May 19th, 2018
On May 3rd I went back into the hospital to start round 3 of chemo therapy. By May 8 I received my last dose. Everything went well and I was doing stuff around the house as I have been. Per normal, over the next 5 days my platelets, white & red blood cells dropped to zero. So by May 13th I was in the danger zone where I have no immune system for the next 10 days. If we walk to coffee for some exercise, I wait out side and let Karen go in and face the masses.
For round #2 I made it thru the whole danger zone without get a bug and fever. This cycle I was not so lucky. On the 15th I started getting the chills and I knew I had a fever. If my temperature gets to 100.4 degrees, I have to head to the hospital because I have something my body can not fight off... it sucks. I get put thru a battery of tests and blood draws to see if they can figure out exactly what I have so they can treat it. 50% of the time they never figure it out, this time they did so they where able to give me specific antibiotics. Otherwise they hit you with broad spectrum antibiotics to break your fever. I have been here for 4 days and if things continue to improve and I should be out of here in 2 more days. It is not ideal but it is not unexpected. A large percentage of patients doing what I am end up getting a fever, it is just unavoidable. Even if you lived in a bubble your natural bacteria can make you sick without an immune system.
The thing I am excited about is I should get out of here soon, my numbers should start coming back up soon and then I can start my last round of chemo in June. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Grant made it home from college last Saturday and is very happy to be home. He hit it hard his freshman year and came out with a 3.9 gpa. He got Karen's brains. Grant is going to take a class a PSU this summer and help me get some things done that I need some help with. Kelsey is less than a month away from graduating OSU with a management degree, a marketing degree and a minor in Spanish. No more writing checks to OSU. She has a paying internship so she is all setup. It will be interesting for Karen and I to go from empty nest to having both kids back in the house for the summer. There could be some testy moments.
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the warmer temps.
Comments (10)
Keep it up Kevin. We’re all thinking of you.
Thanks for posting Kevin, its been awhile since we've heard from you. Sorry you had to go through the fever the last time but at least as you said there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a long road but you have gone through it with grace, and such courage. Please keep up the positivity and and know that we are thinking of you and sending you love and strength from Kansas City.
Thinking of you often and so glad for the update...it's been a while. Congrats to Grant, hard work does pay off and so proud of Kelsey. You all are amazing parents and your kids are a testiment to that. The good and the bad bring families together...praying the next few months are great.
My money is on you enjoying having the younger McCalls home (most of the time). Congratulations to Kelsey on graduating and Grant for rocking his first year at Tulane. #proud parents—right? Three rounds of chemo down and one to go—hang in there my friend. Not a day goes by that the McCalls aren't in my thoughts and prayers.
I've been missing you around here! So glad for Grant's return and huge congrats to Kelsey. It's a funny thing going back and forth from empty nester to kids back home -- but it's actually pretty wonderful. Glad you're seeing the home stretch with all of this. Warm cyber hugs to you and the family, Denise
Keep up the fight! 3.9 way to go Grant!! Whoohoo on Kelsey graduating, she is going to go FAR - sounds like a busy and exciting summer with both kiddos home. We would love that.
Your positive attitude this far into to treatment is inspiring. Taking everything in stride. It will be interesting to have the kids back in the house, adjustments made and fun family time together for the summer. Keep up the good work, both of you.
Thanks for the updates, even when it's scary. Sounds to be the norm so that is a nice boring thing for you. Glad to hear you're in the home stretch and it's only going to get better! Janine
Thanks for the update Kevin. I've been wondering how it's going. Such great news about Grant and Kelsey - you deserve to be very proud! Enjoy your time home with them.
Hi Kevin, Was just checking in to see how things were going. Sorry to hear you had another tough spell but love to see the words "light at the end of the tunnel" in your post! Stay strong - you got this! We all miss you here at R&H. Erin