July 1:

Still working out what types of content to put here, but to start: we moved out of the ICU yesterday July 1,, and it was a huge, emotional step. The ICU here at Stanford Children’s is on the 3rd floor; now we’re in the oncology ward on the 5th floor in a room we’ll be in for at least the next 1-2 weeks.

Before we moved out, we also got to go outside and sit on the patio that is on the 3rd floor.  It was very emotional for me (Kathy) to sit by Sam for the first time since we came to the ER on Tuesday (june 28). 

He’s responding really well to the treatments so far; the chemo started Thursday evening. He’s happy and chatty; missing all his friends a lot. Not much of an appetite since he’s tired and nauseous from the chemo. Pretty interested in getting new beanies to wear on his head; he especially wants a maroon colored one and has been giving me a hard time (in a good natured way) that I can only find grey and black so far. He so far seems unmoved by my argument that trying to get winter beanies at the Stanford Mall in July is a tougher ask than usual.   He’s sleeping a lot, but when he’s awake he’s either playing xbox or talking with friends on his phone/FaceTime — he’d love to hear from as many people as possible.   He’s made so many connections with nurses, residents, staff, custodians, medical students, doctors, attendings, fellows (Stanford is a teaching hospital so Sam sees *a lot* of people). He remembers *everyone’s* name and they are all super impressed with him. #rockstar   We also got a pass for Zack to come visit for the 4th of July!  Hooray!  Patients are only allowed 2 guests and they are non-transferable so John and I have those “passes.”