Inspiration from Lance (yes, that Lance)

Apologies for no updates this week.  With Harry home, we were trying to adjust to outpatient status.

Harry was happy to be home as the food is somewhat better and he can make requests to the kitchen at any hour.  Harry felt well enough to have a few outings with 'the boys': "22 Jump Street" -- he has cancer and can watch R-rated movies (his friends don't have that excuse) and a poker night. He was even able to go to his sister Eden's graduation from JPDS!

While he went biking outdoors, he was still not at his usual strength which frustrates him.  Luckily, he received a video message from someone who has gone through this himself: Lance Armstrong!  He recalled his own health struggle, gave Harry lots of encouragement, and offered to even go out for a ride with him sometime!  Harry was thrilled to get Armstrong''s encouragement --I have rarely seen him more amazed -- and the touching video brought tears to everyone in the examination room, including Dr. Marcus.  Deepest appreciation to Aunt Jill, Milan Martin, Diann Hamilton, Mike Nesladek and Mark Higgins for arranging this.  Below is Harry's reaction to the video.

Harry had three chemo treatments this week.  When one is a patient in the hospital, the treatments just occur, whether you have guests, are watching a movie, or just hanging out.  As an outpatient, things are very different: visits can take six hours, with the wait just for medication alone lasting 2 1/2 hours.  Yes, that was our wait time on Wednesday.  And a small rash near his port may force us to abandon our plans for London.  This is how infections start.  But his blood counts remained within normal range again,

The week ended with Harry leining his bar mitzvah Maftir & haftorah at the hashkama minyan at Kesher Israel.  The early show at 7:30 am.  We perhaps were even more proud of him Saturday, than on his actual Bar Mitzvah, two years ago.  Harry practiced Friday during chemo with his teacher Howard Rosen, who came to the hospital infusion center, to practice with him.  And Harry attended Mairav Diamond's  Bat Mitzvah later that morning.

Next week will be easier, with only one chemo session scheduled.  If you want to visit, please email Amy (abkauff@gmail.com).  We are trying to limit to one visit a day as his exhaustion is rising.