Eleven Months to the Day

6/11/2012: 9:15 AM

We spent most of last week in Branson with Kyle's family to celebrate my in-laws fortieth wedding anniversary. Fifteen of us shared a condo. Kyle fell ill with a little virus or something and spent a great deal of time in bed. Poor guy. The rest of us had an amazing time.

We ate at Lambert's on the way down to Branson.

Go kart riding kept the kids cool for a bit.

Putt-putt fun. Kyle and I tied for first. He claims
it was the worst game he ever played and the
best I ever played. No hurt feelings here, I couldn't
agree more.

We rode a Duck, basically a bus that can drive in the
water. The views were breathtaking. Davis, Annakate, and
Papa Gary took turns driving the Duck in the lake.

All of the girls (and Gary who took Davis' ticket bc he bailed) went to see
Joseph. It was amazing. Personally, it was my favorite.

Lots and lots of swimming.

We spent some time at the Landing. Kyle and Davis waited in line for ice
cream for over thirty minutes!

 We had to cut our Branson trip a day short to head to St. Louis for blood work. We then spent the rest of the day shopping, eating, and swimming at the hotel. Davis had to fast on Friday, so we ate a lot on Thursday to make up for it.

We went to the outpatient lab at SLCH. It literally took two minutes
to get a draw. A year ago, Davis would have been flipping out
over the needle. Now, it's old hat.

Davis was accessed and given an anti-nausea med through his port. We were then sent down to the APC (Ambulatory Procedure Center) for his spinal. Since he wasn't quite out of his anesthesia, Annakate wheeled him up to 9th floor for the rest of his chemo, a breathing treatment, and a doctor's check-up after the procedure.

waiting around in the chemo lounge

sleeping peacefully under anesthesia

 Davis' counts have been holding strong. His ANC (immune system) last month was over 3000, and this month, it was 2010. I couldn't have been more thrilled. This means that Davis has a healthy immune system. My worries about riding a school bus and going to school in the fall had subsided a bit. Previous to the doctor's appointment, we were told that Davis' chemo was being increased. The reason for the increase was that his counts were strong and his immune system was healthy. What? That's right. We were told that they would like his ANC to hover between 1000 and 2000. The chemo is still killing cancer cells, so his immune system still needs to stay compromised.

Kyle explained it to me so well. I can't do his explanation justice, but he compared this round to putting on herbicide. The idea is to hit a weedy patch with herbicide to kill the weeds, then hit the same spot each year for a few years (even if it appears that there are no weeds). Eventually, all of the weed seed is eliminated, and weeds no longer grow there.

Davis' weight dropped a bit, but the doctor is very pleased with how well Davis looks. There was very little new news at this appointment.

The clinic celebrated with donuts. Davis picked out a sprinkle one.
Kyle had to carry it around for hours until after Davis' procedure.

After Davis' spinal tap, the nurse warned me that he might be sore and would need pain killers because the anesthesiologist chose not to numb his back with lidocaine (personal preference). We were not surprised when we made it home Friday evening and Davis was complaining of back pain, so we gave him some oxycodone. Saturday morning, he was still complaining. I took a look and was beside myself. We are used to seeing a little needle hole and a little bruise. I was not expecting ten holes, bruises, and some scratches. I am not sure what happened or why we weren't informed of the multiple needle attempts, but I hope to have an explanation by the end of the day. On the bright side, Davis is feeling fine now.

spinal pin cushion

 Friday marked eleven months to the day that Davis was diagnosed. Ironically, we met with the doctor who delivered the news of Davis' cancer. I hate how there will forever be a "before and after" time in our lives. The date that changed nearly everything. A new anniversary. I hate it that it is so close to his birthday. It is almost like cancer diagnosis day is a bigger deal than his actual birth.  I hope that years from now his birthday is the only thing we mark - we celebrate. On the other hand, birthdays are all the more sweeter. There is no doubt that without the diagnosis that came when it did (just shy of a miracle from God), Davis would not be with us. He wouldn't have an eleventh birthday; he wouldn't have made it to sixth grade. He wouldn't play the drums or piano; he wouldn't sneak in an extra hour of DS playing after he has been tucked into bed.

We are so blessed. And I am saddened that it takes something as horrible as cancer to constantly remind us how blessed we are. I think of a hundred little things that it has taken to get us to here - still grounded, still happy, still fighting. A card in the mail, a glance down the paper plate isle at Wal-Mart and seeing a Team Davis t-shirt, an email from a co-worker, a visitor, a complete stranger -- someone who knows someone who knows us -- asking about Davis, the reminder that someone is praying for our family. Hundreds of little things. There were times that it felt that cancer dictated our lives; we were owned by it. But little by little, we have regained our grasp. It was so gradual, I didn't even notice until I think and look back on the last eleven months. I know we still have so far to go, but I am hopeful all will go well. We depend upon your support and prayer so much. We thank you for remembering us as we trudge along.

We will keep you posted.