Chapter 5

August 2

Miles is good on crutches.  Fast bugger.  Developing crutch parkour.  So there's really no moping about mobility, even when he's on the IV leash.  Miles might say the hardest part is having to pee so frequently for six days straight, day and night.

That's his new chemotherapy regimen: a six-hour infusion daily for 5 days in a row with continuous IV fluids.  Each cycle is three weeks apart.  He's toward the end of cycle two now.

Here's the logistical deal:

• Six weeks since surgery: healing very well.  No real pain.  A little hypersensitive to the touch.  Practicing joint motion.
• Round one of chemotherapy not as effective as hoped: leg mass grew and a couple tiny spots appeared in lungs.  So meds changed: now solely Etopiside and Ifosfamide, which he's tolerating very well, with hardly any nausea.  Does make him tired.
• Imaging in a couple weeks.  Then meet with thoracic surgeon.
• Surgery to get lung spots, end of August.  May do as two separate procedures.
• Several more rounds of chemo, likely till early November.

We are all looking forward to Miles getting fitted for his prosthesis.  That should happen this month.  We anticipate he'll be instructed on additional exercises soon in preparation for assimilating his new lower right leg. 

Meanwhile, he's definitely getting stronger, eating lots, and gaining some weight.  He's still mentally sharp.  He visited the one-day "Get Live" Football Camp, where brother Louis was ripping it up last Sunday, and got to chill for a while with Devin McCourty, who was helping out for the day.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday August 19.  Miles was invited to participate in the Jimmy Fund Telethon that day.  We suspect a charming interview, which might be broadcast during the Red Sox game that follows!  Stay tuned for more info on that one.
This all came about after WEEI Radio Hosts "Dale and Holley" visited the Jimmy Fund Clinic a few weeks ago and happened upon Miles.  They spent some time chatting and recording.  They were touched enough by his story to speak about him on air that afternoon: Miles got a great shout out.

Big thanks to the Ronald McDonald House of Boston, who hosted us with great accommodations these last five days.  Louis enjoyed his trip down too, and got to attend the Red Sox win over the Rays Friday night with Dad, thanks to Mom's gift of great seats.