Maintenance Day 114

114 days into maintenance and the optimal goal of consistently low (not extremely low, or high, or moderately low but just right) blood counts has yet to be achieved.

Nathan had treatment yesterday at the clinic and so had further blood work. Platelets were good at 184, Hemoglobin was 115, RBC was 4.21 but WBC was 8.3 with neutrophils of 7.8 - the differential showed lymphocytes of 0.4 and monocytes of 0.1. So now we are at the other extreme of the neutrophils, beyond the normal range of 1.5-7.5.  The first thing I think when I see neutrophils that high, when he isn't on steroids, is that Nathan's body is trying to fight something. Its worrisome. You would think that with an increased army of good cells it would be a good thing, but too many cells isn't.  We are scheduled to go back to the clinic in a week for further blood work.  Nathan remained on the 3/4 dose of his methotrexate and 6mp this week and started another week of steroids last night.  He was happy to have KFC and rootbeer floats for dessert.  By 8pm he was in bed tonight as he was tired.

With Nathan receiving chemotherapy we have not been to the dentist with him since spring of 2008. Unfortunately we are going in tomorrow out of necessity. It will only be for an examination as he has a tooth that is bothering him.  In order to have it filled we will need to go get blood work first to make sure the platelet and neutrophil levels are in a high enough range before having any work performed.

Aside from the ongoing worries of Nathan's health, life has been good.  We had a great weekened with hockey, play dates and a visit from Auntie Lorrie. Arron and I actually took the opportunity to go on a date and went to see the movie "The BlindSide".  Yesterday Justin really wanted to go outside to build a snowman. Since our backyard is pretty much mud with a little snow and a soft rink, we walked to the park a few houses down.  I think the boys had more fun throwing snowballs at me than the actual making of the snowman.  We were all soaked by the time we came in but had a lot of fun.

Carter and Justin are well. Carter had his post-op checkup today and everything has healed well from his surgery. Justin is as sweet as sweet can be. He has started saying to me "I loved you first mom" and if I say I loved him first as a baby he tells me he loved me first when I was a toddler.  Not sure where this has come from but I will keep it!

Carter is doing extremely well in school and with his music. He is learning The Star Wars theme on piano and enjoys it.  Nathan has improved greatly with his reading and overall interest in school and his lessons with piano as well.  I find the week we are on steroids though is a week of break from work at home. He is just too tired which is understandable.

All of the boys are ready for spring to arrive.  All 3 are registered for soccer, Carter also wants to play flag football and Nathan wants to play baseball.  We will have a busy spring but are looking forward to it.