Update

TO THE REPORTERS:

Thank you for initially reporting our request for housing.  The response has been overwhelming.

We have had a number of people come forward with very generous offers and suggestions. Nothing is final as of today, and probably won't be until we return to Toronto next week for treatment.  We are not going to name individuals, as that is between them and us.  At this time, Leslie and Richard are focusing on their family.

Being a mother to triplets and a 2 year old, and Richard trying to focus on his medical residency is hard enough.  Throwing cancer x3 into the mix makes it beyond what most of us can comprehend.

We are so thankful for the people of Toronto that have made an effort to reach out to us. When the time is right, and housing has been secured, the Low's will share more about this incredible journey filled with so much goodness from strangers.  Because, it is worth sharing.

Thank you.

If you really need to still contact someone, please don't call them.
Contact us through email:  lows.lowdown@gmail.com

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...And now back to the family blog...

Keeping family and friends (old and new!) up to date. 

:)

The boys are slowly being introduced to solid foods, and loving it.

Benson is thrilled to have everyone back at home with him.  Everyone is doing pretty well, considering.  Mason was uncomfortable and cranky the first few days, but seems to be feeling better now.

I am new to the whole cancer / chemotherapy routine, so I thought I could explain what I've learned and what Mason is going through.

When chemo is administered in the hospital, it takes about 6 hours to run the cycle.  He is hooked up to an IV that is connected to his "port" (described here in a previous post).  The port exits near his heart, so when the medicine is administered, his heart does the work to distribute it throughout his body.

He is administered some Cyclosporin, which helps the body absorb the chemo drugs.  Then the chemo drugs are given, and then back to the cyclosporin.  It's like a wave, peaking at the chemo drugs, then tapering off again.  They then flush the body with fluids to keep him hydrated.  He can't eat during this cycle, as the drugs often cause nausea and discomfort.  He does this 2 days in a row.  The plan is to repeat this cycle 4 times, 21 days apart.  He basically moaned and slept (while moaning) during these treatments.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cells that divide rapidly, which is one of the main properties of most cancer cells.  The problem is, it doesn't just kill the cancer dividing cells.  It also can harm cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances - like hair follicles.  For the little amount of hair the kid has, he's starting to get little bald patches:  (but he's as cute as ever!)

One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is a decreased supply of blood cells, thus a compromised immune system.  Due to this, Mason is given a drug called Neupogen (or G-CSF), which helps stimulate blood cell production, everyday for 7-10 days following the IV chemotherapy.  It is administered through this line in his arm.

Mason gets blood work often (like 3x a week) to check his blood levels.  In these tests they check his:
1. Platelets (helps your body clot blood),
2. White blood count (helps fight infection), and
3. Red blood count (carry's oxygen to tissue)

His levels are at their low right now.  His hemoglobin level (red blood cells) is at 80.  Above 100 is normal.  His Neutrophils (white blood cells) are at .1 - which is almost non-existent. G-CSF (the neupogen drug he's receiving) helps encourage the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells (neutrophils).

I tell this information so people can better understand why it's so (SO!) important to keep Mason as healthy as possible.  It's difficult to keep the triplets from sharing toys.  It's also tricky having a 2 year old who's in contact with little friends and such.  Many have asked why we don't ride a subway into town for cheaper rent - hopefully this explains why mass public transit is less than ideal.

They are getting into the routine at home.  But, it's back to Toronto in a week for the next round of checkups and chemo.  These boys are so much fun and so cute.

I hope you enjoy this darling video of Luke, while in Toronto - I bet it will make you smile.  :)