Crazy Counts

Yesterday, we had Alex's clinic appointment for Vincristine, and to check his counts. His ANC was only 600 - which is 150 below where they want them.

Good grief - we just can't seem to get the exact "mix" of chemo he needs...

In the meantime, it's lots of hand washing, and trying to keep him away from anyone who is sick (yah, right...)

So, the plan is to continue ahead with Steroids this week, and then check counts again in two weeks. From there, the doctors will determine whether to adjust his dosage again or "stay the course".

Speaking (or typing) of Steroids, they have hit hard in this house already. Only 4 more days to go...

We can do it - right?

Steroids and Sleep

Alex is on the lovely steroids this week. He is grazing all day in the pantry and refrigerator. I'm so glad that he likes fruits and vegetables, because this kid is eating non-stop! Cheese stick, after cheese stick...then on to peaches, and plums, carrots, crackers, left-over fried chicken, apple sauce, yogurt, fish sticks, scalloped potatoes, spinach, cheerios, raisins, peanut butter, juice, water... you get the idea.

He was so excited to go play with friends today, and then promptly fell asleep in the car before we got to our destination. I carried him inside to the couch, and he slept from 1:30 to 4pm. I think his counts are crashing down from the height of his fever. I hope they only come down to the "acceptable" range of 750 - 1,500.

We aren't scheduled to go back into clinic until the end of July - so I've got all fingers and toes crossed that he stays fever-free between now and then. We dodged one hospital admission bullet - I doubt we would be that lucky twice...

Clinic Update

We went to Clinic today, and Alex got his beloved "sleepy milk", and a dose of Methotrexate into his spinal fluid and brain. He also received his Vincristine through his Port, and we get to start the steroids tonight.

He still has a fever, and if it is still there at 6pm, we may need to go back to the ED for additional antibiotics.

His ANC was 6,500 today - the doctor (not our normal one) even asked me if I had missed doses of his Chemo. I said "absolutely not"! He said, "not even one?" - I guess I felt a bit insulted. This is my child, and we are making sure we give him his poison EVERY day. This is a fight for his life - not something Eric or I are quick to forget...

Anyway, the counts are "too high"...but that just may be from a possible infection (hence, the fever, with no other symptoms). So, we jump through another set of hurdles that cancer has put in our way.

Hey, if I stretch my neck out, and squint my eyes, I can just about see the light at the end of this obstacle course....

Dodging a Bullet

We got to the ED at 5pm. By 6:30, the labs were back, and Alex's ANC is 5,300! So, we get to go home, and come back tomorrow for his regular Chemo appointment.

We are all so relieved!

Blasted Fever

100.7

The nurse said to call back in one hour - if the fever is the same or higher, it's off to the Emergency Department (ED) we go.

He is hot to the touch, and has no other symptoms...not a good sign...more info to come in an hour