Fireworks and parade...

Hans burned through the sparklers, whereas Michael saved up his two for last.


I think Smoke Bombs were the biggest hit.

Much more fun things to report than Chemo!
Hans wrapped up his compressed Chemo schedule (he got five days worth of chemo over 4days b/c of the Holiday). Like the Williams' pointed out - he took it so well, why can't we just do 4 days every time? Ha! We left the clinic at about 4 pm on Thursday and Hans' Hemoglobin was a bit low at 8.1. It's pretty borderline for a transfusion, so we're just crossing our fingers and hoping to make it to Monday. Hans also is now a bit low on Calcium, so we are supplementing that. I never should go and count things up - but I realized that between his two daily steroids one - once and one thrice daily, the Bactrim he now has to take 2 times per day Fri, Sat, Sun, the Calcium twice daily and Morphine for pain in his arm as needed - we are dosing Hans with meds a minimum of 9 times a day this weekend! He makes us work it too - he likes 5 minute warnings before each medication, and we have to count backwards 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, and finally 10 seconds! It's a wonder we don't miss more doses! He was actually an incredible sport all week. I'm sure he complained a lot less than I did. I try to be a good sport. I remind myself that we have it relatively easy with our one-hour each way trip to the clinic. Some fellow patients come in from 2.5 hours out...8 hours out - or more!
Hans has been doing pretty well and he has been relatively adventurous. I have been very hesitant to make "plans" - I guess it sort of stinks to have to keep breaking plans, so I figure if we keep everything pretty tenuous it won't be such a let down to have them not happen if Hans just isn't feeling well or if we wind up on another wild goose chase to the ER.
So - we did manage to make it to the little Woodlands 4th of July Parade, we did some smoke bombs, sparklers, "hen laying egg", snappers and ground flowers on the driveway. Hans and Elle were totally into it - they sent me back to the fireworks stand for more supplies! We also went to the big Woodlands show with our friends the Smiley's. This was incredible b/c up to this point, Hans was afraid of fireworks. So - it was kind of a big step and it was nice to surprise our friends with an appearance. Elle also had a sleepover with Kae's family and was able to attend the Houston Symphony Star Spangled Salute with cannons and everything!
Okay - I'll update more during the week - we go back for counts and possible transfusion on Monday. We have tickets to the Free Kick soccer event tonight - so I'm hoping we'll all four make it - but if not - it'll be a neat daddy/daughter date for Elle and Kev.
Catch ya later - hope your holiday weekend has been at least partially spectacular. It's great when the fourth falls on a Friday, huh?
Lara
PS thanks this week to nieghbors Scott and Lisa and Tiffany and Bryon (our old neighbors) for meals - we are appreciative and are still polishing off leftovers!