just so sad

Today Jax asked me how old Lucas was when he died.

"Seven. Are you worried about that for when you turn seven?"

"No. It just makes me so sad."

Oh, how we miss our friend. These boys should have been able to make a lifetime of memories. The beast was just too much for Lucas' body, and he couldn't carry on. He leaves a gaping hole in the heart of each person who knew him.

Watch our superstar friend in action here!

Laying low on DI Day 44

We had a quiet morning at home after a long clinic day with Jaxon yesterday. He and I went for his planned visit to check his counts and, as expected, he required a red blood cell transfusion. His HGB was 80, the point when transfusion is considered. We could have waited until Friday to transfuse, but we decided to go ahead with it yesterday. 4 hours well spent - his lips are pink again! 

Jax got this 276.1 ml donation of blood yesterday.
It is A+ Packed Red Cells, all from one donor.
He might need more on Friday. Or perhaps platelets.
Canadian Blood Services is reporting a critical nation-wide
shortage of blood products, particularly types A and 0.
If you are able ... Please give!
Canadian Blood Services

"Someone in Canada needs blood every minute of every day and CBS regularly collects 17,000 units of blood per week. The agency immediately needs 7,500 blood donations on top of the regular weekly totals to replenish the inventory."  Read more ...

Also as expected, his ANC (immunity) continues to decline as a result of the chemo from the past two weeks. He's now at a critical low of .23 ("normal" is 1.5 and above). As much as we wanted to go take part in the Tour de Rock Cops for Cancer event in our town today, we decided to stay home as the risk of infection from being around others is just too great. We only heard about the event yesterday evening, so it was too late to make any arrangements. I'm going to look into ways we can be involved with the Tour next year. 

Riders between Ucluelet and Nanaimo, Sunday Sept. 28/14
Photo swiped from Cops for Cancer BC Facebook page.

Our buddy Lucas got to take in the festivities in Nanaimo. We are 
so very thankful that he's finished treatment, feeling good and lovin' life!

{Lucas and his lady friend.}
Photo swiped from TC article linked above.

short and sweet

Jax made the most of his 12 hour stay and made play dough with the fun lady, and played with it and new Lego with his friend Lucas. Thanks for the Mixel, Karen!

(add photos)

Lucas!

Our new friends from RMH! Lucas was a good friend to Jax when both our families were there, and the support and friendship for us parents has been invaluable! We look forward to making new memories together away from the hospital setting! xo

Lucas at RMH!