It was another big week around here and, as usual, we have many folks to thank for it.
Treatment Recap
We are officially waiting for Maintenance to begin, the heavy treatment is over and Carson will begin Maintenance once his ANC reaches 750 (as of Friday it was 210). It has been almost two weeks since his last chemo IV and he is feeling really good. This coming Friday we will be back at the clinic to check the counts and perhaps start Day 1 of Maintenance.
Carson finished his radiation on Wednesday. To him, it only meant one thing.....prizes. The Radiation Oncology staff presented Carson with a whole bucket load of cars, water guns, a stuffed animal and pirate ships. It was like Christmas all over again and Carson sat and played with everything that he could right then and there. He was ready to move in to the hospital again, but finally accepted the fact that the toys would be coming home with us and a hospital stay wasn't needed, no matter how fun they are!
Carson scores a big haul of squirt guns, cars, and shooting pirate ships from the Radiation Oncology department at the hospital. Thank goodness the squirt guns were "unloaded".Thanks to the radiation nurses, Beth and Amy, our sedation nurse Natalya and Dr. K for everything!
The Greatest Show on Earth
Our good friends at Growing Hope hooked our entire family up with tickets to the circus today. Unfortunately, Carson was not able to go due to his low counts; so Paul and I took Francesca and two of her friends. We had fabulous seats, front and center on the second row; and a great time was had by all. It is so nice to take a break from everything and the folks at Growing Hope are so generous. A Big Thank You!
Easter Bunny and Puppets Spotted in Falls Church
You might think that Carson was stuck just sitting at home again, but you'd be wrong. He was at home, but he had some special visitors thanks to our wonderful church family at Columbia Baptist and Lora Gravatt. Around 12 o'clock Nona and Carson opened the door to find the Easter Bunny outside waiting for him to find all the eggs she'd hidden in the front yard. Carson had his own personal Easter Bunny guided egg hunt! There were so many eggs he needed two baskets to carry them all!
After a little shyness at first, Carson warms up to the Easter Bunny and the candy!A little bit later some other visitors arrived - Nancy Worcester and her hilarious puppet friend "Waco". They had finished a show at the church earlier that day and they made a special stop at our house just for Carson. They treated him to a special rendition of "Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and Carson has not laughed as hard as that, nor smiled as much as that, in months.
Carson enjoys a special encore performance by Nancy Worcester and her wacky puppet, Waco.Mrs. Lora from the church video taped it, so we've been able to enjoy the visit many more times today as well. With each playing, Carson continues to laugh and laugh....and so do we!
-Jennifer
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Hi Jennifer & Paul,
ReplyDeleteI talked with Jane this week and got your blog site. My heart and prayers go out to you both for stamina and strength to continue the battle for Carson's health. This has to be a faith-stretcing experience as well as physical endurance test. I trust you can find a plan to keep your nutrient levels up and loaded while you pursue your parental calling of going the distance in this season. I now do nurition and wellness counseling at Bent Tree Physicians, Frisco. I think you knew Debbie Culpepper from your diabetes group when you were here. Dr. Culpepper is the primary partner in the group. He and I work together with the program we are developing there. The Culpeppers oldest son, Dillon, (16 yrs.) has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes II. So 2 out of 3 of their boys have Diabetes II. Chronic illness is a journey to walk, but there is always hope. Know that you do not walk it alone.
Parenting is such an adventure-even when children are grown up. Ashley is in Armenia on a Fulbright Scholarship-journalism research project until July 1st. -10 mos total tenure. He jaw has recently persisted in popping out of joint and would not go back in place this week-pain and non -function. She finally saw a physician at the hospital in Yerevan who put it back in place and bandaged her jaw to her head to stabelize it. No food,except liquid through a straw, no talking, etc. for a week. If it continues to pop out will likely have to have surgery soon.
Being so far away is a bit scary for us, since we have no control, but nothing like your daily experiences.
You remain in our thoughts & Prayers. Saundra Killough
P.S. Ashley also has a blog site-if you ever have a free minute and might want to scan her adventures or writing. http://ashleykillough.wordpress.com
How wonderful that Carson had a visit from the bunny, and Waco too - plus his own egg hunt. But I look forward to seeing him hunt with the other kids next year!
ReplyDeleteHope Francesca enjoys spring break, and the meet in NY! Betsy
T Bone, we have not seen any of your blog entries, where have you been hiding????? have a BLESSED Easter Week. thinking and praying for y'all.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Alex & Co.
Hi everybody
ReplyDeleteWhat do people do wihout a "Church Family"?
How special to have your own Easter Bunny and egg hunt. And to top it off, to have "Waco" come and do a performance just for you.
Francesca, I'll be waiting to hear all about your swim meet .
Love Auntie