So Far, So Good

Today is Day 11 of Delayed Intensification, Jacob’s fourth phase of chemo. And, so far it really hasn’t been that bad. Things have been pretty, well, normal. Jacob is feeling fine with only a little bit of nausea the day after treatment. This is certainly easier than I had anticipated. Of course, I realize we’re only eleven days into a 57 day phase, but—still—it’s been a great week and a half and I’m very grateful. Everyone’s healthy, happy and playing as usual.

The boys “flying” in a toy tool-bench turned Star Fighter.

We’ve had two more clinic visits since last we posted. One on Thursday, February 2nd and the other on Monday the 6th. Both were just fine.

Here we are at clinic on Feb. 2 getting ready to watch Star Wars. Check out Jacob’s eyes, see the excitement? This movie is a special treat.

Thursday’s visit was for a medication called “Peg,” short for peg-a-something-or-other (I’m done looking up the long names for everything). Sometimes people have an allergic reaction to Peg, so we had to stay at clinic for a few hours so the docs could keep an eye on Jacob. No reaction. But there was a moment of concern when his eyes became red and sort of puffy. With no other symptoms however, the culprit was likely just the TV.

Monday’s visit was fine too. We were in and out of clinic in record time—less than an hour and a half (that’s really quick compared to Thursday’s almost-five-hours). His number’s are still high; his ANC (infection fighting ability) is 2.9 (or 2,900) but we do expect it to get to zero sometime during this phase. I think the lowest he’s ever been is .5 (or 500).

Jacob had another round of steroids that just ended too. He was only on them for a week this time. His appetite increased, but I wouldn’t say he was as ravenous as last time. I think it’s still in his system a bit though.  Today he was asking me if we had “any meat” in the house. I made chicken for dinner and he had four helpings.

We’re so glad this phase has not been too hard (yet?), Scott said to me today, “Delayed Intensification really hasn’t been that intense.”

I feel the need to not just knock, but pound on wood right now (superstitious or not).

Hopefully things continue to be pretty easy. We’re told that when his ANC gets to zero he’s quite likely to get an infection and a fever, but for now we’re enjoying the non-infected, non-fever, feeling-good, star-ship flying Jacob.