This morning, as I do every other morning, while enjoying my first cup of hot tea I open up my Timehop app to relive all the memories the app has captured over the last several years.  The first photo/memory I stumbled upon was of me and KEM the day we drove up to AI DuPont for his NG tube insertion.  I am not sure any of us got any sleep those nights leading up to this day (evident by the bags under my eyes).

I remember this day like it was yesterday – well as least the drive up there and the entire time we were in the hospital.  The McDermotts were gearing up for a new chapter in life, first by getting trained on how to insert the feeding tube into KEM’s nose.  Next, by learning how to nourish him and take care of the machine for the rest of the summer.  KAM and I were prepped prior to this visit that we would be responsible for the insertion of the tube but never in my wildest dreams did I think that KEM would choose me to insert the tube that day and then every day thereafter.  In many ways I am thankful that he chose me because it truly allowed us to become closer and have many amazing and honest conversations.

When I looked at KEM’s photo from a year ago and then compared it to a photo that was taken a few weeks ago I again found myself in awe of his progress.  Not only is he 25 lbs. heavier than he was a year ago but he is so much healthier too.  No more vicious stomachaches where he begged to leave the table or begged me to put my cold hands on his stomach.  No more sitting on the sidelines at soccer games or finding the nearest bench to sit on while at the park (while everyone else ran around and played).  This kid is the most active I ever remember him being; sometimes he even exhausts me!

KEM walked out of AI DuPont a new 9 year old little boy that day.  He walked out of there in fear, pain, and embarrassment.  And the weeks after that were so hard for all of us.  But with the support of our family, friends, teachers and friends at Fairview Elementary, and the amazing GI doctors at AI DuPont we made it through the weeks after the insertion.  Today, KEM is still in remission and we will all work hard to keep it that way.

Even though we anxiously await the results of the biopsies from the “diseased area” the doctors were finally able to get to after a year and from the new pus pockets that suddenly appeared, I remain grateful.  KAM, KEM and I walked out of AI DuPont on Tuesday, June 13th with all of his intestines intact and without another NG tube.  I call that a major win!