Chemo Complete!

At about 6pm Tuesday, with the taking of the final dreaded "P," Henry finished his scheduled chemo treatments! His reward is a new Nintendo DS portable game system and a lovely (and I'm sure delicious) watermelon cake from Publix...The cake remains untasted at present. He had a great first Homebound schooling session with his teacher, although we learned just how much make up work he has to do. We are very proud of him today.

Monday we went to the clinic for blood tests. He was feeling particularly nauseous and hadn't really eaten in two days. He couldn't even take his anti nausea pill without vomiting it up. The clinic was very crowded, and we spent several hours in the room where they usually just check the vitals. At one point there was a flurry of activity: doctors, nurses and technicians rushing to a room to deal with a "major emergency." When we got our test results, we learned that Henry's platelets were good but since his white blood count was extremely low he would have to stay home from school, avoid crowds and watch for fever. We will test again on Thursday to see if counts are on the way up and he can go back to school.

When we got home, several boxes were waiting on the front porch containing a selection of hats from around the county - even one from Italy! One of our family friends has challenged many acquaintances to submit hats from coast to coast. It was a delightful surprise.

It is at times of hardship that you learn who your friends are, and we have found ourselves blessed with the best of friends indeed. Henry's aunts, uncles and cousins have been so generous with their time, thoughts, prayers and good wishes, not to mention calls, emails, cards and gifts. Friends, colleagues and co-workers (past and present) have appeared with offers of meals, transportation and caretaking as well as words of concern and encouragement.

We also have been graced with the outpouring of support from a network of extended family and friends - some we know fleetingly and some not at all. Congregations have been mobilized on our behalf, providing us with encouragement and support (and hats!). It has been wonderful and humbling to be on the receiving end of such an outpouring of attention and concern. Our appreciation and gratitude are beyond measure.

We are very grateful to our Seattle friends who, while fighting their own battle with cancer, have given so much advice, guidance, strength and comfort.

We are not alone. We are loved. And we love you all.


[Note from Dad - to protect privacy on the internet this blog does not identfy parties by name.]