We made another visit to the clinic today for some treatment.
Jake's counts were low, around 400. This was a little bit of a surprise, but we had moved his treatment up just in case they had dipped this low. He received a chemo treatment today and we will have to give him 2 more at-home shots over the next couple of nights.
The Dr. is happy with the progress he is making. Just to be safe, they have scheduled a blood transfusion for Monday in case we run into any problems between now and then. They are expecting that his counts may drop even further over the next few days so they have started him on some antibiotics to make sure we start fighting off any potential infections.
Our next treatment will be on Tuesday(11/12). Things are going as planned to this point - if you can really "plan" for an of this. In talking with the Dr. today - she is thinking that he will be ready to return to his classroom before Winter Break. Now, I know that there are some incredible people from his school who check in on his status. I am not trying to get anyone's hopes up or to have any plans made for an expected return date. As with most things through this entire process, the further into the treatment we get the clearer the next steps will become. Continue to keep Jake in you thoughts and prayers. He is doing good with the treatment as well as the limited side effects, but I think he really misses his friends from school and just being able to do "normal" things that kids do.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Interesting comparison....
I have been watching Jake go through some pretty major physical changes over the last few weeks of treatment. This portion of his treatment has required him to take a good size dose of steroids. It started high, but has been tapering off over the last few days. When we were in the clinic 3 weeks ago there was a professional photographer who was there to take some pictures for a website that is being put together. Last Wednesday we received a copy of photos they had for Jake. These photos were taken prior to the latest steroid treatment. I didn't use the actual photos because I was unsure whether they were any copyright issues. But I did have a photo of him taken early in Oct that works just as well.
I was amazed at how much his body had changed after only 3 weeks of steroids. Call me a cynic, but when I compared the photos there was only one thing that came to mind.
Barry Bonds then vs. now
Jake then vs. now
I am not making accusations.......just making a comparison.
I was amazed at how much his body had changed after only 3 weeks of steroids. Call me a cynic, but when I compared the photos there was only one thing that came to mind.
Barry Bonds then vs. now
Jake then vs. now
I am not making accusations.......just making a comparison.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween 08
Joshua was the manager for the Boston Red Sox's
Checking baseball stats
Writing his roster
Getting excited to go trick or treating
Being Silly
Peace Out
Focus on the pumpkin
STOP taking pictures of me (roid rage)
Mom was worried that the cheeks wouldn't fit
Working his Batman skills
Jake's favorite sword at the ready
Glow in the dark stickers forTrick or Treating
Saturday, October 18, 2008
How Low Can you Go?!?
I have had the blessing (occasionally the curse) of growing up with a Father who loves music. Blues, Jazz, 50's & 60's Rock and some other styles that I have blocked out. I am pretty sure that music is the source for the very deep voice in my head that is now chanting, "How low can you go?" I am not sure if the song referred to the twist or the limbo, I can't remember any other portion of the song, but as I move through my day, my mind is cycling that phrase over and over.
For me, it references how low will Jake's blood counts go. Last Tuesday he completed his 3rd and final doxorubicin treatment and is currently taking his last week (I think) of high dose steroids. His ANC had lowered to the 800's as of Tuesday and is on the way down. It is very possible that it will go all the way down to 0 (very similar to our first month of chemo after the hospital). We have been given the official word from Jacobs Oncologist that our status has been changed to 'lock down'. For Jake that means no more church, stores, play dates for a couple weeks, and for the family it means a heightened vigilance to kill germs and avoid them as much as possible. Jake's immune system is low enough that an encounter with any type of sickness or infection will send him to the hospital.
I would again ask for all of our friends and family to pray for Jacob. This phase of chemotherapy is critical to moving past remission and towards cure.
Over and Over and Over you have been there for us.
Thank You!
For me, it references how low will Jake's blood counts go. Last Tuesday he completed his 3rd and final doxorubicin treatment and is currently taking his last week (I think) of high dose steroids. His ANC had lowered to the 800's as of Tuesday and is on the way down. It is very possible that it will go all the way down to 0 (very similar to our first month of chemo after the hospital). We have been given the official word from Jacobs Oncologist that our status has been changed to 'lock down'. For Jake that means no more church, stores, play dates for a couple weeks, and for the family it means a heightened vigilance to kill germs and avoid them as much as possible. Jake's immune system is low enough that an encounter with any type of sickness or infection will send him to the hospital.
I would again ask for all of our friends and family to pray for Jacob. This phase of chemotherapy is critical to moving past remission and towards cure.
- Pray for Jacob's total healing.
- Pray for protection from sickness and infection.
- Pray that his spirits would stay high (This has been particularly challenging right now. The emotional roller coaster of a kid on steroids puts PMS and menopause in the kids zone.)
- Pray for the rest of us - patience, wisdom, patience and patience
Over and Over and Over you have been there for us.
Thank You!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Duckbill Platypus
This is Jacob's 3rd grade oral report on the Duckbill Platypus. Since we are working at home with a tutor during this phase of chemo we decided to share it with his class via blogging technology.
Enjoy!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kicked out of Man Zone!
The sub title for this post would be - Why I adore Sundays!
Lets start with my husband waking me up - gently - with sweet words.
(For anyone out there who is not married, my advise is to be patient and marry up, like I did! It pays such wealthy dividends for the rest of your life. Brian is the best thing to happen to me, ever!)
When I finally crawled out of bed and made it downstairs it was to discover that the kitchen disaster of Saturday evening (spaghetti and meatballs) was all cleaned up, the dishwasher ran, famous Carlson Chicken Chili was already simmering in the crock pot and Taquitos (football fare requested by the junior men) were cooking in the oven.
Then, my boys inform me that I can't be downstairs today - it is the Man Zone!
"You know Mom - guy stuff!"
Here is the secret. SHHHHH
I love being banished to the upstairs once a week. HGTV on in the office, a great cup of coffee (also prepared by my honey!) Sunday newspaper and my laptop. In my comfy pj's and robe, slippers on my feet - it is ALL good.
Lets start with my husband waking me up - gently - with sweet words.
"It's almost 11. I think that would be a good wake up time."
(For anyone out there who is not married, my advise is to be patient and marry up, like I did! It pays such wealthy dividends for the rest of your life. Brian is the best thing to happen to me, ever!)
When I finally crawled out of bed and made it downstairs it was to discover that the kitchen disaster of Saturday evening (spaghetti and meatballs) was all cleaned up, the dishwasher ran, famous Carlson Chicken Chili was already simmering in the crock pot and Taquitos (football fare requested by the junior men) were cooking in the oven.
Then, my boys inform me that I can't be downstairs today - it is the Man Zone!
"You know Mom - guy stuff!"
Football on the TV, snacks in the oven, Nintendo in the grubby little hands of my boys. They had definitely taken over the lower level of the townhouse. And they were very firm in telling me that I would need to be upstairs for the day.
Here is the secret. SHHHHH
I love being banished to the upstairs once a week. HGTV on in the office, a great cup of coffee (also prepared by my honey!) Sunday newspaper and my laptop. In my comfy pj's and robe, slippers on my feet - it is ALL good.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Cherry Creek School District ROCKS!
I am loving me some Cherry Creek right now!
Today is our first day participating in their Home/Hospital Program and I am very thankful to have access to this wonderful opportunity. During this phase of chemotherapy Jacob's immune system will be very compromised, preventing him from attending class at Red Hawk Ridge. Through this program Jacob will have a tutor (The amazing Mrs S!) come to the house for two hours each day and teach him what his class mates are studying at elementary school. Mrs S will follow the lesson plans of Jacob's 3rd grade teacher, Mrs Erickson, and Jake's work will actually be submitted to Mrs Erickson. What this means is that when we are healthy enough to go back to school - Jacob will be right on track, Mrs Erickson will know right where he is at and reintegration will be very minimal. That is an amazing thing for a 8 year old.
I have to admit, I had gotten rather stressed trying to figure out the best way to blend school and chemo during this phase. It was a hard decision to keep Jacob out of the classroom(Jacob loves school, his teacher and his class), but it was essential for his health. This program has completely removed all fear and trepidation about his schooling.
Thank You to everyone who has helped set this up - and who is working with us. You are making the journey so much easier.
To All the 3rd graders in Mrs Erickson's class, Jacob got your letters and has been reading them with Mrs S. In my book, you are the most awesome 3rd graders in the world!
Today is our first day participating in their Home/Hospital Program and I am very thankful to have access to this wonderful opportunity. During this phase of chemotherapy Jacob's immune system will be very compromised, preventing him from attending class at Red Hawk Ridge. Through this program Jacob will have a tutor (The amazing Mrs S!) come to the house for two hours each day and teach him what his class mates are studying at elementary school. Mrs S will follow the lesson plans of Jacob's 3rd grade teacher, Mrs Erickson, and Jake's work will actually be submitted to Mrs Erickson. What this means is that when we are healthy enough to go back to school - Jacob will be right on track, Mrs Erickson will know right where he is at and reintegration will be very minimal. That is an amazing thing for a 8 year old.
I have to admit, I had gotten rather stressed trying to figure out the best way to blend school and chemo during this phase. It was a hard decision to keep Jacob out of the classroom(Jacob loves school, his teacher and his class), but it was essential for his health. This program has completely removed all fear and trepidation about his schooling.
Thank You to everyone who has helped set this up - and who is working with us. You are making the journey so much easier.
To All the 3rd graders in Mrs Erickson's class, Jacob got your letters and has been reading them with Mrs S. In my book, you are the most awesome 3rd graders in the world!
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