Taco Bell and the ER

Regarding this post's title, I don't mean to mislead anyone into believing that one led to the other.  But more on that later.  

Zach is elated to retire the fanny pack for the next 2 weeks.  Saturday we went to the hospital to have his chemo ball unhooked from his port.  Because the chemotherapy is hard at work killing off the bad along with the good cells he received a shot of Neulasta.  The Neulasta forces the bone marrow to push out white blood cells and boost his immune system.  Unfortunately bone pain is a nasty side effect.  So he is trying to keep it under control with Claritin and Tylenol.  

Saturday night we went to the C of I basketball game.  Zach's brother Ben is an assistant coach.  It was our second late night in a row so we were glad for an entertaining game to keep us focused!  

Eating is a continuous chore for Zach.  Few things sound appetizing so when he does get a craving we have to make it happen! Saturday's menu was reminiscent of Zach's college days (and a nightmare for this healthy-eating wife!)--Guido's pizza and breadsticks, a Sonic corn dog, diet cherry limeade and Taco Bell.  As a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy there really aren't eating rules--he just needs to stay as hydrated as possible and eat what sounds good.  It will be an uphill battle to maintain his weight during the next 3 months.

Oliver and Max slept in until 8:30 Sunday morning (hooray!) so we went to late church service.  But by the time we sat in our seats Zach was exhausted.  Sometimes his fatigue makes changing a diaper almost too much to handle.  Zach relaxed most of the day and watched the playoffs.  My brother Mitch stopped by with some groceries.  He kept the boys company while my mom helped me clean out the garage. 

Zach's stomach cramping started last night.  After a sleepless night and severe cramping we thought it best to go to the ER. My mom came over early this morning to watch the little boys.  Thankfully Zach is fine now although we don't have any firm answers as to what was causing his abdominal pain.  Most likely the culprit is the cancer in his lymph nodes that are behind his stomach.  We met a couple of wonderful St. Luke's employees who recognized Zach from the blog.  It amazes us how so many people who we don't even know are pulling for us!  

Lying in ER, Zach's morphine kicked in around the time he made this entertaining observation:  We were talking about our sons Oliver and Max.  Oliver is on the small side for a 2-year old and spent the first 18 months of his life in the bottom 10% for his weight.  Zach said that Oliver would make a good doctor or surgeon because he has small and delicate hands.  Max on the other hand is very squishy and large and ranks among the top 10% for his weight.  Zach decided Max would make a better orderly and mused that whenever a patient fell out of bed Max would be called in to throw the patient over his shoulder and return them to their bed.  Both respectable and very necessary jobs.  We had a good laugh! 

Stuart Scott made Zach's week when he tweeted words of encouragement.  Stuart is a SportCenter anchor on ESPN and a cancer survivor.  

 C of I game selfie!

 Zach and Max cuddling while watching the playoffs.  

 Zach's afternoon snack.  

Jeni's Specialty Ice Cream + banana = delicious shake.  

 Uncle Mitch and Max relaxing.  

My mom hard at work helping me clean the garage.  I am so lucky to have her by our side every step of the way.  She drops everything to watch the little boys.  It allows Zach and I to attend appointments or just be social and get out of the house to help Zach fight his exhaustion.  I am caretaker for my 3 boys and she is mine.