February 9th, 2018

Chapter seven

Oh, Texas Children’s.

What an impact this Medical Center has had on my life thus far. 3 weeks ago, I could have never imagined being admitted to such an astounding care facility in a matter of hours and suddenly beginning my journey as a cancer patient. Throughout my time at TCH, God has placed the perfect people in my life at the perfect moments. The coolest thing about that fact is through all the confusion of this whole situation, I somehow knew the Lord would provide who I needed, and when I needed them…even when I didn’t know they would soon cross my path.

My Child Life Specialist, Alyssa for example popped her head into my little room on the 9th floor my first day in the hospital. Her constant support through the placement of my PICC Line, and random moments of checking up on my parents and I made a huge difference in our transition to what life would look like for the next week. Another blessing from the last week have been the sweet people who devote their days and nights to the constant bed side care of each patient in the hospital. Oh my sweet nurses. For multiple days in a row I had two special people in my life for a short amount of time. I want to send a special message to Kate and Katie, both of whom were my day and night nurses during my first 3 days of chemotherapy. Thank y’all for showing nothing but love and support in the exact moments I needed it. It is absolutely crazy to see the new relationships that have formed in the short amount of time that I have been diagnosed. I am more than excited to build many more down the road.

Today, I am sitting in my bed, my room, and my house after having come home from Texas Children’s late last night. An unexpected 8 day trip to Houston, Texas has already changed my life for the better. I can honestly tell you in this moment I am at a loss for words just imagining the many more days of blessings that have been set before me. “Home” is a special word. I came to understand last night as I entered the doors of my home in Round Rock that there are forms of “Home” everywhere around us. Yes, it is wonderful to begin attempting to enter back into life in Round Rock, but Texas Children’s has quickly made an imprint on my heart. This is true due to the people who have been called to spend their days working towards healthier and happier moments for the patients and their families. I am looking forward to spending my days of treatment under the loving and consistent roof of such a special place.

Medical Update: I have come home from TCH with a full and complete plan for my personal Chemotherapy and treatment. Right now, the plan is for me to receive 5 rounds of treatment, each round lasting 3 weeks long. I will be receiving treatments in Houston during days 1, 2, 3, and 8 of each round. Individual infusions will take place on these days through the “Out Patient” clinic at TCH, while I will be continuing to keep up with multiple prescriptions at home. I ask for prayers in this area, given that I never I could have imagined being an 18 year old who would need to keep up with 4 to 5 prescriptions multiple times a day. I know all of this will eventually become my new normal, but it is a lot to grasp right now. This past Monday I had a Bone Marrow Biopsy of both the left and right sides of my pelvis. This was a new kind of pain for me, but the procedure was successful. I am ecstatic to announce that the biopsy has come back negative, and the cancer is not in my bone marrow!! It was wonderful to receive this news on a night in the hospital when my spirits were in the middle of a rough patch. On Wednesday I had my third Echocardiogram which has also shown even more improvement involving the fluid around my heart! Yesterday, before being discharged from the hospital, I had my PICC Line removed from my left arm where I had been receiving Chemo for round one. Before I begin round two in a few weeks I will have a Port placed for all treatments in the future. Wow! Thats a lot of information all wrapped up in a few sentences. I am looking forward to my upcoming treatment days and what life will look like for me in the next 5 months to come.

Lastly, I want to say Thank You. I have come to approach many new curves in my race of life, but each turn becomes a little more familiar and easier to drive on as the days progress. I send All my love to each and every person reading these words. Thank you for joining me on the road trip. Thank you for jamming along to the happy and sad songs, and sometimes the songs that simply leave us in awe of the crazy life we have the opportunity to live.

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“Live. And Live Well. Breathe in and breathe deeply. be present. do not be past. do not be future. be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and feel the wind against your skin. feel the warmth of the sun. if you’ve recently experienced loss, then grieve. and grieve well. at the table with friends and family, laugh. if you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then you might as well laugh until you puke. and if you eat, then smell. the aromas are not impediments to your day. and taste. taste every ounce of flavor. taste every ounce of friendship. taste every ounce of life. because it is most definitely a gift.” -Kyle Lake