Pick Up
We retrieved Francesca up from BRaSS Camp (Brothers and Sisters of cancer patients) today. She exited the bus and immediately started in with story after story of her adventures. Somewhere in there she declared that it was "a good camp", which is Francesca's way of saying it was terrific. Thanks Special Love for this great week.
Go
When Francesca left for camp, we immediately arranged for her to visit both sets of grandparents and her cousins in Texas from Aug 5-20. Yup, we're sending her away again......is that wrong??? When all is said and done, she will have spent nearly two months away from home this summer. She should have a good "what I did this summer" essay when school starts again.
Carson has a clinic visit on Tuesday - once again we'll temporarily answer the eternal question of "What has happened to the Counts?". It sounds like a country song of sorts. Other popular titles include "Stabbed in the Port and You're to Blame" (Bon Jovi version), "Stuck on the IV" (I think that was made popular by Lionel Richie, right?) and the frequently sung but lesser known "I've Got Friends with Low Counts" as sung by Garth Brooks.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
-Jennifer
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Hello and Goodbye
We said goodbye to Francesca on Monday as she headed to Student Life Camp with our church. We said goodbye to Chuck and Grandma on Tuesday as they headed back to Texas after a week long visit.
We said hello again to the clinic later that day for counts check and chemo. Good news on that front for the time being. Carson's ANC was around 1200 and everything else, like hemoglobin, platelets, etc. looked good. We actually get to keep 6MP and methotrexate doses the same for 2 weeks now before we head back and check again. Meanwhile, we had our vincristine push, our IV antibiotic and started our 5 day steroid pulse.
Now we wait to say hello to Francesca when she returns from camp - then goodbye again on Sunday as she heads to BRASS camp (camp for BRothers and SiSters of cancer patients).
On Sunday, we'll also say hello to Paul's sister and her 3 boys who will stay with us a for few days.
Let the summer continue flying by.......
-Jennifer
We said hello again to the clinic later that day for counts check and chemo. Good news on that front for the time being. Carson's ANC was around 1200 and everything else, like hemoglobin, platelets, etc. looked good. We actually get to keep 6MP and methotrexate doses the same for 2 weeks now before we head back and check again. Meanwhile, we had our vincristine push, our IV antibiotic and started our 5 day steroid pulse.
Now we wait to say hello to Francesca when she returns from camp - then goodbye again on Sunday as she heads to BRASS camp (camp for BRothers and SiSters of cancer patients).
On Sunday, we'll also say hello to Paul's sister and her 3 boys who will stay with us a for few days.
Let the summer continue flying by.......
-Jennifer
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Another busy week (s)
As is usual, when things calm down around here, it's time to start wondering just how long you have before the next crazy, busy cycle begins again..... it wasn't very long in this case. This time though, I do admit, some of it was my own doing.
We managed to get Francesca off to Italy thanks to the help and patience of Paul's mother who arrived a few days before she left. Then, Paul and I managed a 25 hour respite in Baltimore, thanks again to Nona. Ahhhh, a bit of calm.......
Before our little get a way though, and unbeknownst to Francesca, we headed up to Maryland and adopted a new dog from Mid Atlantic German Short Hair Pointer Rescue. This GSP is male, between 3 and 5 years old, solid liver colored and came with the name Beckett. He is also the complete opposite of Shade (our first adopted GSP)- not afraid of all people and children, curious, and not prone to hiding under the bed. We've had him almost 3 weeks now and he has settled in really well. Francesca arrived home from Italy and gave her stamp of approval to him despite the fact that she was not consulted in the decision making process. Shade says she has yet to make up her mind about him, although she is now spending more time out from under the bed and today, she actually came downstairs to greet all of us.
The new addition: Beckett "no, I'm not a chocolate Lab" King
Shortly after Nona left, my parents arrived and we began to make some plans to do some sightseeing. Short lived plans......
Carson began to run a fever the day after they arrived and we proceeded to have two unplanned clinic visits back to back. The good news out of this is that a) my parents were here to help and b) Carson managed to get sick during business hours which meant no ER! On the first visit we learned Carson's ANC had jumped to nearly 9000, which meant he was definitely fighting something off. Bring on the IV antibiotics and blood cultures. On the next day's visit his ANC had dropped to 1500, his immunogammaglobulin level was 298 and blood cultures were negative. Bring on more IV antibiotics and add an IGg infusion. At least we said goodbye to that fever and our little guy was feeling good.
And then, Francesca arrived home: unpacking all her stuff, brimming with stories and proving that jet lag and teenagers don't mix. Seriously though, she had an absolutely fabulous time. Thanks to the Palomos for hosting her. Now we begin packing up for Student Life camp on Monday.
That leaves today and Grandpa Chuck's 70th birthday. We finally got a little sight seeing in at Fort McHenry in Baltimore and more than an earful about cannons, soldiers and prison from Carson.
As Carson was jabbering on today, Francesca gave me one of those looks like "I wish he would stop". That's when I broke the news to her that Carson's neuropsych testing revealed that he needed some help with expressing himself and that we should be encouraging him to talk more and to include even more details and descriptions. As I picked Francesca's jaw up off the floor, I began to ponder "What did these psychologists/psychiatrists ask Carson to talk about in order to come to their conclusions?" Did they ask him to talk about cars, Legos and law enforcement or was it fuzzy animals and flowers? Seems to me, he can talk a blue streak about things he is interested in......but I digress....
Carson and Chuck pose.....and can you believe, they wouldn't do a 70
"Oh, say can you see?,
By the dawn's early light....."
Enjoying the flag demonstration, complete with soldier in the background....
Tomorrow we head to church.....thank you God for another busy week and the help and energy to survive it!
-Jennifer
We managed to get Francesca off to Italy thanks to the help and patience of Paul's mother who arrived a few days before she left. Then, Paul and I managed a 25 hour respite in Baltimore, thanks again to Nona. Ahhhh, a bit of calm.......
Before our little get a way though, and unbeknownst to Francesca, we headed up to Maryland and adopted a new dog from Mid Atlantic German Short Hair Pointer Rescue. This GSP is male, between 3 and 5 years old, solid liver colored and came with the name Beckett. He is also the complete opposite of Shade (our first adopted GSP)- not afraid of all people and children, curious, and not prone to hiding under the bed. We've had him almost 3 weeks now and he has settled in really well. Francesca arrived home from Italy and gave her stamp of approval to him despite the fact that she was not consulted in the decision making process. Shade says she has yet to make up her mind about him, although she is now spending more time out from under the bed and today, she actually came downstairs to greet all of us.
The new addition: Beckett "no, I'm not a chocolate Lab" KingShortly after Nona left, my parents arrived and we began to make some plans to do some sightseeing. Short lived plans......
Carson began to run a fever the day after they arrived and we proceeded to have two unplanned clinic visits back to back. The good news out of this is that a) my parents were here to help and b) Carson managed to get sick during business hours which meant no ER! On the first visit we learned Carson's ANC had jumped to nearly 9000, which meant he was definitely fighting something off. Bring on the IV antibiotics and blood cultures. On the next day's visit his ANC had dropped to 1500, his immunogammaglobulin level was 298 and blood cultures were negative. Bring on more IV antibiotics and add an IGg infusion. At least we said goodbye to that fever and our little guy was feeling good.
And then, Francesca arrived home: unpacking all her stuff, brimming with stories and proving that jet lag and teenagers don't mix. Seriously though, she had an absolutely fabulous time. Thanks to the Palomos for hosting her. Now we begin packing up for Student Life camp on Monday.
That leaves today and Grandpa Chuck's 70th birthday. We finally got a little sight seeing in at Fort McHenry in Baltimore and more than an earful about cannons, soldiers and prison from Carson.
As Carson was jabbering on today, Francesca gave me one of those looks like "I wish he would stop". That's when I broke the news to her that Carson's neuropsych testing revealed that he needed some help with expressing himself and that we should be encouraging him to talk more and to include even more details and descriptions. As I picked Francesca's jaw up off the floor, I began to ponder "What did these psychologists/psychiatrists ask Carson to talk about in order to come to their conclusions?" Did they ask him to talk about cars, Legos and law enforcement or was it fuzzy animals and flowers? Seems to me, he can talk a blue streak about things he is interested in......but I digress....
Carson and Chuck pose.....and can you believe, they wouldn't do a 70gun salute in honor of Chuck's birthday?
"Oh, say can you see?,By the dawn's early light....."
Enjoying the flag demonstration, complete with soldier in the background....Tomorrow we head to church.....thank you God for another busy week and the help and energy to survive it!
-Jennifer
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Two Wonderful Years
Day 730 of a 1,278 day treatment program.
Today marks two years since that day we went to the ER and were told Carson has leukemia. Two years of hospital stays, doctor visits, pokes, various chemo cocktails, radiation, neurological tests, and more chemo. Two years of ups and downs.
However, despite what seems to be an emotionally draining roller coaster, we've made many new friends. We have been witness to - and the recipients of - tremendous love and support.
We've had two more years of "I love you's", two more years of giggles and tickles, two more years to snuggle up at bedtime, two years to witness important milestones like the first day of preschool, the first tooth being lost and the first solo swim in the pool. A precious gift indeed!
And most of all, we have watched our superman and other kids just like him go through things that no child should have to endure and do it with strength and character beyond belief. Time and time again I find it's the kids teaching me a lesson.
We still have a ways to go. We are two years into our three and a half year treatment and we're still trying to determine the right dose of chemo for maintenance....the cycle we started more than a year ago. But, we are thankful for where we are. I look around and can't help but to feel blessed. Thank you, Lord, for being there to comfort and provide for us!
Paul.
Today marks two years since that day we went to the ER and were told Carson has leukemia. Two years of hospital stays, doctor visits, pokes, various chemo cocktails, radiation, neurological tests, and more chemo. Two years of ups and downs.
However, despite what seems to be an emotionally draining roller coaster, we've made many new friends. We have been witness to - and the recipients of - tremendous love and support.
We've had two more years of "I love you's", two more years of giggles and tickles, two more years to snuggle up at bedtime, two years to witness important milestones like the first day of preschool, the first tooth being lost and the first solo swim in the pool. A precious gift indeed!
And most of all, we have watched our superman and other kids just like him go through things that no child should have to endure and do it with strength and character beyond belief. Time and time again I find it's the kids teaching me a lesson.
We still have a ways to go. We are two years into our three and a half year treatment and we're still trying to determine the right dose of chemo for maintenance....the cycle we started more than a year ago. But, we are thankful for where we are. I look around and can't help but to feel blessed. Thank you, Lord, for being there to comfort and provide for us!
Paul.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday Clinic Visit
Short and mostly sweet today!
Hope everyone else had a good day too!
-Jennifer
- Cortisone shot in foot for Jennifer at podiatrist - BAD
- Counts check at Clinic - GOOD - ANC 1580
- Increase 6MP and Methotrexate very slightly - TBD
- Francesca enjoying herself in Italy - GOOD
- Enjoying ourselves at the pool on a hot Virginia day - GOOD
Hope everyone else had a good day too!
-Jennifer
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