Treatments

I need to do this post so I don't forget all the information, which has already happened, but I will try my best.

We met with Dr. McDonald yesterday for a follow-up visit and to discuss treatment. The labs show that nothing is really changing. The kidney function is slightly better, but not great. His potassium is still high, and there is still a lot of protein spewing into his body. So, he prescribed Jon 5 more medications, including a cough syrup because Jons cough is awful! He said plan on being a lot of pills for at least a year. Dr. McD said that we need to start his treatments. The treatment is cyclophosphamide which is the chemo he had in the hospital. He will have it every month for at least four months. The doc said they use cyclophosphamide on lupus nephritis because it has been shown to work in severe cases. Our goal is to get the lupus into remission. The bummer news is that the doc said it will probably be at least 2 to 3 months before Jon starts feeling good. He also wants to have us meet with another specialist-- a rheumatologist-- because they specialize in lupus. We have been seeing Dr. McDonald because of the lupus nephritis, which is a kidney issue. He said he wants to get a rheumatologist involved so we can cover everything and make sure nothing is being missed.

Jon went back to work on Monday. He has done okay, he comes home very tired. Last night he was very nauseated all night and not doing well, I told him he should stay home from work, but he said he needs to go to work because when he has the chemo it could take him down for a few days so he needs to work as much as possible, and plan for days off during treatment. I can't convince him to not worry about it. There is a pride issue with a husband and father providing for his family.

Yesterday my cousin came and took the kids for the day, and then got us pizza for dinner. I really appreciated it, I needed to get things done, I have been starting to feel very overwhelmed. My kids had SOOO much fun. They got home and Kaylee was talking to Jon and I for 20 minutes about what she did and how much fun she had. She told us that they have a fence by their house and on the other side of the fence is a black cow that was very evil. Jon said it almost sounded like The Sandlot. She went on and on about everything. This morning I had to run to the hardware store and it is next to Dominos Pizza where she had gotten the pizza last night. When we were pulling into the hardware store, the girls were so excited because that was where they got the pizza, they even told me exactly where Camille had parked. Also, as Kenzie is growing up she is becoming quite funny. She just walks around screaming. She doesn't cry, she just walks up to you and screams if she wants something. It cracks me up!