And the Counts Are........

Clinic and chemo yesterday for the Mr.  His ANC is lower than last time, but still needs to be lower.

Raise the 6MP, keep the methotrexate the same and go back in two weeks for follow up blood work.

I have my post op appointment tomorrow and expect all to go well.  I'm feeling good, up and about, but taking it easy on lifting and activity.

-Jennifer

Doing Well

I made it through surgery just fine. No nausea afterward and not much pain. I'm sure I will have some pain though when they force me to leave this bed. scheduled to go home later today.
-Jennifer

Checking In

Paul is due home tomorrow and we are all doing good.  Carson stayed well and so did everyone else, except Grandpa Chuck.  He got sick as a dog for about 12 hours.  We responded by isolating him and wiping everything down multiple times.  So far, so good...........no other illnesses to report.

Carson's counts check at the clinic yesterday followed the usual pattern we're all used to.  Say it all together now........

Doctor:  "So his counts are a little too high"
             " We need to up some of the chemo, how about the methotrexate?"
              "Keep your appointment in two weeks, he'll be due for IV chemo and counts again" 

Me:  "OK"

School will be over on Thursday and both kids are looking forward to it.  I've explained to Carson that he'll be going to summer school in July, but he seems bent on ignoring me for now.

That's OK. Getting through Kindergarten was an accomplishment and I'm willing to let him enjoy that.
I can hardly believe the year is over myself.  We were so nervous at first.  How does cancer treatment mixed with physical/social/cognitive cancer challenges play out in one little boy?  The answer, thanks to his teachers and school, BEAUTIFULLY.   So beautiful in fact that this year was almost, well...... NORMAL.  Who would have guessed?  What a blessing!  I love normal!

-Jennifer

What Have We Been Doing?

I'm not quite sure, but I know we've been busy.

Carson had chemo and antibiotics last Wednesday.  His counts are too high (ANC of 4700) so we will raise the 6MP slightly and go back a week from today for a counts check.

Paul is preparing for a trip to Thailand tomorrow.  He hasn't traveled overseas in two years - the infamous early ended trip to Australia with Carson in the hospital.  We are determined that this will not happen on this particular trip.  In case it does though, my parents are coming to stay for about 10 days.

My mom will actually be staying about 15 days.  It turns out I am continuing on in my "surgical career" (you'd think I would have picked a better more fulfilling career, wouldn't you?) and having a partial hysterectomy on June 19th.  Tamoxifen reduces your risk of breast cancer recurrence, but causes other problems too.

And here are some other events in pictures........

Francesca and Uncle Eric before his wedding

 More family pre-wedding pictures

JK, Francesca, Eric, Jane, Charles and The Trans, Kathy, Steve, Brittni with Jolie and Emily in the front row.

Lauren and Eric

Yay!  They're Married!!!

One of our few pictures together......ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then, a few weeks later, we watched Francesca and friends Martha and Robin finish the Zooma Half Marathon in Annapolis, MD.  Way to go!!!

Robin at mile 13 and looking strong!

Martha (in black) and Francesca (in blue) heading up the final hill at mile 13.

Gettin 'er done!

All done!!  So proud of all of you!!