It has been quite a while since I have posted on this blog (about a month, give or take a day). After the last blog entry, we were able to release 4 weeks of built-up stress and worry about a relapse and/or a secondary cancer.
I cannot begin to tell you the level of relief we felt. I gave myself some time to just "live in the moment"; that Alex was only battling one cancer, and that a relapse was not an immediate concern.
During the past month, Alex has been on a 50% dosage for his oral Chemo, and even with the reduced potency, Alex's body still had to battle fatigue, and discomfort. Eric and I had to readjust to the "Chemo-normal" behavior - which can be anywhere from cranky to clingy, and everything in-between.
Today, we went back to the clinic to check Alex's counts, and to give him his monthly dose of Vincristine. Good News. His ANC was 1,000 - right in the middle of acceptable range. The doctors decided to bump up Alex's Mercaptapurine dosage a bit over the next month, to see if they can squeeze in any additional poison without sending Alex's counts plunging towards zero.
Since the success rate for his Chemo protocol of 80-90% cure for first-time diagnosis is based on full Chemo dosages, I very much want to see Alex's treatment follow the protocol as best as we can. A 50% dosage just doesn't seem "aggressive" enough - especially after getting a taste of what a relapse/secondary cancer scare is like.
So, in two weeks, we will go back to the clinic for a counts check to see what this higher dosage is doing to Alex's counts.
In the meantime, we will give our son his nightly poison, and hope that the higher dose is tolerated.
If you don't hear much from us in the next two weeks, it probably means that our "normal Chemo" routine is back, and there is nothing really to report. You have heard it all before...the steroid rages, the regressed emotional state, the exhaustion, and manic behavior.
Please remember, that my "quiet time" with the blog, is really just us living our lives with the strength of all of you - our friends and family holding us together. It means there is no crises, and that we are not up against any new problems.
Really.
In this case, our silence IS golden, and we are basking in the warm glow - with fingers and toes crossed...
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I am so glad everything is going "well!" Maybe we'll see you guys this week before Chandler's surgery on Monday!
ReplyDeleteMel
So glad his counts are up, lets hope the increase in meds will only drop his counts a little. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that life has been as close to normal as it can be. Much love to you, my friend! I miss you & hope we can get together soon. :)
ReplyDeleteSara: I am so glad you decided to post and that things are going well. I was concerned, as I am
ReplyDeletesure were others who follow Alex's progress. I hope you will receive the following in the spirit it is intended. There is a website called Ted.com Ted is an conference each year for technical geeks, so to speak. It brings together the most amazing speakers and progressive thinkers and offers many subjects to explore and consider.
I viewed a presentation by a Dr. Li, who discussed the research about possibilities of starving cancer cells with diet. You may be interested to hear what he has to say about cells, inflamation and how certain foods can have a positive affect on the body to fight cancer. I hope you find his informatioin helpful and perhaps may want to consider his opinions of combining certain foods along with the current chemo treatment. I am so happy to hear that Alex is doing so well. Ann Adair, Martinez, Ca.