October 8, 2008

Sam and I spent the better part of Monday and Tuesday in the hospital. On Monday, they checked out his floppy foot and said it was NOT "foot drop", which was good news indeed. The muscles, tendons and ligaments can often become very tight and sore with chemo drugs. With Sam still trying to play basketball outside and practice with the boys grade 6/7 volleyball team, he exerted those muscles, tendons and ligaments which left him very sore. He slows down when he is sore, but barely! It's hard to keep this young man from doing the things he loves. Dr. Bond said he knows what his body can do, and when he gets too sick he'll ease off of everything.

Sam is feeling more nauseous again and has been vomiting throughout the past 4 days. It is not surprising when we realize that he his starting dose of methotrexate was 100 mg per meter squared on Sept. 17 and this week he is up to 300 mg per meter squared. If his counts are still high enough they increase by 50 mg each week. We are thankful that no mouth sores have appeared and that he can usually keep some food down each day! He has been resting more and enjoying some movies his friend lent him to watch.

Yesterday Sam received PEG injections in his thighs by 3 wonderful nurses. Ugghh...I forgot my camera to update the blog with PG hospital pictures. One of the many benefits of being home for treatments is that we know some of the people working at the hospital. Two of the hospital pharmacists we know, one from our church, and the other one used to be one of Ger's students and basketball players. One of the nurses that came to give the PEG was a friend of mine from church. Then I ran into another friend of mine, who has a son in K8's class, so we had an impromptu meeting to discuss some upcoming fundraising events for our kids for their big grade 12 trip next fall. These connections are truly wonderful and the conversations and care we receive because of these relationships, is precious...special blessings!

The kids have 6 days off because of their teacher's convention in Abbotsford and the Thanksgiving weekend. Sam will catch up on his homework and the girls are planning to work a couple days at Ness Lake Bible Camp and hang out with some of their friends. Ger will be back on Friday night so we can be together for our Thanksgiving.

Often people stop Ger and I to ask about Sam and the rest of us and how we are doing. We are grateful for your concern and feel so very encouraged as you remind us that you are praying for us...we love that we do not have face this on our own, and that we have this amazing network of people who are supporting us and praying so specifically for Sam. You have made a huge difference in our lives these past months.

I've have to take Lucy out for her morning walk and blueberry feed! Enjoy your day!

Blessings,
Debbie