Status of The Week With Very Important Prologue

Good Thursday Evening and Happy Friday...
Bring it on!!!

I'm a happy by nature, laid back and silly boy. I'm mild mannered, courteous, gentle and subtle... but if you really know me, you know that I have a big personality and a dry wit.

When I don't feel so good, I get kinda quiet and low key... and my the Mom says I 'shrink'.

My personality crashed along with my the Mom's last December and January, when she and I lost our The Luke. She and I did everything together and over time, we each began to come back to life. Then after some fostering trials and a lot of consideration, we decided to add Reufus to our family.

As The Honeymoon faded, life with Reufus Jackson Wright began to get a little... *scratches head, rubs chin*... let's call it "trying". Little squirt had boundless, uncontrollable energy, recognized no boundaries and had no respect for personal space.

And about that time... My personality shrank. And my the Mom assumed it was because Mister Fabulous was forcing us both out of The Space we called Life.

We invested a LOT of time and energy in restoring BALANCE to our home and family, but I remained reserved and a bit withdrawn... 

And then one Friday, my lymph nodes enlarged. The Mom worried over me until the following Monday when she could schedule an appointment with Our Doctor Mark.

The diagnosis of lymphosarcoma was both dreaded and expected. The Mom intuitively knew... and it had already been revealed to her in the same way it had been with Luke. [Story for another day].

The very worst times for the Mom are those that we call LIMBO.

We made quick work of extended tests and talking all of this over with Dr Novosad, who we already trusted with the Luke's care. And after much thought, discussion and consideration, together we plotted a course of action. We determined a Protocol. And we charged forward.

Over the course of treatment, my personality has BLOSSOMED again! I am fun. I am silly. I am ornery!!! My energy, interest and enthusiasm for Our Life has returned. And my the Mom knows now... I was sick, and not depressed.

Things have been going wonderfully, the results far more beneficial than any of the sacrifice! There isn't a regret in sight, and we have had the highest of Hopes!!!

Test time has come, however... You see, with our chosen Protocol, Week 7 marks a "gate", so to speak. This is the point that Remission is expected, as it is the time when The Enemy has seen all the ammo and all The Troops have to offer. And the rest of the Protocol is ineffective to risky if the stability of Remission hasn't been achieved.

This Past Tuesday marked Week 7 for me. And I didn't make Remission.
The Mom had postively thought herself (which is a feat, as all who know her will testify) into believing all is well and that my lymph nodes felt normal. I'm a BIG, SKINNY boy. Nothing about me can be compared, by touch, with any other boy. And with my personality in full blossom, my energy recharged, and my sense of humor unbridled... She had the highest of hopes.

Dr Novosad questioned the size of the last of the lymph nodes. He measured them with calipers, and then to make sure... he aspirated. And I guess, under the microscope... it is revealed that the disease, the Enemy... is still there.

So, after discussion with my the Mom... the recommendation that Dr N made was for me to postpone my Week 7 treatment... and to receive an injection of Elspar instead.

What, you ask, is Elspar? Elspar [Asparaginase]... is an enzyme that interferes with natural substances necessary for cancer cell growth. It works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

The initial few hours after the injection were tenous, as anaphylactic shock was a possibility. I tolerated it well, but because I was given a proactive shot of Benadryl, I was a little lethargic for a while. I also had some significant tummy upset... but I'm over it now, and I'm feeling really darn good again!

As happy as I am, and as good as I feel... there still is some pressure on me. If my test results reveal that I'm in Remission next Tuesday, I can resume my chosen Protocol... Week 7.

I hate to even acknowledge the possibility, but if I fall short of my goal again... We will have to plot a new course, try something totally different. And it would be far better in my long run... not to show The Enemy new weapons. I would much prefer to save those for another day. So...

Please to Pray for Me?
Remission is the Key.

Saturday Sharing: The Reufus Ramblings

I offered Little Reufus a chance to guest host my blog this evening, and I was stunned by his response! I mean, there was excited spinning, shuffling of papers, poses, toys and other things fetched and brought... but no words of communication, at all!

I shouldn't have been so surprised. The Reuf is mostly too busy for words so far in his young life, but that's ok, I'll help him with the narrative!

And so in the great tradition of  Bleulander and Lulander... I present you with Reulander!

Little Big Boy loves his sticks, and like me... he loves the little ones, too!

I love the innocent, curious, sweet look on his face... as he relishes his treasure!

And this is his urgent request for a clue..."say what?"... "what we doing?"..."where are we going???"...

And there's the pensive look, as Reuf processes information.

I really do think he wants to please. You can see that he looks for approval. We are doing our best to challenge him regularly and often, but I know we're not keeping up with his need.

Now, I've got to apologize to The Reuf for violating The Golden Oath of Brotherhood... but I'm posting this 'tinkling' photo. I know, I know. I should be ashamed. And I am... but in the name of really cute tail feathers and pantaloons, I just had to do it! [The Mom shadow is just a bonus!]

The Reufus has EXCELLENT name recognition and response.

Ever wonder what would happen if you had the camera ready and you called, "Reufus Come" from about 25' away???

I didn't think so, but we conducted the experiment anyway. And here is the result: 

Not the fastest shutter speed or the quickest the Mom, but my point is... Reufus is F A S T ! ! !

In fact, the Mom was attempting to make a repair in the backyard... Reuf swept in quickly and took off with the duct tape!

He ripped...

He romped!!!

He settled in for a good chew!!!

And once taken away, Reufus settled for the next best thing...
Plant Matter.

 And that reminds me to tell you...

Twice this past week, Our Little Reufus has quietly maneuvered his way to the mass food storage area... where he feasted, uninterupted... for some time. Out of respect, I've not detailed his gastric upset... but I'll say, I'm grateful to see him grazing on the landscaping again...

From a brother's perspective... the Reuf is a cute cute boy. He's got the coolest, most expressive eyebrows ever... and it won't be long before his clumsy puppy proportions evolve into a very handsome boy!

Until then, I worry just a bit...
Do you think his nose is too large for his little head???

 

 On behalf of The Reufus, I'm signing out...

Mugshots and Memories

Me... The Bleu
"I plea innocent of all charges."

The Reufus
"I just plea!"

The Reufus
House Arrest
"Again, I just plea!"

- - - - -
M E M O R I E S
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Our The Luke
May 30, 2010

Sweet Boy...

Never far from the action of the kitchen,
but always calm and mannerly.

Here's me and my The Brother.

Those were The Days!

It's hard to describe how it felt
to be in his company...

He always had my back.

He taught me the boundaries of love...

don't exist.

Our The Luke.
Forever in Our The Hearts.

Brothers, Sticks, Memories... And Brothers

Ummmm... May we talk? You know... heart to heart? I have a lot on my mind these days, and I need to share...

It's sometimes hard to be a big brother. I mean you wake up, and he's there.

You try to enjoy your back yard, and he's there. He's... just... always... there.

Unknowingly, I teach him stuff.

I mean... what self respecting boy doesn't understand the fine delicacy of a freshly fallen stick?

Reufus. That's wheu.

Fortunately, he's a quick study... or it would be outright and socially embarassing!

I prefer the little sticks... but I shake them as hard as I would a big stick. And yes... it takes a big boy to pull that off without looking silly. I don't recommend the meaneuver for the young and neuly initiated... Just saying.

And, little known fact... sticks are an excellent source of fiber.

I'm not sure if he's lazy or just totally a baby... but he keeps circling me, like I've got the only stick in the yard.

When in actuality... (1) I do not. And (2) At least 25 to 30% of a stick's fun is in the find! Silly boy...

And thanks finally to the Mom giving Reuf his own stick, he finally settled down to savor some tasty roughage!

I might just be making a little progress with him. Take a look... I think he's thinking about his stick. Well, that... or he's continuing to eye mine.

Whichever... Reuf is definitely learning to cheu the sticks!

You may be wondering why Reuf's fur looks a little wet in that picture. Well, we're starting to make progress in the garden manner department, too!

And for that, we have to thank the Mom's new best friend... The Super Soaker Shot Blast!

The Mom still monitors us the entire time we're in the yard. Reuf has taken just a handful of direct soaks and a couple of scares when the water hit the huge philodendron leaves... but it seems the temptation is subsiding already. And as for me... Why, I'm not getting MY fur wet for FILET MIGNON... and certainly nothing in the flower bed!!!

- - - - -
M E M O R I E S
- - - - -

The Mom takes a LOT of photos every day. Always has.
And as we grow in emotional strength and bravery...
We find comfort in reflection.

I share with you... May 27, 2010, one year ago.

Our The Luke

The Mom's Little Shadow.
That's The Luke!

A handsome, happy boy.
And the best big brother a The Bleu could ever have...

Our The Luke.