Home again

Hi #TeamRavi. We are home from the hospital after two days of chemo and one day of intense fluids. We will not know how the kidneys are doing until the next GFR in two weeks, but Ravi’s labs look pretty good after this round of chemo. We are throwing all the prayers and good energy that we can at our boy. On Tuesday our wonderful priest, Joy, came and prayed with us for him. As he was asleep, she did not anoint him with oil (he needs to consent) but left if for me to do when he was awake and alert. A little while later a nurse stopped by to do some reiki. The next day a different nurse practitioner did Healing Touch on him. I took 45 minutes out for myself and got acupuncture. I have had it done before and it really helps anxiety and migraines. I felt much more relaxed last night from it.

This morning Ravi and I woke up early. He was chatting with Sam and I was praying for him and another child I know who has cancer. I asked Ravi if it would be okay if I laid hands on him and anointed him with oil. He was agreeable, so I did. Words cannot describe that experience. Immediately after that my phone rang. It was the orthopedic department at Mayo Clinic. Would we like to come in for a consultation tomorrow? Dr. Housek had read Ravi’s records and agreed to see him. I immediately agreed, though I was terrified. We had already had one surgery consultation and it was traumatic to say the least. The only thing the surgeon offered to do was remove Ravi’s left shoulder and arm. We gave that a hard no, even though we knew it greatly diminished his chances of full recovery. After I hung up, I look up the bio on Dr. H. His interests are in osteosarcoma of the upper extremities and limb salvaging. That seemed to check all the boxes for me. Basically, I just want another pair of eyes to look at him, to see him, not just as a tumor or a cancer patient, but as a complex and intuitive young man. To be honest, right now I am terrified. Before seeing the other surgeon, amputation had never entered my mind. This particular surgeon lacked any kind of bedside manner and thoroughly traumatized all of us. I do not know if this surgeon is any different, but I am willing to go where the hand of God leads me. God has a purpose for Ravi. Ravi is very much invested in being alive. As long as that zest for life continues, I will fight for him.

Currently, Ravi is snoozing in his own bed. I am in my favorite chair with the animals scattered around me. The house is quiet. There are no beeping machines or crying babies. There is no one on the intercom calling for help with a code 21. It is peaceful. I am grateful. I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I do not know what July will bring. Ravi does not have any chemo scheduled for July, but lots of tests, labs and scans. Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed, sent good energy, mowed my lawn, walked my dogs, sent over food. I am so grateful to have you on our team. More details as I have them. Be good humans.