Well, Evan was supposed to undergo aggressive treatments this past week, including multiple, daily doses of different chemo drugs, both IV and IT via lumbar puncture. In order to begin this part of the phase, his platelets needed to be > 75,000 and his ANC greater than 750. Labs Monday showed his ANC was only 325 with a white count of 1.2. His platelets and other portions of the CBC and chemistries were normal. So, the doctor decided to delay this aggressive treatment for one week to let his body heal a bit and rest. This coming Monday, he will have repeat blood work done to see if he is ready to continue the phase.
The doctor said this is completely normal and actually pretty common. The previous doses of chemo were pretty aggressive and knocked his immune system for a loop. We expect his blood work to be much better Monday, but will have to wait and see. With the week off, Evan has been more relaxed, and without any side effects from previous chemo. As predicted by Dr. Palmer, his hair would be gone by last Monday, and true to form, it pretty much was. It was so patchy that he allowed Jess to shave the rest off. Again, this is something no child should have to think about or worry about. But here we are. I told him "bald is beautiful, look at me!". I think it helps for him to know he looks like dad in the hair department, and he also knows it is temporary. His hair should grow back in the next few months. But even with all the assurances, he is still self- conscious of his baldness. He is worried other kids will laugh at him. Maybe so, maybe not, but to see your kid worried about such things is pretty rough. It's not fair. But, we will get through it. He will come out stronger and better for all this stuff, I have no doubt.
Even though he is profoundly immunocompromised, we allowed Evan to get outside and enjoy some sun and fun outdoors. That is pretty incredibly therapeutic for a kid who loves the outdoors.
So, while we continue to deal with all the trappings of a child with cancer, we know it could be so much worse. There are those out there with worse cancers, worse injuries, worse problems. There are those out there who have zero hope in anything greater than themselves, or a celebrity, or a political figure, or Google. There are those out there who are well dressed, maybe have the best of everything, who smile all the time, who seem to have it all together, party all the time, believe the government will save them from all their ills, and believe in the sham that plays out before us every day in the news. There are those who believe a mask will save them or a gene therapy injection will buy their freedom back from the government. There are those who find peace and contentment, maybe an escape in the Bachelor or the NFL.
But, you see, we continue to have hope in Jesus Christ. It is truly a hope that passes all understanding. We are right here, right now for a reason. We will stand right beside Evan throughout his entire journey, hold his hand the entire time, and carry him when needed without fail. We do it with the pride and joy instilled by our Father. We won't waver, we won't give in or give up. We wouldn't rather be anywhere else or hope in anything less. Those who have hope in worldly things will end up empty, but those who know in their hearts that their God is greater than any storm will endure. If you think you have it all together in life and faith in God is nonsense, I'm here to tell we will all have to face a storm in this lifetime. Your storm IS coming. How will you anchor your soul, your spirit, your mind, and heart? In an episode of Friends? Booze? Cocaine? Good luck.
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