Nick started his 3rd inpatient chemo on Monday January 23rd. He started the day in clinic to be reaccessed, visit with his doctors and then down to the Children's Procedure Center for his lumbar puncture. We got some good news regarding his fungal infection in his spleen. It has always been so high it couldn't be measured as it was above the 500 mark. We found out it is improving as it is now within the measurable perimeter at 280. So EXCITING! So good to know that is improving, we felt it must be with his fevers decreasing, but more reassuring to get the marker to reflect it.
We had a great time in the Children's Procedure Center recovery that day as well. Nick's neighbor was very entertaining. Nick had a teenage girl next to him coming out of anesthesia and boy was she hilarious. She was talking so loud everyone in recovery could hear. Nick, Bryan and I couldn't stop laughing. It was so funny. Her mom kept offering her a drink in hopes of getting her to settle down and talk less. It was a no go! I think every person in the recovery area was busting a gut. Oh my!! It was the best. We seriously talked about it for days and you all must hear Bryan's imitation of it!
After his procedure we were sent back to clinic to get Nick started on fluids before his chemo. We hung out there a few hours til a room became available in the cancer unit. He got into a room and started chemo about 5 that night. Nick really struggled this stay. The more time he is at home, the less he tolerates the hospital stays. Home is always better!! To help boost his spirits we took him to some new areas of the hospital. He visited the Ronald McDonald Room and sat in a recliner for a bit. We also ventured into the Kid Zone for the first time and he played Xbox for a while and got a bucket full of stuff to entertain him in his room. It was a nice change of scenery. He cleared the chemo great that week, got released about 7:30pm Thursday night! Yippee!!
Last week was a very nice week off minus a couple bouts of nausea and throwing up his feeding tube. Nick woke up Friday feeling the best he had all week, he even went and sat at Kate's gymnastics meet, which was several hours long. Saturday he got out with Bryan and Alex to Target, Team Gear (a favorite soccer store) and a movie. It was a good day. Yesterday Nick had his labs drawn for his admission today, all counts were met so Nick will be starting his last round of inpatient chemo today(YAY!!!). We are very excited to get the inpatient chemo done and go back to getting his treatments at clinic.
Nick's strength seems to be improving and for this we are extremely grateful. He got a wonderful gift from a neighbor that we have placed in the family room so he can see it everyday. It is a plaque that reads " Tough times never last, tough people do". It's a good reminder for him every day! As his strength is improving we are seeing more of our playful, funny Nick. He seriously says some funny things. One night last week when I was saying good night, he said to me all seriously " Mom, I've been thinking. In my next life I want to be an elephant!" I started laughing so hard. Just a little background on that- there is a doctor up here who has been studying Elephants. Elephants are the largest animal and have the most cells thus it would seem they would have the highest rate of cancer. Yet they do not, they have overall the lowest rate and this doctor is researching a better way to treat cancer. It may lead to some new ways to treat cancer rather than the poison that chemo is.
Another couple funnies from Nick is him telling Kate he could perform her gymnastics bar routine better than her. This morning when the nurse told Nick his port was so good she could access it with her eyes closed. He said "well lets not try that" and laughed. The kids been cracking me up all week. There was another night I went down to say goodnight and Bryan, Alex and Nick were all laying in Nick's bed watching something on the iPad and laughing, I could hear them laughing from upstairs while I got ready for bed, it was awesome. I would have taken a picture if they'd let me! These are the things I LOVE!
Our family has been so blessed this month with love! I have received loving messages of support and thoughts and prayers for Nick and our family. Some special friends we Love have been giving us tokens of love for the 14 days to Valentines! Kate has loved running to the door and bringing in the surprise. One of my favorite parts is the quote attached to each one- uplifting and inspiring!
Another anonymous friend has been dropping a treat off daily, we feel so loved by these sweet acts of kindness. So many have brought much needed meals, thoughtful gifts and other tokens of generosity. The love we have received from each one of you is truly incredible! We could not have made it this far without your love, prayers, acts of kindness, generosity, and support! We feel your love daily and have been lifted up! Thank you! It feels inadequate to just say thank you, please know it is greater than that. It's a huge sincere hug from me to each and everyone of you! My heart is full!❤️
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