Round Two

After enjoying a week off due to low blood counts, Emmett jumps back into the thick of his treatment protocol tomorrow.  He has a procedure to place an ommaya reservoir in his brain at noon.  This will allow chemotherapy to be put directly into his brain/spine without having to do a lumbar puncture each time.  The doctors consider this a minor procedure...but putting hardware into our child's head it seems pretty major to us.  Chemotherapy then starts on Tuesday and continues for the rest of the week.

The upside is that we've been through one cycle already we have a good idea of what the next three weeks hold.  The downside is that we know just how miserable Emmett's going to be which in some ways makes the second round worse than the first.

We're really grateful for the relaxing week we had as Emmett continued to recover from the first round.  Because it was a down week Micah took his first trip back to NM to work for a few days.  It was incredibly difficult to be away, but at the same time fulfilling to put 100% of his time and efforts into providing for our family for a couple days.  Sometimes the most important thing he can do for Emmett isn't necessarily being by his side.  It's so important to have means to pay for Emmett's medical care right now. 

Micah enjoyed visiting with friends and the young men from church during his short trip.  It's amazingly strengthening to talk to people who love, support, and empathize with you during a trial like this.  It's hard to describe, but knowing there are people out there who are praying with you, who are crying with you, and who would do anything in their power to help you somehow buoys you up and gives you strength to go on.  Even though there's not much anyone can do, just knowing they're there and how much they care helps you get through another day.  Many thanks all those who reached out to Micah with many kind gestures over the past few days!  The thoughts, notes, and conversations all meant so much...and the food wasn't bad either - he says he gained five pounds.  We love you!

After Micah arrived back in Boston Saturday we spent the rest of the weekend enjoying as much family time as possible.  Emmett especially enjoyed flying his new Pooh kite and a visit from his cousin Tyson!