We are DONE with chemo at the hospital!

It still doesn't seem real, but yesterday we finished up our last hospital stay.  We just can't believe it!  A year and a half of hospital stays is now finally behind us.

We celebrated the whole time we were there.  Of course a few firefighters showed up, too.

Our new friend Firefighter Todd from the Scottsdale fire department brought Ori his own helmet.
Todd is awesome!  You can read more about him here:
Todd Pendleton

Captain Scott and the crew from Engine 33 came out to visit.  Captain Scott has been to the hospital to visit Ori more times than I can count.

And a hospital stay wouldn't be the same without a visit from our friends on Ladder 9.  But this time the ladder AND the engine crews came!  It was unbelievable having them all with us.

A special note drawn by Firefighter John.

Our view from the 7th floor as we watched the trucks arrive.

There were some other special surprises for Ori, too.

Lena, a PCT and one of our favorites, made him a pillow case.

Jamie, our UPS man (yes, you read that correctly!), came to visit with his family.

We've known Jamie for about year.  He had his own battle with cancer and immediately felt a connection with Ori when he learned he has leukemia.  This was his second time visiting Ori in the hospital.  We see him all the time when he's at work in the big, brown truck!

Fire Station 5 (right next to the hospital) put a big O on the roof for Ori.  We could see it from our window.

All the nurses gathered around to sing Ori a song congratulating him on finishing his last inpatient chemo. 

Along with all of the excitement, there was also a bit of sadness.  We have many memories of the hospital, most of them positive.  We have made many friends there, patients, nurses and staff.  The hospital has been a part of our lives for so long.  I had several moments when I teared up, as did Ori.

We hope to visit the hospital again soon, but just as a visitor.  Hopefully never again as a patient!