Sam’s LAST doses of CHEMO…Days 7 and 14!!!

DAY SEVEN

Day Seven of Sam’s Round 8 chemo cycle was just like any other day seven of previous rounds…pretty uneventful!  After staying the night in the hospital for the beginning of round 8, we made our way back on day seven for Sam’s second dose of chemo for this round.  This dose, a dose of Vincristine, is given on the third floor in Riley’s Out Patient Center, otherwise known as the ROC.  When we visit the Oncology clinic, it’s the same routine…weigh-in, get’s Sam’s height, take his blood pressure and temperature and then escorted back to one of the exam rooms for bloodwork.  We also visit with Dr. Pradhan or nurse Jayne during this time.  When the results of the bloodwork were returned, Sam’s numbers had dropped a bit.  His ANC level (infection fighting ability) had drop some,  but his platelets and blood count were low.  Over the course of his treatment, platelets had never been an issue, but after eight rounds of chemo and constantly being hit with heavy drugs, his bone marrow is feeling the effects.  It was decided that Sam would receive yet another blood transfusion and we would wait and recheck his bloodwork again in a few days to see if he needed platelets as well.  Daddy and Sam enjoyed three hours in the infusion room while Jack was at camp and I was visiting my sister and her family in Oregon for my nephew’s baptism.

DAY FOURTEEN-SAM’S LAST DOSE OF CHEMO….FOREVER!!!!

The smile on all of our faces this day COULD NOT be contained!  This was going to be Sam’s last dose of chemo, not only for round 8, but in his protocol.  He is finished with chemo.  I’ve waited forever to say those words.

This called for some celebrating!  First up, a little car paint!  Sam has been such a trooper and has shown such courage for the past 14 months-enduring brain surgery, radiation, 48 weeks of chemo, seizures, blood transfusions, scans, needle pokes-you name it!  I wanted everyone to know that this was his last round and wanted him to be recognized!  He loved the idea and even helped decorate the car.  He added a few happy faces and then just one word…DONE.  I think that said it all.

All the way downtown to Riley, we jammed to Sam’s ipod and waved with a smile to all of the honkers we passed.  I had to suck on my two front teeth from time to time to keep the tears from falling.  This was it.  Our last time headed to Riley for chemo.  Down at clinic, nurse Sally kept saying, “Hey Sam!  Do you know this is your LAST chemo??”  We were all smiling.  Yes.  We did know.  And you could see the joy on all of our faces!

Sam with Dr. Pradhan (we LOVE him!) and nurse Sally.  (We LOVE her too!)

Sam’s counts were down this round so we were asked to return the following week for more bloodwork.  That’s okay.  We are used to that!  After clinic we continued the celebration with a little lunch at one of Sam’s favorite restaurants-Charleston’s!  He loves their Mac N Cheese and their warm croissants. It was such a wonderful day filled with happiness and a sense of accomplishment.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Phillipians 4:13