hold the spinal...

Today was an uneventful trip. Josh was supposed to get his third Spinal Tap of this phase, but instead, because of the bad experiences he had the last two times, they sent us home and rescheduled the LP's for the following 2 weeks. So Josh was happy to escape clinic with a mere port access and once-over (twice ;-)) by his [two] onc-docs.

Just before we reached Pittsburgh though, about a half hour before, Josh started to get real anxious and kicked, cried and screamed the rest of the way. He just kept asking to go home and cried that he hated me.... I guess it wont be the last time. So anyway, it was nice to have a nice easy appointment. I'll never forget the look on Josh's face when Dr. Sara told him she wasnt going to touch him!

On the down side - Josh will now have to go to the operating room for future Spinal Taps so that they can put Josh to sleep beforehand. Well -- when we think of it, it's not really a bad thing. It may take more time and staff, but in the end, our Joshua will walk out of there less scared and ready to face the next visit with that much more bravery!

So next Thursday we have to be in Pittsburgh by 7:30. Yes! in the morning. *Yawn* We will have to leave Erie around 5:00. After Josh wakes up and recovers in the post-op room, we will head up to clinic for his check-up and blood counts.

Speaking of which. Thankfully his counts rose this week, and he did not need the blood transfusion after all. So even if they fall this coming week, we should still be within the acceptable limits.

Again -- thank you to everyone that continue to pray for Josh. We just know he will make it through the next three years like a champ and we pray ourselves that he finds the strength to continue on with the meds he detests taking and the pokes he's growing to accept. And we pray for our family and friends for all the love and support they offer us during this hard transition into this cancer-world we now call reality.