I know Alex is where he needs to be - under the care of the great Oncology team at Doerenbecher. I know that his body is trying desperately to fight off a virus, and ward off a "civil war" with the "good" bacteria in his body. I know that he will make it through this, and that our family will make it through this.
But in the moment, it sure is hard. To feel our son's body just burning up, and there isn't a single thing we can do ourselves to help him... To know that this war raging in his body is scheduled to continue for another 20 months... To know that this fever is pushing back the start of his next round of Chemo... To know all these things, and feel powerless to do anything about it, is like living in suspended animation.
I know I have said of Eric and myself: "Only one of us has to be strong at a time". But that strength is taxing. That strength is overwhelming at times.
Eric and I are doing good - our family unit is strong. We both draw from that strength, and then add the love and support from all our friends and family members to make it through the day.
Who knows, without just one of you, we might not be able to continue to give Alex the strength and support he needs to win this battle. Thank you all for everything you do for us - just knowing you all are out there helps us distribute this huge weight, and keeps it from crushing us and our spirit.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Fever Continues
Alex is napping right now, and he is really hot - we'll give him more Tylenol once he wakes up again. It looks like he'll miss school on Tuesday at this rate...
A Rough Night
The nurse finally took the "swab" of Alex's throat at 10:00pm last night. We had to wake him up, and then two nurses and I had to hold him down while he cried and struggled. The nurse was able to finally get the "swab" down his throat, and then he just cried and cried. Then, the nurse gave me Tylenol again for the fever, and he even struggled to take that. Thankfully, he fell back asleep pretty quickly.
The fever is back at 101.7 this morning. The nurse just left with more blood cultures. His doctor thinks it is likely a one-two punch - a virus pushed his counts down to zero, and then the "good" bacteria in his body is probably starting to run amok. So, I sit here waiting to see if his body was able to produce any white blood cells, so he can start to fight this off...
The fever is back at 101.7 this morning. The nurse just left with more blood cultures. His doctor thinks it is likely a one-two punch - a virus pushed his counts down to zero, and then the "good" bacteria in his body is probably starting to run amok. So, I sit here waiting to see if his body was able to produce any white blood cells, so he can start to fight this off...
Friday, February 27, 2009
101.5
No, that's not a radio station, that's Alex's temperature. The fever is back - another dose of Tylenol and antibiotics - and another day in the hospital...
They are doing a "swab" in a few minutes - this should to be fun - they "quickly" jam a long q-tip down his throat - can't wait (insert sarcasm here)...
They are doing a "swab" in a few minutes - this should to be fun - they "quickly" jam a long q-tip down his throat - can't wait (insert sarcasm here)...
Isolation
With Alex's cough getting worse, the doctors decided to put Alex in "isolation" - which means when anyone comes in the room, they have to wear a paper gown and mask. So, we are isolated in this little room no bigger than a one car garage (including the bathroom). We cannot even have the door open.
We just finished watching Wall-E, and Alex is singing the Peter Gabriel song at the credits.
"We're coming down to the ground, there's no other place to go, we've got snow on the mountains, and rivers down below..."
We can see the mountains and rivers here on top of this hill, but can't get to them right now. It's true, there is no better place than outside - something we all take for granted until your child can't experience it...
We can't wait to "come down to the ground" off this hill - maybe Monday - he still has a fever...
We just finished watching Wall-E, and Alex is singing the Peter Gabriel song at the credits.
"We're coming down to the ground, there's no other place to go, we've got snow on the mountains, and rivers down below..."
We can see the mountains and rivers here on top of this hill, but can't get to them right now. It's true, there is no better place than outside - something we all take for granted until your child can't experience it...
We can't wait to "come down to the ground" off this hill - maybe Monday - he still has a fever...
Another Red Bead
Each time Alex gets a procedure, he gets a bead. So far, his bead chain is about 1 1/2 feet long - and he's only in his 3rd month of treatment. Each bead is the size of my pinky finger nail - so, it's a lot of beads. Today, he gets a red bead for having a transfusion. He is currently hooked up to the IV pole, while life-sustaining blood is placed back into his blood stream drop by drop. We are lucky that he is O+ - it's relatively quick to get - only a few hours to process it.
He'll also get a bead for his stay here, and a bead for his poke (accessing his PORT). He'll also get a bead for finishing this round of Chemo.
Once we check out, he'll start the next round, called Delayed Intensification - whew~
He'll also get a bead for his stay here, and a bead for his poke (accessing his PORT). He'll also get a bead for finishing this round of Chemo.
Once we check out, he'll start the next round, called Delayed Intensification - whew~
Doing the Parent Dance
So, last night, Eric stayed with Alex, and I went home to spend some time with Tessa-Lynn (who has a ugly cold - her nose is just a faucet!) - Then, this morning, my mom came back over to the house to watch Tessa, and I headed back up the hill. Tonight, Eric will head down the hill to be with Tessa, and I'll stay with Alex - we'll switch back and forth until Alex can come home.
This morning, I was downstairs with Tessa-Lynn, and she was looking all over for Alex - crawling into Alex's room, and poking her head in each room - it was sweet - and sad. Hopefully, the trips to the hospital will reduce over time, and she won't be affected by our absence...she's such a great little girl - i just hate missing a single day with her...but, it's the dance we must do!
This morning, I was downstairs with Tessa-Lynn, and she was looking all over for Alex - crawling into Alex's room, and poking her head in each room - it was sweet - and sad. Hopefully, the trips to the hospital will reduce over time, and she won't be affected by our absence...she's such a great little girl - i just hate missing a single day with her...but, it's the dance we must do!
The fever is still here...
101.6 - Tylenol isn't helping much. The nurses said we need to watch for cold hands and feet - it's a first sign of shock. His feet are already cold - his hands are still warm, but seem cooler to me. But I could be getting paranoid...
The doctors just came by - Alex needs a transfusion of whole blood today (red blood cells) - AND his ANC is still ZERO...so, we will be here until we get negative blood cultures, and he is fever free for 48 hours, and his counts start to rise - so, we'll be here until at least Sunday.
Alex didn't eat any breakfast this morning, although I did get him to eat a Popsicle and two saltine crackers. His lunch is now in front of him - but he hasn't touched any of it yet. He's hooked up to the IV for fluids, since he doesn't want to drink much either.
Alex is watching TV - and looking at "Where's Waldo?" books - not much else we can do. I think at 1:30, some volunteers will be bringing him some art supplies to play with.
Eric is trying to work from the hospital - not an easy task - but he's doing the best he can.
I'll update the blog whenever I can...
The doctors just came by - Alex needs a transfusion of whole blood today (red blood cells) - AND his ANC is still ZERO...so, we will be here until we get negative blood cultures, and he is fever free for 48 hours, and his counts start to rise - so, we'll be here until at least Sunday.
Alex didn't eat any breakfast this morning, although I did get him to eat a Popsicle and two saltine crackers. His lunch is now in front of him - but he hasn't touched any of it yet. He's hooked up to the IV for fluids, since he doesn't want to drink much either.
Alex is watching TV - and looking at "Where's Waldo?" books - not much else we can do. I think at 1:30, some volunteers will be bringing him some art supplies to play with.
Eric is trying to work from the hospital - not an easy task - but he's doing the best he can.
I'll update the blog whenever I can...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Taylor's Here!
Hip Hip Hooray! Alex's Chemo Pal, Taylor is here to play with Alex - they are having a great time - thank you Taylor and Children's Cancer Association - it's good to see him smiling!
Room 19
Room 19 - that's where you will find us for the next few days.
Alex asked me if we were sleeping here, and I said "yes, for a couple of days". A silent tear ran down his cheek. All I could do was hold him, and tell him "we'll go home soon"
Cancer sucks...
Alex asked me if we were sleeping here, and I said "yes, for a couple of days". A silent tear ran down his cheek. All I could do was hold him, and tell him "we'll go home soon"
Cancer sucks...
Hotel Dorenbecher
...you can check out...but you can never leave...
Remember that song? Hotel California - that's what today seems like - we were scheduled to have Alex's Chemo treatment today. Instead, we are getting admitted...
Eric was about to go to work, and felt Alex's forehead. It felt warm, so we took Alex's temperature - and lo and behold - it was the magic 100.4 - we called in, and the Doctor told us to come in to the clinic this morning. So, no school...
I forgot to put the numbing cream on his Port before we left - gulp! Mr. Stoic had his Port accessed without even a wince! As we feared, his ANC was zero, yep - zero. NO ability to fight off infection, none...
The nurses hooked him up to an IV, and started fluids and antibiotics. The nurse just came and took his temperature again, and it had jumped to 101.6 - ugh. They gave him some Tylenol, and he fought it - yummy grape flavor (insert sarcasm here). I had to hold him down while the nurse gave it to him - double ugh.
So, Alex is now playing Chutes and Ladders with one of the volunteers, while we wait for a bed in the in-patient area. We will be here for at least 48 hours, and his next round of Chemo is delayed until his counts come up...
Remember that song? Hotel California - that's what today seems like - we were scheduled to have Alex's Chemo treatment today. Instead, we are getting admitted...
Eric was about to go to work, and felt Alex's forehead. It felt warm, so we took Alex's temperature - and lo and behold - it was the magic 100.4 - we called in, and the Doctor told us to come in to the clinic this morning. So, no school...
I forgot to put the numbing cream on his Port before we left - gulp! Mr. Stoic had his Port accessed without even a wince! As we feared, his ANC was zero, yep - zero. NO ability to fight off infection, none...
The nurses hooked him up to an IV, and started fluids and antibiotics. The nurse just came and took his temperature again, and it had jumped to 101.6 - ugh. They gave him some Tylenol, and he fought it - yummy grape flavor (insert sarcasm here). I had to hold him down while the nurse gave it to him - double ugh.
So, Alex is now playing Chutes and Ladders with one of the volunteers, while we wait for a bed in the in-patient area. We will be here for at least 48 hours, and his next round of Chemo is delayed until his counts come up...
Back to the Hospital
Alex has a fever this morning of 100.4 - so we're headed back to the hospital this morning - not sure if he will be admitted or not...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Scars and Bruises
Today, as I was getting my son ready for the day, I looked at his body, which is now down to just 37 lbs. I was struck by the number of bruises that map his body. As if the cancer diagnosis wasn't a hard enough blow, we have to see physical bruising to constantly remind us of the battle waging under his skin.
My eyes came to rest on the scar above his PORT in his chest. A life-long battle mark to remind us all that this fight is to the death. It is Alex's life against the life of cancer - this is a battle we *cannot* lose.
Eric and I have decided that the smell of hand sanitizer and adhesive remover will forever be the stench of cancer.
When his Platelets are low, just rubbing up against a chair can cause a bruise, as evidenced by the purple mark on Alex's cheek today, along with the over 20 other purple stains on his skin.
The visit to the doctor today, revealed that his Platelets had dropped to 25 from 50 earlier in the week. So, Alex got his second transfusion of Platelets in one week. His RBC (red blood cell count) was in the normal range, but his ANC numbers were still only 100.
I talked to the doctor about school next week, and visiting friends this weekend. He said it was really up to our discretion, and that the biggest concern is with his own body's bacteria getting out of control - and not necessarily a common cold (although, we should avoid people with fevers, or active infections). So, Eric and I are going to take it one day at a time, and hope that he is fever-free next week, so he can go back to school. He sure did miss it this week.
I think it's time for me to go back on Prozac...
My eyes came to rest on the scar above his PORT in his chest. A life-long battle mark to remind us all that this fight is to the death. It is Alex's life against the life of cancer - this is a battle we *cannot* lose.
Eric and I have decided that the smell of hand sanitizer and adhesive remover will forever be the stench of cancer.
When his Platelets are low, just rubbing up against a chair can cause a bruise, as evidenced by the purple mark on Alex's cheek today, along with the over 20 other purple stains on his skin.
The visit to the doctor today, revealed that his Platelets had dropped to 25 from 50 earlier in the week. So, Alex got his second transfusion of Platelets in one week. His RBC (red blood cell count) was in the normal range, but his ANC numbers were still only 100.
I talked to the doctor about school next week, and visiting friends this weekend. He said it was really up to our discretion, and that the biggest concern is with his own body's bacteria getting out of control - and not necessarily a common cold (although, we should avoid people with fevers, or active infections). So, Eric and I are going to take it one day at a time, and hope that he is fever-free next week, so he can go back to school. He sure did miss it this week.
I think it's time for me to go back on Prozac...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Counts Low - No School This Week
We had a doctors appointment today - just to check Alex's counts. His ANC is down to 100 from 500 on Friday - so no school this week, and no playing with friends outside of our house. Bummer...
His Red Blood Cells have rebounded into the normal range, although his Platelets are still quite low at 50 (normal is over 350) - so he will bleed and bruise more easily, but he doesn't need a transfusion, since the counts have increased from 15 on Friday.
We have another appointment for another dose of Vincristine on Friday - we'll see how his Platelets and ANC numbers are then...
His Red Blood Cells have rebounded into the normal range, although his Platelets are still quite low at 50 (normal is over 350) - so he will bleed and bruise more easily, but he doesn't need a transfusion, since the counts have increased from 15 on Friday.
We have another appointment for another dose of Vincristine on Friday - we'll see how his Platelets and ANC numbers are then...
Monday, February 16, 2009
Our Brave Boy
On Friday, we had a doctor's appointment, including a blood count, Vincristine, and those dreaded PEG Asparaganaise shots in his thighs.
Imagine this... two nurses come in, hiding the needles behind their back. They pull down Alex's pants to get to his thighs. Then, they each poke him in a thigh with a 1 1/2 inch needle. The normal reaction to these shots in the clinic is screaming. While the numbing cream reduces the pain, it doesn't reduce the image or the feeling of the needle in the muscle.
The nurses braced themselves for a crying, screaming kid. I braced myself to comfort him while he sat on my lap during the shot. None of us expected the reaction we got.
Alex took my hand, and gently squeezed when the needles went in. Then, nothing but a big deep breath. Not even teary eyes. He was so brave, I almost cried!
Alex also was also non-chalant about getting his PORT accessed. While we waited for the blood tests to come back, doctor Stork came in to check on us. She said she expected his counts to be quite low.
Sure enough, his ANC was down to 500, and his RBC (red blood count) was down to 6.8 (normal is over 10), and his Platelets were down to 15 (normal is over 350). So, our short doctors appointment turned into an all day event. The nurses ordered the blood, and platelets, and gave him his Vincristine.
We spent the rest of the day with Alex hooked up to an IV getting his transfusions, napping, and watching Disney Channel. We finally got home at around 7pm that night.
His color and energy are so much better since the transfusion! We have another appointment tomorrow to check on his counts to see if he needs another transfusion, or if he is holding his own. I don't think he'll need anymore this week. Although, he is growing taller, but not gaining any weight. He's down to 37 lbs - I'm going to bring it up to the doctor to see if we need to supplement his diet with some shakes (*not* chocolate) in order to "put some meat on his bones"...
I'll let you all know how it goes!
Imagine this... two nurses come in, hiding the needles behind their back. They pull down Alex's pants to get to his thighs. Then, they each poke him in a thigh with a 1 1/2 inch needle. The normal reaction to these shots in the clinic is screaming. While the numbing cream reduces the pain, it doesn't reduce the image or the feeling of the needle in the muscle.
The nurses braced themselves for a crying, screaming kid. I braced myself to comfort him while he sat on my lap during the shot. None of us expected the reaction we got.
Alex took my hand, and gently squeezed when the needles went in. Then, nothing but a big deep breath. Not even teary eyes. He was so brave, I almost cried!
Alex also was also non-chalant about getting his PORT accessed. While we waited for the blood tests to come back, doctor Stork came in to check on us. She said she expected his counts to be quite low.
Sure enough, his ANC was down to 500, and his RBC (red blood count) was down to 6.8 (normal is over 10), and his Platelets were down to 15 (normal is over 350). So, our short doctors appointment turned into an all day event. The nurses ordered the blood, and platelets, and gave him his Vincristine.
We spent the rest of the day with Alex hooked up to an IV getting his transfusions, napping, and watching Disney Channel. We finally got home at around 7pm that night.
His color and energy are so much better since the transfusion! We have another appointment tomorrow to check on his counts to see if he needs another transfusion, or if he is holding his own. I don't think he'll need anymore this week. Although, he is growing taller, but not gaining any weight. He's down to 37 lbs - I'm going to bring it up to the doctor to see if we need to supplement his diet with some shakes (*not* chocolate) in order to "put some meat on his bones"...
I'll let you all know how it goes!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Big Thank You - and weekend update
Hi Everyone,
It seems that there aren't enough hours in the day to properly thank all of you for your wonderful comments, love, and support of our family. We cannot imagine how we would be getting through this without all of you.
Whether you have helped with bringing food, donating gift cards, helping us get the house ready for Alex, giving us homemade cards from your kids, volunteering to watch the kids, donating money for Alex's heath care, or your kind words here on this blog, or to us personally, I cannot express our gratitude enough.
We are almost done with Phase Two of Alex's treatment. Last week, Taylor, Alex's Chemo Pal came with us to the doctor's appointment. She brought her big black duffel bag full of toys and games. Alex and Taylor made an erector set type helicopter with screws and nuts. I sat back and watched the two of them have fun together. Children's Cancer Association is one of the most amazing organizations, and their Chemo Pal program has meant the world to us. They are doing their annual fundraisers right now, and I highly recommend their organization for your donation dollars. http://www.childrenscancerassociation.org/
Saturday, we went to Alex's Birth mothers home for a baby shower. Alex got to play with his birth-cousins, and his birth-brother Ayden, and meet his new birth-brother David. He was "just a regular kid" - no one treated him any different, and the love everyone there has for him is wonderful. It was another day to treasure.
Sunday, Alex and Tessa hung out with Daddy while I worked on getting the house ready for our guests this week (Tessa-Lynn's 1st birthday party is this weekend). Alex was working really hard to make sure he didn't have any potty accidents. He is mostly successful - although at times, his GI tract is just too disrupted from the Chemo to cooperate.
This week, Alex's Chemo appointment will include Vincristine and the PEG Aspariginase. The PEG is two shots given simultaneously in his thighs. Unfortunately, since he doesn't have a Lumbar Puncture which would have him "knocked out" for the PEG, he will be awake and watch the whole thing. They give him some numbing cream on his thigs, which helps reduce the physical pinch of the needles going in, but it doesn't stop him from seeing it. Ugh, Double Ugh. He will either go ballistic, or he will be "Mr. Stoic" - either way, I'm so proud of him - he has been to the doctor more times in the last 3 months, than most kids his age have been their entire life.
It seems that there aren't enough hours in the day to properly thank all of you for your wonderful comments, love, and support of our family. We cannot imagine how we would be getting through this without all of you.
Whether you have helped with bringing food, donating gift cards, helping us get the house ready for Alex, giving us homemade cards from your kids, volunteering to watch the kids, donating money for Alex's heath care, or your kind words here on this blog, or to us personally, I cannot express our gratitude enough.
We are almost done with Phase Two of Alex's treatment. Last week, Taylor, Alex's Chemo Pal came with us to the doctor's appointment. She brought her big black duffel bag full of toys and games. Alex and Taylor made an erector set type helicopter with screws and nuts. I sat back and watched the two of them have fun together. Children's Cancer Association is one of the most amazing organizations, and their Chemo Pal program has meant the world to us. They are doing their annual fundraisers right now, and I highly recommend their organization for your donation dollars. http://www.childrenscancerassociation.org/
Saturday, we went to Alex's Birth mothers home for a baby shower. Alex got to play with his birth-cousins, and his birth-brother Ayden, and meet his new birth-brother David. He was "just a regular kid" - no one treated him any different, and the love everyone there has for him is wonderful. It was another day to treasure.
Sunday, Alex and Tessa hung out with Daddy while I worked on getting the house ready for our guests this week (Tessa-Lynn's 1st birthday party is this weekend). Alex was working really hard to make sure he didn't have any potty accidents. He is mostly successful - although at times, his GI tract is just too disrupted from the Chemo to cooperate.
This week, Alex's Chemo appointment will include Vincristine and the PEG Aspariginase. The PEG is two shots given simultaneously in his thighs. Unfortunately, since he doesn't have a Lumbar Puncture which would have him "knocked out" for the PEG, he will be awake and watch the whole thing. They give him some numbing cream on his thigs, which helps reduce the physical pinch of the needles going in, but it doesn't stop him from seeing it. Ugh, Double Ugh. He will either go ballistic, or he will be "Mr. Stoic" - either way, I'm so proud of him - he has been to the doctor more times in the last 3 months, than most kids his age have been their entire life.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The "Old Alex"
I just received a great email from a mom who has a son in Alex's class. It really made our evening.
"Hi Sara-
I just wanted to tell you that Alex really seemed like the 'old' Alex today at school!! He was hangin' with his new(?) buddy Chase, and they were having a great time together. The last couple of times he has been at school he seemed a bit tentative to me, but he sure seemed like he was Back today! It was great!"
I can't be there every minute - and it's so nice to know that other people are watching out for him, and can share the good stories with us...
Tomorrow, we have another Clinic appointment. Alex's Chemo Pal is going to meet us there - it should be nice!
"Hi Sara-
I just wanted to tell you that Alex really seemed like the 'old' Alex today at school!! He was hangin' with his new(?) buddy Chase, and they were having a great time together. The last couple of times he has been at school he seemed a bit tentative to me, but he sure seemed like he was Back today! It was great!"
I can't be there every minute - and it's so nice to know that other people are watching out for him, and can share the good stories with us...
Tomorrow, we have another Clinic appointment. Alex's Chemo Pal is going to meet us there - it should be nice!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Chemo Effects
Alex's energy level is reducing, as the Chemo does its work. Yesterday, Alex went to school, and had a great time - but it wore him out.
Alex had a bit of a cold over the weekend, and has the lingering "clear" runny nose, and a bit of a cough. When I took him to school yesterday, I had a talk with his teacher about his illness, and what parents should do to help keep him safe. I really love the community at his preschool, and everyone is concerned for him, and they don't want to possibly do something that could put him back in the hospital.
I explained to his teacher that he can't live in a bubble for two years, and I can't expect the other children to live in one too. What we came up with is just a strict adherence to the sick policy (no fever, no green runny nose - clear runny nose, and little cough OK) It's mostly common sense, and the people in Alex's school are a great group, who really care. If one of Alex's classmates siblings are sick, but the classmate isn't sick, that is no reason to keep the classmate home.
I don't know where Alex caught the cold from that landed him back in the hospital last month. It could have been from school, but it could have easily come from someplace or someone else too.
It comes down to trust - and when we are talking about the life of our child, it makes trusting other people to make the right choice hard. It isn't personal - it's just Mama and Papa bear protecting their child.
We *really* appreciate how concerned everyone is about Alex - it's a delicate balance between protecting his health, and making sure he is still having as "normal" of a childhood as he can - that means school, birthday parties, etc.
If any of you are concerned about how to respond with Alex and an illness, please let me know. We know that illnesses happen, and that our all our friends and family are doing the best they can to protect Alex. Please know that the burden is on Eric and my shoulders - please don't worry - just do your best, that's all we can ask of you.
Alex had a bit of a cold over the weekend, and has the lingering "clear" runny nose, and a bit of a cough. When I took him to school yesterday, I had a talk with his teacher about his illness, and what parents should do to help keep him safe. I really love the community at his preschool, and everyone is concerned for him, and they don't want to possibly do something that could put him back in the hospital.
I explained to his teacher that he can't live in a bubble for two years, and I can't expect the other children to live in one too. What we came up with is just a strict adherence to the sick policy (no fever, no green runny nose - clear runny nose, and little cough OK) It's mostly common sense, and the people in Alex's school are a great group, who really care. If one of Alex's classmates siblings are sick, but the classmate isn't sick, that is no reason to keep the classmate home.
I don't know where Alex caught the cold from that landed him back in the hospital last month. It could have been from school, but it could have easily come from someplace or someone else too.
It comes down to trust - and when we are talking about the life of our child, it makes trusting other people to make the right choice hard. It isn't personal - it's just Mama and Papa bear protecting their child.
We *really* appreciate how concerned everyone is about Alex - it's a delicate balance between protecting his health, and making sure he is still having as "normal" of a childhood as he can - that means school, birthday parties, etc.
If any of you are concerned about how to respond with Alex and an illness, please let me know. We know that illnesses happen, and that our all our friends and family are doing the best they can to protect Alex. Please know that the burden is on Eric and my shoulders - please don't worry - just do your best, that's all we can ask of you.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Marathon Chemo Appointment
Friday, Eric took off of work, and drove Alex to his doctors appointment. The appointment began at 8:30am, and they didn't get home until after 6pm - ugh. The good news is that Alex's counts were 1,600 - and his Hemoglobin and Platelet counts were excellent too.
Eric told me about another parent there with her 2 1/2 year old daughter who was playing with Alex, and had been off treatment for a different type of cancer for 4 months. They were there for a "check-up" - the woman was very nervous, and it seemed she was right to be nervous, as the news she received was not good. Oh, I hope that is not us in another 2 years. It hit Eric pretty hard to see that.
She told Eric she had to pull over 3 times on the drive from central Oregon to the Hospital, fearing she would be physically ill - she was so worried. I think that even years after Alex is "cured" - I will have the same reaction when going to any check-up appointments. I guess "Worrying" is a life sentence when you are a parent. This is just one more "worry" on top of "will he make good choices...?" - "what time is he supposed to be home?" - "will he remember to look both ways before crossing the street?"
Both Alex and Tessa have colds today, so we are staying close to home, checking temperatures, and washing our hands constantly. Eric and I are fighting off the same cold. Alex is still real energetic - but his appetite is off again. He threw-up after taking his Septra this morning. We are trying a new flavor - grape - to see if he gags less on it than the cherry flavor. So far, I've had to steam clean the carpet - so I'm not convinced this flavor is any better. We have many other flavors to explore, and 20 more months to try all of them.
Eric told me about another parent there with her 2 1/2 year old daughter who was playing with Alex, and had been off treatment for a different type of cancer for 4 months. They were there for a "check-up" - the woman was very nervous, and it seemed she was right to be nervous, as the news she received was not good. Oh, I hope that is not us in another 2 years. It hit Eric pretty hard to see that.
She told Eric she had to pull over 3 times on the drive from central Oregon to the Hospital, fearing she would be physically ill - she was so worried. I think that even years after Alex is "cured" - I will have the same reaction when going to any check-up appointments. I guess "Worrying" is a life sentence when you are a parent. This is just one more "worry" on top of "will he make good choices...?" - "what time is he supposed to be home?" - "will he remember to look both ways before crossing the street?"
Both Alex and Tessa have colds today, so we are staying close to home, checking temperatures, and washing our hands constantly. Eric and I are fighting off the same cold. Alex is still real energetic - but his appetite is off again. He threw-up after taking his Septra this morning. We are trying a new flavor - grape - to see if he gags less on it than the cherry flavor. So far, I've had to steam clean the carpet - so I'm not convinced this flavor is any better. We have many other flavors to explore, and 20 more months to try all of them.
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