You can't keep a good Hero down...

After a bout of fever and some nausea our Hero started to bounce back as the week went on, energy elevated, the giggle meter started to tip into the red and even some of that JoJo fire we've all come to know and love flashed in the form of some brother-on-brother conflict. (Mom never thought she'd be happy to see that happen.)

The high point of the week was a trip to Lynnwood to Wights, where Joe, chief ornament and nutcracker analyst, loved looking around the store (hands stuffed in pockets per Dr. Mom's orders) telling everyone what one's he liked. It was great to get out on a day trip like that - it's been a while and hopefully will be something that will be happening more and more as Joseph gets stronger and stronger and STRONGER. In the meantime, JoJo will keep focusing his attention and strength on healing (and a little bit on the Xbox and the Nintendo DS video games.)

As far as meds and treatment goes, Joe continues to take his Mecapurine (anti-nausea medication,) Bactrim (anti-pneumonia medication) but no steriods! Joe didn't want any asterisks next to the records he plans on setting so opted for getting off 'the juice.' :) Seriously, they think Joseph's 'moon face' will disappear after about two weeks and his stomach has already gone down a lot and he's lost four pounds. The docs would prefer he not lose so much just yet. Sheesh! Make up your mind medical staff!!! The Italians say it best - Madone!

Friday was the treatment day as usual and started calmly and quietly until the numbing cream was applied and our Hero is no dummy, he knows that means a poke is imminent. Yiayia and big brother Paul both knew it was going to be a 'loud ride' to the hospital. A little "Mission Impossible" movie action in the car helped calm things until he saw sign of the cart and the JoJo siren was turned on for the two 'child life specialists' and a 'poker' (who Mom is convinced will be asking to be moved to another case next time.) But then calm set in and Nonie arrived after the poke and didn't understand the stories because she was witnessing a very calm and collected little man. After the back poke, flu shot, hydration (for the Cytrabine) he had to stay a bit longer than normal but didn't mind at all as his grandmothers were providing a good audience for his Nintendo DS mastery. Finally, it was off to "Johnny Rockets" for some lunch and although Joe didn't eat much he did enjoy the new scenery.

Fingers are crossed for the weekend and today's therapy and the chemo that accompanies it. It's the hope of everyone that the hydration done on Friday will really help the nausea. The count is on for January 18th when Joe and Team Taylor can move past this phase of the treatment.

Joe's blood work indicated his blood was tolerating the increased 'chemo blasting' from last week and his Hematocrit is at 24.4 (any closer to 20.0 and he'll go in for a bit of an 'oil change' next week - aka a blood transfusion.) His ANC was 1545 which is still great to fight off any germs with which he may come into contact.

As a final note, Team Taylor wanted to spend out some special props to an object that has come to be known by all as "Creamy." "Creamy" is JoJo's blanket and he and "Creamy" are inseparable - and "Creamy's" reputation proceeds him as even the nurses say hello to him when he comes in with Joe. All hail Joe the Hero and his faithful "Creamy."

Keep the prayers and positivity coming for a good week of treatment. Each day brings another 'x' on the treatment calendar! Stay tuned...