Round 4 Commences!

I was so happy to get this news today, that I teared up and darn near started crying.  Ken's Oncologist told him three more weeks, give or take.

Please, please let it be soon.

Ken was admitted back into the hospital today, to begin round 4.  As usual, it included a lumbar injection (he has a number of these left to go still).  And as usual, a wicked headache followed.

But still, we are both excited.  With any luck, he'll be home for our youngest's first birthday (though he misses his own birthday, as well as his oldest son's).

I'm hoping these days pass quickly, and that treatment continues to go smoothly.

I hate to say I'm counting the days...

But I am.

I don't want to set myself up for disappointment, but I know there's the chance that treatment will continually get delayed or dragged out, for one reason or another.

We had a pretty massive earthquake last night - I felt it here.  It measured at 7.7 on the Richter scale at its origin.  But Ken, being almost 700km South, didn't.  And we had our first real snow of the Winter, but not down on the coast where Ken is.

And so I keep on counting the days.

Photos help; knowing that I can share pictures of the kids make me feel good.  And the boys do like talking to Ken over the computer.  Even if they are very young, there's no way they've even remotely forgotten who their Daddy is.

Round 3 - Finito!

Round 3 of chemo is done!  Woo hoo!

Ken's Oncologist says that he'll be able to come home in 3 - 4 weeks... and I can't wait!  Just one more round to go!

There is still lots of stresses for the time being, but at least Ken is doing well, and flying through his treatment.  I can't ask for much more than that.

Less than a month until my amazing husband is home...

... and kicked out once more...

Ken was released from the hospital today, back into outpatient care.

He's still sick, but his spirits are good.  He still has a lot of chemo left to do, but at least today he got his 'care package', which contained, among other things, a jacket and a toque.  It was still summer when he left, remember?

We're rapidly approaching the two month mark, in regards to his treatment.  Two months since he last saw his kids in person.

At least there's Skype.

This ordeal has taught me a lot... Ken and I have learned that our relationship is incredibly strong, and though this has been a challenge, we're coming through it.  Stronger than ever, even.  We've learned that each of us can be incredibly resourceful, and this is something that will continue to carry on from this point forward.  And we've learned that a lot of the challenges we've previously faced are minor in comparison, and when Ken gets home, many of them will be addressed with a new vigor - if we can beat Cancer as a family, we can beat anything!

Back in the Hospital...

... but it's a good thing; it means Ken's chemo is progressing as expected (they hospitalise him for one of his types of chemo to keep a close monitor on him).

Life is progressing.  This cycle is about half way done.  One more recovery cycle, then one more chemo cycle, then home.

I know he can't wait - he misses him kids (all four of them; though he only gets to see our two daily).

So much has changed in the last 2 months - our youngest is walking (at 10 months old!!).  His older brother is finally talking more and is loving preschool.  It was summer when Ken left, and now Autumn is working it's way into Winter.

We're both counting the days.  Soon...

Here's to hoping...

Ken has picked up some sort of sinus and possibly ear infection.  He's had two days of chemo so far this cycle, with his third scheduled for Tuesday.

I am hope hope hoping that he'll be well enough to continue on Tuesday - at this point, his immune systems hasn't been completely knocked out this cycle.

I'm scared, I know that if his immune system is completely gone, a simple infection like this can kill him.  Best case scenario, he kicks it, and continues with chemo.  If he doesn't kick it, they'll probably delay his chemo until he does -  extending his stay in Vancouver.

This is the part that frustrates me.  Because he isn't hospitalised, he is exposed to every one who comes and goes from the Cancer Lodge.  Most are well, but given the time of year, some are not.  I know Ken is careful to avoid sick people, but there's only so much he can do.  Especially when he has to travel back and forth to the hospital.

At least in the ward they were very careful to keep sick people out.  Ken was isolated in his room for an extended period because of the risk of C. difficile.  I felt safer knowing that he was under the constant care of nurses.

I just need to keep thinking positive that he'll get through this quickly.  Granted, I couldn't even have him here at home right now; our babies have both picked up colds that developed into ear infections.  But that should be dealt with within a couple weeks.

I feel whiny...

... but I don't want to be.

I am so not cut out to be a Single Mom.

I love my boys. I really, really do!

But... I also love sleeping though the night (Ken always got up with them when they woke up).  And when I'm at work, I hate having to rush off to pick them up from daycare, at the risk of getting billed an additional $5 per child for every 5 minutes I'm later.

It'll add up - I sure don't make that kind of money!!

Ken started his third round of chemo yesterday.  So far, so good; he's holding his own as best he can.

I really miss him.  But at least he's doing well.

I think this round of chemo lasts about 10 days - 8 days on outpatients, then back in the hospital to finish it off.  Then, recovery again, and back for the fourth, and final round.

I'm stoked about that part.  I want my husband home.