Up, Up and Away!!!

In the previous entry we discussed the very real probabilty that our Hero would have to undergo a blood transfusion as part of the aggressive treatment he's been undergoing. Well, evidently someone forgot to tell him as his superhuman body decided this would not be necessary. His drops in Hematocrit, Platelet count and ANC were minimal and his WBC actually has already started going back up. The great report is reflected in JoJo's activity level and his overall happiness. Here's to this leading to a great summer! As always, everyone's thoughts and prayers have been golden so please keep them coming! Stay tuned...

Barely Breaking Stride

Our Hero continue his march through these tough days of treatment with his head high and proud. With the help of his nausea meds every six hours, a lot of quality playtime with his big brother and his cousins, the Xbox 360 and of course breaks for some food, he was able to really enjoy the sunshine over the weekend.

Tuesday Joe headed back to the hospital for a few blood tests and of course more treatment. The numbers were encouraging (Hematocrit - great at 30.6, platlets were down to 168 and ANC is still solid at 768) but Team Taylor is staying cautiously optimistic and are aware of the nature of the treatment and know that numbers going down are normal and blood transfusions are normal in this stage. Tuesday did bring a bit of sensitive skin (his dressing needed to be changed three times due to discomfort) but this may be as much due to the fact that even with his deep dark tan, the chemo has made his skin extra sensitive. Mark this one up to lesson learned and extra precautions next time he's running around outside.

Now, a little note from Mom...

We are so pleased that Joe is happy and comfortable! Wow, thanks for thinking and praying for him through this. We expect this week's medicines to be impacted by last week's doses. But we should be able handle what comes our way. Thanks for thinking and caring for us.

As always thanks for the thoughts and prayers, keep them coming!!! Stay tuned...

"Once more into the breach..."

With the greenlight given from the doc, his Xbox under his arm and confidence in his stride our Hero returned to the hospital to start his treatment anew. Although not necessarily looking forward to the treatment part, he was looking forward to get an audience for his gaming. (The staff there said Joe was the first in the clinic's history to take Cytoxan while playing an Xbox.) All parties were happy to see that the Zofran and Reglan (anti-nausea medications) seemed to work really well when partnered with a bit of Bendadryl mixed in because the Reglan can result in the shakes. He seemed pretty impervious to it all though, at one point even being chastised for running around with his port needle in. :)

So it is with this trip that the not-so -un stuff begins again. The nausea should ramp up as the days go and everyone knows the fasting prior to treatments aren't fun for JoJo. But Mom is pleasantly surprised to see he is making good, sugar free food choices on his own. Ten days and counting with the strong, tough treatment so keep on, keeping on with the prayers and positive vibes. Stay tuned...

Patience Rewarded! Wait... you call this a reward?!

After a bit of what Mom is calling a 'vacation,' our Hero's ANC numbers have climbed back up to 923, which easily passes the 750 he needed to reach to resume his treatment. Although a big relief to all parties, the extra pokes for his tests haven't done much for his anxiousness but with this extra experience Team Taylor has been able to discuss and come up with a good routine that JoJo has essentially laid out for himself. He has taken a very active role in calmly determining that the numbing cream used before the needles is definitely the way to go. Joe remains in charge of his own body, as well he should.



Today our Hero heads back in to the hospital for a full day admit of Cytoxan but don't worry, he doesn't go alone - the XBox will be joining him. Our Hero loves to play while everyone is watching and then have everyone else play so they can see firsthand how good he is as well as to show the adults, there are a few things kids can do better than them. Even though Team Taylor knows the next little bit is going to be pretty tough, but they eyes remain trained on the prizes - 1. A clean bill of health for JoJo and 2. A much awaited trip to Legoland once the treatment is done and the numbers are back up. As always folks, thanks for keeping the prayers and positivity flowing! Stay tuned...

Sometimes it takes a bit longer for the sweet 'fruit' patience bares, to ripen

As the title of this entry would indicate, our Hero is closer but still not quite ready to start the next treatment protocol. His ANC climbed a bit to 568 but hasn't quite reached the magic 750 that is required to continue. Patience, young Jedi, patience. Although the numbers are reflecting it a bit more slowly than everyone would like, JoJo's energy is returning, which is obviously a welcome sight. Everyone just is very eager to make that final push to get the 'yucky stuff' finished! But while his body strengthens, Joe further prepared for the final pushes of the treatment by doing a little proactive shave. As his hair was falling out at a pretty quick pace, he opted for the Dad haircut and he looks as handsome as ever.

It's important to recognize that Team Taylor isn't limited to just one Hero. This week big brother Paul was recognized for being a bit of a hero himself. As those with big brothers know, they aren't always 'heroic' but as those that have big brothers also know, they can be pretty great too. Paul showed a bit of that greatness this week as a normally shy and soft-spoken Paul, spoke for ten minutes in class sharing the story of his Hero, his brother Joe. He told the class about all the needles and the pain and what his little brother was doing to beat this condition. As we've said before, Leukemia picked the wrong guy to mess with - but not only because of his heroic nature but because of the strength and heroic nature of those around him, people like his big brother Paul.

Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming for healthy livin' and high numbers! Stay tuned...

UPDATE: Just a short little update to let everyone know everyone is getting tired of flexing our patience muscles. Our Hero's ANC numbers are still slowly creeping up but not enough to start and in addition the fact that his WBC looks to be going down a little bit has Team Taylor a little concerned as that usually results in the ANC numbers going down as well. Another set of tests on Friday, hopefully more information will be gleaned then. Other than that JoJo is feeling pretty good and looking good so, double up on the prayers and positive vibes. As always... Stay Tuned...