Round 4

It has occurred to me that friends who read this are not really reading it to hear my various musings on this life, but to be up-to-date on how Jonah is doing.  To that end, here's an update only post......

It has taken me 3 rounds of chemo for this to really sink in, but as his counts are, so is Jonah.  What I mean is that when his counts are down, Jonah is down.  He generally doesn't feel good, he's more tired and less interested in therapy, he doesn't sleep as well.  At that point in the cycle, he's still battling nausea and vomiting.  Then, his counts recover, and Jonah is good.  He's laughing, joking, he's negotiating for therapy to be a little longer, he's eating and sleeping through the night.  He is the Jonah that we know and love.

Jonah's counts are good now.  We've had a good week of therapy at RIC.  Actually, last weekend he got his second day pass, so he joined the family for brunch and then checked out Ronald McDonald House (RMD).  There's a Coldwell Bankers sponsored "selfie" camera in the lobby of RMD and the kids couldn't resist getting a group photo. It was great to have him join us in part of our new "normal" routine.

Jonah is scheduled to go back to Lurie for round 4 of chemo on Monday.  Given the cycle length (7-10 days), we will likely celebrate Thanksgiving from Lurie.  Jonah's 5th birthday is then December 3.  Theoretically we should be back at RIC by then, but rarely do we follow the theoretical, so we're not sure.  Timing-wise, cycle 5 will likely compete with Christmas, so we're not exactly sure on that.  After cycle 5, it is likely we will return to RIC.  It depends on what kind of progress Jonah is making.  It's hard for RIC to commit to anything as they usually only get Jonah for 2 week blocks and his counts are low for one of those weeks.  Two weeks of therapy at a time isn't a lot from a therapists perspective.  We anticipate going back to Lurie for round 6 of chemo, the doozie that's followed by stem cell transplant, late January/February.  Cycle 6 is a 30 day hospitalization that will be different.  Jonah will not be allowed to leave his room most of the stay and visitors will be quite limited.  Again, we expect we'll need to go back to RIC after cycle 6, but this time we could stay at RIC as long as they require.  After cycle 6/rehab is complete, there is almost no scenario where we don't move onto radiation.  Honestly, things in this world change so fast - it's like trying to pin down glitter - that we're focused on cycle 4 and looking at cycle 5 and not looking too far beyond as we "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

Here are ways you can pray through all of this for us:

* During cycle 3 none of the 5 anti-nausea medicines seemed to help.  We have taken a break from them all in hopes that they will be more effective in cycle 4.  Please pray that it is so as the constant nausea and vomiting are hard on Jonah's spirits.

* Prayer for our family holidays.  Thanksgiving, Jonah's birthday, Christmas and New Years are seeped in tradition that will be executed differently this year.  We pray that these events are still joy filled celebrations that we will be able to cherish and remember with a smile.

* As weird as it may be, prayer that we are able to execute this roughly outlined plan.  It seems weird to pray to be able to put a child through this, but it means that you still have your child and chance.  We know that no everyone is granted a cycle 6 or radiation as options.

* Of course, all the prayers for complete healing and for how we all relate to God through and despite these circumstances are appreciated.

Thank you all of your on-going caring and support!  We love you and how you love us!