Prickly Porcupine

Mike was discharged from the hospital this afternoon ( yeah )!  After receiving four GcSF injections his neutraphils have risen up to 3.0 which is within the normal range. That means his body will have better protection against infection and he will be able to continue with his chemotherapy schedule. His cough seems to be improving and his temperature has stayed down as well. We also received good news that his tumor markers have come down to the normal range. Before he started chemo his tumor marker levels were two and half times higher than normal, so the first cycle of chemo has been effective at bringing them back within the normal range. The doctor explained that this is the response they were hoping to see. Knowing that the chemo is killing the cancer cells brings some renewed motivation to keep plowing through its many discomforts. He will start back on chemo Monday morning  and continue for 5 days of treatment.

As soon as Mike arrived home from the hospital he was ready to shave his head. The last couple of days in the hospital his hair has been falling out and making a huge mess so he was ready to say goodbye to his curly locks. In our home Mike is the one who cuts the boys' hair, so we thought it would be fun for them if we let them help shave Mike's hair. Toby shaved some off and looked very honored to be trusted with the clippers. Tyler vacuumed up the hair. When we were done Ty giggled and with a mischievous smile said "Daddy you look different." They wanted to touch his hair and it ended in a ticklish whisker rub. Toby has given everyone in the family nicknames so he decided Daddy's nickname was now Prickly Porcupine. The boys don't seem phased by the change and are so excited to have Daddy home from the hospital, so am I.

Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, o my soul,
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live
Psalm 146:1-2

Thank you for interceding for us, grieving with us, believing with us and rejoicing with us on this journey.