Day Minus 5

Today, radiation came early... both Alex and I were exhausted, and were barely awake when the transportation gurney arrived to take us to LINAC 1. Alex decided to try a Scooby Doo video that he hadn't already seen (imagine that!). Half way through the first 10 minutes, the video froze, and Alex had to just sit there still as possible until that side was "done". As always, he was a champ.

The second side was uneventful, and we came back up to 10 South without any problems.

School started soon after we returned, and Alex worked with the teacher while I got a 25 minute chair massage from a massage therapist who volunteers up every other Thursday to work on the children's caregivers. Unfortunately, today was the day Eric decided to head into the office for work - I don't think he will make that same mistake again. The generosity of the volunteers and organizations to support our family and others is truly amazing. I am humbled by their selfless acts to families who are struggling under the weight of a cancer diagnosis.

All Alex has wanted to eat today is Cheerios, and so far, he has consumed 5 boxes of them (the individual size) with milk.

After school and Cheerios, Alex and I went to work on his plan for the door to his room. I will post a picture of the final product - five points to whoever can guess what it will be *smile*

The 3pm hour came quickly, and Alex bounced onto the gurney, and played a game with his iPhone on the way to LINAC 1. Ghostbusters 2 was the video of choice, and after maneuvering him into position, we started the movie, and closed the vault door. One of the technicians told me that he was starting to fall asleep. When the lead and concrete monolith slid open at the mid-point, Alex asked to have his head taped, so that he could close his eyes. When his treatment was complete, he was totally asleep.



He woke up long enough to get down from the chair, and back on to the transportation gurney. Once his head hit the cushion, he was out again.



It took about a half an hour for an authorized transporter to come and wheel us back to the room. Two staff lifted him off the gurney onto his bed, where he continues to sleep. He is warm to the touch, although he doesn't have a fever. He is essentially getting a sunburn all over. His lips are starting to chap, and the doctors are surprised he hasn't started throwing up yet.

To help reduce mouth sores, we have this nasty-tasting mouthwash he has to use 4 times a day. We are going through it quick, since he is making us wash our mouths out with it too. He is swallowing pills the size of a dime, and is giving advise for pill swallowing to his fellow classmates.

I am so anxious not to let him fall behind in school, and am worried that soon he won't feel well enough to "go" there. The teachers will come to his bedside, which is wonderful. I guess I should probably get off of the blog and contact them about how to set that up.

For those of you who have read this far, and feel a connection with Alex, you may wonder what you can do for him. I have some suggestions.

1. Donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Warriors 4 Alex team (click the link to take you to the page). The cure for his Lymphoma CAUSED this cancer. We NEED a better cure. LLS has been instrumental in funding research to help find a cure for blood cancer. It is an organization that Eric and I are passionate about. Feel free to join our team, and walk with us on October 1st in Portland. Alex is the honored hero this year, and because of his transplant won't be able to attend. Walk with us for Alex.

2. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor. Alex's bone marrow donor is on the other side of the world. Someone we don't know, whose simple cheek swab set in motion the events that are happening now. She is saving Alex's life. Check out the website, to see if you qualify. You can save a life.

3. Donate blood at your local blood bank. Here is the link to the American Red Cross. Alex will need a whole lot of transfusions once this radiation and chemo wipe out his marrow. While your donation may not go directly to him, just one pint of blood can save 3 other lives.

4. Donate to the Children's Cancer Association. They have provided so much joy to our family - from a trip to the Caring Cabin, to our amazing Chemo Pal, Reid (and Taylor too)! In fact, they are doing a raffle for a Mini Cooper. My mom and step-dad won the raffle last year! Tickets are only $35.

5. Donate to Candlelighters. They have provided us with meals, family camps, and support groups.

If you read through all of that, I would like to leave you with a meme going around Facebook right now.

"They ride tricycles in the hallway, not in the park. They know the name of treatments instead of their classmates. Their central lines have names. Nurses and doctors are part of their family. They think hair is overrated. Their laughter can make a heart melt. Their strength will make a grown person cry. If you've ever seen a kid fight cancer, it will change your life forever! September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month."