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Cycle 1 Complete.......Almost

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Matt just finished his fourth and last outpatient treatment in Cycle 1!  In case you don't remember, each cycle lasts 21 days.  The first 14 are the majority of the treatment days; he takes medications at home to fight cancer cells while also going in for injections of chemotherapy every 3-4 days.   Days 15-21 he takes "maintenance" medications but otherwise his body rests.  After this Friday he will begin only his maintenance regimen until next Thursday when he will officially begin Cycle 2.

Today his levels continued to move in the right direction.  His creatinine (the toxins in his blood) had decreased from a 3.5 to a 3.04 (the goal being 1).  His hemoglobin had dropped slightly last visit but was back up again from a 9.4 to a 9.6 (the goal being 12-15).  To put this in perspective, his hemoglobin levels had dropped as low as a 5.4 while he was in the hospital.  This was when they gave him his second and third blood transfusions.  His doctor continues to be amazed at how well he's responding and how well his kidneys are continuing to improve.  Matt's nephrologist (kidney doctor) told us repeatedly in the hospital that he would have been pleased if Matt's kidney function remained stable, so the fact that they are improving is more than we could have asked for.

Matt's dad has been amazing and has come down to accompany Matt to all of his treatments in this cycle.  I know that he's been happily surprised with how well Matt is responding to treatments as well as how his levels are continuing to move in the right direction.  They even got to enjoy 9 holes of golf on Friday after Matt's morning treatment!

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their amazing love and support.  Although things are returning back to normal, your random check-in's, kind words, and generous offerings are much appreciated.  We have a rough road ahead and there is a very real chance that Matt's energy levels are going to decrease as he gets further in to his treatments and closer to transplant.  So please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers and know that we are extremely thankful for all you have done so far.

In the meantime, I am trying to celebrate all the "normal" things we can do again as a family.  This was yesterday after Matt enjoyed a nice bike ride with his dad and Henry. What you also have to picture while looking at this picture is Henry and Matt both yelling "uuuuunderdoooooooggggg!"
We are continuing to try and find peace each day through out this journey.  Some days that is easier to find than others, but this picture was a moment where I sat back, watched and just smiled (and of course grabbed my camera).

Thank you again for all your love and support.

Lots of love,
Matt & Mandy


Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 5:09 AM

    We all hope and pray everything will work out I also know that he has a long way to go. It seems that he is doing very well, so hang in there Matt keep up the good attitude seems to help, I am sure, have a good day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:50 PM

    Thanks for the updates. Recognizing the times that make you smile is what it is all about.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 27, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks for the update

    ReplyDelete

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