Round Tres

Here we are, knee deep in round 3.

We are on Day 12 of round 3, and things are moving along as ‘planned’. My Dad did the same regiment as round 2, as we are continuing with consolidation treatment. Evening chemo (sleep overnight in the hospital)/morning chemo- home for 24 hrs- REPEAT (for 3 sessions, totaling 6 doses of chemo). On the day my Dad stared chemo, he was also started on antibiotics. This was given as a preventative measure, in hopes of warding off that persistent ‘pain in the ass’. My Dad is still experiencing discomfort in the area, but it isn’t near the pain he has experienced in prior rounds; so keep those fingers crossed this thing doesn’t manifest again!

This round of chemo did not start out great. As this is our third round, the chemo drug, cytarabine, has been building up in my Dad’s body since the first doe in round 1. What this means for my Dad is that he will experience chemo side effects sooner, and his counts will drop faster… how exciting for him. Jer and I were at the hospital on Monday and the blood work showed his counts are on the brink of bottoming out. We will be back at the hospital Wednesday; at that time my Dad will most likely need a blood and/or platelet transfusion. On a side note, Canadian Blood services just informed me via snail mail that I am O positive, same as Jer! If it comes down to it, I’ll lay there while they suck blood directly from me into my Dad. I’m not sure if that procedure is approved (or ever done for that matter), but hey, I’m willing to try!

As of today, we are in the “sit and wait” period of the round. We are watching the counts drop, HOPING and PRAYING that we can sneak through this round infection free, and then watch the counts rise. My Dad’s counts should be coming up around Easter, which is perfect timing because my Dad promised me an Easter egg hunt. I know what you are thinking; I’m 25, I’m basically 40, too old for hunting. But who is too old for fun and chocolate? Plus, my Dad and Kelly have moved into this new house- new hiding spots for my Dad, I mean the Easter bunny. My brother and I could hunt the terrain of our Lake Bonavista house with our eyes shut. With a new landscape…. This could be a weekend long treasure hunt.