Back in Utah - Chemo Round 2

Just to let you all know that we're back in Utah, Blake had his second chemo last Thursday which has made him super tired but he hasn't been sick, so that's definitely an improvement on the first round. We're looking at 4 more rounds of chemo (here in Utah at the Huntsman) and then probably radiation. Thanks again for all your positive thoughts, vibes and prayers xoxo

What's been going on

A note from Julie, One of my favorite Amos Lee tracks! Thought of you Blake Moss. Perhaps you'll treat us to your version round the campfire come spring.

I would certainly settle for this one. Cheers darlin!

We have our Moments but we are holding up so far

Blake actually seems to be handling it all pretty well. Yes we both have our moments when we feel like we can't take it any more, but the frequent trips to the hospital here have meant that we have been able to spend a lot of time together, far more than we would have done under normal circumstances. And it's been an opportunity for Emily and Oliver to spend a lot of time with my parents, who've been great. Emily gets cross when Daddy has to keep going to the hospital, but really they've been blissfully unaware. They know Daddy is ill and will be for a while, but they seem to be taking it all in their stride and I'm grateful for that.

I do wonder if it will all come crashing down on us once we get home. Thankfully, Blake's parents are planning on coming to Utah as soon as we know when we're flying home, they'll pick us up at the airport and stay for a while. That will be a great support for us and I know Blake can't wait to see them.

More to come soon.

Making a few plans to get back to Utah...

Blake had his post chemo check up today at the hospital, everything went well, his infection has all but gone and his chest looks better. Although of course he has to finish the course of antibiotics. GOOD NEWS is that we got the results of the bone marrow biopsy back and it was all clear, so that was a huge relief.

We have got quite a bit sorting out to do before we can fly back to Utah. I've been in touch with the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and have lined up an appointment with a consultant there. They want the actual slides of the biopsies that Blake had, so I have asked the consultant here if that can be arranged, hopefully without too much trouble. We are just trying to iron everything out so we can fly back to Utah hopefully this coming Friday or Saturday.

Thanks again for all your support and love, it means so much to us,
XOXO

Just a quick update from this side of the pond...

Blake had his first round of chemo on 1st January - what a way to start 2013! He tolerated it well but has been feeling a bit off for the past couple of days, bad headache etc, so we went back to hospital today, just to get checked over, and it turns out he has a slight infection. He was given plenty of fluids and is now on antibiotics. Hopefully he'll be feeling better in a day or so.

He has a post chemo check up at the hospital on Tuesday (8th) and we are hoping he might be well enough to return home soon after that and resume his chemo treatments there... so we might all be back in Utah by the end of the week...

Thanks again for all your messages, prayers and thoughts.

 Much love
Ali and Blake XOXO

2013 will be tough for us but I am hopeful it will be a good year

Thank you so much for all your messages and emails.  It's so great to know you are thinking of us.

Just a quick update (sorry if I'm repeating to those I've already emailed back individually) - Blake has diffuse large B cell lymphoma, which is a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and we have been reassured that this responds very well to treatment.  He is on R-CHOP chemo therapy for this - he started the steroid part a few days ago and today started the rest of the regimen, which includes the actual chemo.  The nurses and doctors here have been fantastic, they even let him come home last night for New Year's Eve prior to starting the chemo which was a very welcome reprieve, he was SO much happier as soon as he left the hospital and is in much better spirits today.  He can probably come home again tonight once he has received all the day's medications (he's on a drip, I left him a little while ago sitting up in bed watching movies). One of the consultants believes he can fly home much sooner than we originally thought, we are still unsure as to when exactly (depends on how he responds to the chemo today) but there is a possibility we could come home within the next week or so and have the rest of the chemo treatments there.  

Thanks again for all your kind words and messages.  It really means a lot.  The sun is shining today and the world just seems a brighter place than it was just a few short days ago.  2013 will be tough for us but I am hopeful it will be a good year!  

Happy New Year to you all

With much love and blessings

Alison and Blake