Group Hug

I’m a little sad today, so I’m going to try and focus on the positives. Yesterday Brayden had his weekly chemo at the local Oncology clinic. That’s when they check his blood counts first and if they’re high enough, he receives his IV chemo for the week, Methotrexate. This is the one they increased the dosage of after his first month. The goal is to keep his counts above Neutropenic stage but not allow them to go too high where it risks his cell growth getting out of control in order to keep the Leukemia cells from coming back. The good news is Brayden’s counts were barely just high enough to receive his chemo. But they are just a handful of cells enough before he’s Neutropenic again. So we’re back to implementing all the procedures to keep him protected from having a secondary fever. Along with that, had to make a tough decision and cancel his birthday plans. It was a hard decision, but we know we need to first keep him safe. We’re brainstorming some alternate plans and see what we can figure out. But we’re all a little disappointed. Brayden is putting on a brave face.

He’s had a very rough couple of days. His legs are giving him a lot more trouble and he’s having a lot of pain in them. We’re hoping his Neuropathy isn’t getting worse and it’s so hard to see him in pain. Certainly we hope tomorrow is a better day for him after he had some nausea today as well.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed his counts recover enough to still receive chemo next week. I know he’s looking forward to Spring Break next week but especially the week after when he’ll be back on steroids again and can get out a bit more to enjoy his birthday week and Easter week. We’re so excited about some family time Easter weekend that will give us all a boost.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Brayden. I know it can be a discouraging time right now with having to take isolation precautions for him to keep him safe. The pain in his legs can really wear him down and just cuts Bryan and me to the core to see him in pain. Bryan said it’s almost like his body started catching up since January with what it’s been enduring the last 10 months. He’s now starting to really show the effects when you see him walk and how his mobility is a bit limited. We just pray his heart and spirit stay protected from the emotional impacts of this journey and that his happiness and joy continue to bubble over. We all enjoyed a group hug earlier and are hoping for better days again soon.