Round 3

We're back on the children's oncology floor for Cycle 3 of chemotherapy. Keith is receiving a different chemo drug this time which means his stay is one day longer but the side-effects are supposed to be gentler. We hope. So, far he's only been sick once and they aren't using any heavy-duty anti-nausea drugs, so that's good. Cole and Ally have been up to visit the last two days which always brightens Keith's stay. Brent continues to take the night-shift which means he gets zero sleep but it makes Keith happy. He is a true Daddy's boy.
Right now, Keith is asleep and I'm playing the weekly highlight of the oncology floor, BINGO, for him in hopes that I can win some sweet prizes. Hopefully I can blog and BINGO it up at the same time. I'm holding out for O-Stretcher or G-Wheelchair and we have a BINGO.
Yesterday, Keith got to spend some time with one of the therapy dogs on the floor. It made his day.

Keith just wrapped up his last dose of chemo. So, now he needs 24 hours of hydration and we'll get to come home tomorrow night. Aunt Chelsea is holding the fort down with Cole and Ally. She's doing an amazing job. Everyday she has brought them to the hospital looking more put together than I ever do.
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We spent last week in Yakima soaking up the sunshine and spending time with family. Keith continues to be happy and playful despite limited mobility. We had one hiccup in our trip when Keith vomited up his feeding tube but thanks to a kind friend of the family who happens to be an ENT, we got it replaced quickly.
Keith really is doing great. He even surprised us recently when he climbed up the full flight of stairs in our house. He had a P.T. evaluation before our vacation and they confirmed that he definitely needs serial casts to stretch out his heel cord. The first casting should be done tomorrow (in addition to another audiogram). They basically put hard casts on his feet and up to just below his knee and he'll go in each week to stretch out his heel cord and re-cast it in the new position. It's supposed to take around 6 weeks to reach the ideal stretched point. The P.T. said she was surprised at how severe his tightness was, but since he hasn't been tight for too long, she's hoping to see quick results. Time will tell.

Highlights from the Palm Springs of Washington:

Trip to the Tree Family home where we could see their animals and cruise around.

Keith LOVED "driving".

Playing in G & G Smart's playhouse.

Hanging out by the pool. Jenny and Katie came along so they could see what Yakima is really like...Pretty sure they were impressed.

We had a few brutal pool basketball games. Everyone earned their bruises and scratches.

Riding on Aunt Darel's "tail".

Keith and Cole loved playing games with the "big" people.

We attempted to get all the Burnett cousins together for a picture. It turned out better than I thought.

The kids LOVED having scooter rides at G & G Burnett's house.

Brent even took me for a little spin.

Don't the eye shields look amazing?

Overall, a fun and relaxing trip. Brent stayed home from the 9th annual Burnett Fly Fishing Trip to spend time with Keith and the rest of us. For anyone who knows him, that is a HUGE sacrifice. But it's what he wanted to do. It was nice to have so much time to relax as a family with lots of helping hands for the kids.
For now, we are back in reality which is good, too. Not nearly as relaxing, but still good. We've received lots of support from so many. I couldn't begin to name all the kindness we've been shown. It's amazing how people are thinking of us and pay attention to when Keith will be in the hospital. I've learned to be more aware of others as I've noticed people watching out for us.