2 surgeries, 3 weeks of chemo in 31 days

Today was Jarod's last day of the first cycle of chemo. Over the last 3 weeks he has completed 1 long week (5, 6 hour days) and then 2 bleomycin treatments 1 last Monday and 1 today. With today's treatment behind us, we have successfully made it through the first round and start back over next Monday with the 2nd long week. He was diagnosed 1 month ago yesterday - 2 surgeries, 3 weeks of chemo in the last 31 days we are so grateful and thankful for his strength.

Over all the side effects have been manageable. The doctors are very impressed with how well he is doing. I would say the most severe and noticeable side effects are fatigue and achyness as well as "Chemo Brain" where he feels out of control of his thoughts, and his short term memory is virtually non existent. Over the weekend his head began to get tender and itchy which are signs of upcoming hair loss and today when we were at the doctors appointment Dr. Filip told us that any hair Jarod will loose will happen between now and the end of next week.

Other wise he is holding off the nausea and vomiting so that's been really wonderful! Only a few days of that during the long week not too bad at all!

Matt his cousin came into town and Jarod spent the entire day Friday with him and stayed the night at Marcy and Cleos. Saturday I came down and spent time with everyone. Kaitlin Matt's little girl is so cute and sweet and Jarod had a really nice visit with everyone. After dinner we came home and Sunday we spent the day at our friend Drew's pool which was nice it was a beautiful day.

Dr. Filip has said that as he gets weaker there is a chance his symptoms could worsen but they still think that the first round helps set a standard for how it will be the rest of the time, so although we're not out of the woods the path to recovery physically so far as been smooth. His blood work is showing signs that the markers are going down, if they get down to normal at the end of round 3 then we will not have to do the 4th round. They will continue to monitor them and it will still be several weeks before we know for sure if Jarod will have 3 total rounds or 4. His immune system is a little weak but nothing to be too alarmed over, Dr. Filip put him on an antibiotic because of his dentist appointment today and due to the swollen lymph nodes in his neck over the weekend they did a throat culture today to make sure there isn't a virus or infection going on but it's all very precautionary and preventive to keep him feeling as well as he does now.

Emotionally spirits are good, we are tired and our perspective changes more and more daily about anything and everything but we are blessed and grateful for all the things we have in this life, including the support, thoughts and prayers of friends and family - thank you again.

Lindsey & Jarod