half way there

 Well we are officially half way there.  Kaleb Matt and I are in London once again for the start of cycle 4.  

We were able to enjoy a full 2 weeks at home with no travel and no major concerns.  During those 2 weeks we were able to get all of us doubled vaccinated (yes even Kaleb).  Thankfully the kids did not have any big reactions... I on the other hand struggled with energy/fatigue, headaches and pain at the needle site for several days/ over a week.  Matt and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and hung curtains to mark the occasion ... lol I know so romantic!  Kaleb had visits form the VON nurse to change his PICC line bandages. We were able to pull out our Christmas decorations and get started on making our home feel more festive.  We received a few special surprise drop offs from friends and family. Kaleb and Libby both got their report cards and Kaleb was able to manage 2 full days of classes back to back before hitting a minor crash!  

On Sunday afternoon we drove to London and what a drive it was!!  I am so thankful we were able to get the snow tires on the truck before our trip as we needed them.  The roads were covered in slushy snow that   kept trying to pull us off the road.  For a good portion of the drive we were doing 50km outside of town limits. We took our time and agreed that passing nervous drivers was not worth the risk.  We arrived at the hotel at 8pm and checked into our room.  Kaleb loved the balcony so much last time that Matt asked if we could have a room with the balcony.  Kaleb seems to like to sit out there at night once the pool main lights are turned off and the pool is closed.  The air is warm, helping him warm up his body to the core and the sound of the waterfall is calming for his mind.  

Monday morning we headed into the PMDU, after getting checked in we waited for Kaleb's nurse to come and get him.  Kaleb was measured and weighed. Kaleb gained another 6 lbs! He is now almost back to his initial weight back in August.  Kaleb was then brought into the treatment area where we were once again in the large corner "room".  Kaleb was asked all the usual questions and was hooked up to an IV for hydration (this 2 hr hydration is needed for the chemo he was receiving) During the 2 hour wait, we went and talked with Kaleb's specialist going over how he was doing and what the plan is at this point.  She was happy to say that at this time Kaleb will NOT need radiation at this point and there is no scheduled PET scan after cycle 6.  Kaleb will need to have a COVID booster shot in 7 weeks as he will still be undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  After Cycle 6 is done he will have tests and scans as well as  continuing to get blood work done until they are happy with his levels.  Once that is established we will go back every 3 months for monitoring and tests.  We then went back to the treatment area and Kaleb had his PICC Line bandages changed and flushed (cleaned). When the bandages were removed we noticed that Kaleb's skin was not happy and there were a few spots that looked sore (this was where the plastic clamp sat.)  The nurse cleaned the area and did her best to move the clamp off to the side, making sure to use special wipes that are for sensitive skin and gave it extra drying time so that it would not irritate the skin as much.  The Campfire Circle staffer came by and Kaleb was able to make a lava lamp using a jar, water, food colouring, oil and Alka-Seltzer.  Then we played a game of Blockus before she had to head out. Kaleb's Dietician came by during the game and we talked about how things are going.  She is happy with his weight gain and has decided to wait til after Christmas to check in as Kaleb has made great gains.  He is to try and make sure he is not filling up on chips and junk food or replacing meals with just Boost drinks.  Kaleb was then tested to see if he was ready for the Chemo drug that needed him hydrated (I don't know if you remember but the last 2 times he has ended up failing the test and needing another 2hrs of hydration) This week Kaleb just squeaked by!  You need a 10/10 or under to pass and Kaleb was a 10/9.  We were all pleasantly surprised so Kaleb started the first of the 3 chemo drugs he would be receiving.  Once the chemo started Kaleb disappeared into his phone and zoned out, only interacting when he had to get up and take a test to check his kidney function.  About 10 min before we were done for the day Kaleb fell asleep.  It was a long day but we have had longer.  After getting disconnected we gathered our belongings and were told to come back for 1pm on Tuesday (today).  Matt was waiting for us at the doors and walked us out to the truck and we headed back to the hotel, ordered dinner and vegged for the night.  

This morning the boys let me sleep, they hung out talking games and snacked until I woke up. (I had a rough sleep so the rest was much needed).  We ordered eggs Benedict and pancakes for Breakfast and slowly started our day.  It was decided that Matt would go with Kaleb into the hospital and I would stay at the hotel and take care of a few things ... like writing this blog 😜.