Everything is looking good

Monday, May 27, 2013

A week ago today the Buckley clan were in Denver for a quick in-and-out visit.  We drove up last Sunday, had appointments in clinic on Monday morning, and then drove home Monday afternoon.  It was a whirlwind fast trip that left Sean and I feeling pretty tired....but....

ALL of Dillon's blood counts are within normal limits!!!!! 

Usually there are a few things that are outside of normal, not hugely, but still points of interest for the doctors to keep an eye on.  This time everything was perfect; lungs, liver, kidneys, blood, white cells, red cells, platelets, sodium, calcium, potassium, vitamin D...etc. etc.

He also gained 1 kg (which is 2.2 pounds) in the 6 weeks since our last Denver visit...so even that is trending in the right direction.  Dillon has been exercising and keeping active.  People who have not seen him in a couple of months comment on how he looks healthier, less frail, less pale, more robust.  We who live with him see strength and stamina, running ability and speed, jumping ability at the hoop (all of these things were impossible for him just a few short months ago).  His tummy gives a little trouble here and there but it is completely manageable, albeit frustrating and irritating for Dillon, but it does not keep him from continuing to eat a variety and quantity of foods.

I have been told by a few good friends that I look more relaxed, that the tension has dissolved from my  face...finally.  I am attributing that to two things.  One is obviously Dillon's health status.  But I think the other is because I have taken on a project at home...painting the living room and my bedroom.  It feels to me like my ability to relax into being focused on something other than the care of the kids (both Dillon and Luca...because keeping Luca healthy emotionally was/is a major undertaking during this whole thing) has helped my mental status quite a bit.  The house is a mess, I am letting some of the other house cleaning slide a little bit and/or relying on the boys to pitch in more, and I am painting.  I love to paint and it feels so good to have nice fresh walls in our living spaces.  Of course now the kids both want their rooms done but I informed them that I was going to do mine first....hahahaha...that is a rarity, putting my desires and preferences ahead of theirs :))

All is well in Buckley land.  We go to UNM in 3 weeks for a routine lab draw and exam.  Then back to Denver July 8 for his repeat PET scan (still watching those lymph nodes that were inflamed in his neck when we left Denver in February), PFTs (pulmonary function tests to check lung function), and extensive blood work to help determine the actual functionality of these lovely white cells that are growing in his system (we know they are there...but are they working??). 

The summer will be low-key for us as we can't camp and can't travel and can't fish and can't be in the sun or heat too long....but we will do lots of fun stuff in a safe and healthy way for Big D.  We have a list going of what we have missed out on the past 2 summers and we will "catch up" when the time is right :))