Laying low

Steve and Katie cuddling

Steve has weathered Wednesday's dose of Carboplatin and Avastin well.

He's had no nausea -- and that's without a single dose of Zofran. He's tired, but the increased dose of Decadron (he's at 10 mg daily) seems to be balancing some of the exhaustion effects.

He's still battling headaches daily. His left side is still trouble. We'd sure be appreciative if those symptoms would lessen with the higher steroid dose. I'm guessing he'll move up to 12 mg soon -- three times the dose he was taking just 10 days ago. The goal is to find a level high enough to make a difference but not so high that the effects are worse than necessary.

After looking at the calendar for next week, Steve has decided to stay home all weekend. He is going to the office Monday and Tuesday -- a huge step and energy-zapper for him -- and to the cancer center Wednesday for routine lab work.

The kids are having a big weekend. Cooper and Uncle Jim are part of Cub World this weekend, camping out with the rest of Pack 443 overnight.

Sir Cooper, before the knight-themed Cub World camping trip (homemade tunic by Tyra and Allison, colors and accessories chosen by Cooper)

Katie spent the morning and early afternoon with sweet Julianna and her parents for an outing to the Museum of Nature & Science.

Katie and Julianna on a dinosaur dig

And Cooper's school hosted a carnival today. Half of the proceeds from the dunking booth are designated for our family, to help with medical expenses. Isn't that so thoughtful and generous? Doesn't it make you feel warm and happy to know that we all are surrounded by such goodness?

Weekend update

While Steve and I were spending Friday at the cancer center, Katie was with Jim and Betty, and Aunt Ami was driving in from Austin. Ami arrived at our house just in time to see Cooper walking home from school. (He was headed to Meghan's house.)

A sampling of what's happened since then:

Margie escaped the house late Friday night. An unpredictable dark dog running through the neighborhood at night is a scary thing. Uncle Greg and I sprinted after her. Even speedy Greg, though, was no match for Margie. Aunt Melane and Cooper chased her down in the Escape (appropriate name, eh?), and Cooper coaxed our crazy fast dog to hop inside.

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We celebrated my 37th birthday. Steve surprised me with a framed print from our early 2008 portrait session, and many, many others spoiled me with the most thoughtful cards and gifts.

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Katie bounced around at Conor's fifth birthday party.

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Cooper played tough with the Dolphins, the hardest-working second-grade soccer team in Frisco.

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In health news:

Steve seems to be passing another kidney stone. He's been taking pain medicine, which is helping some, though right now he's in awful pain. (I know there's no point in deciding "what's fair," because nothing about Steve's condition is fair, but honestly. He shouldn't have to endure so much kidney stone pain on top of everything else.)

His headaches aren't improved yet with the increased steroid dose, but it's still early in the process.

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And Steve has a new hairdo! Check back soon to see!