henry stayed awake to spare everyone of his snoring (poor guy), and I was tortured with the task of trying to be a good bed for Zoe to lay on, and attempt to find a way to get a little sleep myself. This turned out to be the impossible dream!

After arriving we took a shuttle to the Holiday Inn a few blocks away from the Ronald Mcdonald house (which we were told we could not check into until 9am). We stowed our luggage there, and attempted to get some food at their restaurant...btw I don't recommend trying to find breakfast at 6am at Holiday Inn. Then we decided to walk over to Ronald Mcdonald and check it out because, well, it was either that or fall asleep in the Holiday Inn Restaurant (which we almost did). So we started our stroll through the early morning streets of the "Brookline" neighborhood of Boston. It was sunny, the birds were singing, people were out walking their beautifully manicured dogs, and EVERY house we saw was of mansion status, and stunning! We were staggering, still half asleep, and I literally felt like I was dreaming. We found Ronald Mcdonald house at around 7am (also a mansion, and stunning), drug ourselves up onto the front porch, and fell asleep on their patio furniture...which was really quite comfortable. Henry was the ever diligent hero, and walked back over to the Holiday Inn, and brought our luggage back to the house via taxi right on time for us to ring the doorbell at 9am. We checked in, slept, and then checked out a little of the neighborhood. Found a super fun park already, and a Trader Joe's too! Woohoo!



This morning after all of us having a good 10-12 hrs of sleep, we got up, got ready, and headed off to find the shuttle that would take us to Mass General (MGH). We headed for the Proton Center, not really knowing what to expect, and we were very pleasantly surprised! There was a music therapist in the lobby that Zoe hung out with, and sang with while playing the drums. Then we met with nurse Kathy that hooked Zoe up with stickers, crayons, paper, a little piano book, and much more to keep her happy. Then Dr. Liebsch came in smiling, and proceeded to talk with Zoe almost exclusively for about 15+ minutes. She was attentive, responsive, perfectly poised, and mature beyond her years! He was kind, spoke to her on her level without being demeaning, and truly AMAZING! He set up a rapport with her that has just set the foundation for this entire experience! Truly priceless! We could not have started out on a better foot!

Dr. Liebsch then proceeded to take Zoe to a procedure room, and made a "immobilization device" (a mask) that she will wear to keep her still during treatment. The making of this could have been anxiety producing for her, but with the rapport established between her and Dr. Leibsch, it ended up being fun. Henry and I just sat there in stunned silence. This was probably the most positive experience we have ever witnessed between Zoe and a doctor!

I am feeling so grateful for this day, and for all the days that will come! Zoe has grown so much this past year, both physically, and emotionally, and I am so proud of her.

Will keep you updated,
Colleen