1st chemo, higher dosage & update on new medication

Rion's last dose of chemo was Sunday 7/1 & we think he did really well considering the increase in dosage. His 1st blood work is next Friday, July 13th, so we won't know for sure how his blood counts are until then but he is feeling fine the majority of the time. He was only sick 3 times- 2 times Saturday evening/night & Sunday afternoon. I think Saturday was a combination of chemo & being out at the pool all day in the hot, hot sun...it was a looooooong day that would have worn anyone out regardless of whether or not they are taking chemo! Sunday's vomiting was scary because it happened immediately after he had one of his partial seizures. He said he didn't feel any differently and he thinks there isn't a correlation between the two, but as always it made me nervous especially to see the symptoms combined. Sometimes I look at Rion and it just kills me that I can never know exactly how he feels, it must be so scary to never know when you are going to start feeling off and knowing that there is a possibility that it could turn into a full blown seizure. I hope & pray it doesn't because that was such a traumatic experience for both of us before.

Speaking of seizures Rion is doing well tolerating the Vimpat (the adjunct seizure medication that he started last week.) So far no major side effects- just a little dizziness that goes away with a few hours of taking it. He is moving up to 200 mg from 100 mg today so we will watch & make sure nothing changes. Last Sunday was the last time he has had any sort of possible seizure activity and i'm hopeful that it will be the last for good. I'm so glad that God has given us the knowledge to credit these medications which allow us to leave relatively normal lives. Rion is driving & working & over all feeling good even though he has seizures and is undergoing chemotherapy; it wasn't that long ago that both situations would have left a persons body feeling absolutely ravaged and unable to function. I also thank God for allowing Rion to respond so well to, and tolerate, treatment like he does.

That's about all we have going on as of now. I thought I'd share a cute picture of Rion holding my mom's new kitten (appropriately nick named Itty Bitty Kitty;) Rion LOVES animals and it's so darn cute to see him with anything cute & cuddly : )