Day 40

Saturday.   Our Superman!

Labs today:
White blood cells: 0.7 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 8.0 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 32 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC: 140 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)

Day 39

Friday.   Day 8 of 8 of the second round of chemo.  Riley has handled it so well.  He continues to amaze me!! 
Today Riley participated in seminary.  Bro. Weiss who has facilitated church for Riley (by skype), has worked his magic again for seminary!  He cut through a little red tape at school to get wifi.  Riley's teacher, Sister Clark, has been amazing to make it happen in the classroom.  She has kept in contact with us and is willing to do anything to support Riley!  Awesome! Thank you!! 

Tonight the kids came by to see their older brother.  We helped Riley change his number on his window.  His count -up,  (not countdown).  Then we went crazy on the hall window too.  Of course the kids raided the nutrition room.  What is a visit with Riley without a juice and lucky charms and jello ?  :)

Vince then took the kids to the movies.  Mom stayed with Riley and me and we played a fun game together.  Really great to just enjoy T I M E together!!  When Vince got back he switched with my mom and she took the kids home for the night.  Riley had a friend come by for a visit, so Vince wisked me away to the movies.

Trey and Riley were just settling in for a night of video games and pizza when we left.  It was good to spend some time with my husband.  Just to be together, talk and pretend for a couple of hours that we were kinda normal.  I love him.  He is good to me!

Labs today:
White blood cells: 0.8 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 8.9 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 41 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC: 208 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)

Day 38

Thursday.   We met a volunteer named Michael.  He came around last week too.  He is finishing his second degree and trying to get into medical school. We found out through our conversation that he is LDS too.  It was very uplifting for Riley to speak with someone who not only talked about sports and liked to have fun, but also someone who has been on a mission and can speak of trials and enduring to the end.  They talked about perspective and he was so encouraging for Riley!  I am thankful for the angels that have been sent to uplift my son!  That is what it feels like.  Heaven sent angels.  Thank you to you all! 

Labs today:

White blood cells: 0.9 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 8.6 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 43 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC: 126 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)



Day 37

Wednesday.  Riley woke up and did his regular morning routine, but then fell back asleep.  That happens when you go to bed at 4am!!  Riley feels better at night and really takes advantage of the fact that he can sleep in the day.  So he woke up for good at about 1:30pm.  Our social worker made arrangements for Riley and me to get massages.  Nice.  I definately feel the stress settling around the shoulder area.  It felt really nice to have some of that relieved.  Riley liked it too.  We did our walk, Riley did the stationary bike a little and we hung out with the nurses.  We were discussing the fact that Riley's numbers are higher than they have ever been (and he is on day 6 of 8 for chemo...).  Although we don't like the numbers to be low, for fear of infection,  that is when we know the chemo is working.  Killing cells = low numbers.  The nurses ease my worries as they explain the cycle takes a few days to catch up to the results of the chemo.  My brain understands ... my anxious heart does not.  I have to remember that this is one of those "good days" that I need to cherish!  He really looks so great, and he is happy.  In a few days, he will not feel so well.  Cousin Trent came by and hung out for awhile.  Trent has an ROTC class at the Uof A, so he was in the area.  They watched a car show, talked about video games and had dinner.  Good day.

Labs today:

White blood cells: 1.0 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)

Red Blood cells: 10 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets:  57 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC:  350 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)

Day 36

Tuesday.  Day 5 of 8 of the second round of chemo.  Last day of all 3 medicines.  Chemo lasted for 10 and a half hours today.  Riley is a trooper.  Nana and Papa came tonight to spend some time with Riley.  They played a fun new game that a friend recently gave to Riley.  "The Logo game".  According to Nana, they laughed and laughed!! 

Labs today:
White blood cells: 0.7 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 9.3 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 60 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC:  21 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)

Day 35

Monday.  Day 4 of 8 for the second round of chemo.  Riley is handling it all so well.  Kyle and Kayla came by and hung out for awhile.  They went on a walk with Riley and then decided to help him decorate his window.  The patients mom from next door started it all by writing, "cancer fears me!".  Then Taryn, our nurse drew an Eagle.  So today was the day for Riley to put his mark on it! 

Then Riley decided to finish his walk.  We met up with Brandon, another patient, who is back in for another round of chemo.  The three of us walked and caught up with each other.  We were distracted as we chatted and were taken by surprise by Taryn and Melissa who got the boys good with some serious silly string!! 

Brandon and Riley warned the nurses that they would be plotting revenge!  They stopped to look out the window at the beautiful sunset on the mountains.  Riley talked about someday hiking those mountains again...   He'll get there.

Then later in the evening, we were visited by the Ross family.  They came as a "mariachi band", complete with chips and salsa for Riley to enjoy.  Funniest thing ever... they only knew Feliz Navidad in spanish, so that is what they played for him.  It was nice to have Riley hang out with such fun kids and I spoke to Sister Ross, who knows what this is like.  One of her older children had leukemia as a child.  He is 26 now and doing well. 

It really has been a great day.  A treasured day with my son.

Day 34

Sunday.  Vince and I switched last night.  He drove over to the hospital after work as I passed him on the freeway headed home.  I was able to spend time with the kids and have a regular night with them.  Vince was needing some time with Riley, so it is only fair that I share :)  Vince spent the night last night and was able to make sure that skype was set up for church today.  Not only did they get to hear our ward, but Papa spoke at their Stake Conference and Vince and Riley were able to watch it online.  Papa spoke on prayer. We are so thankful for our testimony of prayer and the wonderful gift that we have to communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer.  We are aware of all of the prayers going out on our behalf right now.  We know and believe with all our hearts the power and strength that comes with those prayers! Thank you! 
Nana and Papa came over to the hospital after their conference to be with Riley, (Vince had to go to work).  Then Aunt Renee and Trenton came by bringing dinner.  It sounded like a party to me!  I am so thankful for their awesome support!  The genuine happy and cheerful attitude they bring can turn even a hard day into one with laughter!  I headed over tonight to be with my boy.  I love hearing about his day, and catching up.  Sounds like Riley had a great day!
Our motto ... {one day at a time ... and cherish each one!}

Nana's "air hug".  Love the looks they are giving each other!! :)

Labs today:
White blood cells: 0.8 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 10.4 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 60 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC: 72 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)