A cockatoo called Horse

Yesterday, The Boy lost his fourth tooth. He had eaten various things during the day, being ever so careful to avoid biting hard things with the extremely loose tooth. Then I cut open a watermelon. He went outside to eat a piece, and not long after, came inside, red stains down his shirt, missing that tooth and informing me that he didn’t know where it had gone. It’s possibly embedded in the piece of watermelon he threw in the compost pile, or he may have swallowed it. He said he was bleeding. I laughed, and joked that you couldn’t tell which red stains were blood and which were watermelon. He was a bit upset, partly because I had laughed (I didn’t immediately realise he was unhappy about the event) and mainly because he didn’t know where the tooth was. He lost the last one too. He informed me that the red stains would be different shades. Two of the other teeth have come through the gum now, but there is still a huge gap right where his four front middle teeth used to be. I have to admit, he looks and sounds pretty cute (don’t tell him I said that!)

Meanwhile, yesterday morning I called Oncology, and eventually received a return call from the oncologist. He doesn’t seem worried about us going in before our meeting on Monday, unless we ourselves are worried about The Boy. He had another headache tonight, but insisted it was not bad. He and The Man have developed a little pain scale system. Holding up ten fingers means 100% (worst) and holding up no fingers means 0% (no pain). He has taken to breaking it down further, holding up a bent finger for half (5%) and a new one today - a quarter (for which he didn’t work out a percentage). To me, if he’s working out fractions and percentages, I’m pretty sure the headache isn’t too bad. In any case, he’s getting plenty of maths practice.

I know I have asked him too many times, because he is trying very hard not to tell me about any pain. He’s worried that he’ll miss his cricket game tomorrow. I’ve explained that his health is more important than a cricket game, and he understands, but he’s very determined.

This morning, he rode with me to take his brother to school. After dropping him off, we went to the church. On Fridays after Mass, they have the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. We arrived at Mass a little late, then stayed for the rest. We went last Friday too. That time was more out of desperation on my part. This morning was more hopeful. I’m not sure if he fell asleep this morning, but he rested during the quiet time and seemed happy enough to stay with me.

Today was also the funeral of the relative I mentioned last time. I didn’t go; I had to be content with being there in spirit. It was just a bit too far to travel, particularly when I’m being paranoid about the headaches.

Thank you for your support. Special thanks to those who have sent encouragement or messages our way. We appreciate every word. Please remember those who continue on through trials far more difficult that ours. I keep trying to remind myself that no matter how it feels for us, there are people doing it tougher still.