Three...

Kam ended up having only a couple minor blisters on his feet with his last round of (Methotrexate) chemotherapy. He returned to the cancer clinic on Thursday, and while he was close, he didn't quite make counts to proceed with his in-clinic Doxorubicin. They told him to enjoy his weekend and come back on Tuesday. Kam was thrilled because that meant he would get the week of his upcoming 20th birthday and Christmas off for a break, instead of being hospitalized on Christmas for more chemo! Silver linings. 

Yesterday, in clinic, Kam made counts and got his first of two infusions of his very last round of the Doxorubicin. He is currently receiving his second (last) infusion today. Kam has gotten through all of these rounds without any evidence of cardiac toxicity, which is huge! Cardiac side effects are common with this type of chemotherapy, and so far Kameron's EKG's and echocardiograms look identical to his pre-treatment studies. 

We are amazed at all Kameron has been through. He has largely maintained a strong "let's do this" demeanor throughout these past 9 months of treatment. His body has been through so much. But physically, aside from some minor high frequency hearing loss and temporary blisters-- you'd never even know it. 

After today, Kam has just 2 chemotherapy treatments left. These will be hospital stays which, he doesn't enjoy. We are hopeful that these will feel easier for us, as these are the last two chemotherapy regimens of his planned MAP treatment.

We plan to thoroughly enjoy Kameron's 20th birthday and Christmas with the family next week. We were surprised with a sweet and generous secret Santa gift this past weekend that warmed every single one of our hearts. Thank you, whoever you are. It meant a lot. ❤

Thank you to each one of you who has reached out to us, checked in on as, and genuinely asked how we are. It's kept our spirits up and the demeanor to keep on going. Merry Christmas to you and yours, friends. 

❤Love, The Maddux Family

Four.....

The blisters that Kam gets on his feet from his (Methotrexate) chemotherapy, worsened this past round and has caused him significant pain. He had trouble standing or walking. Fortunately, the nurses had a trick up their sleeves and brought in special bandages for his feet, that helped lessen some of his discomfort. Despite this very painful development for him, Kameron was able to make an early "jail break" from the hospital and came home at the 72 hour mark. We didn't expect it, as he has never made counts on time before. He enjoyed getting to sleep in his own bed and snuggle his cat, Petey. We are counting this one as a miracle! Thank you, God! 

Kameron ready to leave the minute he heard he made counts for discharge.
He teased the nurse "you have 7 minutes to get me out of here." 

Kam cuddling his cat Petey after his discharge from the hospital

After a whirlwind three days at home, he was back at the cancer clinic on Friday to see if he would make counts for his 4th to last round of chemotherapy. He made counts and was hospitalized yesterday. Kameron got his chemotherapy late last night. So far he is doing very well. He has no additional blisters yet, is in decent spirits, and he is eating better than he typically has his previous hospitalizations. The dietician commented how he has been doing a good job of keeping his weight stable over the past month or so, and has had no drastic weight loss! He will likely be in the hospital till Tuesday, as we await the medication to work its way out of his body to have him safely at home.

Kam had authentic Chinese food made for him and brought to him in the hospital.

Thanks a million, Jane! We love you!

After this hospitalization, Kam checks in with the cancer clinic late this coming week to see if he makes counts for his last round of in-clinic Doxorubicin. This medication is administered over a 3-4 hour period, over two days, and he gets to go home once they are done. As you can imagine, he prefers this form of chemotherapy because he gets to go home. Then he will have a 1 week break before the last 2 rounds of in-hospital chemotherapy begin, all of this is blood count dependent. 

Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. And for checking in on us from time to time. We ask for continued prayers that the remainder of the chemo kills EVERY SINGLE LAST micro-cell of osteosarcoma in Kameron's body. Once chemo is done, and scans have been completed, our next goal is to achieve NED (no evidence of disease). We ask you join us in praying for that. 

Between rounds of chemo I found two penny's. A good luck sort of thing for our family.