Checklists and check-ups!

We have had a busy week with all the summers-end happenings and then some!   The goals of a summer reading schedule and getting to bed early, have once again escaped any sense of regularity around the Cox household!  Most of us are night owls and that makes it a little tricky for those that work in the early hours.  I always look forward to the fall routine that school naturally attracts.  Football is in full swing for Ryan and Ben, so that means so are the hap-hazard second round of dinners at 8:30pm.  The last minute cram to get as much playing in as possible, school shopping, and dentists appointments also add to the lack of routine tiredness and the ability to be tolerant of so much "togetherness" time.

Autumn seems to bring an endless amount of lists. 

TO DO, TO BUY, TO CALL.

Check lists and Check ups continuously run our days!

Davis has had several check ups this past week and has several next week to determine his constant change in well-being.  Without listing the invasive and detailed, perhaps a checklist would be best.

Head to toe:
Follow-up CT of head and sinuses for the most part looked great.  There was a slight spot seen above one of his eyes in the sinus cavities.  Will follow-up with ENT to scope sinus' on Tuesday.  We pray with all our might that it will be cleared of any further issues with the fungus.

Eye specialist follow-up photos revealed that prayers have been answered and his eye is healing without surgery at this time.  The bleed did however cause a membrane to pull away from the retina that we will continue to monitor and revisit if complications arise or in three months.

Much to his dismay, the side effect of extra hair growth seems to have slowed on his beard and he has decided to shave while he has a few platelets.
After four months of brushing teeth with a sponge, he is hoping to visit the dentist to have a "gentle cleaning"

The biggest complaint at this time, is the constant pain, nausea and vomiting associated with all the drug side effects.  We are hopefully following-up with GI this week to determine the best course of action to pursue.  

Energy levels come and go on a daily basis.  One day walking the stairs is an effort, the next you can find him pushing 4 miles an hour on the treadmill and lifting the "4" pound weights to hopefully regain some strength.  Walks and outings are increasing now with the immunity maintaining, only to be determined by the stomach issues!  Some medications are being altered this next week and we will see how he does. 

KJH has been so helpful in accommodating Davis' needs.  An elevator key to help with the decreased energy, sitting at the edge of the classroom rather than the middle, leaving class a few minutes early to avoid hallway congestion are among a few.   The hope is to set up a web cam for the days he will not be able to sit in class so that he can still participate in the classroom instruction to maintain his grades as a ninth grader. 
With precautions in place, he anticipates starting school like never before.  The thought of being able to interact with friends again is a huge boost. 

This week his platelets went up a little...yea, and go figure the red blood cells went down.  He continues to have the hope that someday the whole group of cells within his marrow will get their act together and maintain at the same time! Patience is a virtue.

So for now the "routine" of fall will have to be ready at any moment to change.

Ability to roll with the uncertainty of life...CHECK!