Five Treatments Left

Kameron handled the chemotherapy in clinic like a champ! We saw little change in his energy level and he never got sick once! More importantly, he was able to continue eating well and has even put back on some of the weight he had lost. After his last chemo treatment a couple weeks ago, I took him out to Red Pavilion, his favorite Chinese restaurant here in the Treasure Valley. I told him "mom's paying" and he ordered 3 things off the menu. I was happy to pay! It is so good to see him have an appetite and eating heartily. 

Last week Kameron enjoyed his expected week break from treatment and all was well at his weekly check-up. Our two youngest sons were able to get their COVID vaccines last Saturday and it was a HUGE relief for our family. As they say in the cancer world, "if you want to protect the castle (Kam) you fortify and take care of the moat" (his family, those closest to him that could and would most likely get him ill). Unfortunately, Noah, Kam's youngest brother, started coming down with cold symptoms the next day. We immediately quarantined Noah and Kameron away from one another, and as Jesse and I are used to saying by now, "we divide and conquer." Thankfully, Noah was NEGATIVE for COVID, but we still have to keep them quarantined from one another none-the-less to protect Kam. 

This week we anticipated a hospital admission for Kam's next round of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, he did not make counts for admission and was quite anemic (critically low) on red blood cells. Furthermore, he was showing mild symptoms of anemia: fast heart rate when getting up, headache, and mild lightheadedness. So yesterday he received a blood transfusion in clinic and was sent home. His platelets (which help with blood clotting) and white blood cells (which help fight infection) were also critically low. So he failed meeting admission criteria this week on multiple fronts.  His energy level and spirits remain good. For this we are grateful.  

We also celebrated Kameron's Gotcha Day on Tuesday, the same day as his brother Noah's birthday. It's hard to believe he became our son 6 years ago. It often feels like he has always been our son.  Kameron returns to the clinic on Monday to check in and see where he is at with his counts and if he meets admission requirements, at that point. This delay has extended Kam's anticipated end of treatment to sometime early January 2022. 

As we head into the holidays, we'd like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for those in the tribe that continue to pray, send encouragement, and love on us in the various ways many of you have in this difficult season of life. We ask for continued prayer and encouragement as we get closer and closer to the finish line. Much love and blessings to you all. Thanks for battling with us.