End of a phase....and FISHING!

I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update the blog. Where does the time go?!

Last Thursday was the last of this particular phases' treatments. Whew! One more phase to go...then maintenance! Once again we are told that Trey is doing so well. Many kids feel the side effects from this particular chemo and at some point the dose stays level and is not increased. Trey hasn't had all the side effects so his chemo has been increased each time. This last one was the max dose that he can receive. The doctor laughed and said Trey drinks this like it's water! (Although you don't drink this chemo, it's given through his port...an IV push) So far Trey has been able to tolerate the chemo. Amazing.

Trey has been wanting to go fishing, so we decided to go last weekend. He felt fine for most of it and we caught 3 fish! We look forward to going more over the summer months. We are humbled by the power of prayer and how it has been a great blessing in our lives especially the last few months. Thank you again for your prayers.

Emotional week

This week has been a rough one for Trey. The chemo treatment from Monday sure hit him hard. He's been throwing up and laying on the couch not wanting to do much. The other day he had a melt down moment. We're trying to help him understand that it's okay to be mad at cancer, to be hurt and to cry, but to also be thankful for how well he really is doing overall. I told him that there are other kids with his illness that are worse off then he is. He thought for a moment and said "there are?". We want him to walk away from this experience 3 years from now with a positive attitude and with gratitude in his heart. I know he already is a happy kid overall. We are grateful for his courageous spirit.

Today, he seems to be doing better, although he is still laying on the couch. I think his muscles have weaken, as he has a hard time walking around and just wants to lay down-not even sit on the couch. I'm worried what the last dose will do to him on Thursday.

On another sad note, our beloved lab, Taylor died last night. She had been feeling sick the last couple of days. Trey took it all in stride. I think he has been so preoccupied with his own illness, that it hasn't really hit home what has happened to Taylor. It's been a very emotional week for all of us. Our 6 year old daughter didn't take it as hard as I thought she would. I asked her if she were sad, and she said not really. Taylor is in heaven. How sweet the hearts of our little ones.

Almost done with this phase.

Trey had another treatment on Monday. It was a long day. He had another lumbar puncture and I guess it took a bit longer for him to come out from being put to sleep for the procedure. Then he went up to the clinic for chemo treatments. His counts still look great so they of course increased the dose of Methotrexate. He also got a dose of it with the lumbar puncture or spinal tap. Then he got the Vincristine dose. One of the side effects of this chemo treatment is something called "foot drop". It's when you have trouble lifting the front part of your foot. Every time Trey has clinic the doctors look for signs of the different side effects. They checked for "foot drop" and Trey is showing some difficulty with lifting the front part of his foot. It's not terribly bad, but we are noticing that he shuffles more when he walks.



We've noticed that right after Trey's clinic visit, he seems fine. It's about 24 hours later that the effects take place. Last time he didn't get sick right away, and when he did I thought it might have been the flu bug. But I think he was sick because of the chemo treatments. Today he has been laying on the couch most of the day, not feeling really sick, just tired. Tonight he got sick and threw up. He says his legs and feet hurt too. I feel so bad for him. Hopefully tomorrow he will be feeling better. He's such a trooper!

In 10 days he goes back for the last treatment of this phase. Then he'll get 2 weeks off! Hooray for Trey! He has one last phase before maintenance. The next phase is suppose to be pretty intense as well. We just need to remember to take one day at a time. We are so grateful for how Trey is doing. Thanks again for your prayers. We send out all our love to you.

Spiderman!

A couple of fun pictures of Trey and "Spiderman". These were taken after Trey's chemo treatment at the hospital. On one of the floors there is this spiderman statue and makes fors fun pictures.

The chemo treatment went well. They increased the dosage again. The doctor is so thrilled with how well Trey has been doing and with how positive Trey's attitude is. He always has a smile for the nurses and doctors.

Last night Trey got sick and hasn't been feeling well since. He felt great after treatment and the day after. Maybe the increased dose has caught up to him a bit.

My sister and her family have come for Easter weekend. Trey has been looking forward to playing with his cousins. He's bummed that he feels so sick.

We want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. What a wonderful time to reflect on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. My heart is full of wonder and appreciation. I am so glad that one day we too can be resurrected and that our bodies will be made whole. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each of us. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth by a prophet of God. The Lord will never leave us and we can find strength through faith and prayer and obedience. I bare you my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.