Mother’s Day was enjoyed by all our family this year since both sons were home!  Alex had arrived home for the summer Thursday, May 9, and Jeremy spent Sunday with our family and extended family, which was great!!  I added two pictures to this CaringBridge Gallery that were taken on Mother’s Day.  Jeremy also took me out for dinner which was extra special!!

We are thankful that Jeremy is continuing to feel more like himself each day!  Having Chemo once a month is much more tolerable for him.  He joined a gym and he appreciates feeling well enough to lift weights most mornings before work. He has enjoyed meeting people through his work, church, and some sports leagues.  

We are also thankful that the neuropathy in his feet he was experiencing around Christmas time is no longer a concern.  His doctor had told him that permanent neuropathy in his feet was a possibility.  Again, thank you for your prayers!!

I had shared when he started this last Maintenance phase, that now the real test begins. Think about it, He moved to a new place and new community. He started working full time and is back in the real world, and not as confined as the previous phases were.  Just like Covid has changed society permanently in some ways, so it is with many illnesses that people survive or endure each, and every day.  I continue to be amazed and impressed with the strength and positive attitude of many cancer survivors and those with other (often degenerative) illnesses.  Most of these people do NOT take life for granted and are often a great example for other people.  

 About a week after his April treatment, Jeremy experienced fevers for 4 days and developed whooping cough. He was quarantined for a week and worked from home while he regained his strength.  Apparently,  vaccinations can struggle to be effective during chemotherapy.  The lungs get damaged from the disease, and take a while to heal, sometimes up to three months.  He still has occasional coughing fits, but, fortunately, they are slowly decreasing.  

Jeremy’s monthly treatment was earlier this week on Tuesday, May 21.  He was told that a port may be needed for the remainder of the maintenance course.  The vincristine drug he needs can cause long-term damage to veins if administered through the standard IV. He is seeking a second opinion on this decision before going through with the procedure.  To be honest, I was surprised that a port was not needed earlier.  One of the first surgeries done for new pediatric cancer patients was a port placement.  

A verse that comes to mind is Romans 12:12  “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be in constant prayer.”  This has been the story of our lives since all this began a year ago (May 18 was his diagnosis date.  May 25 was when he was admitted to the hospital.)   We are very thankful for the healing that Jeremy is experiencing.  Hopefully, our whole family is being strengthened through this experience, as we trust and lean on God in the process.