Medical update

Jack continues to respond well to his chemotherapy regimen. The medical staff closely monitors his hemoglobin levels to gauge whether a transfusion might become necessary, as the powerful drugs that kill cancer cells destroy healthy blood cells as well. Early last week, Jack's hemoglobin level was only 198. It jumped to 400 last Thursday and at the beginning of his fourth week of chemo on Monday, it neared 900. Hooray! So far, another blood transfusion has not been necessary.

In other news, Jack appears to be warming up to his weekly appointments at The Valerie Fund Children's Center. Last week he happily accepted the bagel his doctor offered to him (no surprise there, right?!), and the other day, when the Child Life Specialist invited Jack to play, he took her hand, turned, and waved goodbye to Damond without hesitation. That simple event was a major milestone in Jack's treatment, and demonstrates his positive adjustment to the new reality he has found himself in. To know he can enjoy a "play date" at the hospital makes the weekly trips easier for him, and his family, to handle.

Hungry Jack

I spent my first solid chunk of time with Jack today since the diagnosis. (I'm Carey's husband, Rob, by the way.) Earned a day off work and spent it with my daughter, Greta, and Emma. We enjoyed story hour at the South Orange Public Library, had lunch at Eden Gourmet and frolicked on a local playground. Jack joined us for lunch and a little post-playground play at the Baileys.

Carey told me that his appetite had grown since starting on steroids, but I had no idea! As soon as Elin strolled into the cafe with Jack and he saw the slice of pizza on my plate and the penne with meatballs shared by Greta and Emma, he started making mewling sounds that crescendoed to growling. Elin couldn't get an extra plate and fork fast enough! He had at least 5 meatballs and most of a cheese slice.

Two hours later, I saw him in his natural habitat, where the Baileys have hooked him up with a dining nook below one of the kitchen counters. He has a bottle of juice and a bowl filled with what I thought looked like Teddy Grahams. He spent about 75% of his time happily noshing, watching Emma and Greta run around. I'm sure there will come a time during his treatment when Jack's appetite wanes significantly, but for now it was great seeing him doing something as natural as eating -- something the healthy among us often take for granted.

Getting the point

Jack starts each morning with a determined extension of his arm, his three fingers curled down, his thumb bent over, and his pointer finger fixed toward the door. Scooped up in Anneli, Damond, or Elin's arms, Jack's guiding hand leads them out the door, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. He points to the refrigerator, and when it is opened, he points to what he wants to eat. And he points and points and points. And then he eats and eats and eats!

Part of his chemotherapy regimen includes daily steroids, which has turned him into quite the hungry man. I watched in amazement as he devoured a huge slice of pizza and then started sneaking pieces of Elin's salad, bread, and chicken! But he is also selective in what he craves. Last weekend he rejected a yummy valentine's day cupcake and insisted on a third bowl of pasta. Oh, and he feasted on ELEVEN (!) meatballs the other day. Keeping up with his appetite is quite a challenge, and his doctors warned that later in the chemo treatment cycle Anneli and Damond might need to have midnight meals ready. Needless to say, their pantry and fridge are definitely getting a workout, as is Jack's finger!