Interim maintenance

The week before last, Luis was on NO medicine whatsoever in order to allow his immune system to bounce back. I noticed a big improvement in his mood and energy. I don't know when another one of those weeks will come. In about two years, I suppose.

Luis' blood counts were high enough last week to start the next round of chemo. The delay set us back a few weeks, but what can you do. At least he had a break. He did as well as could be expected. He had a lumbar puncture ("LP", chemo injected into the spine), and three other doses of chemo drugs through his port. The worst part of the trip was that Luis had to fast for the LP. First thing in the morning, he was asking for cream cheese toast (currently his favourite thing to eat anytime of day). I told him the doctor said he wasn't allowed to have any food and he wasn't happy with me. Yelling, hitting, etc. That seems to be his way of dealing with his frustration. The LP wasn't until 2:00 p.m. I felt so bad for him. He couldn't even have water after 10:00 a.m.  Naturally, I also didn't eat or drink during that time either. The LP is done in a procedure room so they have to wheel his bed there. Luis knows this as his 'bed ride'. He was looking forward to his bed ride. He knew he was getting a needle but that he wouldn't feel it because he would be 'sleeping'. And when he woke up, he was allowed to eat. So really, bed rides are a good thing!

Luis recovering from the anesthesia. It usually takes close to an hour for him to wake up.

Now we're in "interim maintenance", phase 3 of 5. It is about 8 weeks long and he only needs treatment about every 10 days. Thankfully, some of it can be done in Windsor so fewer road trips and nights away from home.

So it continues....