(originally posted by Wendi)
Today is an update on Mark. After all, he's why we're here, right :).
So Friday was his last day of full cranio-spinal radiation. Now he will have two weeks of radiation on just the tumor, along with his usual doses of chemo. This means shorter radiation appointments with more scheduling flexibility. Which is good, since they had scheduled his chemo right on top of his radiation (I swear, am I the only one that reads both schedules!) and we have been at the chemo place (PATC) for 2.5 hours waiting to find out if they are going to give him chemo today or not. For a short time they had decided to just give him the vincristine (his once a week chemo) and neupogen today and tomorrow. The other chemo is Carboplatin, which is supposed to make the proton radiation work more effectively, but there are evidently concerns about giving it when his counts are low. However it's now been decided that they will give both after all, along with the neupogen shot, and hope that is enough to bring his counts up (so far that's always worked). I could have told them Friday that his counts would be low today, just by looking at the patterns in his blood tests, but nope, I said nothing, and now we're hanging out in the chair room. At least it's comfy here :).
In other news, he's feeling pretty good right now. He has all his meds in him, but no chemo or radiation since Friday, and this makes for an almost back to normal Mark. I've attached a video to prove it. I hope it makes you smile. God bless your Monday!
Hey Mark, What a great fun smile! ! ! Treatments and medicine can be a nag, I know. I take 8 pills a day, LOL. But, you're a winner. So let's see, we tralpped one Raccoon that killed 7 chickens, and I think the other has a sore rump from a hay bale that Mark threw at him. That Raccoon may have decided it's not worth it to kill any more chickens. However, you can't predict that. They're very tough animals and he could be back at any time. So, Mark has reinforced the door and hardware to the coop. We have added bungee cords which we think can keep the raccoons from opening the door. We're getting about 17 eggs a day. Mark sells some and gives some to family. He feeds them the best feed Purina Layena Mash, plus bird seed (yes, chickens love bird seed) and corn. We have a Fisher Cat in our area. (Look it up on your hand held computer. Fisher Cat. They kill squirrels and other animals, very fierce. A squirrel runs up a tree so fast, but Fisher Cats are fast too. At night they make a horrible screaming sound that sounds like someone is being killed. Seriously!!! It sends chills down your spine. You'll read it when you enter it on your computer. So, we keep lights on, and Mark, my other son, Brian, and me, look outside during the night, 2 or 3 in the morning, just to see if all is well. LOL. I just called my Police Uniform company to inquire about the price of a hard plate insert for my armored vest. I'm not a Cop, but I am a Security Officer, and we face threats also. So, that's it from New Jersey. Did you see that a Congressman from Spokane Washington wants to use old aircraft carriers to build a bridge across the water in Spokane. I think we could do it. Adios for now, Cowboy. Catch up with you soon. Your friend, Joe Russo
ReplyDeleteBy Joe Russo — Apr 10, 2015 3:35pm
I love that smile....... and the laugh!!!
ReplyDeleteBy Amity — Apr 6, 2015 8:54pm
Aw good to see him smiling- I'll bet it warms your mama-heart Wendi! Hang in there! Praying for you all. Lots of love from WY!
ReplyDeleteBy The Brights — Apr 6, 2015 8:31pm
Good ol' vincristine. ...God bless you all with this path that you are on. Many prayers from another cancer family to yours
ReplyDeleteBy Karen Nicholson — Apr 6, 2015 8:09pm
His smile is infectious :)
ReplyDeleteBy Angel S. — Apr 6, 2015 5:42pm
It's so good to see him enjoying himself. I hope the rest of the day goes as well.
ReplyDeleteBy Much love, Mom/Grandma Crook — Apr 6, 2015 3:48pm
What a great thing to see him smile and hear him laugh! I still just want to scoop him up and cuddle him. ♥ Thank you so much for sharing sister!
ReplyDeleteBy Aunt Susie — Apr 6, 2015 2:44pm
That made me giggle! So glad to see him smile! Praying for endurance on all!
ReplyDeleteBy Heather Owens & Family — Apr 6, 2015 2:39pm
Love the Billington smile!
ReplyDeleteBy Cooki — Apr 6, 2015 2:33pm
That video is adorable! "it's always so unexpected!" hahaha. Glad to see you doing better Mark! Before you know it it will be time to come home!
ReplyDeleteBy Tristina Yarzombek — Apr 6, 2015 2:28pm