"Where's the beef?"

I sense some of our faithful blog followers have been panicking a bit because it's been ten days since my last posting. No cause for alarm, I'm just not getting to the keyboard as much as I was pre-Clare's arrival. Before I get to this past week's happening, here's a little humour to start this entry ...

For all of you who remember 80's television, today's title should take you back to a very funny Wendy's commercial featuring a little old lady demanding big hamburgers. Fast forward 20+ years, substitute Dane for the old lady and juicy steak or ribs for the burger and presto - that's what it's like around our house at mealtime! And for goodness sake, he is not even back on those crazy steroids yet. That fun begins in early July. George's Burgers - are you ready for us???

Dane's appointments ...

We made an unscheduled trip to the Cancer Clinic last Tuesday because Dane still had a slight fever and cough on Monday night. His blood was checked and given his counts were still high and the virus was on its way out, there was no cause for alarm. We were back yesterday for his regular check-up and blood work. His neutrophils and platelets were on the high side still so he was at Children's Hospital today for a spinal tap (his first since March) and his IV doses of Vincristine and Methotrexate (an increased amount again). Today's appointment was day 31 of a 41 day medicine cycle, so that means we are in the home stretch of Interim Maintenance (IM). He goes back to the clinic June 19 and if his counts stay up, he will receive his last treatment for this round. He then has a couple of weeks without any medicines to round out IM. To quote his oncologist from yesterday's appointment, "he has done excellent" during IM. Although I don't have any empirical evidence, I don't think it's that common for kids' counts to stay high enough to receive increased meds every ten days like he has this round. All we can hope for is that the heavy duty drugs are kicking his cancer's butt!

Dane's charm ...

He reacquainted himself with the PDU nurses and docs today and they think our Dane is quite the charmer. The doctor who put him to sleep asked him if he is always as good as he was today and his quick and witty response was "I'm not near this good at home". Ain't that the truth! When he was asleep the doc then commented "this one is going to break some hearts when he's older". I said never mind when he's older, he already has quite the way with the gals! I'm convinced it's because he plays hard to get however in his case he's not putting on a show - that's his natural personality. Yikes, I am not looking forward to when he's a teenager. I told the nurses and docs we are stockpiling "Dane stories" and at this rate, there will be way too many to chose from at his wedding (assuming some lady decides he's worth her efforts 20+ years from now)!

Potential disappointment ...

This weekend is CancerCare Manitoba's 25th "Camping" weekend and Dane and Ashley are scheduled to attend Camp Arnes sans Dirk, Clare and I from Friday am til Sunday pm. However, the dang H1N1 virus may throw a wrench into the plans. If the World Health Organization changes the pandemic level to six (it's currently a five) then camp is cancelled. For our family this would be a disappointment but the better alternative than the other reason they can't possibly go to camp. Because of that fever and cough Dane had last week, he was swabbed today for ... yes you guessed it ... H1N1. We certainly don't think he has the virus but we won't know for sure until tomorrow when the lab results are back. So until then we wait and hold off on the camp packing. I'm telling ya, there is never a dull moment in this journey.

Everyone else around this joint ...

Ashley continues to shoot the lights out at ringette and is anxious for summer holidays to arrive (she doesn't seem fazed that we really haven't had spring yet). Dirk is plugging away at little projects when he can, but now that we are "outnumbered" his hands are often needed for Clare. As I type, he is pacing the yard with her trying to fend off a bout of evening colic. Yep, our little gal has developed quite the temperment in the evening, particularly between 7 - 10 pm. She will be one month tomorrow and I'll be able to post a new weight after her appointment tomorrow with the pediatrician. She is giving me a few more 2.5 to 3 hour stretches of sleep at night (yes, I said 2.5 to 3 and I think that's good) and we are on the verge of some real smiles. Although still sleep deprived, I'm doing pretty well and looking forward to the end of June and trips to Pickerel Lake.

Enjoy the photo I've included - it's of her at four weeks. When she is more cooperative at night we hope to get some new shots with Ash and Dane.

Take care - Janie and Dirk