Week 10: DONE!

Kavan's five days of chemotherapy have finally come to an end. After a week of constantly being bombarded by poisons we can say that week 10 is over. Now we can look forward to a bit of break before the next cycle starts on the 26th of September.

Patrick & Kavan on Day 2 

Overall, this cycle went well. Kavan was intermittently nauseous but never sick. I think this is the most fatigued I've seen him. The oncologist told us the fatigue may increase as he progresses through treatment. I guess it makes sense, the body gets tired as the toxic chemotherapy drugs are killing healthy cells.

Kavan and I on Day 4

Like previous cycles, Kavan went through this week's treatment with an attitude that was truly remarkable. I can honestly say that he is my hero. Even after a long day of treatment his sense of humor never fails and he continues tells terrible jokes that only he finds amusing. He continues to be physically active throughout treatment and each day tried to swim or run. Most of us can't even do this on the best of days.

Today Kavan had a slightly more eventful day as he had a consult for his upcoming radiation therapy. He got some new tattoos!! How exciting! As cancer treatment improves new techniques become available more more specific, localized treatment. This is definitely the case with radiation. He had three permanent "dot" tattoos inked on his left leg today. Guess he can't say he didn't get anything outta this. HAHA. These will help guide the radiation therapy to a very specific area, the spot where his Ewing's sarcoma first occurred. This is the area that a recurrence would most likely occur and therefore it is necessary to prevent this by administering 28 days of intense radiation.

Kavan's new tats....on on the foot, one above scar and one not pictured.

With respect to getting radiation, Kavan is lucky. His radiation will be extremely targeted and thus the chance for side effects is greatly diminished. Some side effects commonly associated with radiation include fatigue, secondary cancers, a sunburn-like rash, and bone weakness. Thankfully, Kavan does not require radiation over his head, chest, or torso because side effects tend to amplified in these areas. Kavan will begin the radiation during week 15 of treatment.....so five weeks before we have to think about this again.

A quiet night after a long week

Tonight we will spend time recovering from the week. Nothing a good meal and a night's rest can't fix. Tomorrow we will attend my grandfather's 90th birthday party. I know we are both really looking forward to the celebration of such a fantastic milestone. Happy weekend!