Hi everyone,
It has been a long time (again) since I sent out an update:
The chemo: Joe has had cycles 10, 11 and 12 and has even finished of one of the chemo meds (Doxyrubicin). It has been amazing these last few times how well Joe has felt - miminal or no nausea, good appetite and few after effects at home. Cycle 13 will be just an overnight visit (July 23) and if we continue to stay on schedule the last cycle will occur August 13 - 17th, just in time for the start of 2nd grade on August 23. I credit Joe's healing touch appointments with helping him to manage the chemo side effects so well.
His system is starting to get more tired, though. He did have a blood transfusion (his 2nd) at the end of Round 12 (July 4th). We are also in-patient at the hospital right now for a 3-day-at-least fever observation stay. He checked in yesterday after a 100.7 fever in the early morning. Joe was extra disappointed because yesterday we were scheduled to go to Adventureland (amusement park) with the nice folks from Dance Marathon. Joe's lovely Aunt Mary has offered to come visit and take Joe and Seth on a make-up visit to Adventureland sometime in the near future. And I am happy to report that while he is neutropinic (low white count), he seems to feel pretty good: no fever or nausea, sleeps well and is eating and drinking very well. (He just downed 3 soft shell tacos and 2 yogurts).
The other medical note I want to make is that with the clear tests in both his arm (for recurrence) and his chest (for metastese) Joe's cancer is officially in remission. I had missed this lovely label somehow and am happy to report on it now. He will have another set of checks at the end of treatment and every 3 months thereafter. The news on the fix for his graft is that it will most likely happen sometime in the 3-6 month range after chemo ends.
Joe made it until mid-week of Heart Connections cancer camp in June (www.childrenscancerprograms.com). I came to volunteer mid-week and he opted to return home with me. I think he did have some fun, but was also very homesick. I hope to have pictures of it when the new web page is up. Joe also got to go to day camp with some friends this past week. He attended Wildlife Camp at the nearby McBride Nature Center and was able to go every day but one.
Seth has been reveling in baseball, baseball and more baseball. He is currently playing in the All-Star tournament for his local Cal Ripken League team. He, Tom and his Britton grandparents are in scenic Manchester, Iowa and hot off the wire I can report that his team has won 3 out of 3 games and he was named MVP in game 3.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone and all the prayers and good wishes. They nourish us all daily.
Love, Jenny, Tom, Seth, Joe and Happy the dog