Set Back

Hi Friends,

I thought I should update you on David since so many things are happening.

We talked with David's Oncologist, Dr. Hwang, before Thanksgiving, and it was decided to hold off on chemo for one week since Dr. Hwang was going to be out of town and since David had been battling a cough. So, we are currently scheduled for chemo this coming weekend (first weekend of December).

However, last night, David spiked a high fever around 6pm. We rushed him over to Brenner Children's Hospital ER for all the usual tests that go along with a fever. During the time that we were in the ER, David had a seizure which they are attributing to him spiking such a high fever so fast. Needless to say, Rob and I were scared out of our minds. He has tested positive for the A strain Flu. They are fairly sure that it is the H1N1 variety, but those tests are not back yet.

His fever broke sometime during the night, and hasn't returned up to this point. David and the big kids got their H1N1 vaccines several weeks ago, so there is a good possibility that that could help him to get over this illness faster, but they are taking all precautions just in case. He will be getting Tamaflu for about 5 days. They are going to keep him overnight to see what his fever does tonight....and to make sure they are quickly available in case his fever spikes and prompts another seizure.

We aren't sure what is going to happen with this next round of chemo. It may be pushed back, but we want to see how he does tonight.

We appreciate your prayers, but we won't be able to see any of you until we get home since they aren't allowing visitors into David's room.

We covet your prayers for this bump in the road.

-Kim

So Long

It's been so long since I've been on here. I apologize for not updating more regularly.

David's last round of chemo went pretty well. His tummy was fairly upset for several days afterward - more than normal. This is to be expected, though, and I expect it to be a little worse after the next round too.

This in between time has not been without challenges. David has broken out with some sort of allergic rash. We've been able to disguise benadryl in apple juice to help relieve the itching for him, but it also makes him a little crazy and difficult to handle. It doesn't have the relaxing effect that it has for most people. This is also something that we have to deal with during chemo as he gets benadryl before each dose.

Even though we've avoided all the scary illnesses floating about these days, David has a pretty bad cough right now. It has been keeping him (and therefore Rob and I) awake for several hours each night. It seemed to be improving for a little while, but over the past few days has begun to worsen again, so I am taking him to see his pediatrician today to see if we can help him to be more comfortable when he sleeps. Rob and I are feeling pretty drained from lack of sleep, but it's not too bad. In the grand scheme of things, this round has not been too bad, but we are also looking forward to it being over.

Speaking of over. David's last round of chemo is going to be November 27-28 - the Friday/Saturday after Thanksgiving. This means that he should be feeling good by Christmastime!

I have to say that I am looking forward to this being over, but can't help but feeling a little nervous about whether or not we've kicked this cancer. Usually, I can see that God is in control, but I must admit that there are times that it is hard for me to see.

Sometime soon in the new year, we are going to have to take David back to the occularist for some improvements to his prosthetic. There is a possibility that he may have to have some surgery on his tear ducts to help lubricate his prosthetic, but we aren't at all sure of that yet. We are supposed to be having another exam on his good eye sometime in December as well, but that is not scheduled as yet.

I'll try to do better about updating you all in the next little while. Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

-Kim