Jacob's journey is moving on into phase 3 chemotherapy today - interim maintenance.
We had a slight speed bump in getting here, Jacob caught a virus last weekend and Dr Odom wanted to give him time to recover from that before starting back on the daily chemo. He is much better and as of last night he is back on the meds.
Interim maintenance will last for two months and consists of high amounts of oral chemotherapy and fewer clinic visits. Nightly doses of 6MP will continue and we are adding in a new oral agent, Methotrexate, which he will take once a week. The Methotrexate he has had previously in the liquid form via his spinal tap. In addition to this he will be back on the steroids for 5 day windows through out this phase. We are only scheduled to go to the clinic once (halfway through) this phase for a spinal tap. We are used to going every week so it was weird when we left on Tuesday to say "Have a nice month!" All of the ladies at the clinic hold such a special place in our hearts and we have gotten used to seeing them every week - they have been a definite perk in all of this.
The really cool thing about this phase is it allows for us to go ahead with Minnesota vacation plans. We leave in 28 days! At this point the only medical thing we are expecting to do while on vacation is a blood draw to get a CBC. You have no idea how huge that is. What a great window to rest and enjoy friends and family and to celebrate the wonderful life we have been given.
Once we return from Vacation we will be starting school and then in the middle of September we will start phase 4 - delayed intensification. For two months we will have, well, intense amounts of chemotherapy. I do not know the details yet but the Doctor mentioned that it will look a lot like induction did - numbers down to 0, dietary limits, isolation (he will miss some school), and very likely a re hospitalization.
We did not know we were doing this round until last week and it was very sobering. Jacob has been doing so well and with next to no side effects it has been hard to even think of him as being sick. In my mind I had us all the way to maintenance and cure. In my heart I think that is where God is taking us - this is just a reminder to walk the journey step by step. It has also been a reminder that for now my plate is already full in just taking care of my family - and that is where my focus needs to be. How lucky I am to be able to do that full time!
2 comments:
spell check would be a great thing to have on the blog :)
I was told a phrase this last week, oddly enough at a parent football orientation, and the coach was stating that we are in such a "give me now", "instant" world and his fore most thought was that - there is value in the journey-. We know that this is a journey you didn't ask for, but it has been both awesome and amazing to see and hear how you are all doing as a family as well as your individual growth. All of the love and encuragement that has been poured out and continued prayers are a testimony to the seeds that you all have sown. Alright, I am starting to cry just thinking about it so I will end for now.....lots and lots of love.
The Hamps love you guys. We continue to pray for you. Lastnight in our devotion, Noah prayed the most eloquent, heartfelt prayer for Jake. You guys rock!!
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