Let's pick the story up two weeks ago, on the Ides of March! This was supposed to be an off week!
On March 15th, Blaise and Annie had to go into the hospital because Lucy slammed his head in the door. I was at work, and I am not sure this was accidental, but Annie swears it was. Lucy, to her credit, as stuck by her story that she was just playing and Blaise's head got in the way. The hospital trip was because Blaise had a low platelet count at the time. Something that happens 7-10 days after the first day of treatment. Tuesday 3/15 was 10 days out, perfect timing Lucy!
Wednesday March 16th brought another trip to the hospital. And a Happy Birthday to Nonie! Remember this was the off week! This trip was a bit of a buzz kill, and really brought this situation back to reality. Blaise was killing it all day, playing and enjoying the awesome weather. But after a walk with Annie, he got a fever of 101.3, which is a automatic trip downtown, and a 1 night stay at CHOP. We were told the fever was probably caused by an infection in his Button. All in all he was pumped full of antibiotics, sent home and responded just fine!
Thursday, was another trip back to the hospital. This one planned, the doctors wanted to follow up and check his level, especially in light of everything that happened that week. Annie and I were pretty certain that he would need a blood transfusion. That being said, Annie brought Blaise in, and everything went great. He was set for chemo the following week!
Friday brought the best of times. Blaise cousin, and buddy Jack, came down from Scranton. Jack's sisters came too, and Lucy and Blaise really enjoy all hanging out with them. And Blaise was feeling good which made a real fun visit. They even got meet Gaston in person, thanks to the MBAP High School production!
During the visit, my mom noticed Lucy was getting quite the cough. We knew it to, but felt nothing of it. I mean her brother cancer, she can shake it off! But Annie took her to see the good doctor Kenis, and boom - a reactive airway was diagnosed. Now her and Blaise can share!
They had so much fun with their cousin, Lucy did not make it to her bed Sunday night...
... she was also really confused about anatomy.
And my house still has not recovered!
Now this past week - 4th cycle treatment all 5 days and Dad's Spring Break!
Monday we both went to the hospital with Blaise. I wanted to see how he was doing at the clinic and we also had a meeting with the micro-surgeon who will be reconnecting his blood vessels during the surgery in May. He was nice man, and very personable. He is a very big deal, like president of the world microsurgery organization or something, but took time to talk with Blaise and ask about our family. It was not the face time I was expecting with a man of his professional stature.
Blaise's team at CHOP also had some really cool things to say. They were very pleasantly surprised that he has not had a set back yet. They have prepped us for these, and we fully expect for them to come, but they haven't come yet and we're cruising through treatment for now!
The further we get into this, the more I feel like we got very lucky with this diagnosis. Now, obviously we are not that lucky, Blaise has cancer, but everything else has been the best possible news. Annie and our doctor pushed hard to get answers at time when doctors did not want to give them to us, and Blaise is better off because of that. Just think, if we had gone with the first diagnosis, an infection with IV antibiotics, we just be finishing that up now. Now we're 4 cycles deep into a 14 cycle treatment, moving through at a rapid pace.
The rest of week was pretty standard. But since it was Spring Break, Lucy and I got to hang out a bit more. Annie and Blaise went down to CHOP while Lucy and I sat in our PJs and ate ice cream! Not exactly, but not that far off.
I really enjoyed the week off from work, and it was fun for everyone. Well, maybe not Lucy she was stuck with me doing her hair and picking out her outfits. One day I'll get the hang of that!
Friday was great too! I took Blasie to CHOP. We made plans to go to the shore for the weekend, and we didn't want two cars at CHOP or to bring Lucy down for the whole time. The original plan was for Annie and Blaise to head down, then Lucy and I to join them later. Well, Annie was sleeping so I said I would take Blaise in and her and Lucy could come later. Blaise and I rode SEPTA, the 104 bus to the El then a walk down 34th street.
We met a nice guy named Don on the bus who asked all about Blaise and his treatment. It was super awkward when he asked where we were going. I mean, he is the bald skinny kid, and I just so happened to have CHOP shirt on. But I told him and he said Blaise would be in his prayers. The people you meet on SEPTA are awesome! Just ask Bob Dell about the ride home from the Phillies parade!
Blaise was really excited when he heard we were going to ride a train. He had the transfer, and kept calling it his ticket. He would not let it go. He also starred out the window saying "Look at all these people!" And he would repeat the announcements on the train, "Next stop 46th street."
We made it in to CHOP, with a quick stop at Federal Donuts, and started chemo. This round is not as potent as the odd numbered cycles, but it did make him very sleepy. So he basically, got hooked up at the hospital, watch an episode of Curious George or something and then passed out everyday
The Easter Bunny even showed up!
It was a good two weeks, sorry for the delay in the posts. Thanks for the prayers, the cards and all the well wishes! We certainly appreciate it. And Happy Easter to everyone!
PS - news on the American Cancer Society bike ride is coming soon!
