Back to the ED...Again

Last night, at about 8:30, Alex spiked a fever again. I called the on-call Oncologist, and we were instructed to head back to the ED (Emergency Department). This time, Eric stayed at home with Tessa-Lynn, and I drove Alex up the hill. After checking counts (ANC=810), and giving an antibiotic, Alex and I were released at 2am. Honestly, I can't remember getting off the freeway, and driving into our neighborhood - I was just too tired...

ANC 625

That means Alex gets to come home from the ED...no hospital stay for him!

Good night all!

Blasted Fever

Eric is on the way to Doerenbecher with Alex - he spiked a fever again this evening. If his counts are under 500, they will be checking in - otherwise it will be antibiotics and fluids and home.

I am staying home with Tessa-Lynn - I'll post once I know more...

I HATE YOU CANCER!

An Open Letter to Cancer

I hate you, cancer. I hate you with every ounce of my being. I hate what you have done to our son, I hate that you are trying to claim his life as yours.

You have stolen some of his innocence. You have made him hurt. You have taken his energy, and his sweet personality.

I'm here to tell you, that you WON"T win this battle. Alex is strong, and even when he is tired, and hurting, he is fighting you. And he isn't fighting alone. His family is strong, and will do anything they can for this sweet boy.

You may have taken some of his childhood. But you will NOT take his life!

Go to Hell cancer - just GO TO HELL...

The Hardest Battle Yet

We knew this phase of Alex's treatment was going to be rough - but I didn't fully understand how rough it would be on our sweet boy.

On May 28th, Alex went in for his next round of Chemo consisting of Vincristine and Doxorubicine. His counts were down from 8,100 to just 1,400 - IN ONE WEEK. These drugs are powerful - and brutal. Then, add the steroids to the mix, and we had a *very* hungry boy, who didn't want to eat since it made him nauseous. What a horrible feeling.

He has wanted a lot of Mommy Time and Daddy Time during this phase. I'm glad we can provide comfort with just a hug, and snuggle and a kiss. It's all we have right now.

On Wednesday, June 3rd, Alex and Eric headed back up to the clinic for just a blood count, so we had a baseline before we headed to Salt Lake City for my sister's wedding. His counts were down to 600 - less than half of what they were just 6 days earlier. But, high enough to go. He didn't have Chemo that week - just the steroids.

Since being here in Salt Lake, Alex's energy has just plummeted. He went from tired, but excited about the trip, to not even wanting to leave the hotel room, and asking for naps. It is breaking our hearts.

Alex is also shedding his hair - the Chemo is doing it's job - and this is only temporary...right? Right? RIGHT? Please, just let this be temporary...