Blood Transfusion Tomorrow

Jeremy had blood drawn today and his hematocrit is low. We are going to the hospital tomorrow morning for a blood transfusion. Jeremy has been tired and irritable, the transfusion will help him feel much better. 

We do have some fun news. We have a new bunny. He is three weeks old and cute as a button. Ireland and Jeremy named him Socks, because he is black with white front paws, that look like socks. The name fits.

Our new bunny Socks!

 This bunny is getting lots of love!

The bunny is already nibbling on the garden!

Ireland and Socks

Jacob built the bunny hutch from scrap material. He did a great job!

Socks in his new home.

Last Chemo!

Friday Jeremy was administered his last chemo. Saturday morning Jeremy rang the bell signifying his last chemotherapy, while the nurses gathered together clapping and singing "Happy Last Chemo to Jeremy" (tune of Happy Birthday).  We were overcome with several emotions, joy, relief, gratitude, exhaustion, reflection, but most of all hope. Hope and desire that Jeremy will never have to go through this again. 

Jeremy all packed up and ready to go home!

Megan and James decorated the house for Jeremy's homecoming.

Jeremy cutting off the last link on the chemo count down chain! He was so happy to cut off the last link! It is hard to smile when you feel sick and yucky from chemo. 

Jeremy had a rough day yesterday. I had a hard time getting him to lay down and rest. He wanted to be up, even though he was nauseated and throwing up most of the day. We hooked him up to an IV fluid during the night. We are also concerned that he is getting mouth sores from this last chemo. Although chemo was administered on Friday, a complete chemo cycle is three weeks. Jeremy will receive treatment and care to help him get through the side effects of the chemo for the next couple of weeks. He will start the Neupogen shots today. 

Jeremy has a bone scan and CT scan scheduled on August 6th and an MRI on August 7th. We will also meet with Dr. Spraker on August 7th to go over the results of the scans. If everything looks good, we will be able to schedule a surgery day for Jeremy to have his port and G-tube removed. We expect great results. They will monitor Jeremy closely through out his childhood for any signs of the cancer returning and also for any complications that may arise from the chemo and radiation. Jeremy will have scans every three months for the next two years, then every six months for five years, and then once a year the rest of his childhood. 

Over the Slump

Jeremy seems to be over the low ANC slump. His ANC has been around 2000 for the last two weeks. He stopped taking the Neupogen shots on Monday and his ANC still looks good today. Yeah! We had a fun 4th of July, celebrating the day at a family barbecue. Jeremy played nonstop with cousins and loved the fireworks. He has been able to attend swim lessons this week. He looks so forward to going each day. It is at a private pool with seven kids in the class. The physical therapist said this is great exercise for his legs. He has been praying each day "bless my numbers will be good so that I can go to swim lessons". We are so thankful that his numbers are good and he has not missed a day. Ireland is in the class and so are their friends  Allysa and Brady. He is pretty tired the rest of the day, but this has been great for his emotional well being. It was so hard for him when his ANC was low for so long and he had to stay home. He felt so isolated. It is so nice for him to be able to get out of the house and go do things again, especially during the summer time. 

Jeremy and Ireland at swim lessons.

Jeremy and his friend Brady.

Jeremy learning how to do the elementary back stroke.

Jeremy jumping off the diving board!

Farmington Swimming Pool 

On Thursday, June 28th, Jeremy's ANC was up and he was scheduled for chemo the next day. He was sad about having to go to chemo. I told him that since his ANC is good and chemo is not until tomorrow that we could go do something fun. I asked him what he would like to do. He said, "go swimming!" So we put on our swimsuits, hopped in the car, and went swimming. 

Making the best of "hanging" around at home!

Week 37

Jeremy had chemo on Friday. He tossed another penny into the little pond at the hospital. His wish this week was that his chemo will "be quick". I told him that making wishes is fun, but it is through the power of prayer that wishes come true, if it is Heavenly Father's will. The nurse started his IV fluids and Jeremy threw up. Before the nurse was able to administer some anti nausea medication, he threw up again. I think that he was anxious knowing that when chemo starts he is very sick. It was a tough night. I asked the attending doctor and nurse practitioner how important is it for Jeremy to do his last chemo. It is so hard to see him so sick, it would be so nice to be done with chemo. They told me that it is vital that we do the last chemo. It would be taking a risk not to. They said that although we have great results from his last scan, there are still microscopic radical cells that can grow into another cancerous tumor. The chemo is still killing these microscopic cells. We need to see this through to the end. We can do it! Jeremy's last chemo is scheduled for July 20th. Each VAC chemo is a three week cycle, of labs and Neupogen shots. His chemo should be complete by August 10th, a few days before his 6th birthday. He will still have scans, labs, and doctor appointments, but the chemo part will be done. Jeremy had labs this morning and we are waiting to see the results. We are hoping that he will be able to watch James' baseball game on the 4th of July and attend a family BBQ. He is doing well today, and has recovered quicker than usual from this last chemo, another blessing!