Today must have gone better since I woke Judith an hour ago for an update and she said he was out playing poker. So put away those violins, at least for now.

He still tires quickly, gets a bit queasy sometimes, and grumbles because his brother has absconded with his car, but he's getting better. It's probably for the best if he doesn't drive anyway, because of the whole tired, queasy scenario. I'm just happy he has friends who will keep him busy (or as busy as he can tolerate).

Judith did a blog comment/update over here, and as far as I know, that's about it until something interesting happens (or someone sends me pictures!)

A queasy day...

Sleep, eat a bite or two, sleep, shower, sleep, snack. Repeat until it's time to go to bed.

Is he glad to be home? I don't really know, but if he doesn't feel better tomorrow Judith says she's going to get home health out there to give him IV something until he does. He did make a feeble attempt to go out with Griffin but he came home within 30 minutes to, you guessed it, sleep.

I know this is expected, more or less, and I know everyone at the hospital says he's doing great, considering, but it doesn't make it easier to watch (or, no doubt, endure).

Here's hoping tomorrow's a better day!

Whew! That chemo session's over, and not a moment too soon. Chase wasn't feeling too hot even before they hung the chemo today, so they gave him a good dosing of anti-nausea meds and some stuff to make him vewy sleeeeeepy.

His last request before dozing off was for some of Logan's mouthwatering, made-from-scratch yeast rolls (their words, not his). We drew the line at driving to Greensboro to scratch that particular itch, but we did hand deliver some of O'Charley's fresh baked rolls instead. They smelled so good they almost didn't make it all the way to Chapel Hill...

Surprisingly, they sent him home tonight, apparently with lots of prescriptions for nausea and such. This session was definitely rougher than the first, but he still got through it extraordinarily well. His blood counts, though, will probably bottom out around Christmas, so we may need to keep those masks by the door. We really, really don't want him to get sick!

Chase and Judith are hoping to go to MD Anderson in Houston for Chase's simulation appointment next week sometime, which may include getting one of these funky masks made to keep his head still during radiation sessions.

After Christmas he's scheduled for his final short chemo session at UNC (the milder Vincristine and Cyclophospamide stuff), then back to Houston for several weeks of radiation.

Things will get a little slow around here now, but I'll update as things happen!

Is it almost midnight yet?

Good, 'cause I'll be glad when this day is over! My plans for a weekend NYC trip never got off the ground (sobs), the great state of NC moved an exit ramp I'd used for 15+ years(that was embarassing), and :: gasp :: cute glasses girl has a boyfriend (nobody tells me anything!)

But you're here for Chase. Oops. So...he had a better day than I (or at least less embarrassing). Pretty good morning, nauseating afternoon, and a decent evening. Funny how he got queasy shortly after wolfing down the mac & cheese I brought.

Nice bowl there, Chase. Hope it's clean!

I trust his nausea was less a commentary on my cooking than a correlation with chemo... ONE MORE DOSE and he's done with Cisplatin for life - at least that's our expectation and fervent hope.

Short on wheelchairs today Ashley?

Maybe he just enjoys being pushed around? I don't know if it's a Chase thing, or a Judith thing, but they seem to be taking a lot of pictures of Chase riding his IV stand. I guess you take your amusement when and where you can when you're in the hospital.

One more dose Tuesday, perhaps a final night in the hospital, but if all goes well, he'll be outta there until after Christmas!

Not the best of days...

I don't know that I should say Chase had a bad day, but he was definitely feeling a bit, um, green most of the time. Yeah, I know, Cisplatin ain't supposed to be easy, and at least the anti-nausea drugs did their magic so he kept what little food he consumed where it belonged.

I'm acutely disappointed though. He apparently craved mac & cheese at one point, and I would cheerfully have followed the directions on that blue and yellow box and delivered, but I was not apprised. :: scowls at Judith ::

So I never made it over there today because he had visitors and/or nausea all day. Tomorrow's a weekday, though, so I figure Mom & I will get the green light to visit (unless he's really feeling green, that is). So, should I take M&C? or those cinnamon pecans? or will he just want someone to beat in the game of (oh please, oh please, mexican train, oh please) Spades?

Next time I volunteer to host a Christmas party, would someone please smack me? At least the house is clean(er) and I have a jar of cinnamon pecans to take to Chase tomorrow! If I ever wake up, that is. Which would require me to actually go to bed. Funny that.

I can hear Judith's eyes rolling from here...
All that's missing is the "Y", the "A", and a couple more "L"s!
Next year?

Chase's favorite nurse suited up to give him chemo.

Judith liked this one, so I added it. What's that saying?
I keep giving, you keep taking, and all is right with the world?

I did get multiple reports that Chase had some of his favorite visitors so perhaps all is right in his world too.

'Night all!