Out of The Hospital in The Blink of an Eye |5-6-16|

Wednesday, May 4th, Mike checked back into North Kansas City Hospital to start this new ICE chemo regimen. We were both pretty nervous, much like the very first time he received chemo. We didn't know what to expect. Mike was never really nauseated from the R-EPOCH, so we weren't sure if that would be the same this time. He started out with a 2 hour infusion the first day, and that was it. Day 1 was easy, and we were grateful! That evening I went out to dinner with Megan, the oncology nurse that I've become friends with. It was a wonderful evening to get out, and talk to someone that has been through all of this before. She has been a key player for me. When we walked into the hospital room that morning, she had a print framed for me with the quote I had written on my last blog. Mike was appreciative that she made me cry so early in the day. I'll never be able to repay her for her kindness and friendship during these uncertain and emotional days.

Day 2 was busy, with several infusions, one of them being a 24hour bag. My mom and sister came down to have lunch with us and keep us company for the afternoon. It was so nice to chat and laugh with them. Mom gave us a card from a friend who had read my journal about us vacationing in KC this summer. Her and her husband were so incredibly generous to send us day passes to Coco Keys Resort in KC for our whole family. Again, I cried.

The girls' preschool class painted this adorable planter with their handprints on it for Mike. They gave him the plant and pot this week, and he was so touched by the sweetness of it. Thank you, Mrs. Kelli & Mrs. Chew. You have been such a blessing to our family and our girls.

There have been so many kind gestures that people have done for us. How could I ever thank everyone? I have fallen way behind on writing thank you's, so I want anyone that reads this to know that I am SO appreciative of every single thing that has been done for our family. Prayers, thoughts, babysitting, meals, flowers, cards, gifts, visits, and even the snapchats of friends wearing their bracelets to support Mike. We love you guys so much.

Today was the last day in the hospital, and it went really fast. Mike's only side effect, so far, has been fatigue. He's pretty used to that by now. He goes into the clinic on Monday to get that Neulasta shot to boost his counts back up. Looking forward to the good days again.

We got home around 6 and spent the entire evening outside with the kids. We always miss them so much, and we were soaking up their laughs and goofiness as they ran around the yard. I want these nights to last forever. I want Mike healthy, first, and then I want these nights forever.

The goal is to have 2 more rounds of this chemo, so a round at the end of May, and then in the middle of June, and then move onto transplant. I'm terrified. I'm not going to pretend like I'm not. But I also know that I would rather do it now and not mess around with waiting for him to relapse, which he probably would, and then have to do more chemo, and ultimately, transplant. It's going to be ok though. The kids are young and resilient. They can adapt, and they will be the light to help us get through this.

For now, I think I'll just try to enjoy all of the beautiful flowers in our house, and the smell of summer is sneaking in. I love it!

xoxo

Robin