BACK TO SCHOOL

GOOD DAY SUNSHINE! I had to take a photo of the clear blue sky today-- we haven't seen it in almost TWO months - almost forgot what it looks like!!!! yeah sunshine!




Mardi Gras on the Seawall

WOO HOO! ER fun!

Johnny is feeling much better this week. I knew he was feeling better when I heard Joey and Sophie screaming his name out of despiration... when he starts to cause trouble, I know he's back to normal. He even said it felt good to get back to school. He reminds me of a Jack Russell Terrier -- he has to have a job to do, otherwise: T R O U B L E. And lots of it.

He spent most of last week in and out of TCH/ER/Clinic, fever as high as 103.9, it finally broke about Friday or so. Then Mike and I finally got some rest and didn't have to worry about him spiking in the middle of the night (okay, Mikey stays up way more than I do). Johnny had some pretty heavy doses of antibiotics this week (given through IV's), and wasn't able to take any oral chemo, but he's back on schedule today.

Our friend's, the Columbo's invited us to their Mardi Gras party on Saturday night. Mike and Johnny hate crowds, so I took Joey and Sophie. We had a blast --evnthough Mike and Johnny hate crowds, they would have enjoyed this parade, laid back and not too many people. Lots of beads, beer and burgers. Can't wait for next year -- and I didn't knock down any little ones to get the beads either!!!! We are going again this weekend and then for the last parade on Fat Tuesday so if anyone wants us to send them some beads, just let us know!

Johnny's next office visit is Friday I will update more later!

hugs to all -- jules

IT'S TOTALLY MY FAULT

The past few weeks I've been telling everyone who asks how Johnny is doing, " Great. Fine. Totally awesome. It's been like, SIX months since he's had an actual hospital stay and FIVE since his last ER visit." I knew once I really started feeling confident about the whole maintenance thing, it'd get us when we least expect it.

Today.

We are home now, and trying to shake off the 24 hours we have been up -- and the 12 hrs in the ER. The past two office visits have gone incredible smooth, in -- out -- no problems, and with high counts (ANC around 1,500 each time). Friday was Johnny's vincristine, we were out and made it home in time to beat Joey home from school. Had a great weekend, Kathleen Hemmen and Vivian Havemann, Johnny's 1st and 2nd grade teachers came to town to hang out with us, and the kids had some friends over the whole weekend. Monday night I think everything caught up with him. It usually takes a few days for the chemo to kick in enough to make him feel like crap, but Monday -- wow -- he looked aweful. No fever, just looked like sh!t, so he stayed home with me on Tuesday.

He was fine all day, even had food cravings, checked his temp every few hours, everything was cool. Then at 8:30 last night -- boom -- 103.9 fever. Where did that come from?! Anyway, I took him in and it bounced between 100.9 to 101.9. Since he doesn't have a line (port) we were able to do labs (his ANC jumped to 3,900! ...due to a week of dexamethasone/steroids) a huge dose of antibiotics and get back home to see Joey and Sophie off to school. Then we headed for bed!!!!

Other than the past 12 hours at the TCH ER, everything else has been great. Really. I guess that's why I haven't had time to update -- things are just moving along. I have to call the nurse today to see when we need to come back for labs, but as of right now, his next visit is next Friday. Next LP was scheduled for 3/30, but that weekend is a big surfing contest so I asked if we could move it up a week -- doc said no worries, so now it's 3/23.

I am pretty sure Johnny will be strong enough for Mardi Gras the next few weekends -- I LOVE Mardi Gras! We usually do the scaled down "family" parades, hang out with friends on the Seawall and try to catch as many beads as possible without knocking down any little kids! I'll update more later...