We’re in a bit of a holding pattern around here. Ronan was supposed to start Blina on Monday, but he didn’t make counts. (He has a minimum number that his neutrophils need to be at to start a new treatment.) It is not totally unexpected or unusual that his counts would drop after ending his cycle of chemo on September 1st. We were a little surprised since he’d held steady all month, but again, not crazy. Still, it delayed us a bit (both frustrating and relieving.) We are getting labs checked locally on Monday and if his counts have recovered, we’ll be admitted to begin Blina on Tuesday. 

Ronan was able to enjoy a week of going to school for half days (masked.) He enjoyed that. I think Jack enjoyed the solo time at home too. It has made this week harder though. Ronan wants to go to school but with counts as low as they are, it’s not a great idea, even in a mask. 

We’ve had a lot of behaviors at home the last few weeks. It’s been challenging and exhausting. Good news though, we found a counselor for the kids and they will both start regular sessions next month. We hope it helps them both process some of this. We are still working on getting us some counseling.

We are also dealing with a lot of the extra stressors that come along with this situation. Leaves at work, figuring out exactly what school looks like for Ronan when he can’t be there. It isn’t going to be as easy as we hoped to get him what he needs at home but we’ve got a great advocate it seems like in his school counselor. She’s working on it. 

Moments to be thankful for this week…Ronan was able to do the monkey bars a couple of times! He used to be a total champ and could just go and go and go and then he lost the ability to do them at all earlier this summer. It was pretty cool to see him make it across a couple of times! Jack has figured out wiggling his eye brows, and in his happy moments is a regular comedian. Ronan got to enjoy some of the fun things at the Ronald McDonald House that he was too sick to participate in when we stayed before. We were only there a night since we didn’t end up being admitted, but it was fun to see him enjoying it. Jack is liking learning time at home and is working hard on his letters. We are all surviving Bryce being back at work (mostly.)

We appreciate your continued good thoughts, healing wishes, prayers, etc. We are limping through together, one day at a time ♥️ This road feels so very long right now!