Week 4 of Jake's Journey...........

Yesterday was Jake's fourth week of treament. He recieved the strongest medicine of the three (Vincristine, Dactinomycin, Doxorubicin) that he has for his treatment. We had dreaded this week because it was the first time for Doxorubicin. He takes vincristine weekly for the first 10 weeks but the other two are rotated at three week intervals. Vincristine has very mild side affects so it doesn't effect him too much. The other two are the ones that knock down his immune system, blood counts levels and cause hair loss. We expected him to be quite nauseas and tired after this treatment, but if we keep him up on his anti nauseous med he is doing really well. He is amazing.  Besides his weekly doctor visits he also has to take two blood pressure meds twice daily, an antibiotic two days a week, anti-nausea (a day or two as needed after his weekly treatments)  and of course his daily miralax because of the side affects of all his other meds. I told Jen he is like a little old man with the meds he is on. They say most kids get off the blood pressure meds after the surgery so we're keeping our fingers crossed. The doctors say he is doing really well and by the looks of his stomach they think the tumor is shrinking. I never could have imagined how consuming it can be. He can't go anywhere so one of us has to be home all the time. There is always the constant stress that he will get a fever and have to be taken straight to the hospital. Next week we have appointments with radiology, oncology and the kidney specialist. Then the week after Thanksgiving we have the CT scan and surgery if the tumor is smaller. Surgey means three to five days in the hosptial. Then radiation is daily for five days the week after surgery. Soooo, the next few weeks is going to be pretty busy. We couldn't do all of this without the support and help of our family and friends. We've relied on family and friends to watch our other kids at a moments notice. Our neighborhood has been amazing also, people just keep dropping stuff off at our house.

It's hard to understand why this would happen to a little two year old. It's hard to watch him go through it day after day. It's also hard to see how affects the lives of all those around him especially his siblings. They can't have friends over, they have to wash and sanitize thier hands constantly. They are so good at playing "soft" with him and helping him. It is so touching to hear them pray for thier little brother and his doctors in every prayer. Jake has been amazing. He always has an upbeat attitude, well except when the doctors and nurses are around, but you can't blame him for that.  It has really put life in perspective. We look at things differently now. It is so comforting to have the gospel in our lives. The knowledge of our Savior and his love for us has sustained us. We have felt  a peace throughout all this that has been very reassuring that it will all work out. I believe this trial isn't for Jake but for the rest of us. It has really opened my eyes to see how good people are. It amazes me to see the outpouring of love and support. We have seen miracles happen. Thanks for your prayers and support. We feel them daily. Enjoy your famillies through this holiday season because that's what it's really all about.