waiting

Our waits seem to be in two week increments.  Andy had his appointment with Dr. O'Shea today; to keep an eye on his blood levels.  Here is what they are like from April 12, May 2, May 18th and then today, June 1st.
April 12 - white blood cell counts - 3.0, Hemoglobin - 12. 3, Hematocrit - 37.2, Platelets - 46
May 2 - white blood cell counts - 3.1, hemoglobin - 12.2, Hematocrit - 35.2, Platelets - 47
May 18 - white blood cell counts - 2.6, hemoglobin - 12.0, Hematocrit - 36.0, Platelets - 47
June 1 - white blood cell counts - 2.5, hemoglobin - 11.8, hematocrit - 35.8, platelets - 41
so you can see that there is definitely a slow decline.  No wonder he's so exhausted all the time.  Normal white blood cell counts should be 3.8 to 10.8, hemoglobin 13.2 to 17.1, hematocrit 38.5 to 50 and platelets 140-400.
His walking to work and then back to the train again is painful (his hips bother him) and his hands and it'll spread to his other joints too.  There isn't anything to do about it really since regular medicine such as Tylenol doesn't even take the edge off.  He can't take ibuprofen products because they effect the platelet counts.  The oxycodone he was given he can only take at night b/c it makes him so sleepy (when he already wants to nap all the time..the only thing that keeps him nodding off is his determination and discipline..he has a whole lot more than I do..one of the many things I admire about him) In little over a month he might be going into the hospital and this will just change our life.  It's looming over all of us.  Mostly Andy and I; the kids, I think, don't really comprehend what it's all about.
So, we're waiting again.  Waiting for the next two weeks to go by so Andy can see what his levels are like and for an answer from Dana Farber as to when he'll be admitted.  Before he is admitted he'll have to do more tests and 'teaching' about the whole process of getting chemo, radiation treatments, the blood cell transplant and then living with the after effects of all that both good and bad.
In the meantime we are keeping busy making memories.  The other weekend we just went out and went to open houses.  Last weekend we went for a ride into New Hampshire and then Sunday we went to Watch Hill in Rhode Island.  Then Monday (Memorial Day) we went to the movies.  Andy, Lauren, Ben and I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 while my mother and Jen went to see Bridesmaids.  Then we went out to dinner at Chili's.  It was such a nice weekend we spent with each other.  We had a bit of drama; Andy and I ended up leaving here at 3:15 a.m. to go and get Jenny in Chicopee.  Won't get into it but I hope it never happens again.  It's time for some people to grow up..not just Jen but all involved.  Enough said about that. :)
This coming weekend, Sunday, we'll be taking Lauren out to lunch and then a movie (Pirate's of the Carribean ..the one with Blackbeard) and then she'll get her ears pierced.  That is her birthday gift..along with some pretty nice earrings.  On her birthday, Monday, the 6th (her 13th bday) I will make her her requested dinner of baked mac and cheese w/ham and an ice cream cake for dessert.  The following weekend it's an outing to Canobie Lake Park and then for Father's Day weekend it's to the beach and then the weekend after it's to the Rhode Island Air Show.  Oh, maybe we'll go to Boston and ride on Codzilla.  Not sure about that.  Memories are what we're making.  When it comes to my family, those memories are the best. :)