Family Time!

Last week was some family time. With travel restrictions easing and the adults in our family one shot down K & I were went down to Vancouver for a visit. Eli's counts had dropped as was expected so he was again in-patient for the entire time we were there. This meant that K wasn't able to see him much as he was in the ward so Dana & I basically just swapped kids in the lobby and the girls went to Ronald MacDonald House and the boys hung out in the hospital room. I spent 4 nights in the room with Eli giving Dana the first break in over 12 weeks.

Eli & I settled into a bit of a routine that included a fair number of movies as well as some Lego and other fun things. The nurses and other staff are really good at helping to make things fun when they can. That included going Trick or Treating for some supplies (see picture below) doing scavenger hunts and other games in the halls. For most of the week Eli's counts were so low he couldn't go outside and he needed a couple transfusions as well, which is par for the course. Near the end of the week he was able to go over to RMH on a day pass so we were able to all be together for a few hours at a time. Beyond a brief time during our first visit in March when we were just trying to get things set up for Eli's stay, this was the first time we'd all been together in 3 months. 

Dana & K were able to spend several days together doing some projects and just having a good time being together. One day they were able to go on girls day with Mama & Auntie as well, a definite highlight. Dana & I didn't get very much time together this trip but this we really about the kids getting to see the parent they haven't been locked up with for the last 3 months and to see each other. As we move forward through the months ahead and Eli is able to be further away from hospital and for longer periods of time we'll get more time together. 

Today (June 8) Eli is getting his last dose of chemo in this phase of treatment. Bloodwork results from today will determine if he stays in hospital or goes back to RMH. Depending on how this week goes he may even be able to go out to Mama & Papa's house for a night or two this weekend. Next Monday he will have another biopsy to see exactly where he is at this point. 

The plan ahead involves various treatments through the next phase which will take us into November. This phase however should involve longer periods of time without as much recovery time between treatments. This means he'll be able to be away from the hospital for days at a time and go out to stay with family and even better, likely come home for a week at some point in the summer. I'll also go back and forth with a little more frequency in the months ahead.

Thank you again for all the love and support shown our family. We are continually left speechless by the love and kindness shown us in so many ways.