The Brands: And one more makes 30!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

And one more makes 30!

Last leg needle done!

After Caleb's leg needle, the nurse with the loudest voice called out to everyone waiting at clinic, and we did a 3 loud "Hip-Hip Hoorays!" to celebrate together. Not a lot of dry eyes. It's a special time for all of the parents there--who've either been there or will be there. We're thankful and happy. Caleb's joy was so apparent, it was awesome to know that he really gets it, and he's really happy to be done these needles.

We're now in Maintenance phase, which is still a year and a half long, but just one clinic trip a week instead of two. One step at a time. Thanks for celebrating this little mountain with us!

12 comments:

Jen said...: My eyes wouldn't have been dry either! What a special moment and a time to celebrate and thank the Lord for these milestones. Praying that the next 18 months are smooth ones.

-The Burgess Family; March 9, 2011 at 8:25 AM
d said...: Hurray! This is wonderful. Congrats, Caleb!

aunt spot; March 9, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Chris Schoon said...: Yeah, Caleb! We're excited for you! We will continue to pray for you and your family.
Chris; March 9, 2011 at 10:26 PM
anya genevieve said...: Yippeee!!!!!! Caleb, i'm so happy with you and your family that your leg needles are all done!! You are the bravest boy i've ever met i want you to know that I hope that you get better soon and well i'm just so proud of you buddy! i hope to get to come visit you guys for dinner again soon and then maybe you can show me how all the new stuff you've learned on your violin, and maybe even you can teach me a bit about playing the guitar cause i hear you're really good at playing that too!! For now, i send you hugs and lots of love and i'm always praying for you buddy ok? give kisses to your sisters and your mom from me ok? and maybe one for your dad too?! :) love you! anya xoxo; March 10, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Jacquie said...: I remember the mood for us and the staff in the cancer clinic when my mom finished her last chemo treatment last summer...ringing a special bell...cheers...tears. So glad you've reached this milestone. Caleb looks delighted! :) Blessings as the journey continues.
-Jacquie DeRaaf; March 10, 2011 at 5:49 PM
Anonymous said...: Yay!!
(I'm kind of glad there isn't a video, Jess.)

Sending hugs!
Tam; March 10, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Kim said...: Hip, Hip, HOORAY!!

So glad to hear it :D; March 13, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Aunt Linda said...: Great is His faithfulness! Awesome news! You have been a pillar of strength throughout this trial and I am proud to call you family. I pray that you will continue to feel the love and strength from all your friends and family. Please continue this blog. The fact that you have 56 followers and countless replies and prayers proves that we are truly a communion of saints surrounded by His love and faithfulness. Take care Jess. Continue to be a strength to your beautiful family; March 15, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Anonymous said...: wonderful news guys - we're celebrating with you!! praying for continued blessings.... Michelle DB; March 16, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Unknown said...: Yay! I hope that the next phase goes well.
rc; March 18, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Asna (Shaan's mom) said...: yeah!!! Great News. My husband ran into you today at the hospital...so happy for you guys that this stage is over. Maintenance is soooo much better! Their energy is back, appetite is way better and overall don't feel sick..

Wishing you the best...; March 22, 2011 at 12:34 AM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations! Strength for the remainder of the journey.
Brenda B.; March 22, 2011 at 9:04 PM

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What is ALL?

Caleb has ALL, a form of leukemia. From what I understand (here's the dummy's guide to leukemia), leukemia means that something has gone wrong in blood cell production.

Blood is made up of 3 main parts, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The red blood cells do things like carry oxygen and nutrients through your body. The white blood cells fight infections and keep you healthy. The platelets glue it all together. (I did say this was the dummy's guide, remember.) Bone marrow is where these cells are made and released into the blood stream.

In Caleb's leukemia, his bone marrow is producing the 3 kinds of cells, but some of the white blood cells are being made wrong. These white blood cells are not maturing, they don't perform any function, and they aren't dying off. They take up space, and made it so that Caleb's red blood cells, functioning white cells, and platelets were having a hard time doing their jobs, and the production of the blasts was taking over. This is why before we were admitted to the hospital, Caleb was tired and pale. His blood just wasn't able to do what it should do.

Chemo treatments are designed to kill back the blasts. The only way to do this has a lot of extra damage (collateral damage) as well, which we see in side effects like hair loss and need for blood transfusions. Because chemo also knocks back regular blood cells, Caleb needs blood and platelet transfusions to replace what is being lost through treatment. White blood cells cannot be transfused, which is why he has nothing to fight off infections. We can't replace those ones. When the drugs are less intense and his body can gradually go back to doing what it should be doing, white blood cell production should return. We will have to be careful for a long time, though.

Hair loss occurs because cells that are replaced often in our body, like hair, can't keep up production. The cells die off faster than they are replaced. Other fast growing/often replaced cells are in our mouths and our nails. These are all affected.

I hope my dummy's guide to leukemia makes sense. It's the way I currently understand things. People in the health care profession may cringe at my descriptions, but hopefully it's accurate enough to explain what Caleb's going through. Maybe it will help you explain it to your kids. For now, we just say we're blasting blasts.

We are the Brands

We are three kids, two parents, and one dog. And too many fish. We love our city, time in the outdoors, playing soccer, camping, and making music. Our faith is central to our lives.

On June 23, pieces of what had previously been a concerning question about our son Caleb's health came together in a diagnosis of leukemia. It all happened rather quickly, after bringing him to the ER at McMaster hospital on Monday, June 21. We're absorbing this news, and trying to learn how to cope with leukemia and a young family. Our hearts are torn, but we feel the love of many.

This blog is intended to share with our loved ones and their loved ones what is happening for Caleb and the rest of us. I must say that it is possibly as much information-giving as it is therapeutic writing. Thank you for taking the time to share with us our experience. We find strength in numbers, and in shared experiences.