Friday, October 7, 2005

tired already

As the nurse said today,

"one visit closer to the end..."

I guess that's true. But with 3 years still ahead of us -- the end still seems so far away.

Sorry to everyone that comes for an update to find none.

I'm so tired lately. Suppose the 10 1/2-hour work days, then 3rd grade spelling, 5th grade english and 8th grade math are taking their toll on me. And I thought the homework in college was bad...

Nothing compared to Joshy's journey though.

I had a nice long update tapped out. But guess it's just not appropriate right now.

Too ominous.

Ha - ominously -- one of Halie's spelling words this week.

More visits. A couple more. Bottom line, the new chemo is taking it's own toll on Josh.

and I think I'm tired...

At the beginning of this phase, Josh's ANC started out near 3900. That measures his ability to fight infection. Josh's ANC hasnt been this high since diagnosis. So we started in a good position.

Even before his second dose of Doxorubicin he was down to 1500.

Anything under 1000, he is considered neutropenic and puts him at higher risk for infection.

This week his ANC is 700.

He is now neutropenic. Which means no visitors.

And he had yet his 3rd shot of Dox, so his count will continue to drop.

Next week they predict it will be under 500. Josh cant move on to the next half of this phase until his healthy cells fight back and rise above 1000 again.

A visiting nurse will be coming to the house to monitor his counts until they are high enough for us to return to Pittsburgh. Although, we may have to visit in between for a blood or platelet transfusion if his other counts continue to drop too.

I'm tired and Josh is waiting for me.

Thanks for checking in on us -- dont forget to sign the guestbook, it's encouraging to know someone is actually reading.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2005 06:08 PM, CDT

Hi
I finally had someone figure out how to get onto the caringbridge. Hope everything is going well...Josh is in our prayers and has a permanent place on our altar during mass.
Lookiing forward to reading more on his progress.
Love,
Aunt Kay

Kay Gaddie yak6602@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2005 07:37 AM, CDT

hey, you know I am hear for you :0) -- seriously .... keep your chin up Frommie clan ... you are a great, strong family - Josh is a lucky Little Man ... I am here - only 6 hours and a mouse click away. I'm always thinking and praying for you all .... think of the light at the end of the tunnel ...it may be dim right now, but it gets closer until before you know it, there it is ....

Alina Lockhoff teamlockhoff@enter.net
palm, PA
United States

Anonymous said...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2005 03:51 PM, CDT

Marian, We have not had the pleasure to meet but I feel like I know you and your entire family through Alina. She introduced me to this site. I visit just about everyday to check on you and little Josh and of course the rest of the family. I am sure it must be overwhelming to try to keep it all together. Keep the faith you are doing an incredible job and I envy your strength. Although the battle is just beginning look back at how much you have accomplished. Remember one step at a time...one hurdle at a time.....You can do it. I have faith in you!! My best to everyone. You are never far from our thoughts and always in our prayers

Melissa Morgan lindseyderek@enter.net
Palm, PA
United States

Anonymous said...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2005 12:24 PM, CDT

Hi Josh,
Sorry to hear your count is dropping. I really was hoping they wouldn't.

Marian,
Sorry to hear your working so hard, wish you both didn't have to go through all this.

Keep your chin up!

LoveYa's
Aunt Meme

Anonymous said...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2005 07:16 PM, CDT

Hi Josh, Jon, Marian and family,

I know you are going through a really rough time but with God's help you will make it through. Yes, miracles do happen when we least expect them to. Josh is your miracle child Jon and Marian. He will make it...he is a real fighter because he has his daddy and mommy there with him all the way..feeling everything he is going through and watching him fight. He will make it.

I love you all,

Aunt Marilyn

Marilyn Koehler mar1242@aol.com
Louisville, KY
United States

Anonymous said...

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005 02:01 PM, CDT

Josh and family,

I couldn't let a today go by with no messages on your web site.

I am sure everyone is feeling the same about your health situation ( low blood counts), Josh. I am also very sure everyone is praying as hard as they can for your counts to come back up, and stay in the good range, so you can finish your treatments.

Hang in there guys, there are more people than you know, standing with you, and wishing the best possible outcome.

Love & God Bless you all. {: - )

Marian Nicks

Anonymous said...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2005 10:04 AM, CDT

Just a little note to say hello. Hope all is going well since your last entry. Think about you often.

Melissa Morgan lindseyderek@enter.net
Palm, PA
United States

Anonymous said...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2005 01:23 PM, CDT

Hi Josh & family,

Thinking of all of you, and praying things will get better, real soon!

May God Bless you and give you the strength you need - to get through these hard times.

Love you all,

Marian Nicks merjer67@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2005 01:31 PM, CDT

Hey Fromknechts!!

We're thinking about all of you, and especially Josh! Keep your chin up little man! :)

Kelly Dixon skdixon4@msn.com
San Dimas, CA
United States

Anonymous said...

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2005 09:38 AM, CDT

Hi Joshua!

Just stopping by to say hello and to wish you the very best now and always! I cant get over how cute you are! I just love the picture of you that your mommy put on the front page of your cb site! You are just as cute as can be!

Hugs!

April & www2.caringbridge.org/fl/mylittleone/

April Molle
FL
United States

Anonymous said...

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2005 03:33 PM, CDT

Hello Joshua what a cutie you are I found your website from the ALL-Kids site your mommy is on there just wanted to say good luck with your treatment my little guy has gone through it and I know little boys are tough so they do very well. Talk to you later

Christie Smith

www.caringbridge.org/oh/meguire

Christie Smith meguiresmith@buckeye-express.com
toledo, OH
United States

Anonymous said...

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2005 07:34 PM, CDT

Hi Everyone,

Hope and pray today is a better one for you!

Love & God Bless,

Jerry and Marian Nicks merjer67@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2005 07:23 AM, CDT

Well good Monday Morning to you all!! Hope all is going well. Just wanted to say a quick hello :) As always our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take Care.

Melissa Morgan lindseyderek@enter.net
Palm, PA
United States

Anonymous said...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2005 07:44 PM, CDT

Dear Joshua, Marian and Jon

Hope all is going better this week. I hope all is okay and chemo can continue. You all have been real troopers through all this. I know it must be very hard on you.

I wish you only the best,

My prayers and thoughts are with you always,

Love,

Aunt Marilyn

Marilyn Koehler
Louisville, KY

Anonymous said...

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2005 02:51 PM, CDT

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know - the thoughts and prayers are still going out to all of you.

God Bless you with better days!

Marian Nicks