During Chemo

What have I been doing while Hunter gets chemo or blood transfusions? Sometimes I read, knit or crochet. My sweet friend Amy sent me these really cute pillowcases to embroider. I finally finished them. I think they look great. I have embroidered before, just not so much. It was really fun to have this project to work on. Thanks Amy!

Trunk or Treat

Tonight our ward had a harvest potluck. We had so many people there. After the potluck the kids got to go outside and trunk or treat. They kids go around to other people's cars in the parking lot and trick or treat.

The boys getting ready to head out (sorry it's blurry). Hunter was inside helping get things set up for a carnival that followed the trunk or treat.


Alice, I mean Snow White, with her friend Carli.

The boys getting some candy.

Aunt Dawn and Carter.

Carter enjoying a candy of his own.

Graham heading out on his own. What a brave lion.

Graham enjoying a pixie stick in the carnival.

Alice and Harrison trying to figure out what they are wanting to do, fishing or musical chairs.

They were going to do musical chairs but quickly changed their minds and headed over to do fishing.

It was such a fabulous night. Now the kids won't feel like they missed out on Halloween. since they won't be going trick or treating tomorrow because it happens to be on Sunday.

Beaver Game Day

Today Hunter, Gavin and Aaron headed to the Beaver game. They played Cal.

Here the boys are enjoying the delicious hot dogs at the game.

Gavin trying to see the jumbotron.

Halftime.

Fireworks during halftime. It was Homecoming this weekend. And the Beavs won 35-7. The boys had a great time and didn't get wet.

Hunter Update

Monday and Thursday were days up at Doernbecher for Hunter. Monday he got to three chemos. One in his spine, Methatrexate and two through his IV, Vincristine and Doxorubicin. Thursday he got another chemo. It's his study drug, PEG Aspergenise. Hunter is also taking a steroid, Dexamethasone for seven days. Then seven days off. Then seven days on. His appetite has increased from being on the steroids. He has been feeling good during this first wave. In fact his ANC went up from 1.6 on Monday to 2.3 on Thursday. That's great so they have that much further to drop with all the chemo he's getting. Hunter is definitely someone I look up to. He is a great example of patience and long suffering. What a kid!!

One night last week Hunter started walking around looking like this. He was in such a great mood.

Meteorologist in the Making

Since about 1st grade Hunter has been really interested in the weather. He would like to me a meteorologist when he's older.

During church today there was a big storm that blow into town. Hunter was so excited to see some branches broken off trees when we headed home from church. While driving home we he noticed some great storm clouds. He couldn't wait to get home and figure out if the clouds would be come over us. He was really hoping they would.

Hunter made a flag to figure out which direction the wind was blowing.

Unfortunately the storm blow over and the sun is now out. Maybe next time, Hunter. It's so much fun to see your kids excited about things.
One of his favorite T.V. shows is 'Storm Chasers'. He is so excited that a new season started a couple of weeks ago.

On a side note, Hunter got his blood work done in town on Friday. He's counts look good and he'll be starting the next phase, phase 4 of 7, tomorrow. We also go to Doernbecher on Thursday. This phase is called Delayed Intensification. It will be more rigorous and intense, as the name says. There will probably be blood transfusions and such. Hunter is such a fighter that I know he will do great.

Front Page

Yesterday Harrison was on the front page of our local paper. He wasn't noted in the caption to the picture. But he was the one make the teacher laugh. That's our little comedian. Hopefully it was appropriate. We are working on that with him. He was very excited to be in the paper. This is a link to the whole article if you are interested. http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_a5de1db4-de80-11df-9c0e-001cc4c002e0.html

What's In a Name?

Well according to Graham it needs to be delicious. We have been discussing names around our house a lot lately. Reason being, we are expecting another child in May! Graham's suggestion has been Chocolate Frosting. Because it's a delicious name and he's going to love the baby so much. I'm pretty sure we're not going with this name, but we are very excited to add another sweet little one to our family.

Doernbecher Day

I don't like to post without a picture. So here's one of Hunter when we went to Utah in April this is a month before he was diagnosed. So 6 months ago.

Friday was another day to head up to Doernbecher since Hunter's counts were too low on Monday. His appointment was at 3:30 p.m., kind of late. But it's what was available. I had things all set up for the other kids with my sister-in-laws helping pick up from school and watch the kids at our house. Gretchen was going to spend the night in Silverton with the Tokarski's to celebrate Kelly's 9th birthday. Gretch was so excited.

Unfortunately she woke up Friday morning with a fever. She had been home Thursday with a cough and stuffy nose. I was not high on Gretch's list of people she wanted to be around. I also keep Harrison home. His cough and runny nose had gotten worse that night too.

Being the responsible parent, I had to let the sister-in-laws know about the sick kids. Luckily Aaron was able to come home early from work so we didn't pass whatever the kids had to anyone else.

Hunter's ANC (white cells) count were still too low for the Methetrexate. He did get the Vincristine. That drug doesn't seem to make him to sick. Hunter was so excited to not get the Methetrexate because he had a slumber birthday party at a friend, Andrew's, that night. He got to go and learned of a new board game he likes, Risk.

There are now Doernbecher trips for next week. Just getting blood checked here in town to make sure counts are back up and ready for the next phase on Oct. 28th.this is Phase 4 of 7. We're getting there.

We are so grateful for all of the prayers in Hunter and our families behalf. We have certainly felt the strength and comfort from them. I don't know how we would get through this trial without the knowledge and faith we have in Jesus Christ. It has definitely helped us put things into perspective.

Home Sick

Gretchen stayed home today because she woke up with a cough and sore throat. When she has a cough it sounds horrible. People probably things she has croup. She doesn't, believe me I know the difference. While I was switching laundry and cleaning bathrooms. Gretch and Graham had made this set up, disco ball and all.

I had told her she wasn't going to be able to watch T.V. all day. She would need to rest so her body can get better. Notice how well she listened.

I asked Graham is he liked having Gretch home. He replied,"Yes, I wanted her home forever." He does love being home with just me. But I know I'm not as much fun. Hopefully Gretchen will be better soon.

Bedtime Stories

Hunter off at Scouts tonight. He was so excited because they were going bowling. Aaron is at class. So it was just the 5 of us for bedtime. Gretchen and Gavin wanted to read to the boys. Of course I let them. I will always encourage them wanting to do something nice for each other. It also does me a favor, some more time to finish up what I need to before bed. Gretchen and Gavin weren't only helping the boys. They were helping me. Ahhh!

Doernbecher Day

...but no chemo. Hunter's ANC were at .4. Which is too low for one of his Methatrexate chemo. Luckily Aaron took him today. But we get to go back on Friday to see if his counts have gone up. If not Hunter can still get the Vincristine chemo, but not his Methatrexate. If the counts are better then he can get both. It kind of a bummer because we didn't have another appointment until the 28th. Oh well, it is what it is and we are still moving forward.

Friday will be the last appointment of this phase. The 28th, if Hunter's counts are good enough, will be the beginning of the next phase, Delayed Intensification. That lasts for 57 days or so depending on Hunter's blood counts. After this phase, Hunter gets to do the last two phases over again because he is a slow responder. Then it is on to Maintenance. Which may be once a month trips to Doernbecher.

It is crazy how much our lives have changed in the last 5 months since Hunter's diagnosis. As a family we have grown so much closer, what a blessing. I thought we were pretty close. I guess there is always room for improvement. The kids have shown more compassion for each other. Don't get me wrong the are still siblings and fight with each other. But I have seen more of those moments that make me proud and smile because they were so thoughtful. Just some thoughts I've had lately, looking back at our life.

Cousin Night

Wednesday night we headed over to Jared and Lydia's to watch 'Diary of a Wimp Kid' and have a dance party. The kids didn't have school Thursday or Friday.

The kids watching the movie.

Calli was loving Hunter and would talk and talk to him. He started copying her and she couldn't stop laughing.

Once the dancing started my battery died. I will get some pictures from Lydia. The Hale kids do love to get their groove on. The kids do love to be together.

Time With Family

Last Sunday evening we spent with part of Aaron's family.
Graham enjoying a delicious fruit tart with Charlie entertaining. (Charlie is celebrating her 15th birthday today!!)

Lydia made some delicious caramel apples. We all devoured them.

Yum, fruit tart.

Harrison with a caramel apple slice.

Amy, Aaron's sister and her husband Chris visiting from AZ.

Keenan and Calli, two of Amy's kids.

Hunter was not feeling so well last Sunday.

Alice, need I say more.

Charlie and Jared, Aaron's brother playing a duet. Jared is Charlie's piano teacher.

Two cute.

Gavin.

Graham.

Calli playing in Carter's bouncy seat.

We love spending time with family. Just wish we could all live closer so it could happen more often. Oh well such is life. We do enjoy the time we have together.