Hanging in There!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that Max is really doing quite well this week. Tuesday was his lowest day of the week and since then he has really been doing better. His energy level is great, he is eating and drinking some and he is overall feeling pretty good. He has had his share of issues with his tummy again from the chemo but, he is hanging in there with them and the doctors and nurses are helping us work on them and they seem to be improving each day. He has not gotten sick at all today which is great!

Only two more days of chemo to go! We can't believe it...the time is just ticking away! We have one more day of Fludarabine tomorrow, which is the chemo he's been on since Tuesday and then the last dose on Sunday which is called Melphalan. It's supposed to be pretty nasty stuff (as if it all wasn't) and is expected to make him feel pukey so, given that he has felt that way with the other stuff, it will probably be a bit rough for a few days. But, after that, Max will be done with the chemo and ready to receive Ellee's marrow on Wednesday.

It's hard to believe that we are at this point already. It's really happened somewhat quickly, it seems. We are ticking down the days with this calendar that I made (see the picture in the beginning of this post) and, of course, anxious to get home and be together as a family again!

Ellee had her first shot of a drug called GCSF today which is intended to spur her bone marrow production to help both she and Max out after the "harvest" on Wednesday. She did really well with it...she cried for a minute but, it was over with quickly and she was back to watching her favorite "Baby Einstein" and eating french fries and Fruit Loops!

The whole process has been amazing so far and we are thrilled that things are progressing as well as they are and that we are right on track at this point. We are praying that this continues and thank you all for all of your thoughts and prayers, which we know have helped throughout the journey so far.

Max is shooting some hoops right now and is looking forward to watching the Spongebob movie on Nickelodeon tonight. Matt and I are actually planning to go downstairs for dinner together while Gaga hangs out with Max for a bit...a rare treat at the moment (not the cafeteria food...the time to actually talk!)

We're all "hanging in there" right now. Taking it day by day. We'll keep you all posted as things progress.

Love,
Kristi (and Matt, Max, Alex and Ellee)