Hello all! Direct from Mason's mouth when I just asked him what he would like me to share (if anything): "Startin' to feel a little better. I feel like I might be able to sit in my chair more often."

Y'all- we have been battling pain, nausea and lack of appetite and energy for the last three days. There was talk of the need for a feeding tube. But this boy woke up today and was HUNGRY! John had brought him a European chocolate bar a few days ago and he slowly nibbled on that for breakfast. We managed some applesauce. We took in an Ensure chocolate shake.

(I would like to highlight this magical place within the Aflac unit here called the Family Lounge. It is sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House and it is WONDERFUL to the families that are living on this floor. Outside of the stocks of paper products, full pantry of quick snacks (think microwavable soups, mac and cheese, ravioli, granola bars, bags of chips, etc.), freezer filled with popsicles for the patients and the ice nugget machine (which I am going to miss like crazy when I'm back home...)- at least once per day, meals are catered in for the families (and the patients, if they are up for it). Different groups will sponsor different meals- but we have been incredibly well fed at least once per day through this offering (Papa John's pizzas, Qdoba bowls, Moe's burritos, Chick-fil-a nuggets, full plates of BBQ- I could go on and on). We are way too engulfed in the fire of this particular disease right now- but someday- when we are looking back on this- I really hope this is an area I can potentially get involved in.)

Shortly after he finished breakfast, we moved on to lunch. He wasn't too keen on the chicken lo mein that was catered from the Family Lounge for the day, so I told him he could order anything he wanted from DoorDash. There are so many more restaurant options here than we have at home. But this kid went straight for his very favorite chocolate Frosty from Wendy's. Ugh.

He pretty quickly rejected that Frosty and I think that wiped him out- he took a good long nap in the afternoon. The doctor, nurse and I had to come up with a strategic plan on how to get the nausea and pain under control- we have added a few new meds that "might make him pretty loopy." Please see his statement about how he is doing above- they are in full effect this evening. He just spent a solid 10 minutes twisting the stem off his apple- and when he pulled it off he very proudly declared "Mom! Look! I cleaned it!"

He had a quick visit from Alex and John this evening that put him in a good mood. He also got the sweetest gift ever from his friends and lacrosse teammates. They attended a professional league lacrosse game this weekend while they were at their tournament in Charlotte. His buddies were able to get multiple players from the professional teams to record short videos wishing Mason good luck and encouraging him to keep fighting.

John and I both shed a few tears to see the absolute JOY on Mason's face while he watched them. We are hanging on to these precious moments- we know this is going to be a long road but there are just so many really good people surrounding us- thank you all so much!!