ReachOutGiving

I have not written in a while due to the adjustments and regrouping of my family getting Steven back to school and getting back into a the swing of life. Stevens had a few bats with the germ bugs since we have got home in mid dec. One ended him in the hospital with a fever and counts Super low, a few day stay to recover, but other than that he has been in good health.
With Steven at his one year mark of treatment he has currently going to school and doing quite well. Steven continues to take chemo pills at home and once a month treatment at Seattle children's with the exception of a study drug nelarabine throughout the year is 5 days in a row at children's those are kind of chaotic but what can you do.
In the beginning of this month we began to see a cloud come over Steven and talked with him and discovered that he was feeling depressed after talking to his dr. She said it was normal for these feelings since he has had time to realize all that he has been through and waves of emotion is expected. So steven has started a cancer support group with our church which he really enjoyed, but I think it would be good to find another as well, this whole experience is hard for adults I can't imagine what it is doing to my Steven.
He has one more year of treatment left and then he will be watched for ten years to follow. He has really amazed me and taught me a lot about life I only pray that we will never have to visit cancer again after this in any lifetime.

june 10 2011

we have been going along with treatment as planned Steven is feeling a big loss of appetite but is still managing breakfast and a snack or two trying to figure what will help. his weight has fallen 12 lbs since he began this journey, but he is still trucking on. steven is reacting exactly how the team of dr. expect him to so we are looking forward to the moment treatment slows down we are back and forth for chemo dayly with 2 or 3 days break here and there. 22 in a half months left and counting.

may

we were able to go home last week for a week, and it was lovely visiting friends and family, but it was difficult to think about leaving my other children behind. we are only 1 hr. away, but some people are miles, states away from their homes and children for the best treatment,they were all told to came to Seattle as was I with Steven. I am truly grateful for the resources provided to all of the families here facing tough moments requiring medical attention with their children it is such a blessing. 

as we wait for this phase to begin and anticipate an end we appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have been shared for our family, thank you and god bless

Aimee Dalrymple

april 28th 2011

well today we started a study drug called nelarabine it is to target T-cell and just help things along. with this study came all the side effects as well, so far we have not experianced too much, just nauseousness. still hoping that tomorrow will go well Steven gets this drug for 5 days in a row and has one day down. after this week he moves on for the 2 months of chemo it is supposed to be rough, but he says it will just be one step closer to the end. I find that it is easier to think and see kids going through this and coming out of it with this sense of being that makes them so much different than the rest. this has been an experience that has made me appreciate humanity and has clarified life to be lived in the moment for a greater purpose than the here and now. 

 

ending phase one of treatment low counts and a cold bug too, moving right along next week should be trying so keeping our head up and prayers to go along with the ride