Blake's Health Update 2010/05/27

Blake received his Second Injection of Methotrexate yesterday, May 26th.

I found a bit of humour in our visit yesterday. The nurse said, "OK, I'll just go and get things ready; but first I need to tell you that our procedures have changed in that I need to wear a gown and mask and goggles while giving you your injection. I just wanted to forewarn you before I walk into the room all gowned-up."

When she left the room, I pulled out Blake's vial of Methotrexate and placed it on his file on the table. She returned (and yes, she was all decked out in the modern bright yellow disposable gown with fashionably flattering goggles) and in her hand was a needle already filled with Methotrexate. She said, "Oh, I already have the medicine." I said, "Do you want to replace your stock with our Methotrexate vial?" "Nope!", she said, "That's OK". So, we now have an extra dose of Methotrexate! That's about a $20 savings!

While she was injecting Blake, I said, "So why the sudden change in procedure of having to gown-up, just to give an injection?" The nurse replied, "Well, this is hazardous material, and we need to gown-up to protect ourselves."

Oh my goodness.... I had to chuckle. She is saying this as she is injecting hazardous material INTO MY SON's BODY! hahhaa. Just seemed extremely ironic to me. Now folks, I completely understand the fact that it's hazardous, don't get me wrong. I get that. It just seemed funny that they're protecting themselves in case, by fluke, some of the matter happened to splatter on them; however, 25mg of hazardous material is being injected into the body of my baby.

OK, maybe you don't find it so humorous, but it just struck me as comical. Remember, in these stressful times, you need to find the humour!

Alrighty then.... moving right along.

So from what we can see so far, in Blake's symptoms from the Methotrexate, is that he seems to be a little more tired after the injection and it is producing a bit of nausea. He woke up this morning and wanted a Gravol. The nausea wasn't bad, but he wanted to get a handle on it before it got worse. That's when he told me the nausea happened last week as well.

"'Scuse me???? I don't recall you telling me you were nauseated last week????"

Well, he didn't think it was important to mention to me.

I'm inserting my angry eyes here!

"Ummm, yah Blake? I'd like to know ALL your symptoms..... ALLLL YOUR SYMPTOMS!"

So, unless there's something else that Blake is not sharing, it looks like the only apparent symptoms are fatigue and a bit of nausea. The fatigue was here before the injections started, though; so I'm not sure if it's from the meds or just the disease having a little temper-tantrum flare-up.

His weight is getting quite low again, which is concerning me. But we'll keep an eye on it. I may have to invest in a scale. I've never owned one because I never liked to see my own weight! However, under the circumstances, I think I should be weighing him, even daily.... just so I can monitor the situation a little more closely.

I'm also developing the idea of some type of chart that would be easy for him to fill in daily or a few times a week. Our friend, Lola (Hey Lola!!!), said she always kept journals, keeping track of every detail. This chart idea that I'm having should not be too overwhelming for Blake; otherwise, I can see him not utilizing it at all. But I thought if I just had a space to record things on a level from 1 to 10, or High/Medium/Low for the following items:

- generally feeling

- fatigue level

- weight

- appetite

- bowel movements

- bleeding

- pain level

- stomach pain

- back pain

I don't know whether it would work or not; but it might help get a snapshot of the whole picture. Might help the doctors as well.

I wanted to share a few recent pictures with you. These are mostly photos of Blake's hospitalizations from the end of April to mid May 2010.

To start things off, here's a picture of Blake behind his dorm in Sussex, New Brunswick, on Monday, April 26, 2010. He is pictured here (l-r) with his cousin Sydney, his roommate Joel, and Syd's boyfriend Aaron, all students of Bethany Bible College. You wouldn't know that Blake doesn't feel well in this photo. It wasn't until we got home that we realized how ill he was.

Sydney, Blake, Joel, Aaron - Sussex, NB - April 26, 2010

When we arrived home in Ontario on Tuesday, Blake started passing blood again (actually started on the way home from NB, but he didn't say anything... grrrr.) So on Wednesday morning, off to Picton's Emergency Department we go.

This photo is in Picton's Emergency Dept and Blake is giving me his usual "sticking-out-of-the-tongue" for the photo.

Blake - Picton Emerg. - April 28, 2010

I said, "Can you not let me take a picture of you WITHOUT sticking out your tongue???" Well, apparently the answer was "NO", so I tried to shove his tongue back in!

Blake - Picton Emerg. - April 28, 2010

Blake - Picton Emerg. - April 28, 2010

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Then he said he'd give me a decent picture.

He lied.

Blake - Picton Emerg. - April 28, 2010

Blake - Picton Emerg. - April 28, 2010


Doctors did not hesitate to admit him, thankfully. He was moved upstairs to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). He was not in critical condition; I believe it was just because they were short on beds. I'm thankful they didn't just send us home! Oh yah, apparently it's not called the "ICU" anymore.... it's The Monitoring Room. Call it whatever you want.... I'm just thankful my boy was being looked after.

(Again with the tongue!!!!).....

Blake - Picton Hospital - ICU Room - April 29, 2010

Blake spent a few days in Picton waiting for an available bed at Kingston General Hospital. While waiting, he got moved to a private room!!! (Thinkin' one of our favourite nurses pulled some strings!) Looks like he's in an office with phones and computer!

Blake - Picton Hospital - April 30, 2010

When Monday arrived (May 3rd), we were told that we would be transferred to Kingston General Hospital around suppertime that evening.

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We spent from Monday evening until Friday afternoon in Kingston. The reason for taking us to Kingston was so that Blake could start another medicine (Imuran); however after we arrived in Kingston we were told they would not start Imuran until they weaned him a bit off the Prednisone. [Insert frustration font here. Why couldn't we have just stayed in Picton??]

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Blake - Kingston General Hospital - May 7, 2010

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We were later informed that Imuran has a side effect in some young men..... Lymphoma!!!! (cancer in lymph nodes). Thankfully our Specialist, Dr. Depew, decided Blake would NOT be taking this med! Instead he'd try Methotrexate (a chemotherapy-type drug). That's what he's on now.

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One of our roomies in Kingston was named Ron, an extremely nice gentleman from the Campbellford area. We were not surprised at his name, since last time we were hospitalized in Kingston we were roomed with a "Ron" & "Don".

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Ron got to go home, so we snapped this pic as he finished his lunch before heading out. Blake had just gotten out of the shower.

Ron & Blake - Kingston General Hospital - May 5, 2010

On Friday, Blake got the thumbs up to go home. My Mom and sister Danielle and nieces Beulah & Hilda (Celia & Abby) came to pick us up. Blake bought lunch for everyone, an early Mother's Day treat for his Momma & Grandma.

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Blake was naturally tired from his trip home. However, around 1am (early Saturday morning) he awoke with joint pain in shoulder & elbows. It then spread to knees, calves, and ankles. He had a bath around 3:30am. The pain got so bad, I had to literally lift him to the side of the tub. Jacob had to come in and carry him from the bathroom and he laid Blake on my bed. The pain was getting worse. Jacob carried him to the car, and we rushed him back to Picton's Emergency Department where the doctors checked him over.

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(I know I've already posted this information, so if you want more details, you can go back to this post.)

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You can see the pain on his face. He had, like, eight shots of morphine in two hours to just get the pain under control.

Jean (my Mom) & Blake - Picton Emerg. - May 8, 2010

I took a picture of his legs, as that's where the pain centralized. It really had the doctors stumped. There was no swelling, no redness, no pain when doctors applied pressure. They immediately contacted specialists in Kingston. I appreciate them being honest in saying they were stumped. In a world where many people have their head up their own butt, these doctors were very honest and didn't want to mess around because of the chronic disease that Blake now possesses. (Thank you to Doctor Gibson & Doctor Lett. You're great!)

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Doctor Lett aspirated Blake's left knee, and the little bit of fluid that he got showed no apparent sign of infection.

Blake's legs - Picton Emerg. - May 8, 2010

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It wasn't long and we were back in an ambulance to Kingston General Hospital. We had a nice chat with Mike & Brandon, our ambulance attendants. Super nice fellows. (Thanks, guys.) They delivered us to Kingston's Emergency Department.

Blake - Kingston General Emerg. - May 8, 2010


Blake was feeling pretty rough, although the pain was more bearable. Thank you, Mr. Morphine!
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Jon and Jake drove down, but they would only allow two visitors at a time. Michelle worked her sneaky magic and walked right out into the waiting area, got Jake, and tried to get back in. Uh oh. Security Guard. "Uhhh, I just came out here to get my son so he can see his brother in emerg." (Well, I wasn't lying!!!!!) "Oh, OK," said the guard, and he pushed the button to open the door. Hmmm, that was easy.
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Jake, Jon, Blake - Kingston Emerg. - May 8, 2010

The Kingston Emergency Department was huge! (or at least it seemed huge to Picton's). And it was so sad. One man came in and placed behind the curtain just next to us. The guy was obviously in pain and the nurse seemed somewhat UNsympathetic. I have a feeling he was a drug user, as she seemed to know him, and maybe this was a habit for him of showing up at Emerg. My heart still ached for him, though. He was definitely experiencing an amazing amount of pain.
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And there was an elderly lady a few beds down who was literally crying. I sooo wanted to go over and climb into bed with her and cuddle her and tell her it would be all right. Again she didn't get much sympathy. I'm not bad mouthing the nurses. I know they're busy. I just wish this little ol' lady could've been in Picton's Emerg. We are treated so extremely well there. And then I wondered where on earth the woman's family was? I mean, I haven't left Blake's side! I guess some don't have family nearby; but what a terrible experience to go through all by yourself.
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Sorry, back on track.....
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Here we are later that evening. My sisters, Wannett & Danielle, drove down with a few toiletries and change of clothes, as well as some important needs..... cookies, chips, and some French Vanilla from Tim Horton's. Yes, they definitely have their priorities straight. :o)
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Jon, Blake, Danielle, Wannett, Jake - Kingston General - May 8, 2010
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Each day the pain subsided, and after a visit from the Rheumatologist, it was decided he likely had a viral infection; no arthritic problems. We were discharged on May 11th.
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We had a very quiet week at home. Blake is a member of Grampa's Goodtime Gang, and they had a CD Release show on May 16th at Mt. Tabor in Milford. He was pretty tired and had to sit through the entire show, but everyone was extremely pleased that he was able to make it and able to perform. For being so weak, he's amazingly strong!

Blake - Mt. Tabor - May 16, 2010

Well, I did it again. I intended only to post pictures and not do much writing, but alas, I have failed again. haha.

I need to keep Blake healthy so I can get some posts done on Jake & Jared. Jared has posted a lot of hockey and soccer pictures on Facebook, so head over to his site if you're lucky to be one of his friends.
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Thank you, folks, for your concern. I know I say this a lot, but we appreciate your love. We are not going through this trial alone. We are surrounded by an army, who continues to surround us and watch our backs. A physical army and a spiritual army.


'
You can't get much safer than that.

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

My Mom & Dad celebrate their Wedding Anniversary today. They've put up with each other enjoyed each other's company in marital bliss for 47 years now!



Here they are on May 25th, 1963.....


Jean E. (Steenburgh) & L. Dwain Fraser - May 25, 1963







Dad was 26 years old and Mom was 21. Mom wore her oldest sister's wedding gown (Aunt Phyllis's) and Dad wore a little black wool suit. I have that wool suit in my costume bin! Blake wore it for dress-up at a function in elementary school and it fit Blake perfectly.... I think Blake was in Grade 6!!!!! What a tiny physique my Dad must've had 47 years ago!







And then in 1967 they had this very beautiful bundle of joy!!!!!! (Well, I'm quite sure that's THEIR words, not mine! [wink])........

Dwain & Jean Fraser with first-born Michelle - 1967




I see Mohawk hair cuts must've been the "in thing" for babies in 1967..... right alongside the "bee-hive" hairdo! haha. (Just kidding, Mom; you look great!) And Dad..... you DO have a face under that beard!!!! Who knew!!!!

And here they are 47 years later......

Dwain (73 yrs old) & Jean (68 yrs old) - (taken Nov 2009)

Dad is doing the Little Rascals Woodchuck wave!

Happy Anniversary, love birds!

Jean & Dwain Fraser - (taken Oct 2008)



Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work. ~Author Unknown

What Is A Sister?

What is a sister?


A sister is someone who will travel for hours with you to find the perfect graduation dress for a daughter/niece..... then take a load off those weary feet before heading to the jewellery department........





A sister will travel up and down those escalators.... all day long..... in and out of stores...... looking for just the right shoes to go with that gown!........








And sisters will attend that Grade 8 graduation and will wipe the tears from their eyes as they watch their nephew/son and niece/daughter move to the next stage in their lives.......









A sister goes to a fundraising event to support her sister, who raised $1,450 with the selling of just ONE PIE so she could afford to travel on a mission trip to Kenya.......






A sister (and her daughter) comes to the hospital to visit her nephew before she heads to the airport for Africa. One last goodbye before travelling to Kenya to meet her sponsor child and take gifts to many other eagerly-awaiting children......

A sister is someone who talks you out of buying the whole skid of PEPSI at the entrance of Zellers, even if the fizzing up the nose is worth the extra weight on the hips........

Sisters unselfishly help you drive a young boy back to his college 14 hours away..... two provinces to the east..... with frequent stops at Timmies........

Sisters decorate the mini-van with balloons and bring along window markers and brightly coloured lit-up balls and name tags and poster boards...... all for the purpose of thoroughly embarrassing the teenage boy who must ride with crazy women for 14 hours straight..... what an extremely brave young man!.........










A sister does interpretive dance in the hotel room after the 14-hour van ride.......










..... as well as the hokey-pokey. I believe it's called The Happy Dance after we had staff RE-CLEAN the toilet in our "already cleaned" room. Oooh.my.goodness..........[gag].......










A sister just happens to pull up beside you in the bank parking lot.... and after talking for a bit, realizes that she must use the "ladies powder room"..... IMMEDIATELY...... however, she cannot make it across the parking lot without "an accident" happening and must sit back down in her van until "the moment passes". A good sister would never have told you that story on a public blog........












A sister makes good food for you to eat when you go to her house to watch the good ol' hockey game on the big screen.........











Sisters dress themselves up, even though they've outgrown the Trick or Treating (maybe), just to keep their kids entertained........












A sister takes her nephew on the family vacation to Newfoundland, and also takes the time to stop at his future college in NB to check things out.......











Sisters get together on the soccer field on hot summer days to cheer on, and likely embarrass, all their kids who make us immensely proud........










Sisters make a long journey to the hospital to ensure their nephew and oldest sister are okay......











Sisters will get up and perform a song, that they've never rehearsed!, at a fundraiser for their nephew/son, where thousands of dollars were raised by the best folks in the world to help a very sick young man and his family afford his very-costly-and-not-yet-government-funded medications.......







Sisters appreciate the blessed opportunity of attending a Christian Women's Weekend Conference with 350 other spectacular ladies......







Sisters get a little crazy in the van on the way to the Women's Conference and receive strange looks from curious city folk.....

Sisters cry, and use the readily available tissues placed at each table, when their sister starts crying on stage while telling others the joy of meeting her "sponsor daughter" in Kenya......

Sisters decide to get senile with Ma Critter at the Conference, then "roast" her in front of 350 women with pictures of the past........ Ohhhhh, BIG mistake, ladies.......






Sisters should not be given cameras as they wait for children to begin their indoor soccer tournament...... Boredom results in silliness........






.... and realizing that you both have a droopy left eye.......







.... and realizing that boredom can make you do crazy things......

..... and make you think, "Heeeey!!!! We don't look too half bad in these dark-rimmed nerdy glasses!!!"........

Sisters travel to the hospital once again with bags and bags of necessities for a hospital stay...... cookies, chips, mixed nuts, and a brand new container of Tim Horton's French Vanilla mix. We are WELL looked after!........

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. ~Amy Li


A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine


You can kid the world. But not your sister. ~Charlotte Gray


Sisters never quite forgive each other for what happened when they were five. ~Pam Brown [Note: Wannett hit ME with the pink phone!!!!]

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double. ~Toni Morrison

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? ~Jenny DeVries


Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown


There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me. ~Mary Montagu

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. ~Author Unknown


When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? ~Pam Brown


The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble. ~Clara Ortega


A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown


I know some sisters who only see each other on Mother's Day and some who will never speak again. But most are like my sister and me... linked by volatile love, best friends who make other best friends ever so slightly less best. ~Patricia Volk

There is no better friend than a sister. And there is no better sister than you. ~Author Unknown

Sister to sister we will always be,
A couple of nuts off the family tree.
~Author Unknown

Blake's Health Update 2010/05/19

UPDATE: (10:30pm)
After I published this blog post, I checked some messages, and one of them is from a new friend whose husband (Will) has just started receiving Remicade (the miracle medicine Blake received last fall & winter) . First three days were great, then some problems set in for Will..... severe migraines, muscle/joint pain, nausea and hives. His wife is not sure if he's reacting to the Remicade or if it's because of a previous cold he had just before his treatment. (You cannot receive Remicade if you have signs of any fever, cold, etc.). I told his wife that I would ask my friends, many who are dedicated prayer warriors, to pray for Will. Would you please do this for me, folks? Thanks a bunch).
________________________


Today Blake and I travelled to Kingston's Hotel Dieu Hospital to receive his first dose of Methotrexate. (More info on the meds in a bit).

I was listening to UCB Canada 102.3 in the vehicle and enjoying the Christian music as we sped drove down the 401. Although I am appreciating more of the music that they play these days, I must confess that I really do wish more hymns were played.

And then, lo and behold, a "new" song came on, and in the bridge of the song they started singing the following words:

Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

What a bursting thrill for my soul! A hymn! I loved it! The bridge of the song was only this one verse, but what a blessing it was to me, all the way down to my boots! Well, ok, I was actually wearing sandals, but you get the idea.

All I could think of was, "Man, I wish my kids heard more of these good ol' hymns!!!!!!" I cannot believe how many of them I can sing along to without having the words in front of me. I love hymns because, (and I may have written this before), they are really the "meat and potatoes", aren't they? (Uh oh, I'm gonna hear it now from the vegetarians out there, as well as those folks who watch their starch intake! haha)






So I just wanted to share the verse of that hymn with you. It's not about us, it's about our Lord. We were put here for Him. Awake, my soul, and sing to the Almighty King!







Mmm-hmmm. Good stuff.







OK, on to information about Blake.







We received our first dose of Methotrexate today around 1:30pm. They kept us until around 2pm, just to ensure he didn't have any immediate reactions to the meds. He seems really tired tonight, so I'm not sure if he's just exhausted because I yanked him out of bed before 10am (that's right... 10am was an EARLY morning for him!) or if it's because the meds are knocking him out a bit.







The nurse said she was talking to one recipient of Methotrexate who reported that she was really tired the next day, but fine after that. I guess everyone experiences different things. Hopefully Blake won't experience anything other than healing!!!! A friend of ours got a severe reaction after her third dose, so I guess anything can happen at any time; but I'll try and remain positive!







Wanna hear something absolutely ridiculous? Of course you do.







Well, you all know that the Remicade (which the government won't pay for until we try the Methotrexate) is apparently $18,000 per year (approx.) if the government pays for it. (It would be over $26,000 per year if WE pay for it, because we have to pay for the use of the clinic and for the nurse to administer it, etc. [ya, I know... insert eye-rolling here]). The Methotrexate is no where near that cost. A three-month supply (that's receiving one injection per week) would be between $250 & $300. When you buy the meds, the box for one month contains four little tiny bottles. However, only HALF of that bottle is used for one injection. And guess what? They don't make the doses in smaller bottles, so guess what happens to the other half of the bottle after the nurse injects the first half into Blake?







Yup. That's right. Right into the ol' gar-bage-i-o. So basically we are paying for twice the amount of medicine we need! How absolutely sad is that!!!!! And most patients receive that same dosage. So anyone getting it by injection is having to throw out the other half!!! Makes you wanna find a Methotrexate buddy and share a bottle or two and split the cost!







Now here's the other thing. Blake applied for, and was accepted by, The Trillium Foundation. For those of you who are not familiar with the organization, they will pay for your drugs in Ontario. So far, some of our drugs haven't been covered, and some have been partially covered. Once Blake meets his deductible each quarter, there is only supposed to be a $2 fee for his meds. Now get this: Methotrexate, which is apparently older than the hills, is not covered when it's by injection.... it's only covered if taken by pill orally! [insert Oh Brother! and shaking of the head here].







Go figure.







And Blake can't take it by pill form right now because the body absorbs it better by injection, and that's what Blake needs right now.







Sometimes I feel like I'm dragging around a dead horse!







Oh well. My son is alive. Skinny! but alive. Who am I to complain? There are so many others out there as ill, or more ill, than Blake. I suppose I'm not really complaining... or maybe I am..... but I guess sometimes it's just so frustrating.







We live in Canada. We have alllll these great "benefits" and "plans" to assist those in need. They dangle them in front of us like a carrot and say, "Now just try and come and GET 'EM!!!" Then when you think you've got things in place to help you out, you're told "Sorry! Not covered!" Grrrrr.







OK, enough grumbling. Shifting gears. I'm going back to the beginning of this post and concentrating on that hymn. It's not about me. It's not about Blake. It's about our Lord. Our King. He is still on the throne. He knows Blake's situation. He knew about it before Blake was even born. He loves us. He cares for us. He's given us so much. And what have we done for Him? We fail to praise Him enough, I think.







We should be thanking Him every day before our feet even hit the floor! We need to fall down on our faces before Him and give Him praise and adoration.







For HE IS OUR KING.







CROWN HIM with many crowns, the LAMB upon His throne!







To Him be all glory and majesty, forever and ever......







.....even when you're battling Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis..... or cancer.... or Alzheimer's..... or liver disease..... or being a paraplegic...... or stroke....... or depression...... or whatever!







Go read Job in the Bible and THEN try and complain.







God doesn't punish us with diseases or trials or sickness. The enemy, Satan, is responsible for that. But God uses those times to draw us closer to Him. He allows those things to happen so we'll rely on HIM, so we are stronger THROUGH HIM; and we are still under the shelter of His wing, in the palm of His hand, we are in His shadow. He goes before us and only asks that we follow Him.







That helps me to keep things in perspective, helps to keep my focus on the One who watches over us every single minute. He is all-knowing and all-loving. He cares for me; He cares for Blake; and He cares for YOU!








Father, our matchless King, thank you for reminding me once again.

Just a reminder.... please remember to pray for Will! Thanks!

Blake's Health Update 2010/05/16

Holy, Holy, Holy

Lord God Almighty,

Early in the morning

Our song shall rise to Thee....

OK, so I seem to be having a problem with that "early in the morning" thing. I WISH I was a "morning person".... getting up early, eager to greet the day... up before the crack of dawn.... hahhaa....

Yah.... I WISH!!!!

We've been having trouble getting motivated to get out of bed... not just me, but Blake (obviously) and even Jake and Jared too. Jake was always my early riser, having barn chores at 5am just up the road a few clicks. But he's not been doing that lately and seems to have gotten out of the habit of waking early.

I think part of the problem is that we have been staying up later. The key is likely to be in bed by 10pm every night, and then maybe we'd feel like getting up. Blake's reasoning could be the Prednisone, as it keeps you awake; however, I believe the biggest part of his sleeping-in is the genes he inherited from me...... being a night owl... not an early morning rooster!

Anyways, we were up by 9am this morning to enjoy this beautiful sunshine. Blake has headed down to Mt. Tabor with Uncle Graham to rehearse for this afternoon's CD Release Concert for Grampa's Goodtime Gang. Looking forward to the concert, gentlemen!

I don't really have too much to update on Blake's health, other than he's a very skinny-minny and is still quite fatigued. His mind wants to do something, but his body just doesn't cooperate. We are supposed to start the Methotrexate next week; however we did not receive a call for our appointment. When I called down to Hotel Dieu, they knew nothing about it, (Oh brother!), so they put me through to the Specialist's office. The secretary said she has June 9th recorded as his next appointment; but Blake and I are hoping that's just the meeting to check in with the doctor again.... we are supposed to have the appointment next week for just the injection. The secretary called me back and just left a message saying to call her; however, by the time I got her message, she'd left for the day.

I am hoping the appointment is not for Monday or Tuesday mornings this week because we have morning funerals to attend on both of those days. Oh, I'm sure it will all work out. I'm just anxious to get this med into him, as it will take about two months to start to even show signs of being effective.

And the very next opportunity we have, we will be getting that boy's hair cut! I thought he was maybe trying to grow it long again; but I believe it's just a matter of not taking the time to get it trimmed because he hasn't felt well. He can pull his bangs down over the end of his nose. Time to run to the barber, Blake!

I will let you all know how Blake's first dose goes. Please continue to pray for his health. He's one sick little boy. (Oh, I know he's a young man now.... but he's always my little boy.) :o)

Enjoy this wonderful Sunday, folks.