Riding for Roses

Ben’s Game is a totally awesome computer game (for Mac and PC) that is available free from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was created based on the wish of Ben Duskin by LucasArts programmer Eric Johnston. In the game, you fight seven monsters (one on each game level) to get seven shields to protect you from the effects of leukemia treatment. Spencer and I play on my Mac – I drive and he shoots. We may work up to the two player version if he gets better at playing computer games.

Two of the monsters are Robarf (nausea and vomiting) and QBall (hair loss and baldness) and we are fighting those monsters in the real world. Last night Spencer started having stomach problems and vomited several times, basically losing all of his dinner and afternoon snacks. Fortunately, adequate calorie consumption is not a major problem right now with his dexamethasone enhanced appetite. A little Pepcid AC (yet another pill to take) helps a lot, so we’re going with that for now. Tonight while watching Scooby Doo (one of his favorite shows) after dinner, he called out “hey, what’s this hair doing in my hand?”. He’s not too concerned about it, just wanted to announce it. Right now, it’s just coming out in small clumps. I’m working on my options for shaving my head to fulfill The Deal.

Talked with the doctor on Friday about the critical ANC (now 100, 500 desired for being compromised, but not critically low), Spencer’s exposure to possible germ sources, and possible plans for return to school. It looks likely that Spencer will be out of school through the end of the calendar year. We’re working with the Children’s School and his teachers to bring some work home since he’s getting stir crazy. Looks like I’ll be doing some homeschooling for a little bit. Now I’m scared. Teaching isn’t my worst nightmare (needles are), but I think it’s in the top ten.

We will still be having ten members of my family to dinner on Thanksgiving. My sister Karen, her husband Tim, and their children Patrick, Jack, and Mamie will be coming from Pittsburgh. My Uncle David and Aunt Virginia are coming from southern California. My Mom and my brother Hank are coming from Chicago, and my Aunt Nancy from Kinderhook, New York. Nobody will be staying at the house. We’ll limit Spencer’s exposure as needed based on how he feels and CBC results.