Tuesday morning did not look good for traveling to KC. Sherry called to tell them we would not make it, and I headed off to work. However 249 was fairly clear so I shot over to 71 and it looked OK. I called Sherry and told her to go ahead and get ready. In the mean time the clinic called back and said that they had mis-scheduled us. Our appointment was for 1, but the treatment would take more than 4 hours so we needed to come Wednesday morning.
So that turned out well, since it was slower going up 71 hwy, but the road was clear except for a few patches and most folks were driving in a sane manner. We got to KC and spent the night.
Wednesday morning we went to the clinic about 9:30 and they got him started about 10:00.
The rest of the day was a bit boring. Luckily though he had taken the anti-nausea medicine and they worked, he did not get sick at all from this treatment. They also started him on an oral Chemo drug he will take for 3 weeks.
We left KC about 4:30. He was feeling well enough that we stopped for Chinese on the way and arrived home about 7:30.
The home health nurse drew blood today and his counts were already falling, so we will stay in this weekend. Then back to KC for his last Chemo treatment at the clinic next tuesday.
Feb 16 we go back to KC for MRI, and consultation with the radiologist.
love to all
rsc
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Cabin Fever
Sorry it has been a week since last post - but not much going on.
Last Thursday his cell count was low - the nurse practioner said he did not need a blood transfusion, but to keep him home and protect from possible infection. So he was confined to the house for the past week.
Monday, home health care drew blood again and his counts were way up. So last night we were able to get out of the house and go out to dinner. That helped relieve some of his cabin fever.
He has been working on some school work - but hasn't been overdoing it. :^)
We've been blessed in his not having any fevers or infection and not having to go back to the hospital.
His next chemo treatment is next Tuesday, it is outpatient at the clinic, so we will make a one day run to KC.
He has begun to think about Make-A-Wish ideas and as always is looking forward to being able to skate again.
Will post again next week, as life for us has a "new normal" and hopefully there won't be much to write about.
Blessings to all,
rsc
Last Thursday his cell count was low - the nurse practioner said he did not need a blood transfusion, but to keep him home and protect from possible infection. So he was confined to the house for the past week.
Monday, home health care drew blood again and his counts were way up. So last night we were able to get out of the house and go out to dinner. That helped relieve some of his cabin fever.
He has been working on some school work - but hasn't been overdoing it. :^)
We've been blessed in his not having any fevers or infection and not having to go back to the hospital.
His next chemo treatment is next Tuesday, it is outpatient at the clinic, so we will make a one day run to KC.
He has begun to think about Make-A-Wish ideas and as always is looking forward to being able to skate again.
Will post again next week, as life for us has a "new normal" and hopefully there won't be much to write about.
Blessings to all,
rsc
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chemo 3
Went to KC today for third chemo treatment.
White blood count is low, but that is to be expected. They will draw blood again Thursday (home health nurse will do it ) and if the count has not started to rise, he will have to have a blood transfusion.
Also the rash on his stomach spread and the doctors think it was a side effect of the antibiotic - so they have changed to a different type.
Otherwise all went well today. We were thankful for clear weather and dry roads.
Next appointment is in two weeks for another chemo treatment.
Tomorrow Ron will go pick-up some school work for him to start on - he seems ready. (We'll ease into it)
Thankful for the many blessings we still yet receive.
Love to all,
rsc
White blood count is low, but that is to be expected. They will draw blood again Thursday (home health nurse will do it ) and if the count has not started to rise, he will have to have a blood transfusion.
Also the rash on his stomach spread and the doctors think it was a side effect of the antibiotic - so they have changed to a different type.
Otherwise all went well today. We were thankful for clear weather and dry roads.
Next appointment is in two weeks for another chemo treatment.
Tomorrow Ron will go pick-up some school work for him to start on - he seems ready. (We'll ease into it)
Thankful for the many blessings we still yet receive.
Love to all,
rsc
Sunday, January 11, 2009
One Month
Today marks one month since Cooper's first surgery and one month for this blog.
We thank everyone for all the continued support, prayers, and generosity. We continued to be overwhelmed at how wonderful you folks are.
Today has been busy getting the holiday decorations put away and getting the house cleaned-up and back to ordinary. Cooper has been getting some good rest yesterday and today, and remains in good spirits. He has developed a rash on his stomach - maybe a reaction to some of the medication. Sherry called the nurse line at Children's Mercy and they said to give him some Benadryl and just watch it.
Other than that not much going on.
The home health nurse will draw blood for the lab tomorrow to see how his levels and counts are doing. Then on Tuesday we head back to KC for the third Chemo treatment. It will be done in the clinic and shouldn't involve staying overnight.
Have a good week.
Blessings to All,
rsc
We thank everyone for all the continued support, prayers, and generosity. We continued to be overwhelmed at how wonderful you folks are.
Today has been busy getting the holiday decorations put away and getting the house cleaned-up and back to ordinary. Cooper has been getting some good rest yesterday and today, and remains in good spirits. He has developed a rash on his stomach - maybe a reaction to some of the medication. Sherry called the nurse line at Children's Mercy and they said to give him some Benadryl and just watch it.
Other than that not much going on.
The home health nurse will draw blood for the lab tomorrow to see how his levels and counts are doing. Then on Tuesday we head back to KC for the third Chemo treatment. It will be done in the clinic and shouldn't involve staying overnight.
Have a good week.
Blessings to All,
rsc
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Home again
We are now back home. Yea!
The oncologist came by before we left and said the preliminary tests from the spinal tap looked good.
Cooper is doing well, but we are all tired. There is no rest in hospitals!
The home healthcare company delivered the home meds right after we arrived home and I think the home health nurse starts coming tomorrow.
School is getting work together for Coop so he can get to work next week. He is SO EXCITED! NOT!
We go back to KC next Tuesday for another Chemo treatment- but do not have to stay overnight. Hopefully the weather will be as nice as today.
Thanks for all the prayers. Keep' em coming.
rsc
The oncologist came by before we left and said the preliminary tests from the spinal tap looked good.
Cooper is doing well, but we are all tired. There is no rest in hospitals!
The home healthcare company delivered the home meds right after we arrived home and I think the home health nurse starts coming tomorrow.
School is getting work together for Coop so he can get to work next week. He is SO EXCITED! NOT!
We go back to KC next Tuesday for another Chemo treatment- but do not have to stay overnight. Hopefully the weather will be as nice as today.
Thanks for all the prayers. Keep' em coming.
rsc
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Chemo Day 2
Cooper has done well today, not much going on. Mom and Dad did have to learn to give him the shots he will need at home and how to flush the PICC line.
Cooper will have another chemo treatment this evening at 6 and we should be going home tomorrow morning.
We then have to come back for another treatment next Tuesday but should be able to go home the same day.
He doesn't have to come back then for a couple of weeks and we do the same thing again. So 5- or six weeks more in the Chemo cycle.Hopefully that will be it for the Chemo treatments.
He will then start radiation treatments. How much, how long radiation will be, we will not know until after Chemo is done and we see what effect it had.
That's about it from here.
Peace,
rsc
Cooper will have another chemo treatment this evening at 6 and we should be going home tomorrow morning.
We then have to come back for another treatment next Tuesday but should be able to go home the same day.
He doesn't have to come back then for a couple of weeks and we do the same thing again. So 5- or six weeks more in the Chemo cycle.Hopefully that will be it for the Chemo treatments.
He will then start radiation treatments. How much, how long radiation will be, we will not know until after Chemo is done and we see what effect it had.
That's about it from here.
Peace,
rsc
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Chemo Day1
Cooper got up at 6 a.m. today and had a good breakfast of pancakes, bacon, juice and milk. Good thing because he wasn't to eat anything after 6:30.
We got to the clinic and he did another hearing test and he hears very well. I will remember that.
Then he had another CT scan of his head to see how his brain was recovering from the surgery.
We got the report back that all is looking good. The report had a lot of technical stuff but the doctor explained that there was no bleeding, no excess fluid, and the size of things looked good. Plus they gave us a copy of the report so I take that as a sign things are pretty good.
He then went to the Oncology Clinic where they did a Lumbar Punture to get some spinal fluid for testing. Also while there a PICC line was put into his arm. This is a central line that that will use to administer the Chemo drugs. There was a lot of anxiety on all of our parts during this but it all went very well. Cooper was relieved. I must say though - he did much better and is much tougher than me.
We are now in a room and the first round of Chemo is being adminstered. He is doing well and is in very good spirits, watching a skateboarding video.
Keep the prayers going - they are working!
with love
rsc
We got to the clinic and he did another hearing test and he hears very well. I will remember that.
Then he had another CT scan of his head to see how his brain was recovering from the surgery.
We got the report back that all is looking good. The report had a lot of technical stuff but the doctor explained that there was no bleeding, no excess fluid, and the size of things looked good. Plus they gave us a copy of the report so I take that as a sign things are pretty good.
He then went to the Oncology Clinic where they did a Lumbar Punture to get some spinal fluid for testing. Also while there a PICC line was put into his arm. This is a central line that that will use to administer the Chemo drugs. There was a lot of anxiety on all of our parts during this but it all went very well. Cooper was relieved. I must say though - he did much better and is much tougher than me.
We are now in a room and the first round of Chemo is being adminstered. He is doing well and is in very good spirits, watching a skateboarding video.
Keep the prayers going - they are working!
with love
rsc
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year
Hoping all are having a happy and safe New Year Holiday
Cooper went Wednesday and had the last of the stitches and staples removed.
Dr. Greene said all looked good and from his end Cooper could start skateboarding again in about 4 weeks. Of course the other Doctors will have a say in that.
However Dr. Greene also said that even if chemo shrinks the tumor - he doesn't know that he will be able to go back in to resect more of it due to its location and how he would have to approach it. He said will have another look at MRI after Chemo.
We go back to KC on Monday to be there early Tuesday for Cooper's spinal tap and putting the pic line in. He is scheduled for first Chemo treatment Tuesday also.
Keep the prayers coming.
We pray all of you may have a new year filled with love, peace, and happiness.
rsc
Cooper went Wednesday and had the last of the stitches and staples removed.
Dr. Greene said all looked good and from his end Cooper could start skateboarding again in about 4 weeks. Of course the other Doctors will have a say in that.
However Dr. Greene also said that even if chemo shrinks the tumor - he doesn't know that he will be able to go back in to resect more of it due to its location and how he would have to approach it. He said will have another look at MRI after Chemo.
We go back to KC on Monday to be there early Tuesday for Cooper's spinal tap and putting the pic line in. He is scheduled for first Chemo treatment Tuesday also.
Keep the prayers coming.
We pray all of you may have a new year filled with love, peace, and happiness.
rsc
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