There has not been much to post lately, as Mason is at home enjoying some time away from the hospital. He is not scheduled to go back for more treatment until March 5, so this is a nice break for everyone. There are only two treatments remaining before Mason's surgery in April in Edmonton.
The steak nights both went off without a hitch and were a great success. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support Mason - I know the Clewis family is extremely grateful. A special thank you to Alysha Brentnell and Mandy Rusu for organizing everything - you did a fantastic job!
If anything noteworthy comes up prior to Mason's return to the hospital on March 5, I will post again and let everyone know. Otherwise, I will leave the Clewis's to some much needed family time.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
So Far So Good
Jade and Mason headed back to Regina on Wednesday. They were originally scheduled to be at the hospital early in the morning, but due to poor weather and road conditions, they decided to wait for Justin to take them after school. The medicine that Mason is receiving now is administered over a two day period. Apparently it hasn't been too bad this time, with Mason suffering only a little bit of nausea, which was easily treated with some Gravol. So far so good...
This chemo is the same as the very first dose. It will cause Mason to be neutropenic, which means that his white blood cell count will drop substantially following treatment. Therefore, Jade and Justin will need to resume giving Mason daily injections at a specified time. The good news is the big break from the hospital that they are in for. They are hoping to come home on Sunday or Monday.
The first steak night was held last night, with tons of family and friends coming out to show their support for the Clewis family. The first of the silent auctions was also held, which was a great success. We had four brave souls shave their heads to raise money. I believe there were pictures taken, so I'll try to get some to post. Thank you to all of our silent auction sponsors, volunteers, head shavers, and the management and staff at the Park Hotel. We are looking forward to doing it all again tonight.
This chemo is the same as the very first dose. It will cause Mason to be neutropenic, which means that his white blood cell count will drop substantially following treatment. Therefore, Jade and Justin will need to resume giving Mason daily injections at a specified time. The good news is the big break from the hospital that they are in for. They are hoping to come home on Sunday or Monday.
The first steak night was held last night, with tons of family and friends coming out to show their support for the Clewis family. The first of the silent auctions was also held, which was a great success. We had four brave souls shave their heads to raise money. I believe there were pictures taken, so I'll try to get some to post. Thank you to all of our silent auction sponsors, volunteers, head shavers, and the management and staff at the Park Hotel. We are looking forward to doing it all again tonight.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Third Round Done
My apologies for the delay in this post. I've had two sick kids at home this week, and I just haven't made it to the computer.
Mason is already back at home after his most recent round of chemo, having been released from the hospital on Saturday night. I am happy to report that this round of chemo was much easier on Mason's system. They apparently tried something new with the anti-nausea drugs that worked well, so Mason wasn't so sick this time. (Much easier on his mom emotionally, too.) Jade and Mason are savouring a few days at home, although Jade tells me she will be spending a lot of her time on laundry and housework.
It sounds like Mason will be able to keep up with his school work too, with the help of his teacher's daughter, Whitney, who will be tutoring him. This is a big bonus for Mason, as he will be able to fit right back in with his class when he is able to return to school. He's also had friends over to help him catch up during his time at home, which has been appreciated.
There was a Valentine's tea held at the Bentley in Moose Jaw this past Sunday, where three of Mason's great-grandparents, Elmer & Betty Lien and Horace Cox, live. Proceeds from the Valentine's tea are being donated to Mason's trust fund. Thank you to the management, staff and residents at the Bentley for supporting Mason!
On Thursday of last week, two of Mason's good friends, Kael and Ethan Brentnell, had their heads shaved at a school assembly to raise money for Mason. A story about the boys' head shaving was run in the Times Herald on Saturday. If you'd like to read the story, please visit http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=107077&sc=15. Way to go, Kael & Ethan!!
A big thank you also to everyone who has so generously made donations to the silent auction, and also to all who have offered to volunteer their time to work the steak night. It has been wonderful to see so many people wanting to be involved and help out. Thank you!
Next on Mason's treatment schedule is blood tests at Moose Jaw Union Hospital on Tuesday. If the results come back as anticipated, he will likely be returning to Regina for more chemo on Wednesday. This round will be the same mixture as the first round, which means that once Mason is released he should be able to stay at home for 2-3 weeks - a much needed break! Keep it up, Mason - you're doing great!!
Mason is already back at home after his most recent round of chemo, having been released from the hospital on Saturday night. I am happy to report that this round of chemo was much easier on Mason's system. They apparently tried something new with the anti-nausea drugs that worked well, so Mason wasn't so sick this time. (Much easier on his mom emotionally, too.) Jade and Mason are savouring a few days at home, although Jade tells me she will be spending a lot of her time on laundry and housework.
It sounds like Mason will be able to keep up with his school work too, with the help of his teacher's daughter, Whitney, who will be tutoring him. This is a big bonus for Mason, as he will be able to fit right back in with his class when he is able to return to school. He's also had friends over to help him catch up during his time at home, which has been appreciated.
There was a Valentine's tea held at the Bentley in Moose Jaw this past Sunday, where three of Mason's great-grandparents, Elmer & Betty Lien and Horace Cox, live. Proceeds from the Valentine's tea are being donated to Mason's trust fund. Thank you to the management, staff and residents at the Bentley for supporting Mason!
On Thursday of last week, two of Mason's good friends, Kael and Ethan Brentnell, had their heads shaved at a school assembly to raise money for Mason. A story about the boys' head shaving was run in the Times Herald on Saturday. If you'd like to read the story, please visit http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=107077&sc=15. Way to go, Kael & Ethan!!
A big thank you also to everyone who has so generously made donations to the silent auction, and also to all who have offered to volunteer their time to work the steak night. It has been wonderful to see so many people wanting to be involved and help out. Thank you!
Next on Mason's treatment schedule is blood tests at Moose Jaw Union Hospital on Tuesday. If the results come back as anticipated, he will likely be returning to Regina for more chemo on Wednesday. This round will be the same mixture as the first round, which means that once Mason is released he should be able to stay at home for 2-3 weeks - a much needed break! Keep it up, Mason - you're doing great!!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Mason and Jade arrived home last night for a couple of days. They are both relieved to be home and enjoying the sense of normalcy that it has brought. This last round of chemo was pretty tough on Mason, and he is still feeling pretty tired. He has also had a fairly persistent stomach ache that has been a bit bothersome. On the whole though, he is just happy to be home. Mason and Jade were glad that they were able to attend Kale's basketball game today after school. (Congratulations on your basket, Kale!) Mason was able to catch up with some friends and they had fun playing in the hall while the game was on - that's so nice to hear!
Justin will be taking Jade and Mason back to the hospital on Wednesday morning, so he'll be able to help them move all their luggage in and get settled. Mason will be receiving the same chemo again this time that he got this last round. They had to try some different combinations of anti-nauseant medications to help Mason last time, but they eventually found something that worked a bit better than the others. Let's hope that they can give it to him right off the bat this time, so that he doesn't have to suffer so badly with nausea. Of course, they are not looking forward to leaving home and going back to the hospital again, but they are trying to make the most of the time they have at home.
Our thoughts and prayers will certainly be with the Clewis family on Wednesday, as always, when they head back to Regina. Here's hoping that this round is a bit easier. God bless Mason!
Justin will be taking Jade and Mason back to the hospital on Wednesday morning, so he'll be able to help them move all their luggage in and get settled. Mason will be receiving the same chemo again this time that he got this last round. They had to try some different combinations of anti-nauseant medications to help Mason last time, but they eventually found something that worked a bit better than the others. Let's hope that they can give it to him right off the bat this time, so that he doesn't have to suffer so badly with nausea. Of course, they are not looking forward to leaving home and going back to the hospital again, but they are trying to make the most of the time they have at home.
Our thoughts and prayers will certainly be with the Clewis family on Wednesday, as always, when they head back to Regina. Here's hoping that this round is a bit easier. God bless Mason!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Silent Auction - Donations Needed
Jade told me last night that Mason is starting to feel better now after his latest round of chemo. Apparently he really suffered with nausea this time, but the nurses were able to help him a little bit with extra Gravol. He has been able to eat small amounts too and has developed a real craving for subs, so that's mostly what he's been eating. They are hopeful that he will get to come home on Sunday or Monday for a couple of days.
As you may already know, there will be a silent auction held at each of the steak nights. We are currently asking for donations of items that we can auction off. We have a few good donations already - everyone has been so generous. However, we still need more. If you or anyone you know would be willing to make a donation to the auction, please have them contact Amanda at 692-3794. Thank you for your help!
As you may already know, there will be a silent auction held at each of the steak nights. We are currently asking for donations of items that we can auction off. We have a few good donations already - everyone has been so generous. However, we still need more. If you or anyone you know would be willing to make a donation to the auction, please have them contact Amanda at 692-3794. Thank you for your help!
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