First blood transfusion...

Guys, we made it! Well kinda...

Phase 4

You've heard me talk about it being the toughest phase outside of the initial phase. Cooper ended up "passing" to the second half of Phase 4 after a week delay from his first "failed" test of his counts being too low.

The second half of this phase consisted of another spinal tap with chemo, a new type of IV chemo, 2 weeks of daily chemo pills at home and 2 sets of shots 4 days in a row of chemo into his arm that we needed to do at home. When they went to teach us how to do it they asked, "Will mom or dad be doing the shots at home?". No question, no hesitation, no doubt... ummm definitely David!

She looked and laughed just a little and said, "Oh wow, it's usually the mom's who do it!" 😂. Not in this house!!

Thursday was his last dose of at home chemo so technically we are done with giving him drugs for this phase!! Now we just have to wait and let his body recover from all of the chemo he's received.

Friday his counts were the lowest I've seen them to date (not a good thing but also to be expected at this point). His platelets were so low they said we have no choice but to give him a transfusion for those. We don't want him bleeding out! His hemoglobin was also super low which called for a blood transfusion to try to keep us out of the ER this weekend. His ANC is crazy low too meaning if he were to get sick he basically doesn't have anything in his body to fight off infection. So, we are hunkering down at home with him trying to do our best to not make him feel like he is in home jail. He doesn't complain about the extra xbox time!

Needing a transfusion resulted in us staying an extra 5 hours in the hospital on Friday to get the blood and platelets. Coop was NOT happy about that but we knew that was what was best to keep him safe through the weekend. He had a mild allergic reaction to it. However, as soon as I casually mentioned it to our nurse within seconds the whole team was in our room and Cooper got Benadryl administered within minutes. They really don't mess around with that! They kept a close eye on him and he was able to finish without any other complications.

Did you know platelets are yellow? Cooper was a little grossed out seeing blood go INTO him.

I was so hopeful and wanting Cooper to be the FIRST kid to not need a transfusion during this phase. Alas, that did not come to fruition but I do have to say that we literally had 5 different nurses at different times who couldn't believe we were this far into treatment and this was his very first transfusion. So, I guess that was encouraging.

We had fun making up stories about the person who's blood he was receiving. Could it be a Bronco player? Maybe it was Ironman ;) Cooper said, "Maybe it was a girl!" lol... Regardless, whoever chose to give blood and platelets. THANK YOU!!!! My boy really needed them and I am grateful it was available to him.

Cooper is home now, feeling pretty good! He will get his blood drawn twice a week for the next couple weeks so they can monitor if he needs more blood. I do love how close they watch him!

Our journey to end of treatment is still quite long. However, once he recovers from this phase I feel like we have reached the peak of our mountain. We have clawed, climbed and cried our way up to the top. I can take a deep breath, grateful to be this far. Walking down the mountain still won't be easy. There are still a lot of unknowns and fears but it feels like walking downhill will bring a little relief.

Through it all, we are having a wonderful summer so far. Bria is playing a ton of basketball, Sadie and Addy both had their end of year dance recitals this weekend too. It brings David and I so much joy watching them! Last night we took a family walk and enjoyed the warm evening, fresh air and laughing together. It's not all heavy. God is good, I see Him in so many sweet moments. His presence is near to us.

I know a lot of that is because of so many of you are literal prayer warriors. It feels sometimes like a phrase to be expected but I can't make it more clear just how powerful, needed and grateful we are for them!

Please pray for each of us to find ways and moments to fill our buckets. To allow the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding to fill our hearts. To give ourselves permission to laugh and have fun, knowing the heavy is still there. Pray for Cooper's freaking incredible body. He feels weak but I keep reminding him how freaking strong he is with what his body has had to endure so far. His mind is powerful. Please pray for him to use that to help him and not chain him up. Physically please pray that Cooper's body turns up the production of all the things he needs in his blood (except those stupid cancer cells of course!) and recovers quickly. Pray for continued protection against outside illness'.

We love you all so much. Thank you for reading, showing up, sending encouragement, supporting us in all the ways, loving on us and just being Jesus' hands and feet to us. We see it, feel it and it keeps us climbing. 🧡