Mac had his last dose of chemo yesterday! It was so exciting and felt like such a milestone. I sure am grateful for chemo meds being strong enough to rid Mac of cancer but I’m really glad he’s done with them. It really is miraculous how well Mac responded to the chemo going from 91% to 0% cancer. His ANC was 1241 today. He got blood on Sunday and is getting close to needing platelets. He still has blood flecks in his poop but they took us off the no dairy/no soy diet. Yay! It had been 3 weeks and still no improvement so they said that with his counts dropping and having no immune system, there isn’t much we can do but ride it out. Hopefully it is treatment related and it will fix itself within the next few months. If not, we will worry about it then.

Right now we are waiting for Mac’s numbers to drop. The last hurdle will be avoiding an infection as his numbers get lower and lower. I know its a rarity but he can do it! He is also done with eyedrops which I thought might also deserve a sign! 🙂 You would think he’d be used to them by now. NO. 🙂 I think as of right now he’s doing pretty good. I can tell his teeth are bugging him. He has 6 with more on the way. His poor little toenail is hurting too. The chemo makes his nails shred really easily and his big toe is ripped in half and its bloody. I’m glad fevers are over for now and the rash is cleared up too!

Saturday was one of the most stressful days I’ve had here. In the 4 months we’ve been here, I never requested to NOT have a nurse. Well by sunday night, I was talking to the charge nurse asking for just that. All day was a struggle and I was extremely frustrated. Mac is an 11 month old baby getting through cancer treatment, not a checklist. People need to consider that he doesn’t go to sleep until 1-2am every night and that he is lightest sleeper EVER! They need to acknowledge Mac as a person. Talk to him and involve him!
I must admit that part of my struggle was with myself. I was trying to balance being courteous and standing up for Mac. I am learning so many personal lessons at this hospital. I realized that I can’t feel sorry for standing up for my baby and his needs. I am his mom and he depends on me. If I don’t advocate for him, who will? You really have to give up caring what other people think. Isn’t it so debilitating sometimes? Well luckily days like that are few in number.

I am so glad that my mom came to stay with me and Mac.

It is crazy to us how fast Mac can learn things. Kids are awesome. Within 5 minutes Jeremy taught Mac, “Who’s Mac?” then Mac points to himself! Its so cool to see him sit and stand when you ask him to. He also knows where the stethoscope and thermometer go! 🙂 Even though he misses out on being a “regular” kid, he learns some things that other kids don’t. Take that AML! 🙂

*today’s little miracle: I went with my friend Sadie to get my nails done! (thanks for the gift certificate Melissa!) It was a great get away!