Our clinic visit last Thursday (10/29) was a little more difficult than usual primarily from having the previous week free of clinic and in Oliver's mind that meant treatments were finished.  Needless to say, accessing Oliver's port did not go well despite the brave distraction efforts of the child specialist at TCH.  The psychiatric team from TCH observed the port getting accessed and is going to get back to us with some new ideas and strategies to help Oliver.  We are so thankful the hospital has so many specialized resources and services.  We have been so focused on Oliver's physical well being but on some level we know it has be affecting him mentally.  However, you would only know this if you observed a clinic visit or "pill taking" session (which is getting much better).  Day to day Oliver is happy and energetic. 

At this visit, Oliver received methotrexate via his port for the first time, resumed a dosage of vincristine (VCR) and also received his first flu "vaccine" (the word "shot" is no longer part of our vocabulary).  The dosages of methotrexate will depend on his blood counts - dosages are increased when counts are good. Oliver's counts this visit were generally good - he is still neutropenic (immuno-compromised) and some counts are low - but have improved dramatically from the beginning.  Our clinic visits will only be every 10 days instead of every week which is nice and Oliver will not receive a spinal tap at each visit but rather at the end of each month.  We are grateful not to have as many pills to take on a daily basis - although keeping up with the pill schedule is a bit more complicated.  One of the pills he takes is twice daily in three day increments and cannot be taken 24 hours before chemo treatment.  So, now that chemo visits are every 10 days, the three day increments will rotate periodically.  Oliver's hair is starting to grow back - we do not know if the VCR this month will make it fall out but the doctor warned us that if it doesn't fall out in the next couple of months, it most certainly will in January when he begins "delayed intensification".  I realize hair loss is a superficial thing to focus on, especially considering the multitude of severe side effects we are facing.  I just look forward to the day that Oliver is healthy inside and out - with no remnants of cancer.  In January, we have a very intense month of chemo - the idea behind it is to hit the marrow again hard to kill any cancer cells present but undetected by labs.  This phase will last until February 10 - I am praying I do not go into labor early (due date is February 9).  After this phase, we begin what is called "maintenance".  It will last three years and consist of various pills on a daily basis, monthly visits to the clinic for chemo treatment with a spinal tap performed every 12 weeks.  Once maintenance is completed, we will visit monthly for well visits and labs for several years and eventually move to 6 month and annual visits.    
So, on to less confusing matters - Oliver had a very fun Halloween.  We went to a fall festival in our neighborhood and Oliver participated in the egg toss - I use the word toss lightly, he threw the egg like a baseball.  Eggs really are quite durable objects!  Fortunately, no one or thing was injured, aside from Larry's shirt.  Oliver dressed up as a Transformer and trick or treated for about 20-30 minutes and then retreated to the house to play with leggos and rest.  I will be sure to add a couple of Halloween pictures to the site.  
It seems I close with this every time, but it is important - we thank all of you for your support, kind thoughts, prayers and gifts - you have helped us more than you can imagine.  We also want to tell you all how great God is - He truly will give you strength to get through challenges that you could never get through without Him.  Please continue to pray, God hears us.