Monday, July 11, 2011
Not Quite A Fever
The nurse just came in and took Alex's temp...100.3
Since that isn't technically a fever, she is waiting half an hour and will try again. My toes and fingers are cramping...
Since that isn't technically a fever, she is waiting half an hour and will try again. My toes and fingers are cramping...
Fingers and Toes
We hope to be out of here this morning. We are waiting on Alex's lab results and the doctor's final blessing. It is hard to pack with all my fingers crossed. Walking is especially difficult with all of my toes crossed! I will update about LegoLand, and our hospital visit as soon as I can get a reliable internet connection.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Internet Issues
We are having issues with the internet here at the hospital...and it isn't easy to write a blog post on my phone...Legoland part two will be posted as soon as possible...
24 Hours
Our flight down to Orange County was uneventful. Renting the car, and getting our luggage, uneventful. Driving down to Carlsbad, we encountered traffic but otherwise, uneventful. Checking into our hotel, and finding our room, uneventful.
How different 24 hours can make in a life. Twenty-four hours earlier, I had been watching Alex get Chemo and get a blood transfusion in the hospital. Twenty-four hours later, we were getting admitted to the hospital here in San Diego for low counts and fever.
The twenty-four hours in-between were wonderful...
After we checked into the hotel, we changed into our bathing suits, and headed for the kids pool. What we found was perfect. A pool no more than 4 feet deep, and a water area with a little slide, and water features to play with. After a great time at the pool, and a quick soak in the hot tub, we wandered over to the brewery on-site, and all enjoyed dinner.
In an effort to get the kids tired, we took the kids over to the playground, and watched as Tessa and Alex seemlessly inserted themselves into the group of kids there. Eric and I wandered around the grass, trying to find a wireless signal strong enough to log into LegoLand's website and plan the next day. After defeat in that endeavor, we just sat down and enjoyed the warm California evening, watching our two children embrace their childhood and giggle uncontrollably, and unconditionally.
As the night fell much earlier in this part of the country, our kids bodies assumed it was much later than it was. We decided to take advantage of this misconception, and get the them to bed early.
Since Tessa is my wiggle-worm, Eric and Alex shared one bed, with Tessa sharing the bed with me. The boys were out almost immediately; the snoring announcing their exhaustion with every breath. Tessa had other plans. After three hours of feet in my back, on my head, and in my face, I decided to sit in a chair until Tessa could fall asleep in the bed by herself. Not five minutes later, she was softly mumbling in dreamland.
After slaping my hand to my forhead, I stumbled back into bed, and slipped seamlessly into unconsousness before my head touched the pillow.
Morning came early for Tessa (and, subsequently, me). Tessa wandered to the black-out curtains, and my attempts at discouraging her next move were thwarted by her enthusiasm for the day's promise. “Daddy, Alex, it's morning-time! It's Morning-Time, IT'S MORNING-TIME! LEGOLAND!!!!” With her voice still ringing in his ears, Eric awoke. Alex was harder to wake, although Tessa did give it her all.
Eric and I stole glances at each other throughout the morning. Alex was grumpy, and tired, and did not eat much of anything at breakfast. We both were worried that we would have a repeat of Alex's Make A Wish trip. Eric's hand kept hovering over Alex's forhead, automatically checking for the tell-tell sign of fever, that would not only scorch his hand, but his heart. Neither of us wanted to say out loud what we feared, for to speak it would give the fever power over us.
How different 24 hours can make in a life. Twenty-four hours earlier, I had been watching Alex get Chemo and get a blood transfusion in the hospital. Twenty-four hours later, we were getting admitted to the hospital here in San Diego for low counts and fever.
The twenty-four hours in-between were wonderful...
After we checked into the hotel, we changed into our bathing suits, and headed for the kids pool. What we found was perfect. A pool no more than 4 feet deep, and a water area with a little slide, and water features to play with. After a great time at the pool, and a quick soak in the hot tub, we wandered over to the brewery on-site, and all enjoyed dinner.
In an effort to get the kids tired, we took the kids over to the playground, and watched as Tessa and Alex seemlessly inserted themselves into the group of kids there. Eric and I wandered around the grass, trying to find a wireless signal strong enough to log into LegoLand's website and plan the next day. After defeat in that endeavor, we just sat down and enjoyed the warm California evening, watching our two children embrace their childhood and giggle uncontrollably, and unconditionally.
As the night fell much earlier in this part of the country, our kids bodies assumed it was much later than it was. We decided to take advantage of this misconception, and get the them to bed early.
Since Tessa is my wiggle-worm, Eric and Alex shared one bed, with Tessa sharing the bed with me. The boys were out almost immediately; the snoring announcing their exhaustion with every breath. Tessa had other plans. After three hours of feet in my back, on my head, and in my face, I decided to sit in a chair until Tessa could fall asleep in the bed by herself. Not five minutes later, she was softly mumbling in dreamland.
After slaping my hand to my forhead, I stumbled back into bed, and slipped seamlessly into unconsousness before my head touched the pillow.
Morning came early for Tessa (and, subsequently, me). Tessa wandered to the black-out curtains, and my attempts at discouraging her next move were thwarted by her enthusiasm for the day's promise. “Daddy, Alex, it's morning-time! It's Morning-Time, IT'S MORNING-TIME! LEGOLAND!!!!” With her voice still ringing in his ears, Eric awoke. Alex was harder to wake, although Tessa did give it her all.
Eric and I stole glances at each other throughout the morning. Alex was grumpy, and tired, and did not eat much of anything at breakfast. We both were worried that we would have a repeat of Alex's Make A Wish trip. Eric's hand kept hovering over Alex's forhead, automatically checking for the tell-tell sign of fever, that would not only scorch his hand, but his heart. Neither of us wanted to say out loud what we feared, for to speak it would give the fever power over us.
We finally coerced food into Alex, and after a rousing run in the sun outside, we headed to LegoLand.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Blog Blocked
It has been a while since I have posted anything. I think I was "blog blocked".
Whe have been very busy trying to fill Alex's last few weeks of freedom with as much fun and joy as we can before his transplant.
But, as I sit here in the hospital, watching life-saving blood slowly drip into Alex's veins, I find that I have a moment to slow down, and process what has been going on by typing it out for all of you.
The last few weeks have been good. Alex has been in good spirits, and his nausia has been under contol with the help of pharmacuiticals. I guess "good" is all relative at this point.
Alex and I missed his Grandfather's memorial because of low counts. We tried to make the best of the situation by camping out in the back yard. We had a good time, and some good friends cheered Alex up by camping in their own tent next with us.
We went to Settle on July 3rd to celebrate my Grandfather's 90th birthday. Alex and Tessa played with their cousins for two days... it was great to see him so full of energy, and laughing.
Today, we are in the hospital for Chemo and his last poison to the brain. His red blood cells are low again, so they are giving him another transfusion before we leave for Legoland tomorrow.
The transfusion is just about done, so off I go... we hope for more uneventful events!
Today, we are in the hospital for Chemo and his last poison to the brain. His red blood cells are low again, so they are giving him another transfusion before we leave for Legoland tomorrow.
The transfusion is just about done, so off I go... we hope for more uneventful events!
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