Finally! He got a room!

So this round is "just" three days (instead of the previous cycle's five), and the drugs he's getting this time (Vincristine and Cyclophospamide) are supposed to be a little easier on him than the last. We'll see.

It was a late start and both Chase and Judith are tired, so not much to report besides a few zzzzzs.

Goodnight Chase!
Goodnight Judith!

Meet you in the Teen Center tomorrow afternoon!

Chase got to meet Kellie Pickler this morning! I missed out 'cause I need my beauty sleep. Apparently she doesn't. Chase says she's even prettier in person.

Today was the NC Children's Hospital radiothon, and there was MUCH activity in the Hospital lobby. Fourteen radio stations were set up to do live broadcasts, the local cable TV news channel was there all day, and they had a lot of country music folks there to entertain, including, of course, Kellie Pickler. Chase and Judith got front row seats for her mini concert, and Chase got to chat with her. Unfortunately, busy girl that she is, she couldn't stay for dinner with Chase. Bold kid there...he asked!

Many of the radio stations wanted to spice up their live broadcasts by talking to current and former patients, so Chase got interviewed by several in the morning. I hear he was quite articulate, but again, I was working on that beauty sleep so I missed hearing him. I almost got to record his final interview this evening, but I couldn't tune in the station! :: glares at the radio ::

At least Judith got some pictures:

Okay, that was fun, but he's really ready to start that darn chemo. His numbers were up enough (yeah!), but even thought they hung out all day, no beds became available (boo!) A "few" kids are due to be discharged tomorrow, so they'll hit the road again in the morning and hope he can be admitted to get that stuff going!

In other news, things are looking good for proton radiation at MD Anderson in Houston! It's not Jacksonville, but at least it's not Boston!

Waiting is no fun!

Chase is due at UNC tomorrow at 8AM (yes, 8AM in the morning!) for another blood draw. If his numbers are good enough, he will be admitted for chemo, if not, there will be another day of ennui, peevishness, and stridency* - and that's from the adults!

Tomorrow's also the UNC Children's Hospital Radiothon, so it could be interesting. Dr. Gold's trying to arrange for Chase to meet Kellie Pickler ('cause she's a hottie), but Judith really wants to meet Darryl Worley (note to Buddy - not because she thinks he's cute or anything).

Maybe we'll get pictures!

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* The dictionary links are not intended for Judith's use. I'm sure she would have no need whatsoever to look these words up in the dictionary. **

** She made me add that.

Now entering a "no spin" zone.



Today...was not a good day. Chase went to Chapel Hill this morning with every expectation of being admitted for his second round of chemo. Unfortunately, no. His blood tests were too low. Although I think white is what they're most concerned about, both his white and red counts were low.

So that means waiting. Oh goodie. He'll get more blood tests on Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed. I suspect this will throw off his whole chemo schedule, but we really don't know. It's all new to us.

I thought Chase would like to contribute a blog entry (stop laughing!) I did get one quote, however. "Cancer sucks". He's probably doing a better job than I would at not spiraling down into depression, but he ain't having a good time. Playing Hand and Foot with your Mom, Aunt, and Grandma can only entertain for so long. He humors me by playing Mexican Train, which stretches it out a little more. Of course what he really wants to do is go back to school, or at least visit his school friends, who are all busy with classes and whatnot. Then there's that whole infection worry too.

Sigh.

So his hair's falling out and his head itches. He wants to go do stuff, but he's tired. He's hungry and yet has no appetite. It's quite the change from 6 weeks ago when he was "free" at school. Now has to listen to Mom tell him what he can't do (and Grandma too).

We'll get through it, but yeah, cancer sucks.

CHASE'S SONG is being worked on with a good friend and co-writer of mine named Donna Galbraith. We will let you know when it is all wrapped up and ready. If you would like to check out some other songs we have written. You can visit my MySpace Music Page
"Uncle" Mitch Townley
Knoxville, TN