Drew's lack of energy proves that his counts are steadily dropping. He should bottom out sometime around the 7th-10th day after chemo starts. He is so, so tired. But, he begs to go to Clay's baseball game. His color is good and no fever, so Dr. Hajjar is comfortable with it. He lasts 3 innings and has to go get in the van to lie down. Pain level is minimal, and with the Zofran, his nausea has been mild. God is so good, and we are so thankful.
Tomorrow promises to be busy. Hope that Drew has a good night.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, the 26th
Chemo finished up around 3 p.m. Doctor Hajjar had told us previously that he'd let Drew go this evening; but, after considering Drew's nausea, he wondered if allowing Drew to go would be wise. He's had quite a bit of nausea and hasn't eaten since Wednesday. In the hospital they would be able to at least keep Drew hydrated. So, he talked to Drew and shared with him his thinking. Of course, Drew was very disappointed, and Dr. Hajjar could tell. So, he told Drew that he'd give him until 7 p.m. to receive the intravenous fluid and then he'd re-evaluate him. In the meantime, Mom got a crash course in giving the Neuopogen shots that he'd have to have for 10 days to build his white blood count. Finally at 9:00, we are given our discharge papers. Drew slept well and had little pain through the night. It was good to be home and sleep in our own beds.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, the 25th
Hailey reported that Drew had a really painful night and didn't fall asleep until close to 5 a.m. The nausea has been pretty bad this morning, but, thankfully he hasn't thrown up at all. Dad came in and relieved Hailey for her to go home and get some sleep. It's a precious time for Lane and Drew. They are giving Drew Zofran for the nausea, but are having to also give him Benadryl at regular intervals. It seems to be helping greatly.
Chemo will end tomorrow at 3 p.m. He may even get to go home tomorrow night. Drew is restless and somewhat discouraged. He can't get out of bed with the chemo line, so basically, he's bed-bound for 48-60 hours. He wants a shower...he doesn't want to eat...and he just wants his own bed.
Chemo will end tomorrow at 3 p.m. He may even get to go home tomorrow night. Drew is restless and somewhat discouraged. He can't get out of bed with the chemo line, so basically, he's bed-bound for 48-60 hours. He wants a shower...he doesn't want to eat...and he just wants his own bed.
Wednesday, the 24th
Pre-chemo meds started today around noon, with chemo beginning at 3:00 p.m. Hailey came today in the afternoon and will stay overnight with Drew. Drew's pain level at the 9th rib site has increased making it more difficult for him to move around. The doctors think there's a possibility that Drew's 9th rib may be a complete break now. If you raise his shirt in the back, you can actually see the skin protruding at the site of the tumor. They have told us that in some circumstances, after just one round of chemo some tumors have shrunk enough that the pain is lessened dramatically. We are praying this to be the case.
Nausea with the chemo can start as early as 1 hour after intravenous treatment begins, so we will see how this day will go.
We do want to share with everyone how Drew's doing physically and all the information we know about the cancer. But, more than that, we want to share how God has ministered to our spiritual needs during this time. The Lord Jesus has been precious to us, and at every bend, every corner, He has offered us the marvelous reassurance that we are being held in His loving hand. Florida Hospital has been incredible. Nearly every single nurse has offered to pray with us, has directly and indirectly pointed Drew to the Lord Jesus, and has made us feel like they truly care. When we consider all the hospitals in Orlando and all the doctors we could have gotten, the Lord providentially guided our path to this doctor; to this hospital. We consider what may have happened to this precious boy had we not obeyed the Lord's leading in coming to Lock Haven Baptist Church 18 months ago, and it's almost overwhelming. When we didn't understand why the Lord was changing our direction from the mission field, He was already implimenting His plan for our lives. We just thank the Lord for being His and for His tender, loving mercies toward us.
Nausea with the chemo can start as early as 1 hour after intravenous treatment begins, so we will see how this day will go.
We do want to share with everyone how Drew's doing physically and all the information we know about the cancer. But, more than that, we want to share how God has ministered to our spiritual needs during this time. The Lord Jesus has been precious to us, and at every bend, every corner, He has offered us the marvelous reassurance that we are being held in His loving hand. Florida Hospital has been incredible. Nearly every single nurse has offered to pray with us, has directly and indirectly pointed Drew to the Lord Jesus, and has made us feel like they truly care. When we consider all the hospitals in Orlando and all the doctors we could have gotten, the Lord providentially guided our path to this doctor; to this hospital. We consider what may have happened to this precious boy had we not obeyed the Lord's leading in coming to Lock Haven Baptist Church 18 months ago, and it's almost overwhelming. When we didn't understand why the Lord was changing our direction from the mission field, He was already implimenting His plan for our lives. We just thank the Lord for being His and for His tender, loving mercies toward us.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, the 23rd
Kim's sister stayed with Drew last night and what a help that was. Tina is a nurse and was able to oversee his care and make sure he was comfortable. Drew's pain was the worst it's been yet and was difficult to get under control, but he finally went to sleep around 4 a.m.
Bone marrow was extracted around noon. Drew was anesthesized for that procedure, and we are very thankful for that.
When Mom (Kim) came in the evening to relieve Dad, Drew had his own practical joke up his sleeve. Someone had brought Drew a whole bag of gag gifts and he wasted no time putting them to use. He had put a fake plastic cut, complete with real-looking stitches, on his forehead and wrapped his head up in gauze and medical tape. When Mom came in, she was upset and asked what had happened. "It's okay, Mom, I fell getting out of the wheelchair and hit the door frame." SIKE! he laughed after Mom nearly started crying. Bad thing is that Dad was in on the dirty trick. It's good to see Drew still has his sense of humor. What an awesome kid!
Chemo starts tomorrow around noon. Barring no problems, Drew may go home Friday night. Another day to give the Lord thanks for all He's done and is doing in our lives.
Bone marrow was extracted around noon. Drew was anesthesized for that procedure, and we are very thankful for that.
When Mom (Kim) came in the evening to relieve Dad, Drew had his own practical joke up his sleeve. Someone had brought Drew a whole bag of gag gifts and he wasted no time putting them to use. He had put a fake plastic cut, complete with real-looking stitches, on his forehead and wrapped his head up in gauze and medical tape. When Mom came in, she was upset and asked what had happened. "It's okay, Mom, I fell getting out of the wheelchair and hit the door frame." SIKE! he laughed after Mom nearly started crying. Bad thing is that Dad was in on the dirty trick. It's good to see Drew still has his sense of humor. What an awesome kid!
Chemo starts tomorrow around noon. Barring no problems, Drew may go home Friday night. Another day to give the Lord thanks for all He's done and is doing in our lives.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, the 22nd
We were scheduled for surgery at 9:40 this morning. Had to be at the hospital by 7 a.m. Surgery went beautifully. We did not get to see Drew until 2 p.m. when he was sent up to his room. He was in pain and looked so pitiful. They had given him a cracker and a Sprite in recovery and were waiting to see how he tolerated food before letting him eat. We were thankful for that decision because he soon got very nauseated and threw all of the liquid and cracker up. He did feel a little better after that though, and they were able to get his pain under control.
Dr. Hajjar came in late afternoon and spent a great while talking and explaining all of the chosen treatment and possible side effects to all of us. A bit of possible good news: treatment may be shortened to 35 weeks instead of 48, barring no delays or infections. The newest revealed research indicates that Ewing's sarcoma is responding well to "compressed" treatments. In short, Drew will receive the same number of treatments, only condensed into more frequent time slots. This is only a tentative plan, however, for it will all depend on Drew's tolerance for the medications.
We had several decisions to make today regarding our choices for Drew and Drew's own preferences. We are thankful that the Lord gave us all a unity in those decisions.
Kim's sister flew in from Mississippi and has already been a HUGE blessing. She stayed with Drew tonight. At last check tonight, they were watching the Magics basketball game together.
Bone marrow test was put off until tomorrow for Drew's comfort. Chemo begins Wednesday.
Another day by the grace of God. We are reminded of the song, "Where Could I Go".
"...but when my souls needs manna from above, where could I go but to the Lord?"
Dr. Hajjar came in late afternoon and spent a great while talking and explaining all of the chosen treatment and possible side effects to all of us. A bit of possible good news: treatment may be shortened to 35 weeks instead of 48, barring no delays or infections. The newest revealed research indicates that Ewing's sarcoma is responding well to "compressed" treatments. In short, Drew will receive the same number of treatments, only condensed into more frequent time slots. This is only a tentative plan, however, for it will all depend on Drew's tolerance for the medications.
We had several decisions to make today regarding our choices for Drew and Drew's own preferences. We are thankful that the Lord gave us all a unity in those decisions.
Kim's sister flew in from Mississippi and has already been a HUGE blessing. She stayed with Drew tonight. At last check tonight, they were watching the Magics basketball game together.
Bone marrow test was put off until tomorrow for Drew's comfort. Chemo begins Wednesday.
Another day by the grace of God. We are reminded of the song, "Where Could I Go".
"...but when my souls needs manna from above, where could I go but to the Lord?"
Thursday, the 18th
Today we drove back to the hospital so that Drew could have his PET scan. We won't have any results for that until Monday.
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