Good day everyone,

I'd like to first thank you all for your continued love and support. My family and I feel the genuine love we have surrounded by us. Its been a few weeks since i last made a journal entry. It seems as if as soon as i start to feel better i'm heading back into the hospital. I always have the intention on updating sooner but then i get in a spiral downward of feeling terrible and i'm just trying to make it through that day.  This entry i will try and make it somewhat not such long of a read since i'll be jamming two rounds of chemo in here. 

The beginning of my second round started on Monday the 15th of May. With my head on strong and determined to make it through that week easier than my first round i tried to only think of positive things. As Jess decorated my room i remembered thinking how lucky i am to have her by my side every minute of the way on this journey. I still had visitors boosting my moral and roommates at night to keep me company which is a big lift me up when the chemo starts kicking my butt. One thing i forgot to mention to everybody is that every time i have a visitor stay the night i always absorb their pillow into my bed. By the end of the week i have anywhere from 8-10 pillows in my bed. i did have well over 10 pillows in my bed after the first round. My night nurse gives me trouble every time another guest is starting to get comfortable for the night because he will come in and I'll ask "Russ, um can my roommate get a pillow and some blankets for the night?" he usual responds with "you have all the pillows we have on this floor in your bed, your going to make me steal a pillow from an old lady" Anyways back to the treatment, i've noticed i tolerate the chemo alright the first two days but by Wednesday evening is where i start to get what i call the "ICK" feeling. Thursday is where things start to turn, this is the day that i really have to try and focus on getting through the day and trying to think positive. Friday is the roughest thats when the most nauseousness hits. Anxiety comes in full force and im trying my best not to throw up. They doctors really showed out setting it up for me to make it to Sages final soccer practice on May 20th. That first week home I laid low trying to feel better. Having a lot of blood in your urine is never a good start to your first week back. The start of the second week started out a lot better. Brought Sage to his first car show then we road down the river road to Grafton followed up by two ferry rides making our way to St Charles to surprise grandpa with a visit. It was also Sages first ride in "his" car outside of the neighborhood. He absolutely loved it. Hit up the science center, pool, sandwich shops, baseball game and camel rides at grants farm. Sage also caught his first fish!

We had our big important Ct scan on June 2nd to make sure the chemo was working as it should. We found out the best possible news we could. My body was responding to the chemo. The Lesions on my liver has shrunk from 5.7cm down to 3.8 cm, the second lesion has shrunk from 4.6cm down to 2.7cm. The lymph nodes in my abdomen had shrunk from 13mm down to sub 7mm. Although, those are numbers we are happy about it is still a long road to recovery. Having this good news allows me to continue chemo treatment. 

On June 5th i returned to the hospital for my third round of treatment. That week went as well as i guess it could, i secretly snuck out of the hospital to have breakfast two mornings in a row at Panera bread and finished the week off at First watch. I had already felt everything coming on strong Thursday evening. I pushed myself to walk a little farther for breakfast without my nighttime roommate. Landing a spot outside to eat, i met a very sweet lady and her husband. After chatting for a few minutes of where i had just came from the wife and i hit it off. Her name was Denise and had gone through Chemo during 2020 covid times. After eating they kindly took care of my bill. I don't know if she sensed me not feeling well or if it was meant to be, after the husband left she so kindly asked if i needed someone to walk back to the hospital with. I'm happy i accepted because it helped me stay focused on making it back to the room. After a short chat with her in my room and showing her around the floor we said our good byes and exchanged numbers. For the remainder of that day i struggled heavily to keep it together.

I made it home by 9pm on Friday. Saturday the 10th, i had a total of 900 steps feeling as terrible as one can. Sunday i was able to up it to 1200. Monday Jess talked me into going the Zoo to our surprise all the wheelchairs were sold out, so that was interesting. The next two weeks i did the best i could doing everything i could so i can enjoy as much as i could with my family. Which include Six flags, going on a float with us three last minute etc.. Had a great Fathers day having our families over to grill. Last week i entered "Sages" car to be judged. He kept telling me "I willy think we could win a trophy dad" Well, he was right we got 3rd place in our class! I was super excited as well Sage was shocked, maybe he wasn't since he told me we would win. So i capped off my weekend with a trophy, concert and the Y swim pool. 

I just got admitted to the hospital today on June the 26th to start my fourth and final round of chemo. Please keep us in your thoughts as we try to push as hard as we can. My next ct scan is a really important one. I have hope that i will be healed. IF NOT i will let you know the next step as it comes. 

Lastly, thank you, each and everyone of you for the love you have shown us. Remember a picture only shows a snap shot of that present moment and doesn't tell you the whole story behind  that smile. Much Love to you all.