2

Eli's baseball jersey # is 2.

#2 plays hard. He always has. He broke his arm a few years back sliding into home plate, head first, on a suicide squeeze play to win the game. We had a double-header and I thought he was ok to play in the second game. You know, rub some dirt on it and you'll be fine, but it was broken. I wish we could rub some dirt on this cancer. Maybe that's what chemotherapy is - the dirt. 

One of his baseball buddies supporting Eli on the football field.

Eli had a routine appointment today for a blood draw. We will do these weekly to check his counts. We expected them to dip around day 10-12, and it's been exactly 2 weeks since his first treatment. His counts were low, especially his neutrophils and he is considered to be neutropenic at this point. The good news is that this should be the lowest and they should rebound. We need them to be above 250 by next Friday in anticipation of his next treatment.

His hair started falling out this morning. He can literally just tug on it and it comes right out. He said that his scalp felt really tender and sore and then he noticed that he was losing hair. We will probably shave it early next week. We have family photos scheduled for Monday and I was hoping it would hang on until then, but it is what it is.

Semper Paratus!

Wearing the Coast Guard shirt that our buddy Farmer sent while waiting for our appointment. Semper Paratus is the Coast Guard motto that means "always ready". It's a good motto for life. Always ready because you never know what might happen or what curve ball might be thrown your way. We can hit curve balls. 

Despite Eli having low counts, he headed to the Boise State game tonight. A very generous hook-up organized by the greatest friend secured some sweet seats and pre-game field access for Eli and a couple buddies. Eli got to meet and pose for a photo with another amazing #2 - Ashton Jeanty, running back for the BSU Broncos and Heisman contender. What a super cool opportunity.

2 Strong!

I was concerned about Eli going to the game. Not because of his leg, but now because of the risk that being immunosuppressed presents. We discussed it at his appointment this morning and they said that he should go. We are going to have to find our balance with what we are comfortable with doing. I don't want to be consumed with being so worried about worst case scenarios and forgetting to focus on living. It's these moments and memories with his friends that provide hope. He spent the whole game on the sidelines, talking to different people and soaking in the moment. 

I think his cheesy grin says it all.

Hopefully he's forgiven me for sort of backing in to his new car on the way to the game. It's been a long day. But tomorrow is a new day and cars are fixable. And so is Eli.