Training With Weights

Yep. It's that time again. In his dad's arms, my cute Jace is sleeping right now with a cold sweat and  body aches. Our Iron Man was under general anesthesia Wednesday morning by 7 AM to receive his Lumbar Puncture. [As a review, this means he received a chemo treatment into the spinal fluid (administered through his back), to reach the brain]. After his LP, we proceeded to Teton Oncology for him to receive the rest of his IV chemo through his port. We learned there that his WBC number is somewhat low; which I've come to learn means his daily oral chemo is just doing it's job. It's difficult for my heart not to freak out when I see the lab results and everything is flagged as L (low) or LL (really low!). But my brain (once in a while) kicks in and says, "It's ok Amy! This is what chemo is suppose to do!"  I'm just waiting for someone to invent chemo that only kills bad cells and not the good ones too. (Calling all brainiacs!)

Since Jace has been running around and appearing NOT sick, the common comment we hear (almost daily) is, "He's finished with treatments, right?"  We also hear, "If he's in remission, then why does he still have chemo treatments?" Because of the nature of Leukemia, he actually won't finish his chemotherapy for two more years. That's right, party people! We are all looking forward to the gathering we'll have in the fall of 2012 to celebrate "NO MO CHEMO!" right?? It's such a beautiful thought to be finished with chemo, that sometimes even *I* can push away the dreaded fear of Jace's cancer returning when the chemo stops...I'm actually not even going to go there tonight...because... Although Jace had to endure poison being pumped into his body, we were able to personally place TWO cancer bags that same day, and we are praying for our two new friends McKenzie and Dean.

I LOVED something Dr. Hancock said also. He explained that Jace will get so used to having low numbers, that it's like training with weights. In two years, when the chemo is finished (we hope forever!), the weights will be lifted, and he'll be stronger and faster than he ever thought possible. Sooo, training with weights is an interesting concept to me. Training AT ALL is sometimes a hardship. Who is with me on this one?? I can barely manage the 5 lb. trials that are thrown at me, let alone the hefty 50s or 100s.  As I watched Jace wake up so sick this morning, I wondered how I could just take his weights for an hour or two, so he could continue to sleep and not feel the nausea and discomfort chemo brings. But, we all know the truth; Jace wouldn't let me if I could. This Iron Man is training for something BIG!

Oh, and you might smile to know what Jace requested  for breakfast:  None other than....Olives.:)