New "Say NO to Drugs" Campaign

Days this week to LA:  4 and 1/2.  Today Kevin made it half way to LA before having to turn back.  Kevin’s platelets have been decreasing all week, so first thing this morning he needed to have a blood test.  Based on the results, one of the following scenarios would take place: a)if the platelets dropped below 20, he would go to the hospital for a platelet transfusion, b) if the platelets increased above 30, he would drive to LA for the COQ10 infusion, or c)if the platelets remained between 20 - 30, he would come home and watch movies all day.  Kevin was hoping for a) (only because a transfusion would help escalate his body out of the danger zone), I was hoping for c), but we went forward with b) until receiving the phone call that the blood results showed the same platelet count. (time to head home to watch movies) Despite the platelets, Kevin has done amazing this week.  Monday was a little brutal.  We spent 9 hours in the doctor’s office.  Because his dilaudid pump is using his portacath, Kevin’s right arm veins were used for the COQ10, and his left arm veins were used for NINE! blood draws. (Josh said, “Can they even do that?!”)  Kevin was getting so sick of the bad sticks.  He kept claiming that he has excellent veins.  And I agree with him.  I remember one of the very first times holding Kevin’s hand and looking down at his arms . .I had never seen such HUGE forearms (and veins!).  They looked just like Popeye’s! I knew this guy was no stranger to old fashioned manual labor.  So we were both perplexed that the nurse couldn’t hit his darn veins.  Our hot date night in LA was actually a lot of fun.  With Kevin in charge of the tv remote control I think we watched at least 6 different movies. Tuesday morning’s appointment was only a blood test (ha - only another blood test).  Wednesday was the 2nd day of the COQ10 infusion and my dad safely transported Kevin there and back and provided the entertainment in between. This left me behind to attend Freshman Orientation with Sophie and do some back to school shopping with Ben, Sam, and Soph.  The boys would much rather have been shopping with GG.  As we walked the isles of Target they would shout out at the next coolest thing, and then say, “Where’s GG?!” And it’s true.  Their mom stuck to the list that included shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and mechanical pencils, not big bouncy balls, legos, or bike helmets.  Thursday I was back on the road with Kevin.  Kevin commented that he could be the poster child for a “say NO to drugs” campaign - “anyone contemplating taking drugs, spend a day with Kevin and see how BORING druggies are!”  (Not quite sure what my excuse is, because I’m totally boring too!  Maybe someone should investigate if spending time with someone else on drugs, can make YOU boring . .kind of like second hand smoke)  Actually, Kevin is far from boring.  He continues to keep our family entertained.  Here are a few classics:  When we were flying to North Carolina, we had Kevin heavily medicated to endure the long flight.  We were standing on the airport curb checking in our luggage and Kevin was watching a lady paint her toenails before getting out of her car.  Kevin said to her, “I’ve seen a lot of things in my life, but THAT takes the cake!”  Yesterday as we were driving Kevin said, “I’ve looked at a map and the best way out of here is the 405.”  I completely agreed with him since we had been traveling on the 405 for 40 miles.  A few of his texts have been a little crazy. One late night Kevin was texting his good friend.  It started off on the right train of thought but somehow ended with “I love you sweetheart.”  Kevin had a good laugh the next day when he read what he had sent.  At least it was from the heart and intelligible.  A late night text this week was simply, “what dacchh kan i zayyyy yiuknow man?”  Which actually sums this week up perfectly!!