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
Friday, November 30, 2007
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
Monday, October 29, 2007
October 29, 2007
Tomorrow, I have to drive over to Duke to have a pre-op appointment before David's next Exam. Isaac will be with me, but he is usually very good for me.
The next exam is scheduled for November 9. I am more nervous about this one that I was for the last one. I don't know why that is. If everything looks good, then he will get his next round of chemo on November 12. Last time, we did both in one day, but it didn't work out that way this time. I am sad that we will have to go over and spend the better portion of two days in Durham, but, I am more grateful that we are so close to good care.
David is showing some of the more noticible side effects of his chemo: like losing his hair. I think this is a good reminder for me. It is hard to keep him away from people when he seems so healthy.
Well, I just wanted to update a little since I haven't in awhile.
-Kim
ps. You can now subscribe to this blog by putting your email address into the space provided underneath David's picture on the left of this page. Then, all my blog posts will be emailed to you each time I update!
The next exam is scheduled for November 9. I am more nervous about this one that I was for the last one. I don't know why that is. If everything looks good, then he will get his next round of chemo on November 12. Last time, we did both in one day, but it didn't work out that way this time. I am sad that we will have to go over and spend the better portion of two days in Durham, but, I am more grateful that we are so close to good care.
David is showing some of the more noticible side effects of his chemo: like losing his hair. I think this is a good reminder for me. It is hard to keep him away from people when he seems so healthy.
Well, I just wanted to update a little since I haven't in awhile.
-Kim
ps. You can now subscribe to this blog by putting your email address into the space provided underneath David's picture on the left of this page. Then, all my blog posts will be emailed to you each time I update!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
October 23, 2007
A little update on the past week.
Blood counts yesterday were all good. This round, David's platelets were the ones that dipped low enough that we had to watch out, but yesterday, they were back up a little.
Yesterday was a rough one. David was very very fussy, and wasn't at all interested in napping. He was also throwing up more than normal, so I was having a time with him. He seems to be better today, though. He has had a good nap already and has kept a good portion of his feedings down. He is currently sitting in his swing spitting at me. His face looks somewhat like this.
Rob's Grandmother will be here from South Carolina this weekend. We are hoping that David will be up to a nice visit with her.
Here are some things that you might find interesting. Sorry I couldn't embed the videos, but just click on the link and you should be able to see them. I will try to figure it out and be high tech next time.
Cameras are concerning.
"I can fly!"
With Dad (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPgiVjaB6VE
More fun with Dad (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx7iB9eS6Jo
I will update again soon.
-Kim
Blood counts yesterday were all good. This round, David's platelets were the ones that dipped low enough that we had to watch out, but yesterday, they were back up a little.
Yesterday was a rough one. David was very very fussy, and wasn't at all interested in napping. He was also throwing up more than normal, so I was having a time with him. He seems to be better today, though. He has had a good nap already and has kept a good portion of his feedings down. He is currently sitting in his swing spitting at me. His face looks somewhat like this.
Rob's Grandmother will be here from South Carolina this weekend. We are hoping that David will be up to a nice visit with her.
Here are some things that you might find interesting. Sorry I couldn't embed the videos, but just click on the link and you should be able to see them. I will try to figure it out and be high tech next time.
Cameras are concerning.
"I can fly!"
With Dad (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPgiVjaB6VE
More fun with Dad (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx7iB9eS6Jo
I will update again soon.
-Kim
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
October 17, 2007
David got his 3rd round of chemo on Monday. There was not an exam this time, so we don't know what the tumor is doing at this point.
David did very well. He is getting so strong and active that we had to wrestle with him the whole time to keep him from lying on his port, but he seemed to think it was a fun game and kept a good attitude.
So far, he is not showing many side effects, but it is still early. He has a tiny little cold, but I think it is steadily getting better, so I am glad for that.
-Kim
David did very well. He is getting so strong and active that we had to wrestle with him the whole time to keep him from lying on his port, but he seemed to think it was a fun game and kept a good attitude.
So far, he is not showing many side effects, but it is still early. He has a tiny little cold, but I think it is steadily getting better, so I am glad for that.
-Kim
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