We've had some crazy twists in the road over the past several weeks. Just over two weeks ago, JR started feeling very ill and the morning that we were going for his first "antibody" treatment, he started feeling some strong headaches that resulted in a pretty uncomfortable (putting it mildly) stomach. We got to the hospital and the doctors were able to control his symptoms, gave him some medication, he slept and felt fine. They decided to go ahead with his first treatment and we left feeling OK about everything. We thought perhaps he was just really nervous about having his port accessed and knew that he had a lot of questions and anxiety over it, so it made sense but I had never seen him have such a strong reaction and wasn't totally convinced that we were just dealing with a nervous tummy.
He felt OK for a day or two and attended a birthday party 2 weekends ago and I got a call that he had gotten sick at the party and frantically went to go get him. He had already rejoined the party but was tired and a little bewildered. That day was also Jim's birthday and we were having a couple locals over that evening to celebrate. JR just wanted to go to bed and wasn't feeling well again. He had a quiet day with Jim the next day as Addie and I went with some of her classmates to see a little play in New York (and finally over to American Girl Place for a quick purchase). That Sunday night/Monday a.m. turned into a very difficult time for my very strong son. I decided to bring him in to the hospital on Monday, ended up staying over Monday night and had many scans, tests, etc. He checked out fine and we were home Tuesday evening, only to have symptoms return and we ended up back at the hospital on Wednesday morning, stayed over Wednesday night, more tests, scans, etc. and finally a spinal tap which ended up providing some clues to our confused doctors. Not pleasant clues but nonetheless, revealed to us that we really need to get started with his new chemo and confirmed that the course of action we were already planning was one that was a promising long-term solution to a nasty and tricky disease. A plan for his short-term discomfort and symptoms was also devised and has kept J.R. doing a lot better since last week. Scary stuff.
So to reward him for all he's been through, we brought him back to the hospital today for another scan and his now-routine day 1 of antibodies and tomorrow will be day 2, chemo. We'll be repeating this "one-two punch" every two weeks for the foreseeable future. Not exactly what the average third grader would be hoping to do over his Spring Vacation week, but if he's less sleepy than he was today, we'll try to do a little Manhattan tomorrow. Addie will be in tow and the weather is supposed to be fantastic, so let's hope we squeak in a little fun! I would love to encourage everyone reading this blog to take that vacation, go on that trip, don't try to be too practical, experience all those magical times because it's impossible to get that time back and it's all we really remember when we look back. I can't wait to start planning. I was eavesdropping on a conversation that J.R. and his buddy Nicholas had in the back seat of my car a couple of weeks ago when Nicholas posed the question, "What was the most happiest day you've ever had?" to which J.R. responded that it was probably in Disneyland last year (and interestingly enough was exactly one year ago today when we were there). It's a great question to ask yourself and/or your children (and you can always remind yourself, as Homer Simpson would put it, "The happiest day of your life so far") and figure out what makes great memories. I wish lots and lots of them to all. I feel strongly that the best is yet to come.
As I step off my soapbox, I wanted to leave you with one last little profound thought that Jim and I have adopted as our latest motto: "Time to Kick Some Butt!" We're convinced that the aforementioned one-two punch is going to do it this time. It's not going to be a walk in the park and it's not going to happen tomorrow but we have a good feeling about this new plan. My friend Sheelah Quinn sent us a little wall-hanging the reads "Faith is the place between where things are and the good things that are sure to come." That's where we are right now.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What's Next
We met last week with JR's team to get his stitches out and to hammer out a new plan of attack. Interestingly enough, the neurosurgeon (Dr. Souweidane) actually took the time, sat in a little office and took JR's stitches out himself. He even went out and got him an apple juice when he said he was thirsty. When we walked into the office, Dr. Souweidane had an MRI scan on the computer screen and JR asked him, "Is that a brain?" to which the Dr. answered, "Yes, in fact, it's YOUR brain." I was a little worried about how JR would feel but went on to ask some great questions and even wondered if those two protruding things in the front were his eyeballs and was fascinated to learn that they were. The scan looked great and JR even wanted to know what it looked like before the operation and the doc was great with him and showed him before and afters, etc. I was relieved that his simple curiosity didn't turn into something that he really didn't want to know. All in all, he did great and they barely shaved any hair this time so you'd never really know that he had stitches.
I also met with the oncology team while JR had some play time in the playroom. He created this huge crab picture that apparently some artist studio in Brooklyn is supposed to add to some big mural. We're supposed to visit the studio possible in May. We're calling JR the guest artist for the day.
The new plan is starting next Wed. (4/2) for an infusion of antibodies, then every two weeks after that, he'll have an infusion of antibodies on Wed. followed by chemo on the following day (Thurs.). So in other words, every 2 weeks, he'll be there for 2days in a row (except the first time he'll only have 1 day). This will last for 4 to 6 months (??) or until something changes. Hopefully he'll be able to handle this as well as he did with the last chemo (doctors seem to think that it should be roughly equivalent). We'll keep close track of blood counts, etc. just like before. The biggest difference to him will be that the chemo will no longer be oral but that's why we have the port. I just hope and pray with all I have that this will do the trick and that it won't be too brutal. Feel free to join me.
We are enjoying a little break in the action right now. JR looks and feels good and even wants to try a little school tomorrow. He's out with the "boyz in the 'hood" playing and running around in the afternoons which helps more than anything else any of us can do for him. I've said it before but fresh air and exercise is huge here. I'm glad that this next phase is starting while the promise of great spring weather is teasing us all. Seeing him (and joining him) out there enjoying himself does great things for my soul, too.
I'll let you know how this routine plays out. I don't expect anything too huge that first day but I am a bit worried about the ongoing schedule. By worried I think I mean panicked. I'm sure he'll be fine but mama just hates to even think about these things, let alone watch him experience them. He just does it, though, all without much fuss. He's the greatest and I mean it! Until next time....
I also met with the oncology team while JR had some play time in the playroom. He created this huge crab picture that apparently some artist studio in Brooklyn is supposed to add to some big mural. We're supposed to visit the studio possible in May. We're calling JR the guest artist for the day.
The new plan is starting next Wed. (4/2) for an infusion of antibodies, then every two weeks after that, he'll have an infusion of antibodies on Wed. followed by chemo on the following day (Thurs.). So in other words, every 2 weeks, he'll be there for 2days in a row (except the first time he'll only have 1 day). This will last for 4 to 6 months (??) or until something changes. Hopefully he'll be able to handle this as well as he did with the last chemo (doctors seem to think that it should be roughly equivalent). We'll keep close track of blood counts, etc. just like before. The biggest difference to him will be that the chemo will no longer be oral but that's why we have the port. I just hope and pray with all I have that this will do the trick and that it won't be too brutal. Feel free to join me.
We are enjoying a little break in the action right now. JR looks and feels good and even wants to try a little school tomorrow. He's out with the "boyz in the 'hood" playing and running around in the afternoons which helps more than anything else any of us can do for him. I've said it before but fresh air and exercise is huge here. I'm glad that this next phase is starting while the promise of great spring weather is teasing us all. Seeing him (and joining him) out there enjoying himself does great things for my soul, too.
I'll let you know how this routine plays out. I don't expect anything too huge that first day but I am a bit worried about the ongoing schedule. By worried I think I mean panicked. I'm sure he'll be fine but mama just hates to even think about these things, let alone watch him experience them. He just does it, though, all without much fuss. He's the greatest and I mean it! Until next time....
Thursday, March 13, 2008
My Boy is Amazing!!
Most of you have heard by now that JR's surgery last Thursday was very successful and that he is recovering at record pace. We are all counting our blessings and couldn't be more thankful to JR's skillful surgeon. Somehow, I think I just totally expected (for a second time now) a perfect outcome and knew it would be alright but I have to admit that fears do find a way of creeping in despite our most profound efforts to keep them out. Low and behold, here I am reporting to everyone that he did great and continues to amaze us all. He hasn't complained, he just goes with it. He had some very understandable anxiety over getting out of bed and walking while he was in the hospital but he has this amazing ability to take a deep breath and really work through his fears. I can physically watch him do it. The trick is to give him his space (without my usual nagging and hurrying) and let it happen. It really is an awesome quality to have. Once he got out of bed and walked once, he's motoring around like nothing ever happened, proud as punch. Talk about proud....Jim and I are bursting.
JR will have some down time and we hope to start having his tutor back shortly and try some academics. We are so lucky that he's a good student and is able to keep up with school. I have to say that while his curriculum is well thought-out, we go through some of the stuff and just by-pass. We just focus on the major important things and don't sweat the small stuff. Actually, we try to do that with everything. Perspective, perspective.
JR's next phase of this battle is kind of brutal and is the hardest for me to face. Again, he'll probably sail through and be fine but I just feel so sad for him. He'll be changing his chemo treatments (unfortunately it won't be oral this time) and going in to Sloan-Kettering either each week or hopefully every other week for the "infusion". While undergoing his surgery, he had a Mediport inserted in his chest so the IV line and the fear of poking around finding a vein will be a lot easier. I had no idea, however, what a serious procedure the port insertion was. So aside from a head full of stitches, he has stitches on his chest and a little bump that will give access for future IV's. He truly does just go with all this if you can believe it. I just hope and pray that this new chemo protocol doesn't make him too ill. It really is the hardest thing to face and I look around at the pediatric floor of the hospital and see a lot of other boys running around feeling fine and I am inspired. It's into the world of the unknown for us. By the way, one lesson I've learned is that each day is a day into the unknown and that anything can happen. Even your wildest dreams.
JR is asking me if we can go out to eat right now (as we did yesterday). Yesterday he ordered about 5 different things and had a couple bites of each. Impossible to say no to those big blue eyes so I must sign off right now and find a good mac n cheese fix. I'll update you shortly but thank you to all for such wonderful notes and deeds.
JR will have some down time and we hope to start having his tutor back shortly and try some academics. We are so lucky that he's a good student and is able to keep up with school. I have to say that while his curriculum is well thought-out, we go through some of the stuff and just by-pass. We just focus on the major important things and don't sweat the small stuff. Actually, we try to do that with everything. Perspective, perspective.
JR's next phase of this battle is kind of brutal and is the hardest for me to face. Again, he'll probably sail through and be fine but I just feel so sad for him. He'll be changing his chemo treatments (unfortunately it won't be oral this time) and going in to Sloan-Kettering either each week or hopefully every other week for the "infusion". While undergoing his surgery, he had a Mediport inserted in his chest so the IV line and the fear of poking around finding a vein will be a lot easier. I had no idea, however, what a serious procedure the port insertion was. So aside from a head full of stitches, he has stitches on his chest and a little bump that will give access for future IV's. He truly does just go with all this if you can believe it. I just hope and pray that this new chemo protocol doesn't make him too ill. It really is the hardest thing to face and I look around at the pediatric floor of the hospital and see a lot of other boys running around feeling fine and I am inspired. It's into the world of the unknown for us. By the way, one lesson I've learned is that each day is a day into the unknown and that anything can happen. Even your wildest dreams.
JR is asking me if we can go out to eat right now (as we did yesterday). Yesterday he ordered about 5 different things and had a couple bites of each. Impossible to say no to those big blue eyes so I must sign off right now and find a good mac n cheese fix. I'll update you shortly but thank you to all for such wonderful notes and deeds.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Back to the Drawing Board
It's amazing how things can turn around in a heartbeat. Since my last posting when everything was looking perfect and the doctors were so happy with his progress, JR has had a setback. Sometime between Jan. 3rd and Feb. 20th, JR's tumor reappeared and has taken us all by surprise. Needless to say, we are all devastated and didn't know what to do with ourselves. JR had to return for many additional tests to confirm our worst fears.
Since learning about this, we have been waiting and worrying. It's time to start over and get back to our "positive thoughts only" mindset. Jim and I met with JR's team last week and were completely shocked when we walked into the meeting and saw his neurosurgeon from his operation last August, Dr. Souweidane. I'll never forget Jim saying to me just before we got there that "I hope they don't recommend surgery for him." But as soon as we saw the surgeon, we knew. The surgery is set for this Thursday, March 6th.
We know that this news is not exactly light. However, after we had time to digest all of this, we were actually relieved. We were expecting to hear that they would be going forward with a more potent chemo (which I imagine will come afterwards) and we were so upset knowing that it might or might not do what it's supposed to do. This way, the surgeon says he can get a little more aggressive with the operation as they have more information about the nature and "center" (as I'll call it) of the mass. Hopefully he'll get a little more of the sort of root system and he'll be at a much bigger advantage when starting the chemo with less tumor to deal with. So it's basically almost like starting over and we are grateful that we actually have the chance to start over.
So it's back to the drawing board with a little extra information and not in emergency mode like the first time around. The knowing and waiting is not pleasant but at least we'll feel a little more prepared.
Anyone with connections to the "big guy" has our permission to pull strings, beg, plead, twist arms, etc. to get past all this ugliness and find out what good is supposed to come of this. It better be huge. We look forward to finding out. Please pray for our son.
Since learning about this, we have been waiting and worrying. It's time to start over and get back to our "positive thoughts only" mindset. Jim and I met with JR's team last week and were completely shocked when we walked into the meeting and saw his neurosurgeon from his operation last August, Dr. Souweidane. I'll never forget Jim saying to me just before we got there that "I hope they don't recommend surgery for him." But as soon as we saw the surgeon, we knew. The surgery is set for this Thursday, March 6th.
We know that this news is not exactly light. However, after we had time to digest all of this, we were actually relieved. We were expecting to hear that they would be going forward with a more potent chemo (which I imagine will come afterwards) and we were so upset knowing that it might or might not do what it's supposed to do. This way, the surgeon says he can get a little more aggressive with the operation as they have more information about the nature and "center" (as I'll call it) of the mass. Hopefully he'll get a little more of the sort of root system and he'll be at a much bigger advantage when starting the chemo with less tumor to deal with. So it's basically almost like starting over and we are grateful that we actually have the chance to start over.
So it's back to the drawing board with a little extra information and not in emergency mode like the first time around. The knowing and waiting is not pleasant but at least we'll feel a little more prepared.
Anyone with connections to the "big guy" has our permission to pull strings, beg, plead, twist arms, etc. to get past all this ugliness and find out what good is supposed to come of this. It better be huge. We look forward to finding out. Please pray for our son.
Monday, February 11, 2008
We're Still Doing Great!
This is just a quick update to say that we really have very little to report. JR is on his last day of Round 4 (of 10) of his chemo and is doing remarkably well. Most of the time, he starts feeling pretty crummy even after the first day or two, but this time he has been feeling totally normal. I keep asking him if his tummy is OK, etc., but he keeps telling me that it's fine and his appetite has been good. Although I do anticipate that he'll start feeling tired and a little beat up over the next week or so but he doesn't complain of any symptoms, miraculously. He truly is unbelievable. We spent last Thursday at Sloan-Kettering so that the staff could monitor him while he took his chemo because he developed a crazy rash during the last round, but it seems as though the rash was unrelated to his medication. They wanted to make sure that he didn't develop some allergy to the chemo, which he didn't, so all day of sitting around and waiting for something to happen was somewhat unproductive but we were happy with the outcome. Better safe than sorry.
JR has his next MRI a week from Wednesday (Feb. 20th), so PLEASE keep that positive energy radiating!! It's a very difficult thing for Jim and me but of course, JR just lets it roll right off his back. He has overcome his overwhelming fear of the IV line (which he needs to have before the MRI) and is more brave (or braver??!!) than ever going into this process. I think of what a wimp I am when I need to go get a cavity drilled, I tense up and practically pass out each time. Here's JR going to get needles and sit in a noisy, claustrophic imaging machine, having had some very bad experiences getting his IV line and he has trained himself to be calm and brave and told me that he's not afraid of it anymore. It's so inspirational to get courage from your own child. You never know where you'll learn your life lessons. He's my hero!!
I totally believe that this next scan will be fine and I will update all my loyal readers as soon as possible after the scan. Thank you again for taking the time to keep abreast of his progress. Namaste!!
JR has his next MRI a week from Wednesday (Feb. 20th), so PLEASE keep that positive energy radiating!! It's a very difficult thing for Jim and me but of course, JR just lets it roll right off his back. He has overcome his overwhelming fear of the IV line (which he needs to have before the MRI) and is more brave (or braver??!!) than ever going into this process. I think of what a wimp I am when I need to go get a cavity drilled, I tense up and practically pass out each time. Here's JR going to get needles and sit in a noisy, claustrophic imaging machine, having had some very bad experiences getting his IV line and he has trained himself to be calm and brave and told me that he's not afraid of it anymore. It's so inspirational to get courage from your own child. You never know where you'll learn your life lessons. He's my hero!!
I totally believe that this next scan will be fine and I will update all my loyal readers as soon as possible after the scan. Thank you again for taking the time to keep abreast of his progress. Namaste!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
A Sigh of Relief
Hope everyone was able to experience some wonderful and magical moments over the holidays. The kids get so excited, it's nice to think back on our own holidays when we would wake up on Christmas morning and be "wowed". Jim was saying that he and his brother Kevin would lay awake in their bunk beds and swear to each other that they heard Santa's sleigh bells and vow to stay up all night to see him. Somehow he magically slipped in and out during that one brief moment when they must have nodded off into dreamland. Of course we were up later than normal on Christmas Eve, having spent the evening over at Cousin Chris and Andrea's, celebrating Kalle's 4th birthday, having a great meal and coming home to our now traditional Christmas Eve of reading Polar Express, putting out cookies, milk and carrots and sprinkling the reindeer food around outside. All I kept thinking was that for J.R. and Addie, this is their memory to keep and how incredibly precious this time in life is for all of us. Of course it was hard to keep our minds from wandering but it only helped to strengthen our resolve to make this holiday very special.
I try to keep this blog focused on JR as he has had to endure so much more than the rest of us and probably understands a lot more than I realize, but it's difficult to talk about his experiences without including others around him so I do apologize again for the fluff but I'm just so fluffy, what can I say!! (now there's a run-on sentence for you!!) He did mention that he wished that Santa could use his magic and make all of this rotten stuff go away. We are hoping that this has happened as he wished but that we need to keep checking to make sure.
We visited the hospital yesterday (with Kimberly by our side) for another MRI and had the doctors gitty with excitement over his scans - no change from the last MRI and that was the best news we could have ever wished for. It takes me a while to process this good news and I try very hard to keep it all in perspective but can breathe a sigh of relief for now. It's only after this sigh that I realize how incredibly anxious, sad and distracted I get by this and that it is truly wasted energy. It's completely natural but it takes away from what we have. So for each of you reading this, please breathe the same sign of relief and stay positive! He's doing great! He starts his chemo again on the 10th of Jan. and every 4 weeks until the end of July when we reevaluate and see where we go from there! Two places we know we're going from there is Cuttyhunk in August and Hawaii sometime after that, thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation.
2008 is here and is already feels so good. Thank you again for showing your concern for JR and our family and all the wonderful cards, gifts and prayers we got from so many people. You are all helping so much. Happy New Year to all!!
I try to keep this blog focused on JR as he has had to endure so much more than the rest of us and probably understands a lot more than I realize, but it's difficult to talk about his experiences without including others around him so I do apologize again for the fluff but I'm just so fluffy, what can I say!! (now there's a run-on sentence for you!!) He did mention that he wished that Santa could use his magic and make all of this rotten stuff go away. We are hoping that this has happened as he wished but that we need to keep checking to make sure.
We visited the hospital yesterday (with Kimberly by our side) for another MRI and had the doctors gitty with excitement over his scans - no change from the last MRI and that was the best news we could have ever wished for. It takes me a while to process this good news and I try very hard to keep it all in perspective but can breathe a sigh of relief for now. It's only after this sigh that I realize how incredibly anxious, sad and distracted I get by this and that it is truly wasted energy. It's completely natural but it takes away from what we have. So for each of you reading this, please breathe the same sign of relief and stay positive! He's doing great! He starts his chemo again on the 10th of Jan. and every 4 weeks until the end of July when we reevaluate and see where we go from there! Two places we know we're going from there is Cuttyhunk in August and Hawaii sometime after that, thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation.
2008 is here and is already feels so good. Thank you again for showing your concern for JR and our family and all the wonderful cards, gifts and prayers we got from so many people. You are all helping so much. Happy New Year to all!!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Feelin' Pretty Good!
It's been over a month since my last post and I apologize to my loyal readers who have mentioned that they've checked the blog and haven't seen anything new. We have had a few significant milestones but not really that much to report.
On November 14th, JR had his first MRI since his post-op MRI (August) and he has endured the majority of his first of 10 rounds of chemo. He continues to cause the reaction of "shock and awe" as people who know what he's been through see him and notice how well he's doing. He's still doing an amazing job keeping his chin up and not letting this get to him.
The best news we can hear is that there are no signs of anything new on his MRI. That was the news we heard on the 14th. He was totally calm during the MRI process, no sedatives, no music, he just hung out, stayed still and let it happen. I've heard many a horror story about how terrible the process is but he took it in stride (not the same story with the IV line but we'll gloss over that for now...!). After we finished, Jim told him he could have anything he wanted. He chose a hamster that we bought the following weekend when my brother and his wife visited from Colorado. Addie got one, too, for being such a good sister :). Their names are Dusty and Cloudy and they are Blueberry Dwarf hamsters.
We have another MRI coming up on Jan. 3rd, so we hope to report the same news then. Hopefully J.R. won't figure out that when Jim says he can have anything he wants, he pretty much means carte blanche. We could get in some real trouble!!
The five days following the MRI were the first 5 days of the 5 days on, 23 days off chemo cycle. He had 5 days on of some strong stuff and it made him feel pretty off. We had heard that day 10 to 14 of the cycle would probably be his low days but he was pretty good by day 7 and was able to eat a decent amount of turkey (a good food for him anyway!) on Thanksgiving at Aunt Beth's and Uncle T.K.'s. The best part of Thanksgiving for J.R. was having some time with his "big" cousins. We've now been off for 13 days and he feels pretty good but just incredibly tired. He's been trying his hardest to get some extra rest and to get some fun and exercise in between. We had our first snow today and it was perfect sledding for us here on Hoyt Court. I'm a strong believer in fresh air and exercise and sledding down the street is one of our top favorite things to do.
Blood counts have continued to be great so J.R. has been trying his best to stay in school full time. Some days he's just a little beat up and needs to take a breather. His teacher has been very pleased with how he manages to keep up with his schoolwork. We still have our wonderful tutor part time and she is truly a blessing!!
So that's it for now! We can only hope that this is as bad as it gets and that J.R. will keep handling things so bravely. Both of my children make me so proud it's really embarrassing!!! We really don't know much about what to expect as each person who goes through something like this reacts uniquely. We know that on the chemo-taking spectrum, JR is on the "handles it well" side of the scale and we hope that the 23 days off will give him sufficient time to recuperate before starting up again. I feel as though I'm always thinking that I don't know what the future holds but that is true for all of us. All we can do is expect it to be great and somehow it always is! Happy Holidays to all if I don't get back for a while! Your are all in our thoughts and prayers! XOXOXXO
On November 14th, JR had his first MRI since his post-op MRI (August) and he has endured the majority of his first of 10 rounds of chemo. He continues to cause the reaction of "shock and awe" as people who know what he's been through see him and notice how well he's doing. He's still doing an amazing job keeping his chin up and not letting this get to him.
The best news we can hear is that there are no signs of anything new on his MRI. That was the news we heard on the 14th. He was totally calm during the MRI process, no sedatives, no music, he just hung out, stayed still and let it happen. I've heard many a horror story about how terrible the process is but he took it in stride (not the same story with the IV line but we'll gloss over that for now...!). After we finished, Jim told him he could have anything he wanted. He chose a hamster that we bought the following weekend when my brother and his wife visited from Colorado. Addie got one, too, for being such a good sister :). Their names are Dusty and Cloudy and they are Blueberry Dwarf hamsters.
We have another MRI coming up on Jan. 3rd, so we hope to report the same news then. Hopefully J.R. won't figure out that when Jim says he can have anything he wants, he pretty much means carte blanche. We could get in some real trouble!!
The five days following the MRI were the first 5 days of the 5 days on, 23 days off chemo cycle. He had 5 days on of some strong stuff and it made him feel pretty off. We had heard that day 10 to 14 of the cycle would probably be his low days but he was pretty good by day 7 and was able to eat a decent amount of turkey (a good food for him anyway!) on Thanksgiving at Aunt Beth's and Uncle T.K.'s. The best part of Thanksgiving for J.R. was having some time with his "big" cousins. We've now been off for 13 days and he feels pretty good but just incredibly tired. He's been trying his hardest to get some extra rest and to get some fun and exercise in between. We had our first snow today and it was perfect sledding for us here on Hoyt Court. I'm a strong believer in fresh air and exercise and sledding down the street is one of our top favorite things to do.
Blood counts have continued to be great so J.R. has been trying his best to stay in school full time. Some days he's just a little beat up and needs to take a breather. His teacher has been very pleased with how he manages to keep up with his schoolwork. We still have our wonderful tutor part time and she is truly a blessing!!
So that's it for now! We can only hope that this is as bad as it gets and that J.R. will keep handling things so bravely. Both of my children make me so proud it's really embarrassing!!! We really don't know much about what to expect as each person who goes through something like this reacts uniquely. We know that on the chemo-taking spectrum, JR is on the "handles it well" side of the scale and we hope that the 23 days off will give him sufficient time to recuperate before starting up again. I feel as though I'm always thinking that I don't know what the future holds but that is true for all of us. All we can do is expect it to be great and somehow it always is! Happy Holidays to all if I don't get back for a while! Your are all in our thoughts and prayers! XOXOXXO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
