Round #3 and Disappointing News

Zach's final week of rest before round #3 was more difficult than we thought it would be.  He is having difficulties eating. The chemotherapy is hard on his esophagus.  This is why we really appreciate the wonderful meals many of you are spoiling us with!  The soups and other soft foods are easy to eat and digest.  

Along with eating difficulties, Zach has had severe bone pain from all of the white blood cells that are being expelled from his bones.  This is a good thing however because it means his immune system is strong.  But the pain is very hard to deal with.  Medication and a heating pad help.  

Friday afternoon we met with Dr. Dan.  It is the first time we have seen him since Zach's diagnosis in early January and we were relieved to speak to him and hear his thoughts on Zach's progress.  Without any new scans or images Dr. Dan was only able to look at Zach's blood work.  He is encouraged by the fact Zach's protein levels dropped 3 weeks back from 9.9 to 4.0.  When we learned of Zach's stage 4 diagnosis, we did not get the impression there was a lot of hope based on the widespread and aggressive nature of the cancer.  But we were definitely feeling more hopeful Friday based on Dr. Dan's outlook.  

Friday marked the halfway point of Zach's treatment.  So we began to talk hypotheticals.  If the PET scan in April returns a favorable outcome, then Zach will begin 6 weeks of daily radiation or continue with 2 additional rounds of chemotherapy before beginning radiation.  Either way he will have a couple of week rest before any more treatment continues.  Radiation would only take 10 minutes a day and Zach would likely be able to work every day.  The chemotherapy routine will have to change a bit from what he is receiving now.  The chemoball makes him far too sick to be able to work full time.  It is imperative Zach doesn't miss too much more work beyond mid-April or else his job contract and benefits are in jeopardy.  Dr. Dan felt confident that Zach could continue 2 additional rounds without the chemoball and still aggressively fight the cancer.  This would likely allow him to work every day to order keep both this job and his benefits.  (Rest assured, we will pay homage to the fanny pack with a moment of silence if the need arises.)

We left our meeting on Friday feeling encouraged.  But somewhere between MSTI and our home Zach developed a fever.  His white blood cell count was very high on Friday (which translates into a strong immune system!)  So no one knows why the fever developed.  But fevers are dangerous.  We were ready to make a trip to the emergency room per doctor's orders if it jumped to 100.5 but it stayed just below that mark for several hours.  Zach slept off the fever that evening.  While he was in bed, I was trying to juggle 2 kids' baths, dinners, pajamas and diaper changes.  If 1 child wasn't crying then the other was.  I was beginning to get hangry (your new word for the day: hungry/angry) as the evening went on but I dared not sit down and feed myself lest both children lose their minds at the same time.  At one point I just had to sit down and laugh at the ridiculousness playing out in our home.  The job of mom is rarely a dry, clean or neat one.  

Cancer has so many ups and downs.  The rest of the weekend brought ups.  Zach felt good.  Sunday afternoon we spent several hours at school so Zach could get caught up and I helped with grading.  He had a hard time unwinding Sunday night because of the steroids he takes leading up to a new round of chemo.  There is also anxiety that builds up.  Chemo is not fun.

This morning (Monday) Zach started round #3.  We began the day receiving disappointing news.  Zach's CEA count has risen to 8.  We were told not to put too much stock into these numbers: a drop in counts is good but a slight rise is not the end of the world.  We are thankful the level did not rise back to where it began at 9.9.  But in order for Zach to start radiation in April (and be done with chemotherapy) his CEA count needs to be closer to 3.  We have a ways to go.  Our nurse explained to us that doctors often use the CEA count to determine whether a new scan should be given in the middle of treatment.  They often see the CEA levels move up and down as chemo treatment progresses, with the ultimate goal of lowering the levels over time.  If a spike in levels is evident, then a PET scan might be done to determine why there is a sudden increase.  A spike did not happen in Zach's case so we were encouraged to continue to be positive and trust that the chemo is doing its job.  It was demoralizing news--however you spin it.  

We have seen some pretty amazing things take place in other's lives since Zach's diagnosis.  We continue to believe in the power of prayer and God's plan.  Please continue to pray Zach's levels drop.  Feel free to text him with words of encouragement sometime this week!  If he doesn't have your number make sure you let him know who it is :) 208-891-2113.  

In closing, my friend Carla is a kindergarten teacher.  Her students wrote letters to Zach with advice on how to beat this thing.  We really enjoyed reading the letters as Zach sat for his infusion today.  The usual suspects--eating more veggies and sleeping--were mentioned.  Our 2 favorites:  play more video games and snuggle with something to feel better.  

Ben and Zach today at MSTI.

 Mr. Oliver earned his keep at his Grandma Kathi's by doing a bit of yard work.  

I bet I am not the only parent who has taken 3,000 pictures of child #1 and at this rate is on track to meet that quota for child #2…never.  So, here is adorable Max and my attempt to play catch up.  With everything going on I haven't noticed how much he has grown until I look at this picture.