August 2, 2004

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over although this is suppose to be the hottest month! It seems as if summer is just beginning. Michael was diagnosed on the first day of summer and my how time has flown by. Today we went to radiation and then to the Oncology clinic. Michael is beginning to burn from the radiation and his neck and ears are really beginning to get dark. We completed treatment number 21 which means we only have 7 more treatments! Michael got his blood work done this morning and what a surprise when they came back with the counts. Remember how is average needs to be above 500 in order to be at low risk of infection, but if he would be going into the hospital to get his VAC treatment, then it would be between 750 and 1000? Well, today his counts were 2505!!! PTL!! Can you believe it?? We were really thrilled at how well he is doing. The Dr.’s are concerned with Michael’s vision though. He is having trouble seeing at a distance. The radiation protocol allows Michael to have 2 weeks off and he hasn’t had to have any interruptions in his treatment so they feel that it will be best for Michael to take a couple of days off and give his eyes a break. He will go back Thursday morning to see the radiologist and she will determine if he can go ahead and finish out his treatments. Grandpa Leo, Grandma Jeanette, and Aaron drove down from southern Illinois to visit Michael. Michael wouldn’t go to sleep until they got here. They finally arrive around 11:30 p.m. and Michael was so thrilled to see them. We all got to bed around midnight.