Week 10, 11 & 12

Its been a bit since the last update and I realized a few weeks have passed. Though we've been quiet, much has been going on. We're in the midst of the second phase of treatment which is 8 weeks long. The first four and second four weeks more or less mirror each other but there is often a delay between the two halves of this cycle. Though Eli was actually able to move forward without a break numbers-wise, the doctors decided it would be good to give him and Dana a break for a few days after being in the hospital for four weeks without a break and with many tough days (and nights) so they went to RMH. The following week Eli started the second half of this phase and thankfully did not experience the side effects he did in the first half. They were able to spend about two weeks at RMH, only going across to the hospital for clinic treatments. This week is now the third week of this four week cycle (seriously you should see the calendar we have to keep track of this stuff) and he was readmitted on Tuesday as his counts had dropped (expectedly) to levels where he needs the on-going monitoring and supports available in hospital. He will likely be there for the next week or two. Hoping that all goes well but also well aware that the side effects can come on at any point. 

This phase will bring us to about mid-June when he'll have another biopsy to see where he's at and then beginning the next phase of treatment. The next phase of treatment will be several months and take us through November. This round does however offer us the possibility of Dana and Eli coming home for about a week at some point this summer. This would be a very good break for all of us after several months and how abrupt Eli & Dana's departure was after that phone call that rocked our world. With the loosening of health orders and those family members who can be, all vaccinated and my work becoming more flexible K & I will be able to visit more often as we go into this next phase of treatment we're more likely to actually be able to be together as a family. 

As we continue on this journey, Its been harder to find things Eli will eat. Changes in taste and preferences are common through chemo and its a struggle at times. Dana has gotten creative with slipping extra calories in with things like subbing out milk for whipping cream and other fun substations. If you've found your clothes have gotten too big and baggy over this past year ask Dana for some creative ways to increase your calorie count.

I have now concluded my teaching contract at the college and get a break from that for a bit. There is a good chance my course will be funded again and then there's the possibility of the course which I've taught twice now going into regular rotation. I'm also working on a few other interesting things that are keeping me busy and paying the bills. I’ve actually got a couple of very exciting things on the horizon professionally.

Once again we are most grateful for the love and support expressed to us in so many ways. As we head into summer and school is out our schedules will change again. We are looking forward to relaxed restrictions and having some more flexibility. We are hoping for some time together as a family over the summer but also will be having some time with just K & I. There's the possibility of some road trips and other fun times. There's also the likelihood of Eli being able to be away from the hospital for days at a time which will give more opportunities for breaks. The hope of these breaks is giving us a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, which is welcome after such a long stretch of just a tough go and the length of the journey starting to wear on all of us...