A Breath of Fresh Air

Five weeks doesn’t typically seem like a long time. But the last five weeks we’ve spent in the hospital watching Santiago struggle with his health felt like an eternity, to the point that when we heard the words “Santiago is being discharged today”, it actually felt unreal. Today we find ourselves adjusting to life in a way I cannot explain. Our reality has changed dramatically in such a short time. What’s more, the first five weeks were just the beginning of a two and a half year chemotherapy protocol. We have a big mountain to climb. However, if there’s one thing that I have learned about climbing mountains it is that you can only get to the top one step at a time, and there are many challenges and views to enjoy along the way. Certainly, grumbling and quitting won’t get you there either.

So today we rejoice that the first leg of the climb is over and that we can take a breath of fresh air. Our family is all together for the first time in five weeks and in a setting that’s not filled with hospital commotion. Santiago is so happy right now to be with all of us. Celebrate with us this first victory!