Happy Halloween!

VAD is out!

A few weeks ago, Isaiah had his VAD removed.  What a great day!  Now that surgery is done, it really feels like this battle is finally over...and won.  Thinking back over three years ago with so many unknowns and fears, we are so grateful to have Isaiah here with us today, healthy and happy.

Before surgery

After surgery

Isaiah's VAD or as he liked to call it, his "rock" or "button".  

Exciting news!

Before I share some exciting news at the end of my post, I wanted to share some recent pictures of the kids.  We've had a great summer and I can't believe it's almost over!

Look at that smile!

Feeding the ducks at Deer Lake

Playing "army"

Hugs!

Adam learned how to ride a bike this summer and how to swim.

Harvesting our carrots

...................and for the exciting news for those who don't know yet...

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I'm pregnant!

We're expecting baby Burke #4 on February 23rd.  We're very excited and so are the kids.  Adam and Isaiah often talk to my tummy.  They are constantly asking when the baby is coming.  When I ask Victoria where the baby is, she pats her tummy.  It's so cute!  

Adam and Victoria

When Victoria first joined our family, Adam was jealous.  Adam has always been a mama's boy.  He's very affectionate and loves to cuddle, twirl my hair and sit on my lap.  Victoria took his spot as the baby in the family but thankfully, Adam adjusted very quickly.  He has accepted that my attention needs to be shared.  Victoria on the other hand struggles with sharing my attention when I ask Adam to cuddle.  She used to pinch and scratch him until he got off my lap.  Even when I've tried cuddling them at the same time, she pushes Adam away.  It always makes me laugh because I think it's so sweet how Victoria has held her own.  She has her mama and she doesn't want to share.  Adam is very patient with Victoria and she is slowly accepting that she too must share my attention.  I'm not going anywhere and I have lots of cuddles to give.  She no longer pinches Adam but she does weasel her way onto my lap when Adam or Isaiah are sitting there. It's pretty adorable.

Thankfully, Adam and Victoria have really bonded.  I think her bond with her brothers has also helped her to feel more comfortable with sharing me.  She loves them a lot and they adore her.  Today when we had to leave Victoria behind with Nana to have a big boy adventure, Adam yelled out the window "bye Victoria, we'll miss you!"

Victoria 7 months later

This is a video of Victoria the first night we got her.  She still has that sweet giggle.  

She has grown so much and is still as sweet as ever.  This is a video of her 7 months later.

The end of chemotherapy

On June 12th, Isaiah officially finished all of his chemotherapy medications.  It is so exciting for all of us that after giving medications every night for 1159 days, it is finally over.  It's been a long road and thinking back, there were some intense treatments that Isaiah had to withstand for a little guy.  I'm so proud of him for being so brave and never fighting his treatments....(minus one time where the nurses had to swaddle him in a blanket as he kicked and punched to avoid a nasty nose sucker swab).  He's been such a trooper.  There are mixed emotions.  We feel blessed that Isaiah is cured and is thriving.  We're nervous however about the next couple of years.  There's always a possibility of a relapse and if it were to happen, we were told it would likely be in the first two years.  It's hard to put that out of our minds but we are reminded that God is with us.

Isaiah recently memorized a Bible verse that reads "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9  Whatever life throws our way, we have God to give us the strength we need to sustain us.

We'll really miss the staff at Children's Hospital.  They are all so wonderful.  They always wear cheerful smiles and go above and beyond to make the treatments as comfortable as possible.  Popping bubbles from the bubble machine as the general anaesthetic slowly kicked in was one of the ways Isaiah didn't mind getting his chemo.  We will need follow up appointments once a month for the next while and then once a year until he's 18 so will still get to see everyone periodically.  

Isaiah's very last procedure will be August 7th to remove his VAD.  So excited to be done!

Dream night at the Aquarium

 Last week, we were invited to Dream Night at the Vancouver Aquarium.  This is a night where children with life threatening illnesses can enjoy the Aquarium after hours with their families.  We had so much fun!

A highlight for the boys was hugging all the mascots.

The machine that spit out a pop when you give it a hug.  I was amazed.  

A cherry on top at the end of the night:  Goody bags filled with Aquarium paraphernalia.  

a few crazy days

Isaiah was admitted to hospital Thursday night with fever and neutropenia.  He really is finishing up his cancer treatment with a bang.  He's off chemo and out of school until his blood counts go up.  He was discharged on Sunday afternoon.

Victoria sharing snacks with Isaiah in his hospital bed.

Victoria practicing her walking throughout the hospital

Adam watching the construction of BC's new Children's Hospital....It's going to be beautiful

After being discharged, the kids played outside

And then today, not like we haven't seen enough of the hospital, Adam bashes his chin on the coffee table.  Four stitches.  He was actually quite happy to be at the hospital.  I think he enjoyed being the center of attention.  He fell asleep waiting for his turn and slept the whole time while they stitched him up.  

Recent photos