September 3rd, 2013

Tuesday
Home
Weight: ?
ANC: 500

So, today we had your first major delay.  Your ANC needs to be at 1000 before you can start another round of chemo and unfortunately your ANC was 500 at your CBC today.  We were all packed and ready for you to leave tonight and start round #3 of Maintenance tomorrow morning, but I guess we will need to wait.  As much as we all love you being home, we do want to continue through the protocal as quickly as possible, so you can finish sooner.  I guess with only 2 cycles left we are all getting anxious and just want the end to come as soon as possible.  You will have another CBC on Friday to see if we can start next week, we are hoping for Monday.

On a positive note, this has been the longest stretch that you have been out of hospital and let me tell you, it has been awesome!  Yesterday we had a small party to celebrate your 3rd birthday.  We assumed you would be in hospital for your birthday so we wanted to do something before you left.  The party felt so good and you loved every minute.  Of course, you were spoiled by your friends and family.  It is crazy that your are already 3, although with what you are battling through I would swear you are a lot older.  You are such a strong and courageous warrior!!

Lucky for us, we were able to sneak in a few days out at the cabin, in Elkwater.  You had a blast hanging out with your sisters and cousins.  You absolutely loved the boat ride as well as a short tube ride with dad.  You did remind us several times that you are still a boy and have little fear.  There is a large cut on your head resulting from a fall off the deck as well as legs full of scratches and bruises.  Boys will be boys...I guess!

During this stretch at home you had one platelet transfusion and one red blood cell transfusion.  Both of the transfusions were done here in Medicine Hat, which was nice.  You still needed GCSF for 10 days to boost your counts, which required daily needles (pokes).  You still have not gotten use to getting poked (I don't blame you at all) and it is usually quite the fight to hold you down.  I am looking forward to end so we don't have to administer anymore of these pokes when we are at home.

We will definitely take advantage of the extra days at home.  On the bright side, we will be able to celebrate your birthday on the 5th all together!  I hope that every birthday wish your wish for comes true this year....you definitely deserve it!

Love you buddy,

Mom