June 6th, 2018
Today I started round 4 of chemo. If all goes per plan this will be my last round of chemo! I am excited to make it thru the next month so I can start to get back to normal. I just need to get thru the no immune system phase with no fever.
The last round I got a fever a couple days after my numbers went to zero and spent 9 days in the hospital fighting the infection with antibiotics. Not cool, I was going stir crazy. When you enter the hospital with an infection, you are assigned to an infection disease doctor rather than my oncologist. It makes sense because they specialize in fight infection, but they always want to keep me in the hospital long than my oncologist would. They see the low immune system and want to keep me until it comes up. I have to fight with the doctors that I already spend 10 days at home with no immune system as it is so send me home. I had to ruffle some doctors feathers this time, and they decided to send me home rather than listen to me bitch. I am glad it worked out like I thought it would.
I feel good right now and still do lots of walking outside and working on smalll projects. Grant got home from college two weeks ago so I now get to be an non-working superintendent on the small projects and just boss Grant around. What I meant to say is I get to impart my years of construction wisdom upon him and he gets to do the work while I watch. The kid is actually quite handy and it is fun to work with him. When he come up with smarter ways to do the work I tell Karen it was my idea.
Kelsey graduates OSU June 16th! It is awesome and I am done writing checks to OSU. She will move back in for a while while she starts her paid internship. It will be interesting to go from empty nest back to a full house for the summer, but I think it is going to be ok. They have both grown up a lot and are fun to talk to, but it could be a fist fight over who gets to use the new big tv.
I was just doing some math. Since this whole thing started back in January, I have had 25 bags of chemo. Number 26 is plugged in right now and bag 31 will be done this Monday. I would say that is enough damn bags. When I started this journey it seemed like an impossible task. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. This process consumes so much of your time and thoughts that it will be a strange transition to get back to normal. I am up for the task.
That is my update. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the nice weather
Comments (15)
Kevin - really - you are going to have a full house again for the summer? Hope that works out. You may be fighting the doctors for your room back at the hospital. Seriously, It is good to see you are back in full attitude. You'll be fine and we hope to see you in person when we can. Kit and Frank Klein
Watch it Frank Klein. Your daughter is on this website! Didn’t you just LOVE having me home after UW?! Fun to poke you- Love you, Kirsten
Wonderful update! I am so impressed at how you've tackled this - you've embraced the long haul while taking each day at a time. Each next challenge at a time. We've got things to learn from you. Go Beavs! Tell Kelsey I have plans for her once she catches her breath and lands in Portland. I am being Manuel's assistant this week in Bend. It mostly means I make runs to Home Depot. I occasionally try to do a task and he ends up stepping in and doing it better than I ever could. You've got a place to come to in Bend whenever you want!!!
This is great news Kevin! I hope you enjoy every moment of your “full house” for the summer! I can’t imagine welcoming a college graduate home! What A dream! I’m still making star charts for clean bedrooms and finished multiplication tables!
Thanks for the update. Happy to hear you are back home. I can imagine being at the hospital for too many days is bonkers, I would argue too ;) Stoked for Kelsey’s success and nice to know both kiddos will be home this summer. Thinking about you and hoping for an easy week. Hugs, Lambert’s
Hi Kevin- It was good to see you all even though it was through Face Time . Everyone looked like they were having a great time and you looked wonderful. I think having a full house this summer will be the best medicine you could ask for. Surrounded by all of that love is going to be great. Also, as you stated it will be really fun to have Grant do all of you little projects for you. Sending you love from Kansas City. Keep fighting you are almost there.
Thanks for the update Kevin! Glad to see you still have your sense of humor. So glad this is your last round! yay!! I can only imagine how the conversations went between you and the doctors :) Take care and enjoy your family all at home again. Think of you all the time!
You got this Kevin, stay strong!!
So great to hear that round 4 is in the works and normal life is on the horizon! Ya-hoo! Steph and I were just talking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing....nice timing. Praying for an infection and fever free round. Unbelievable about Kelsey graduating, that just doesn't seem possible. What a great way to spend Father's Day weekend. We are rooting for you and looking forward to having your skills back in the office.
How fantastic, you're almost done! Back to normal for you before too long. Congrats regarding your kiddos! The plus is, you have been able to spend quality time with them, which most people don't get that chance. Keep on trucking, you got this! Janine
Kevin- So happy you fought through that infection. Praying for a fast recovery and this round of chemo is not too hard on you. Enjoy the kids and thank you for the update!
Great to hear you are on your last round!!! I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. This summer will be such a memorable summer for all of you. Life is precious! Enjoy your family and getting strong and we will be seeing you at the office soon! Take care ~ Kari
So good to hear you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Weve been thinking about you, thanks for the update. And enjoy those kids because sometime, probably sooner than you can believe, they are out the door for good.
Thanks for the updates Kevin. Great to hear you are beating this.
Thanks for the updates Kevin. So happy for you to be done. You are a warrior!!!!