the plan

Apparently Kev had a plan the whole time to avoid the constant trips back and forth and a possible stay at the House of Care. His plan was to spike a fever around midnight, spend 5 and a half hours in the emergency room, then shack right back up into our old room - 833. This may sound terrifying, but Kev had already popped to Ambien and they were pushing Morphine into him when we arrived... so maybe not so bad.

They ran a bunch of tests, stole a lot of blood, and filled him with fluids. All in all he was O.k., this just seems to be a repeat of the last time we went through this type of treatment. There seems to be some unwanted characters on his backside that are causing all the problems. Diagnosis is to wait for his whites to come back up and then we're back to normal.

Tomorrow he has a quick Vinchristine (chemo) treatment followed by another spinal tap. Gonna be a long day, but Kev feels his best when they a pumping him full of chemo.

road dawgs

Kev was able to leave the Hospital yesterday, BUT we have to return everyday through the weekend for small bouts of chemo, blood work, and neupogen shots (to increase the white count). In this whole process the one thing that Kev dreads the most are the trips back to GMC (hour 15, round trip) for a simple shot. The car rides in the past have made him quite ill, which lead to being readmitted. To counteract this, we will be staying at the 'House of Care' on the Geisinger grounds for a small donation. Not entirely sure what this means, but at least we will be closer should any complications occur.

Kev is actually looking pretty good at the moment, but his counts are dropping fast! He prefers to be at GMC when is counts are low because even the simplest of tasks prove difficult. They encourage home time, which is good, but they haven't quite grasped Kev's urge to get it over with.

His appetite is still average, but the throat thing is back full throttle. The results showed signs of stuff, but it can be managed through 'over the counter' medicine. Tomorrow we have our standing appointment at the Knapper clinic at 10:30 in the a.m. then it's off to a weekend full of fun at the House of Care. Lets hope our accommodations include 55in, LCD TV's, soft leather couches, beer, and strippers!

tapn' out

Ordered another Intrathecal this morning. The doctors seemed a little shocked as the patient asked for a spinal tap, but we're here to get it in then get out! Kev finally got the schedule he was looking for from Dr. Khan. We're gonna tap out tomorrow then go home. After his whites bounce back and his body recovers we're coming back for the LAST round. Hopefully he'll be back and ready to go around the 7-9 of December and with any luck we'll be able to fit in a few taps. No progress report (CAT scan or MRI) can be made until 3-4 weeks after the final treatment to be certain the chemo is all gone and won't flub the results. After said results are measured (hopefully around the second week in January) we can fit in the final four Spinal Taps. Dr. Khan said this can be done in a two week period. And thats that!

As for Kev updates... it's all starting again. The throat flared up again today along with certain bathroom activities. All expected but unwanted. His appetite is fading and he just can't seem to quench his thirst. It's nice to now the end is near, but difficult to face the path to get there. It's like knowing there is Oreo cookie ice cream for dessert, but having to eat medium rare liver and onions to get to it! AWFUL!

GMC - 833

It's sunday and we're back in the Hospital, admitted yesterday. We were supposed to have the weekend, but some where, some one, some how, rescheduled! This round of chemo is short one this time, 36 hour drip (24 hour chemo - 12 hour Leucovorin). Rumor has it we may be going home tomorrow, but Kev wants to try and fit in a quick Intrathecal this week and we don't want to rush getting out. We'll be home for a few days (until Kev's whites recover) then back for the final round; 5 day session 3 times a day.

We're nearing the end of the treatment and Kev is looking forward to that. He takes each day as it comes... fighting boredom. We even talked politics this morning, now thats boring! The doctors were in for their routine visit and all is well for now. They encourage activity so we are going for a walk later... not much else to do.

His Mom is home cooking dinner, this evening we're having rigitoni. Kev knows how to work a menu, A German cooking Italian! It will be great as usual. The Food Channel! Please, we got the best right here.

Once again, all is stable. Call to see where we're at, then come see us.

-DAD