A True Hero...

In Memory of Clark Kimble

July 27, 1985-June 11, 2010

Clark is Shane's cousin. He fought hard and long in his battle with the different illnesses that plagued his body. He was courageous and had such a positive attitude. He is an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed. We love you Clark! May God be with your family and embrace them with His love.

(Trey & Clark taken a few months back at Trey's cousins' baptism.)

Clark's amazing story-http://www.superclarkkimble.blogspot.com/

2nd half of the phase

This is Trey "feeling good!" after coming out of the conscience sedation. He was on a happy high!

Thursday was the start on the 2nd half of this phase. We were up at the hospital for just over 5 hours! When the doctor came in she started talking about all these different chemos and how I'd give Trey one of them through his port at home. I said, "hold on, back up what are you talking about!" I was under the impression that the 2nd half was going to be a repeat of the first half. Apparently not. He'll be receiving the chemo ARA-C through his port at home for 4 days and then a break and then another 4 days. The home health agency will send us all the supplies I will need to administer the chemo. They will also come every Wed to draw his blood to check his counts. He may need a transfusion sometime during this phase.

This part of the phase he had Cyclophosphamide given to him through the port (IV push given over the course of an hour). Then they did give him the 1st dose of the ARA-C at the hospital. He also had another LP with methodextrate given through the spine. A lot of chemo for one day. Oh yeah he also started 6-Thioguanine or 6-TG which are pills he'll take at home for 2 weeks. That's a load of stuff!

We tried something different when putting Trey down for the LP. Instead of going completely out-they gave him some stuff for conscience sedation. He was out but not totally. He didn't remember anything during that time. It was really weird though for me. His eyes stayed opened the whole time and they moved rapidly back and forth. Kind of unnerving. He was soooo scared because it was different from being put to sleep. He was so worried about feeling the needles. He did a great job and when he came out of it he said "I feel sooo good! When do we do it again?" He didn't remember a thing! He was so loopy and silly. He was singing songs and telling me I had two heads. I laughed so hard. Better not let him have this drug too often...he was liking it a bit to much. :) Doing it this way is actually better. Less invasive and he wasn't as sick afterwards. That's always a plus.

He's had a cough for about 2 weeks. Since his counts will be going down, we just have to be careful for the next 4 weeks. Hopefully by July 8th he will be starting maintenance. Trey has done so well and we continue to feel the tender mercies of the Lord.

Low blood counts

So we are about halfway done with the "break" from chemo. Today Trey had his blood drawn for a blood count check. This phase of treatment is pretty intense, thus the 2 week break. Trey's counts dropped dramatically from just a week ago. So far his red blood and platlate counts are still ok although they did drop, but his ANC (the ones that fight infection) are low. Just last week they were up in the 4000's, which is in the normal range. Now they are down to 700. If he was to have a chemo treatment this week, they would've made us wait. The doctors expect his counts to climb back up a bit more before next week's chemo treatment. Then of course they will probably drop again. (The blood counts drop about 7-10 days after treatment.)
He'll have his blood count checked again next week before the treatment.

Trey is also experiencing mouth sores and joint and back pain. He gets to swish with some stuff called "magic mouth wash" which Trey hates. Hopefully this will help with the mouth sores. Trey's knees hurt him alot too. The doctor says that joint and back pain is one of the side effects of the chemo. Last night was a rough night for him...he couldn't seem to fall asleep. But right now his spirits seem high and he is feeling better. Playing games with his older brother helps alot!

Monday's chemo treatment went well. In about 2 weeks he'll go back for the 2nd half of this phase. It's a nice little break. He's doing much better at taking his pills. For a while there it was like pulling teeth to get him to take his pills.

In the clinic waiting room there is a bulletin board with cut out paper hands that kids can write what they'd like to do then they pin it on the board. Kids have written all kinds of things. For a while now Trey keeps saying how when he grows up, he wants to invent a cure for cancer...one that doesn't take so long and doesn't hurt. He's so serious about it. So when we saw the board, he wanted to write something on the paper hand. He wrote that he wanted to invent a cure for cancer. Maybe we'll have a scientist in the family! :)

Last week we went to Trey's class for a special presentation by his teacher. She made a DVD of pictures of the kids throughout the year. It was fun to watch it with his class. Miss Mitchell has been great. We want to thank her for all she has done for Trey. Thank you! Trey also stayed to eat lunch with his friends. What a fun treat for him!

On Monday, Trey had his chemo treatment. All went well. Although just when he was leaving treatment, he threw up...barely made it into a tub. Close call! He has had a lot of anxiety lately. We asked about it, and the Dr. didn't seem too worried or surprised. He said the chemo could be to blame. They did give him something to help calm him down. He has had a lot of chemo over the last week. Trey has had some pills to take and for some reason the thought of swallowing pills has made him so upset. He's had so much anxiety over that. So far this week hasn't been too bad. He seems a little more relaxed. And he's back to being hungry from the steroids he's on. :) The last few days he hasn't had much energy and has just wanted to lay down. But he has been happy and positive.

A few weeks back, Trey discovered that the hospital has a small garden area with plants and flowers, waterfalls and a small pond. Since then, Trey asks if we can walk through there when we come for his clinic visits. He really loves the garden and this last time even wanted to sit on the bench for a while. He must have a calm and peaceful feeling when he visits the garden. He wishes we could build one in our back yard. Maybe some day. For now the one at the hospital can be his little sanctuary.

Trey Made It Through!

Trey did it! He was brave, strong and tough! He was so nervous and has worked himself up so much that he was shaking pretty hard by the time we got to the hospital. We had to wait for almost an hour and half before they administered the shots. We had to wait for the chemo and his tag to identify him. They put the numbing cream on, which helped some, but Trey said it still hurt. Now we wait another hour to make sure he doesn't have any bad reactions to it.

I told Trey that he is so brave and he told me that he doesn't think so. I asked him why he thought that and he told me because he is so scared and crying. I told him that being brave and courageous doesn't mean you aren't scared. Someone who is brave and courageous can be scared, but they press forward anyway with faith. He's resting now and as I look over at him I see a boy who shows a great measure of bravery. I love him so much and I'm so glad he is my son.

Thank you to the many people who prayed for Trey today. Prayer is very powerful and we have felt it in our lives.

Pressing Forward

The last couple of weeks have been great. Trey continues to have his teacher come and tutor him 2x week. She says he is doing really well. His counts have been good...so he has the ok to do most activities.

Today, I took Trey to his chemo appointment. This last phase is called Standard Delayed Intensification. It's a two month process. He has a new chemo drug. It's called doxorubicin. It is an antibiotic that prevents DNA from forming, thus preventing cancer cells from multiplying. It is given through the IV. He also gets the vincristine. So Trey gets both these doses once a week for 3 weeks, then he gets a week break and then he'll start the course over again for the second month. He'll also start on the steroid, dexamethasone again. It won't be quite as strong as last time and not as often. So hopefully his appetite won't go crazy! Trey also had another lumbar puncture, ie back poke. That's were they administer the methotrexate. He had a harder time coming out of the anesthesia. He seemed more groggy and had a harder time walking. By the time we got home, he was very tired and he lost his appetite. (Poor guy hadn't eaten all day because he had to have the back poke.) He laid down right away and within an hour was throwing up. His back is sore and his legs hurt him. I'm just so glad that he hasn't had worse side effects. My heart just sinks when I see him like this...I don't think I could handle it if it were worse. Shane feels the same way.

The dreaded day is almost upon us. On Thursday, we go back for the PEG-Asparaginase, ie leg poke. He had this done at the beginning of his diagnosis while he was in the hospital. It's an intramuscular injection. Three needles in the thigh at the same time. Ouch! Last time it totally scarred Trey. So he has been fretting over this for several months. I hope he doesn't work himself up to terribly.

We look forward to the maintenance phase, where we will be going up to the hospital only once a month! Trey is a true trooper and fighter. We are so proud of him. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. In the uncertainty of life, it is a true comfort to be surrounded by wonderful family and friends.