Tuesday, July 6
Today was a stressful day that ended on a high note. Lucky beat the odds with chemo 6 weeks ago but then hit his first big speed bump last week when his neutrophils count was 1,200, well under the required 2,000 to be administered his weekly round of chemo. As a result, we needed to push last weeks round to this week and we were nervous because this is situation that if his count didn’t improve he couldn’t get his next dosage and the lymphoma will come back.
Chris and I drove back to Columbia last night and boon-docked in the back of the Cracker Barrel for the second time. We slept in until 5am and began a whirlwind day.
Breakfast at 7am -> Laundry, RV deep clean, pay bills at 8am -> Drop off Lucky at Mizzou 9:45am -> Seamstress to repair my go to shorts 10:30am -> Chris’ beard trim 10:40am -> Farmers market 11am -> Shopping 11:30am -> Donuts & coffee 12pm -> Pick up shorts 12:30pm -> Pick up Lucky 1pm -> Pick up Bob 2pm -> More coffee & donuts 2:30pm -> fill water tank and refuel 3pm -> drive back to Vienna MO 5:30pm.
We have learned that even when things go wrong, they can still go right. E.G. we went to wrong supermarket and reprogrammed the correct one which took us by a farmers market that had incredible heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, lettuce and other produce. We also met a talented violinist who spoke to us.
Then the most important news of the day….Lucky’s NEU count which was 1,200 last week was 5,700 this week and was given his round of chemo! Big relief and happy he is still riding the wave.
Bob joined us for his first evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the fresh blood. Chris made the meal of the trip using the heirloom tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, olives which he sautéed then put over the perfectly cooked cod. This followed an appetizer of fig crackers, olives and 3 different cheeses which was accompanied by a shiner bock beer and the a Steel Pinot Noir for the fish. We figure out tomorrow’s route and logistics, made up Bob’s bed and now look forward to resuming our journey tomorrow as we head west toward Lake Ozark.
Thank you for your support -
Cheers,
David.
Early sunrise over the Cracker Barrel parking lot.
A wrong turn takes us to the Farmers Market where Chris steps in to help a woman with her eggplant selection and then explains how she should cook it. We also met an interesting violinist named Pippa.
Dr. Havis is an incredibe oncology veterinarian as well as the entire Mizzou team. She has patience - even for all my questions - tremendous heart and dedication to her animals. When I walked in to the waiting room today, I was really stressed about what could happen. As i sat, a woman approached me in and asked about Lucky because she saw all of the shaved areas indicating he was having chemo and saw me tired or sad. She was a Volunteer who thought I might need consoling - the interaction snapped me out of my reverie immediately as we talked about what was happening and then Katelyn, a student tech, came out and took Lucky so I didn’t even have time to think about it. When Dr. Havis called to give me the great news - the sun rose on our day brilliantly.
The Mizzou team taking dogs out of surgery and helping them walk again.
Bob Becker arrives in Columbia!
On our way back to Vienna MO, our start point for tomorrow, Lucky is feeling tired from his chemo.
Appetizers are served…
Master chef in the house….
Sautéing tomatoes, basil, garlic, olives and olive oil and then Bob admiring the masterpiece.
End of our day, situated on top of a mountain boon-docking.