Count Update:

We are doing lab draws on Mondays and Thursdays. Here's a snapshot of how those are going. We pay most attention to the ANC (absolute neutrophil count) as those are the numbers that determine our going home date. Last Thursday they were at 2800, Monday down to 260, and the latest draw this Thursday...10. Good news, the sooner we get to 0 the sooner we can start rebuilding. Obviously, this doesn't tell us yet how fast (or slow) the numbers will rebound, but it's a good start. Hemoglobin was down to 6.4 Thursday, so Abe received another blood transfusion first thing Thursday morning. Platelets were at 32000, and our threshold for those is 30k. They debated about maybe waiting, but decided since we wouldn't recheck again until Monday, that getting a bag would be good. Early on, I kept track of the transfusions he gets, both blood and platelets, but it happens so regularly now, it is just a part of the normal week to week. Yesterday around noon they started his bag of platelets, and about 15 minutes in, Abe's stomach started hurting pretty bad. That pain quickly turned into nausea, followed by chest pain, coughing and a sore throat. The nurses acted quick; shut off the platelets, administered Benadryl and monitored all of his vitals. After about 30 minutes of pretty intense pain, Abe fell asleep. The pain subsided and he slept until about 6pm. When he woke, all was good! Just another small reminder that what he goes through from day to day, even the things that seem to be normal, are still dangerous, life-threatening things. Today he woke up cheery and ready to take on the day. 

Skin update:

The chemo this round was different and left Abe with a strange rash that acts exactly like a sunburn, despite never being in the sun. It is only on his face and hands, but looks and feels just as it would if he had been on the beach without sunscreen. The redness has lessened and the swelling in his hands is also much better, but now we begin the molting process. His face and hands are now peeling, and peeling, and peeling. He looks a little like a racoon and enjoys trying to get the biggest chunk of skin possible. We have invested in lots of lotions and creams, face masks, and serums, all helping soothe the redness and keep him from flaking everywhere. His lips are also painful, looking like he lived in a desert for several weeks, lots of cracking and bleeding, but Vaseline has given him some relief there too.

Entertainment update:

Abe is reading Brave Men by Ernie Pyle. He is really enjoying it and has turned it into a race against his aunt to see who can finish first. It's about a journalist who went on a Navy boat during WWII. I am finishing up book 3 of the Sarah Mass Court of Thorns and Roses series. So different from what I normally read, but they are so good! My SIL and I are trading back and forth through the series. While I was home and driving, I added an audible read to my list: The Women by Kristen Hannah, a story about a nurse in Vietnam. I LOVE historical fiction and realized that Vietnam is a historical event I know very little about. It was eye-opening historically and a great story, obviously about women, to go with it. I always love reading anything where a woman overcomes. Highly recommend you add it to your summer list! Abe and I have started the Hunger Games movies on Netflix (another set of books I recommend if you haven't read them yet). It's a favorite of mine and he loves them as well! Abe also still spends his time putting together Legos and playing games. He has completed Lego sets of a Samaria Sword, the Statue of Liberty and a squirrel this round; and has added some new sets to his Amazon list if you'd like to add to his collection. I think we are down to three sets left. 

Joel and I are trading this weekend again, trying to keep a more regular schedule of home and KC. We are also going to try and spend some QT this weekend celebrating his birthday before I head back to manage the troops at home.  Managing jobs and kids at home and a marriage while living in KC and mentally handling all that is thrown our way is...hard. But we do what we can to spend time together, even if it is mostly just quick FaceTime's here and there. We are anxiously looking forward to summer, as most teachers are, for a nice change of pace. 

I leave you with a new song to add to your playlist, my favorite way to sit in my feelings is to listen to a song that feels written for me. Lauren Daigle's "Be Okay"; I heard this on my Peloton bike ride this week, a ride that was kicking my butt, but left me feeling ready to take on the day (and really sweaty). No matter what you are facing, cause we all have something, I hope this speaks to where you are.

Love to you all,

Leslie and Abe