Cody and I just got home after another 10 days at CHOC. We originally went in for a platelet and blood transfusion just for the afternoon on 9/22, but, he got a fever. So, once again, we earned the mandatory 48 hour stay at camp CHOC . In the meantime, his white count went down to 0, so we had to get a couple more blood and platelet transfusions and wait for his counts to rise to a safe level.
While waiting for his counts to rise, we decided (Cody included) it was time to put the feeding tube back in because he was loosing weight (again). It was traumatic, however, not as traumatic as the first time. It took a couple of days for him to get used to. Normally, the tube goes through the nose down to his stomach. The last time we did this, we were home for a day and a half, had a full day of feeding, then he threw up. The hose came out of his nose and mouth. He was gagging on it and couldn't breathe; I panicked, so I pulled the tube out. (I know, too much information) Fortunately, that was the right thing to do. So the memories of this procedure were not pleasant. This time, they bypassed his stomach to his intestines. It took an extra couple of days to make sure it was in the right position. They installed it, gave him the night to adjust, then x-rayed in the morning. Results showed it needed to go in an additional. So back to x-ray, with a nurse, to push it in where it needed to be. When we got there, the radiologist explained to Cody, in detail, what was about to take place. Cody told them he would rather do it himself. The group thought it was actually a good idea. They let him do it. The process took about 30 seconds; they took another x-ray and viola! It was exactly where it needed to be. All present were thrilled and impressed, including Cody. What a trooper! He decided, that day, he wants to be a Pediatric Oncologist. ( after a stint in the Air Force..) :) He loves little children and doesn't mind all of the doctor stuff, like blood and other gory stuff. So far, so good. He has already gained 1½ pounds in a day and a half. He gets 750 calories plus nutrition while he sleeps. This is a great thing. His appetite is also increasing and he continues to have an awesome, loving attitude and sweet way about him. One day, one of the volunteers was asking Cody about himself, his family and what his parents do for work. He answered all of the questions appropriately. Then it came to mom's job, he said,I am my mom's full time job.
This trip was unusually difficult and overwhelming. It was a week of sorrow and bad news. Not for us, but for other families. The heartache is profound.One of the toddlers we met, past away. He had too many inoperable tumors I ran into another mom, she had been crying. To see her was not a good thing because being at the hospital only meant one thing. They were done with 2 years of treatment for leukemia and now they are back because the cancer has come back. She told me her 10 year old daughter is tired and does not have the will to go through this again. Devastating to know your child no longer has the will to fight
On another day, I ran down to the pharmacy. I was standing behind a man. He turned around and we recognized one another. I had met him about 2 months prior. His son had just been diagnosed with cancer and it had already spread to a point that his son was unable to function. Healthy (seemingly) one day and in a coma the next. He told me his son was at home resting. He was getting drugs to help his son with pain. They were just waiting (for him to die) as the doctors could not do anything for him. This man was so pained, lost and confused. We hugged, we cried, I told him I would pray for him, his son and his family, then went our separate ways. Our last roommate this stay was a 7 year old, he also was back again after 2 years treatment for leukemia. When I get this kind of news, it just breaks my heart for the family. Our own emotions raw for our own child, we just don't realize how raw until you see the heartache someone else suffers. I never go out of my way to tell Cody about these things. If he hears something and asks, I will always tell him the truth. So far, he has not asked. He has complete faith, in his heart, mind and soul that he will be completely healed (so do we) and that God will always be at his side the whole way. As difficult as this past week was, we are so thankful for the many blessings we have received. Cody's amazing attitude and the peace the three of us have been gifted with. His next chemo is 10/10/06 and counting down. We will be in the hospital a couple of days for this one. Only 2 major and 5 minor more hits of chemo! Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support through this.
Please also pray for other families fighting this battle.This trip was unusually difficult and overwhelming. It was a week of sorrow and bad news. Not for us, but for other families. The heartache is profound.One of the toddlers we met, past away. He had too many inoperable tumors I ran into another mom, she had been crying. To see her was not a good thing because being at the hospital only meant one thing. They were done with 2 years of treatment for leukemia and now they are back because the cancer has come back. She told me her 10 year old daughter is tired and does not have the will to go through this again. Devastating to know your child no longer has the will to fight
On another day, I ran down to the pharmacy. I was standing behind a man. He turned around and we recognized one another. I had met him about 2 months prior. His son had just been diagnosed with cancer and it had already spread to a point that his son was unable to function. Healthy (seemingly) one day and in a coma the next. He told me his son was at home resting. He was getting drugs to help his son with pain. They were just waiting (for him to die) as the doctors could not do anything for him. This man was so pained, lost and confused. We hugged, we cried, I told him I would pray for him, his son and his family, then went our separate ways. Our last roommate this stay was a 7 year old, he also was back again after 2 years treatment for leukemia. When I get this kind of news, it just breaks my heart for the family. Our own emotions raw for our own child, we just don't realize how raw until you see the heartache someone else suffers. I never go out of my way to tell Cody about these things. If he hears something and asks, I will always tell him the truth. So far, he has not asked. He has complete faith, in his heart, mind and soul that he will be completely healed (so do we) and that God will always be at his side the whole way. As difficult as this past week was, we are so thankful for the many blessings we have received. Cody's amazing attitude and the peace the three of us have been gifted with. His next chemo is 10/10/06 and counting down. We will be in the hospital a couple of days for this one. Only 2 major and 5 minor more hits of chemo! Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support through this.
The Days
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment