Journal entry by Debbie Heiman — 5 hours ago
First of all, how can it be December already??? I just can't get over how fast time flies!
Today's appointment went well. Scott's liver counts are still elevated, but Dr. Charlson doesn't seem to be too concerned about it right now. His platelets are good, and his white blood cell count is high enough to start chemo on Monday. It's not up to the normal range though.
We talked things over with Dr. Charlson. Here is what we decided to try this time around:
Scott will be doing 4 days of Irinotecan/Temozolomide and keeping the additional Vincristine chemo on Monday. He will not be having chemo on Friday. He will be going to Froedtert on Friday to get a Neulasta shot, which should help boost his white blood cells back up a little bit.
He will also be starting an antibiotic this Sunday to help with his stomach issues that one of these chemos causes. We are doing everything in our power to avoid another hospital admission!
The nurse encouraged Scott to tell me if he is experiencing any side effects or isn't feeling well. Then, I can address our questions with the nurses over the phone. It's unbelievable how much Scott can tolerate before I finally notice something isn't right. He just keeps going. The man NEVER complains. I know how blessed I am in this way, but it can be very frustrating for me, as his wife and caretaker. I'm the only one looking out for him. He would never go to the hospital if I left it up to him.
I haven't mentioned the kids in such a long time, so I'll give a little update on them.
Lexi just turned 14, and is in 8th grade. She decided that she will be going to Wisconsin Lutheran high school next year. She is currently in her basketball season. She's getting good grades and is very responsible.
Hannah turned 12 in September. She is in 6th grade. Her and Lexi are in the same classroom this year (6th-8th). She is also in her basketball season. She is on B team and will fill in on Lexi's A team as needed. She is maintaining her good grades as well.
Tyler is 10 years old and in 5th grade. He is on B team for basketball. He gets very good grades and is an active boy. He will be starting baseball practice next Sunday (a pitching clinic). He loves playing sports!
Myles just turned 7, and he's in first grade. He is starting to read really well and gets good grades. Since our school doesn't start sports until 3rd grade, I signed him up for basketball through the West Allis recreation department. He loves sports just like his big brother.
Our children keep us going constantly, and we are so blessed to be involved in every aspect of their lives! God is good!
Scott's cancer is definitely on all of our minds, but keeping the kids busy and involved in the things that they love is so important! It doesn't allow time to sit around and think about it.
The unknown future can be hard on all of us, but it's such a blessing to be able to tell the kids that God has a perfect plan for our family and will always take care of us. That doesn't mean that we don't struggle and get overwhelmed by all of it. It does mean that we lean on God for strength daily.
Please pray for an uneventful week of chemo and for him to remain healthy in the weeks following. God Bless you all!
Today's appointment went well. Scott's liver counts are still elevated, but Dr. Charlson doesn't seem to be too concerned about it right now. His platelets are good, and his white blood cell count is high enough to start chemo on Monday. It's not up to the normal range though.
We talked things over with Dr. Charlson. Here is what we decided to try this time around:
Scott will be doing 4 days of Irinotecan/Temozolomide and keeping the additional Vincristine chemo on Monday. He will not be having chemo on Friday. He will be going to Froedtert on Friday to get a Neulasta shot, which should help boost his white blood cells back up a little bit.
He will also be starting an antibiotic this Sunday to help with his stomach issues that one of these chemos causes. We are doing everything in our power to avoid another hospital admission!
The nurse encouraged Scott to tell me if he is experiencing any side effects or isn't feeling well. Then, I can address our questions with the nurses over the phone. It's unbelievable how much Scott can tolerate before I finally notice something isn't right. He just keeps going. The man NEVER complains. I know how blessed I am in this way, but it can be very frustrating for me, as his wife and caretaker. I'm the only one looking out for him. He would never go to the hospital if I left it up to him.
I haven't mentioned the kids in such a long time, so I'll give a little update on them.
Lexi just turned 14, and is in 8th grade. She decided that she will be going to Wisconsin Lutheran high school next year. She is currently in her basketball season. She's getting good grades and is very responsible.
Hannah turned 12 in September. She is in 6th grade. Her and Lexi are in the same classroom this year (6th-8th). She is also in her basketball season. She is on B team and will fill in on Lexi's A team as needed. She is maintaining her good grades as well.
Tyler is 10 years old and in 5th grade. He is on B team for basketball. He gets very good grades and is an active boy. He will be starting baseball practice next Sunday (a pitching clinic). He loves playing sports!
Myles just turned 7, and he's in first grade. He is starting to read really well and gets good grades. Since our school doesn't start sports until 3rd grade, I signed him up for basketball through the West Allis recreation department. He loves sports just like his big brother.
Our children keep us going constantly, and we are so blessed to be involved in every aspect of their lives! God is good!
Scott's cancer is definitely on all of our minds, but keeping the kids busy and involved in the things that they love is so important! It doesn't allow time to sit around and think about it.
The unknown future can be hard on all of us, but it's such a blessing to be able to tell the kids that God has a perfect plan for our family and will always take care of us. That doesn't mean that we don't struggle and get overwhelmed by all of it. It does mean that we lean on God for strength daily.
Please pray for an uneventful week of chemo and for him to remain healthy in the weeks following. God Bless you all!
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