Hub of activity

 

This past weekend Kaleb was able to put his illness to the side for just over an hour and just be a teen hanging out with his 2 cousins (and some of the family) bowling.  We found out that Kaleb has a natural talent for bowling and he beat everyone's scores.  He was dubbed the "King Pin" after getting his 3rd strike in a single game! It was so wonderful to feel like the world was normal for a short time.

Sunday we packed up and got ready to head back to London.  After giving instructions to Nana and Grandad for Libby and Locksley, we headed out making a quick stop at the McDonalds for warm drinks as the snow was starting to blow and we knew we were in for an interesting drive.  The snow started off slowly with just a bit of damp road cover, picking up to heavy snowfall and poor visibility, to blowing snow, to wet snow, to slushy snow to raining hail and finally just rain.  We saw all the weather.  After 3 hours we arrived at the hotel and checked in.  This time we had a room on the first floor and were really close to the waterfall.  After enjoying some dinner, there was talk of Christmas and also some talk about what Kaleb's Wish might be.  It sounds like he is looking forward to some adventure once this is all done.  

Monday morning we headed over to the PMDU for 9am.  As per usual Kaleb had his hight checked and his weight checked.  Kaleb has continued to gain, he is now just over his starting weight!   We did not need to see the dietician today so that is promising.  Kaleb's blood work was done and hydration was started.  After 4hours and 20min of hydration Kaleb squeaked by the hydration test and he was cleared to have his chemo.  During the hydration we saw his case manager and was given the results of his blood work.  His numbers are high but it is expected because of one of his meds he has to take.  His liver counts are right on target so that was good news too.  ChildLife came by and hooked Kaleb up with a new PICC Line cover as his other one is stretched out and tends to spin around his arm.  They also gave Kaleb a few new beanies to enjoy! Campfire Circle came by and played scatagories and a card game with Kaleb and I.  We also had a chance to talk with Kaleb's specialist at bedside.  She is very happy with how he is doing and handling everything.  We did mention that Kaleb is still struggling with sleeping due to his one med but sadly there is nothing more we can do.  Nap and sleep when he can, his new weighted blanket has been a great help and getting off screens 30 min before bed is important. Ollie came by and taught Kaleb and I a new card game and he also re-taught Kaleb one of the card tricks from a month back.  Staff came and had some fun chatting with us about anything from cars, roof lights in old houses to the shenanigans they got up to as kids.  Amelia FaceTimed into Kaleb's treatments so she was able to say hi to some of the staff and entertain her brother when things slowed down.  Did you know that square Triscuits are apparently "depressed mini wheats"??  ... Good thing we bought the triangle ones!!


It was so full of activity in Kaleb's room that I did not see the text come in from Matt that he was at the front doors with our lunches.  Due to the rules of the PMDU Matt is not able to come in and drop off our lunch so he had to get security to call down to the PMDU and have a staff member come find we to tell me that he was waiting at the doors.  Poor guy had been waiting in the screening area for over 20 min!  

While we were in the PMDU Matt went to ChildCan headquarters and picked up a special Christmas package that they had made up for our family.  Matt was also able to get the truck an appointment for Tuesday morning in London to fix the windshield that was damaged on our trip home last week.  

After 10 hours in the PMDU (once again we were the last ones there) we headed back to the hotel to eat and relax.  Exhaustion and fighting headaches have been Kaleb's biggest struggles this round.  We are so thankful that he has no more London appointments until after Christmas when he will start Cycle 5.  


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