There's only one round of chemo to go!!
We were able to get David's 5th round of chemo yesterday. As usual, he did very well. He laughed, talked, and even slept for a little bit. The chemo room was extrodinarily busy, but we were still given a private room so that Rob could be there to help me with our active little guy. It was a relief to be able to get it after our little illness from last week.
Next month will be a full one with hearing tests, Exams, and our last round of chemo. As it stands, we are scheduled for the Exam and chemo on January 14th. Hopefully, we will be well enough to get it on schedule this time.
Today, Rob and I met at Isaac's preschool to watch him perform as the "Royal Decree" in his class' Christmas play. He did a very very good job. Hannah was at school in her pajamas since it was pajama day. It's a fun time of the year!
I doubt with all the busyness of Christmas that I will get to update again soon. Hannah's last day of school is Thursday, so I will have all three kids home. Rob will have all of next week off from work, so that will be a great family time for us.
We hope that your Christmas will be merry! God bless you all.
-Kim
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
December 10, 2007
We took David over to Duke today in hopes that he would be able to get his 5th round of chemo, but no dice. He is doing much better than he was on Thursday and Friday, but his counts are still neutrapenic, so we will have to delay until his counts are higher.
He woke up on Saturday morning feverless, and has been that way since. We were so grateful for this since his fever on Friday was pretty high. He still has a bit of wheezing and a pretty nasty cough, but it seems like he is on the mend.
The plan for now is to get his counts on Thursday, and see if he is healthy enough to get chemo on Friday. Otherwise, we will take him back on Monday and hope for the best.
I am a little disappointed. I was hoping to get his chemo today so that the end would be sooner, but I am grateful that the doctors are being cautious.
In other news, David is now crawling and sitting up on his own. He is very inquisitive, and keeps me busy trying to keep him out of places that he shouldn't be. But, he seems to be happy with his new tricks
Thanks for all your prayers. I feel like this battle with RSV has been much milder than it could have been, and we attribute that to the prayers of God's people and His abundant grace.
-Kim
He woke up on Saturday morning feverless, and has been that way since. We were so grateful for this since his fever on Friday was pretty high. He still has a bit of wheezing and a pretty nasty cough, but it seems like he is on the mend.
The plan for now is to get his counts on Thursday, and see if he is healthy enough to get chemo on Friday. Otherwise, we will take him back on Monday and hope for the best.
I am a little disappointed. I was hoping to get his chemo today so that the end would be sooner, but I am grateful that the doctors are being cautious.
In other news, David is now crawling and sitting up on his own. He is very inquisitive, and keeps me busy trying to keep him out of places that he shouldn't be. But, he seems to be happy with his new tricks
Thanks for all your prayers. I feel like this battle with RSV has been much milder than it could have been, and we attribute that to the prayers of God's people and His abundant grace.
-Kim
Friday, December 7, 2007
December 7, 2007
David is very very sick. Last night he began a fever and was coughing and wheezing a lot. I took him to the pediatrician this morning, and we found that he has RSV. We aren't going to have to admit him at this point, but we have to watch him pretty closely since his worst day will be either Sunday or Monday (if the illness takes its normal course).
So....we have a very sick baby on our hands. RSV is a pretty serious illness, so we will have to be diligent.
I am still unsure whether or not he will be able to get his next round of chemo as planned, but I will find that out just as soon as possible.
For more info on RSV, check these links.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/rsvfeat.htm
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_9546.asp
So....we have a very sick baby on our hands. RSV is a pretty serious illness, so we will have to be diligent.
I am still unsure whether or not he will be able to get his next round of chemo as planned, but I will find that out just as soon as possible.
For more info on RSV, check these links.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/rsvfeat.htm
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_9546.asp
Friday, November 30, 2007
November 30, 2007
Today, David is 6 months old! Wow, a lot has happened in the last 6 months. I can't believe we've made it here, but...here we are.
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I was so glad that we were all able to make it down to my parents'. The weather was gorgeous, and the kids had a blast.
David is the proud new owner of two teeth. He cut them a couple days ago, and I think there are several more in the works. He is coming down with a cold right now, though. Hannah started this one, but now Rob and David seem to be following suit. I hope I can avoid it, but it's not likely.
The next chemo treatment should be one week from Monday, but we still haven't heard for sure. There won't be any exam this time. After this treatment, only one left!! Then maybe life can start to feel normal again.
I have to say that it has been a real struggle for me to be cooped up at the house all the time. I look forward to being able to get out and see real people again.
Well, I hope you are all doing well - that you are enjoying the season and not giving into the stress.
-Kim
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I was so glad that we were all able to make it down to my parents'. The weather was gorgeous, and the kids had a blast.
David is the proud new owner of two teeth. He cut them a couple days ago, and I think there are several more in the works. He is coming down with a cold right now, though. Hannah started this one, but now Rob and David seem to be following suit. I hope I can avoid it, but it's not likely.
The next chemo treatment should be one week from Monday, but we still haven't heard for sure. There won't be any exam this time. After this treatment, only one left!! Then maybe life can start to feel normal again.
I have to say that it has been a real struggle for me to be cooped up at the house all the time. I look forward to being able to get out and see real people again.
Well, I hope you are all doing well - that you are enjoying the season and not giving into the stress.
-Kim
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
November 20, 2007
It has been a little while since I updated, and many things have happened.
A week ago, Monday, David got round 4 of his chemo. Everything went smoothly, although it was a very long day. We didn't get a room this time, so only one of us was allowed back in the infusion room at a time. David is getting to strong and mobile that it was an exhausting fight to keep him from pulling on his port access, rolling over, pulling on the IV tubes, and etc. We did fine, but we were tired. Rob and I took turns hanging on to the busy little guy.
The very next day, David began to run a low grade fever. Of course this didn't start until after normal business hours, so I had to take him to the emergency room to get blood tests done. I guess they are afraid of two things when he runs a fever: they are afraid that an infection would be too hard for him to fight off when his white blood counts are low, and they are afraid that a fever could mean that he has an infection in his port. Thankfully, neither of these things were true. He was just starting a cold. I hope and pray that this will be the last time that I have to take him into the emergency room. I had to go by myself so that Rob could get the older kids in bed as Hannah had school the next day.
Wednesday I had to take David in to the pediatricians office for a follow up test after his ER visit. It was long, but our pediatrician is thorough, so I am grateful for that.
Since then, David has had a cold and a very bad diaper rash. I believe that he is cutting teeth. Other than these things, though, he is his regular cheerful self. He is getting very very close to crawling. He gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. He can even move his legs forward, but he hasn't figured out moving his hands yet.
We will be getting his blood levels checked one more time tomorrow to make sure that we can make the trip down to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. So far, things are looking good to make the trip, but we just want to be careful.
That's all folks. Have a wonderful Holiday, and know that we are giving thanks for each of you that has taken time to give generously of yourselves to us.
-Kim
A week ago, Monday, David got round 4 of his chemo. Everything went smoothly, although it was a very long day. We didn't get a room this time, so only one of us was allowed back in the infusion room at a time. David is getting to strong and mobile that it was an exhausting fight to keep him from pulling on his port access, rolling over, pulling on the IV tubes, and etc. We did fine, but we were tired. Rob and I took turns hanging on to the busy little guy.
The very next day, David began to run a low grade fever. Of course this didn't start until after normal business hours, so I had to take him to the emergency room to get blood tests done. I guess they are afraid of two things when he runs a fever: they are afraid that an infection would be too hard for him to fight off when his white blood counts are low, and they are afraid that a fever could mean that he has an infection in his port. Thankfully, neither of these things were true. He was just starting a cold. I hope and pray that this will be the last time that I have to take him into the emergency room. I had to go by myself so that Rob could get the older kids in bed as Hannah had school the next day.
Wednesday I had to take David in to the pediatricians office for a follow up test after his ER visit. It was long, but our pediatrician is thorough, so I am grateful for that.
Since then, David has had a cold and a very bad diaper rash. I believe that he is cutting teeth. Other than these things, though, he is his regular cheerful self. He is getting very very close to crawling. He gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. He can even move his legs forward, but he hasn't figured out moving his hands yet.
We will be getting his blood levels checked one more time tomorrow to make sure that we can make the trip down to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. So far, things are looking good to make the trip, but we just want to be careful.
That's all folks. Have a wonderful Holiday, and know that we are giving thanks for each of you that has taken time to give generously of yourselves to us.
-Kim
Friday, November 9, 2007
November 9, 2007
David's EUA today went great. The news was great too!
The doctor told us that what he now sees in David's eye is a mass of calcium. Think of it like the skeleton of what was a cancerous tumor. He thinks that the tumor is dead, and that there are likely not any more cancerous cells left.
We will still finish out the protocol for his chemo - which includes 3 more rounds of chemo and one more EUA. This will be similar to finishing your antibiotics even though your symptoms have gone away.
I guess the only bad news is that David is blind in that eye, except for a very little light/dark vision, and maybe some very blurry peripheral vision.
So, we still have a rough 3 months ahead of us while we finish out the rest of the chemo treatments, but we got about the best news possible today, and we praise God!
-Kim
The doctor told us that what he now sees in David's eye is a mass of calcium. Think of it like the skeleton of what was a cancerous tumor. He thinks that the tumor is dead, and that there are likely not any more cancerous cells left.
We will still finish out the protocol for his chemo - which includes 3 more rounds of chemo and one more EUA. This will be similar to finishing your antibiotics even though your symptoms have gone away.
I guess the only bad news is that David is blind in that eye, except for a very little light/dark vision, and maybe some very blurry peripheral vision.
So, we still have a rough 3 months ahead of us while we finish out the rest of the chemo treatments, but we got about the best news possible today, and we praise God!
-Kim
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
November 6, 2007
Things are changing around on me, but that's alright.
I will have to take David to Duke on Thursday for an audiogram. One of the side effects of the chemo drugs that he's on is hearing loss, so they are keeping tabs on that. I think he will pass with flying colors since he really attends to sounds well.
Friday morning will be the EUA to check the tumor. Then we will be speaking with a finance rep to make sure that we can make sure to choose the best healthcare options through Rob's work for next year. Then, I am hoping that we can make it home to be at Hannah's awards ceremony at her school. I don't know that she will be getting any awards, but I know that she will be glad that we are there, and that's the important part.
Monday will be the next round of chemo granting that the tests from Thursday and Friday are positive. This will be round 4 of 6, so we are getting towards the end.
David is doing well. He has been spoiled with being held alot, so he doesn't want me to put him down. I think this won't make him so mad once he learns to crawl/sit/etc. He will be able to occupy himself more. Plus, when he rolls onto his stomach, it puts pressure on his port, and I think that is uncomfortable.
I think the older two kids will be going to my parent's house this weekend since Hannah has Monday off from school. This will give Rob and I a nice break before the next round of chemo.
David has been waking up a lot in the night. I think it is because he is hungry, so I have really started to give solid foods. He seems to like oatmeal, but nothing else really.
That's all for now, but I will let you know how Thursday and Friday go.
-Kim
I will have to take David to Duke on Thursday for an audiogram. One of the side effects of the chemo drugs that he's on is hearing loss, so they are keeping tabs on that. I think he will pass with flying colors since he really attends to sounds well.
Friday morning will be the EUA to check the tumor. Then we will be speaking with a finance rep to make sure that we can make sure to choose the best healthcare options through Rob's work for next year. Then, I am hoping that we can make it home to be at Hannah's awards ceremony at her school. I don't know that she will be getting any awards, but I know that she will be glad that we are there, and that's the important part.
Monday will be the next round of chemo granting that the tests from Thursday and Friday are positive. This will be round 4 of 6, so we are getting towards the end.
David is doing well. He has been spoiled with being held alot, so he doesn't want me to put him down. I think this won't make him so mad once he learns to crawl/sit/etc. He will be able to occupy himself more. Plus, when he rolls onto his stomach, it puts pressure on his port, and I think that is uncomfortable.
I think the older two kids will be going to my parent's house this weekend since Hannah has Monday off from school. This will give Rob and I a nice break before the next round of chemo.
David has been waking up a lot in the night. I think it is because he is hungry, so I have really started to give solid foods. He seems to like oatmeal, but nothing else really.
That's all for now, but I will let you know how Thursday and Friday go.
-Kim
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