Big Time Adulting

July 23, 2017 We have two treatments left in our current cycle, and it has been going great for Calum. His blood counts are fairly stable and his energy level is the best we have seen in about seven months. When looking back at all the positive statements I’ve made regarding the status of Calum’s [...]

July 10, 2017 After finishing the dreaded Delayed Intensification cycle, Calum took every last minute of his two-week vacation from chemo to recover. Slowly, but surely, a hint of pink returned to his cheeks, and there is a noticeable pep back in his step. Seeing him return to his old self is so joyful, yet [...]

Is "W-O-O-H-O-O" one word or two?! We had a check up and blood work this morning, and Calum's blood counts are on the rise! The treatment cycle known as "delayed intensification" is finally over and Calum's doctors are confident that, at this point, he is steadily recovering and we won't be seeing more dips. Calum's [...]

June, 16 2017 So, we came in for a check-up this morning and Calum is doing OK. He is getting another platelet transfusion right now, but does not require a blood transfusion. The body uses new platelets a lot quicker than blood, so by next week he may need another blood transfusion, but I take [...]

June 12, 2017 This morning we arrived at the hospital to get Calum’s blood levels checked and learned he will need a blood and platelet transfusion, and his neutrophils are at an all-time low: zero. The effects of this cycle have finally kicked in after weeks of being graced with relatively decent news regarding his [...]

June 2, 2017 This week is finishing up a lot better than it began. Calum had started to develop a cold last weekend and, sure enough, it took its toll on his compromised immune system, making his blood counts too low to begin our scheduled treatment on Tuesday. Though our doctors reassured us these things [...]

May 23, 2017 We had a check-up yesterday morning and a week off from chemo and, much to my surprise, after the first three and very intense chemo treatments of this cycle, Calum’s blood counts look good. It certainly gave me a breath of confidence that is always welcomed in this process. It is hard [...]

May 11, 2017 I have received many texts, calls and even packages from people who have diligently wondered how Calum is holding up. Now that we are into our second treatment of this vicious cycle, I continue to hesitate to tell people how well Calum is handling it all. I am afraid I might speak [...]

May 2, 2017 We made it through the first day of the cycle named “delayed intensification”. The purpose of this cycle is to come at the cancer very hard, which basically pummels the patient and the disease at the same time. Calum received chemo in his spine while under anesthesia, two chemos intravenously, and one [...]

April 17, 2017 March 7th, 2020. That is the date the doctors’ have given us for the projected finish of Calum’s treatment. Waiting for a day to arrive three years from now feels like a lifetime away. In fact, the whole process, once all said and done, will ironically have taken nearly exactly the length [...]