Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter Weekend

Chemo treatment #4 was scheduled to occur on 21-Mar (Good Friday) depending on the outcome of my blood work. My Neutrophil (specific type of white blood cell) count has to be at least 1.5 to administer a chemo infusion (based on the specific protocol of my treatment). My previous treatment, originally scheduled on 22-Feb, had to be delayed by a week since my Neutrophil count was 1.2. To be honest, I was hoping that my Neutrophil count would be under the 1.5 threshold since my family was gathering together for easter at my parents house in Port Huron. I was happy when informed that my Neutrolphil count was 1.4, delaying treatment until 28-Mar.

Deb, the twins, and I went up to Port Huron on Saturday morning. Meg, Em, and Steve also came up for the weekend. We had a relaxing time together as a family. Here we are after the Easter Sunday service.

Side effects are fairly mild by the time I reach 3 weeks from treatment. As you can see, my eyebrows are nearly gone now. Overall, this weekend was the best since I was diagnosed, in terms of energy and spirit. Treatment #4 looms around the corner...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Bro... it is good to hear that your energy and spirits are up... I pray that they continue in the 'up' direction! Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Your Brother in Christ,
Charles from FL.

Tracy said...

Hi Nate - Oh I am so glad that you posted your latest message. You and Deb (and the kids too) have been on my mind and in my prayers. We haven't crossed paths at church lately so I have been wondering how you are. It is great to hear that your spirits are high. - Tracy

ps. get yourself a good pair of sunglasses - most folks, including myself, take for granted the function of the eyebrow - glare protection!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nate and Deb,

It was so good to read your update and to see your picture. I'm glad you had a good Easter weekend. The kids look adorable and you look good even without eyebrows! I hope that you continue to feel full of energy for your daily activities.

I'm glad you had another good time this weekend with Steve and Meg. I am looking forward to a visit soon. I know you have chemo again Friday, so that may or maynot be a good weekend to come.

Love you and talk to you soon.

Love, Mom and Jim

Anonymous said...

Hey Nate,

I've been looking for a blog for sometime. Thanks for keeping us up to date. We had a wonderful time with Deb and the kids during the spring break. We are hoping to schedule a time with you and the family in Dearborn. We'll keep in touch about this to find when would be a good time.

I began a class in nutrition this semester but dropped it after the first month. It was way over my head. You had to be a bio-chemist to understand what the guy was saying. A class on Nazism is on my radar for next fall. I hope I can get into it.

Love ya guy.

Grandfather Chas

Anonymous said...

Hi Nate,
It's so good to hear that you had a wonderful Easter and fun weekend. Your family picture is beautiful! I'm sure the band was in full swing with Meg and Steve there. Boy do I miss playing those drums :). Anyway, great to hear that you are in good spirits and feeling well. Our family and friends here in Chicago continue to pray for you, Deb and the twins.
We love you!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi Nate and Deb,

I was glad to see your update. Still praying for all of you every
single day and thinking of you. I'll be praying especially hard on Friday, your next treatment. I have eyebrow "stencils" that you can draw on. The only problem was that when I used them, I looked like I was surprised all the time!
Carolyn