As I prepared Sunday night, for the hospital trip yesterday, my brother J'dee asked, "Has it absorbed?" I asked for clarification, and he simplified his question by stating another, "Has the shock worn off?" My response at the time was, "I don't know."
Driving home yesterday I felt the weight of our reality creeping deeper and deeper. I'm trying to embrace chemotherapy. After all, it is saving Jace's life. But wow, the side-effects make me sad. Jace still has numerous aches and pains associated with the drugs. Also, you'd be surprised at how drastically it is altering the way he looks. We learned yesterday he has gained 5 lbs. in the last week. I'm pretty sure it's all in his cheeks and belly. He is also so tired and weak. His numbers yesterday were pretty normal (for a child with Leukemia): WBC .7L, RBC 3.14L, Hct 26.3L , ANC .30L. That might not mean much to most of you, but some of you might understand. The Hct at 26.3L is pretty low. That is the number they look at to decide if he needs a blood transfusion. The ANC @.30L is also low. This is the immune-compromised number that was a .20L last week (or what I called 200). While we were in the hospital, they didn't like Jace to leave his room if this was below .40. This number indicates it is almost impossible for Jace to fight infection. He cannot be exposed to anything.
This week we are grateful for the tender mercy of being able to return home once again. We even received the fantastic news that we can receive our treatment in Rexburg next week, but then return to PCMC on the 12th for more procedures.
Today we are going to tackle insurance and find the dreaded truth about how much it covers. We are also going to try to get caught up on the mountain of homework Jace has accrued. He doesn't feel like doing homework, but he also doesn't want to be in first grade again next year. Right now he is eating scrambled eggs and rubbing my arm tenderly as I type. He says to tell everybody hi.:)
Jade, I think so. It has absorbed. I have a sick boy to hold, a pile of papers to go through in front of me, and a house to clean. No shock. Just life. Eighteen days down and counting. We can do it.
(Making a penny wish in the fountain in front of PCMC)
Amy...Maybe this is a stupid question, but are there some natural supplements that Jace can take to help boost his immunities? My kids are taking Silver Hydrosol and GSE (grapefruit seed extract) and it is helping them get through this flu season. There may not be much you can do, with his numbers being so low, but I just thought I would mention it.
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of you. Wish I could help more. I am an excellent bathroom cleaner and would be happy to help in any way I can!
Way to go Jace! I'm so proud of you being a total Iron Man! You keep showing those Doctors how a real man handles all these procedures!!! I'm so glad you are home again. . . we'll give you a few days to rest and then we want to come play again! Love Aunt Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be happier that you are home. I'm going to be a little selfish though and tell you that we are missing you like crazy. We are trying to get better and I think even Dayt would stand in line for a shot if he thought it would help him get to see you sooner. Just know we are loving you from afar and we hate it as much as you do that we don't get to see you. But you are way too important to us to risk any little germ. We can be tough, if you can be tough and wait out this stupid bug that's at our house. So just know that as soon as we can get everyone healthy, you better be ready because we'll have some lost time to make up for. Especially for your mom and I, I'm missing my sister. We love you all!
ReplyDelete~Laura
We're happy that Jace was able to return home once again. Home is where he will feel the best! Amy you look so pretty in that last picture. Hang in there and remember...baby steps!
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Melissa
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI read your post today and it brought back some memories of when Jordyn was on steroids and got the "moon" face, the aches and pains from chemo. and the little things they can't do. We are praying for remission! The "wishing" pond at PMC is awesome, we have thrown many pennies in there, I think it helps! LOL :) Thanks for keeping your blog going, we are loving to keep up with Jace. The kids sure miss him at school.
Wow Jace you are one tuff dude. We marvel every post your mom puts up at your strength and atitude. I have to say Amy you are a good writer. Those madison high students might have a chance with an english teacher like you! J/K. We wish we could help out in some way but keep praying for you guys. Hang in there and let us know if we can help in any way. Love Dustin and Shawnee.
ReplyDeleteHey guys! I'm glad to hear everything went well yesterday! I just ran into your mother-in-law in Kmart haha, she was getting some movies and I was buying pop for Mr. Berry. She told me how things went yesterday and how Jace will be able to stay home this week. On Saturday I got to drive through Logan Canyon. I don't know if you have ever been through there in the fall but it was georgeous! All I could think about were you guys the whole time we were in there. Apparantly I am a symbolic thinker because the mountains and cliffs just made me think of our trials and complications we have in life but the beauty of it is from our Heavenly Father who is always there to help and comfort us. One of my favorite things was the curvy road sign, just warning us there is much more we have to go through but we will always have the strait and narrow in the end. You guys are so strong and always amaze me! You really did look pretty in that picture :) Hope to see you guys soon! Let me know when I can bring dinner! :)Stay strong Ironman! I love the hat bud!! Lots of Love ~Chelsea
ReplyDeleteway to represent madison!! sure glad everything is going well!! love you little buddy!! if you feel good enough maybe me and ryan will come out and visit you guys and play some games!!
ReplyDeletelove aub
Hi Leatham Family,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know we haven't forgotton you! We check the blog often and were so pleased to read that you got to come home. Jace you are so brave and so tuff! I guess that must come from Grandma's side, not the brave stuff but the tuff stuff(just kidding). Don't worry about that school work you will get caught up soon when you get feeling a little better. You are all in our thoughts and prayers always! Keep us informed.
You have some great support and lots of love.
Brad & Tamra
Hey Jace we had scrambled eggs for LUNCH today at school along with sausage, orange juice & orange slices. Hey if you have a school menu and there's something you absolutely want (like cinnamon rolls or other favorites) let me know and I'll save some and bring it by after school.
ReplyDeleteI've thrown a few pennies in that wishing pond at PCMC myself. As far as homework you know the kids get out for this next week so that will give you a break:) You're so smart it won't take much to get caught up. There are still some awesome posters hanging in the gym. Keep smiling and GO! FIGHT! WIN! from the Hibbard Lunch Lady
Hey Jace,
ReplyDeleteWe made lots of wishes in the fountain at PCMC and they all came true. Logan is all better and you will be too.
We are thinking about you and praying too. We love and miss you all.
Your North Dakota Friends
It seems weird doesn't it that while your whole world has now become this "new reality", the rest of the world is still working status quo. I think that was the hardest part when Mike was at PCMC for four weeks. Our lives existed inside the walls of one building but other people still went to work, went to movies, lived life. It was really hard to remember what it was like to be normal. So here is my piece of advice for the week:) Keep things real for you, Matt, Jace and Hayden. Your reality has become yours and yours alone. Then think of one thing that seems "old normal" and try and do it (most of the time it has to be somewhat altered to make it work, but do it) It helps everything not seem so different (even though it is). Our prayers are with you all. For all the new realities that are happening. Love you!
ReplyDeleteThe Edelmayer's
Jace:
ReplyDeleteI hope to see you at the game tonight. I know if you go, you won't be able to get out of the car, but I'll knock on your window and give you a high five through the glass. Dad says they have some new plays for Hayden and Max so West Jefferson better watch out. It's going to be cold tonight, so I'll probably hang out in the car too!
Jacob
Hannah says hello, and I hope you get well soon.
Jace,
ReplyDeleteI am just getting ready to have your mom's class all by myself. I am pretty scared. I just said a little prayer and when I opened my eyes, I saw a bunch of post it notes that you wrote for your mom that said, I love you. All of a sudden I feel brave enough to teach today. I am glad that you are home and I really hope you are feeling strong and brave today too. love you all!! Paige
Leatham Family,
ReplyDeleteThe Baldwin family just wants you to know that Jace is in our prayers. Nathan said that Matt has always been the toughest guy he has ever seen and I am sure that Jace has that quality. When we first read your blog we had tears in our eyes, but it now gives us comfort to see the progress in the fight. We love you guys -
Nate, Meggan and Ledger Baldwin
Jacers! Hey bud I just wanted to tell you how tough I think you are! Today I had to get a flu shot and I was pretty much a big sissie about it! Then I remembered that if you could handle your treatments then I could handle a measley little flu shot! Thanks for helping me to toughen up a little bit! Love you buddy!
ReplyDeleteLACY