Third time lucky.

Mar 17 - 24, 2013

Mitch finally ended block two (with a lumber puncture and bone marrow aspirate) and began the third block of treatment, Interim Maintenance, on Tuesday.

All went well with the procedures and results from the bone marrow tests were promising.  The doctors said the residual levels of the disease were at (low) levels such that he wouldn't need a bone marrow transplant.  Very good news.

The 5 days in, 9 days out thing hasn't started well however.  5 days in has pushed out to 7 days and counting.  The chemo drug they use in this block gets pushed in, left for 24 hours to do its thing and then flushed out with some antiserum and lots of fluids.  Unfortunately, the flushing out is taking a little longer than expected.  Levels were close today but unfortunately not low enough to get to his Grandad's 80th.  Doc's also decided he needed a blood 'top up', so that will be after his levels are OK.

But hopefully home tomorrow....for 9 days!

Waiting and Generosity

Mar 10-16, 2013

We have been in and out a few times over the last week for blood tests and appointments with the doctor.  Unfortunately...or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, platelets are taking a little longer to get to the required level than normal (what ever that is).  They have to be at 75 before he can have his 'end of consolidation' lumber puncture and bone marrow aspirate.  So, whilst it delays the start of Interim Consolidation, Mitch is really enjoying the break.  He is loving not having chemo or taking meds and has put on almost 2kgs over the past fortnight.

The long weekend was a highlight as he was able have mates over for a swim and muck around.  It was great to see the banter and interaction with his friends, who really just saw Mitch as Mitch...if not a little balder and skinnier.


He has managed to get to school for 3 (part) days this week.  Thursday was school photos and hospital visit day.  Our appointment was for 11.00a, which meant we had to in at the hospital at 10.00a for a blood test.  The school had very kindly scheduled Mitch's class first up for photos and Mitch first in line for the individual, so we were able to head off and make our appointment.  A big "thanks!" Warranwood PS.

Emily - WGS

This week has also been the culmination of the Leukaemia Foundations "World's Greatest Shave" campaign.  Emily (and BF Joycey) have been going door to door collecting sponsorship, as well as on her campaign website, for her to dye her hair for the WGS.  We have also had friends supporting the Leukaemia Foundation and Mitch too; thanks Max and Maddy Stainkamph.  Emily also had some amazing support from new friends in the US...particularly Beth from Montoursville, Pennsylvania who raise around $500 in a very short time.  Thanks Beth.  Funds raised will be over $1800 with her door to door collections added to website donations.




Mitch and I had another 'wow' moment on Thursday while we were shopping.  We'd been into the supermarket and the bakery and as we were leaving the bakery a senior cit (about 80+ at a guess) came up and asked, "Has the young fella had treatment has he?".  As I am replying "Yes, going through some chemo at the moment...", he is putting a $50 note in Mitch's hand and telling him to "buy something nice for yourself".  Taken aback, thanking him profusely and wondering, do we accept this?... or risk offending a lovely old man by not doing so, he casually walks away as if it's nothing out of the ordinary.  Mitch (for which a 50 is quite a windfall) and I are left there still in a little shock.  He and his wife get into a circa 1980 Ford stationwagon a little worse for wear.  Wow.
Mitch decides, pretty much straight away, to give it to Em to support her fund raising.

At Thursday's appointment we were told to come back on Monday because platelets were close but not quite there. So, another weekend free and more time for another catch up with mates.


Siblings

Home again, home again...

Feb 4 - 9, 2013

So the stay is extending to a little longer than expected. The infection is gone and now we are waiting for the blood counts to come up.  A little frustrating for Mitch who doesn't understand why he's still being kept in.  He has had a minor reaction following a blood transfusion but nothing that worried him particularly.

Lisa's birthday has been a little different to previous years.  A special day spent with Mitch and the fantastic staff at RCH. The girls and I headed in after work with cake, pressies and cards from friends and family.  No candles allowed in the hospital though.

A belated present arrived on Wednesday with the news Mitch was being released today.  Blood counts were improving.  After lots of information about his next treatment block they headed home, arriving early afternoon following a visit to Lisa's work for a catch up. Yay, back to some normality.....I wasn't enjoying the single parent thing!  More Power To You; all those SP's out there!

The Interim Maintenance treatment block is an intensive 5 days in and then 9 days out for 4 cycles with oral meds daily too.

Mitch's hair is beginning to sprout and he has a nice soft peach fuzz.  Unfortunately it's doomed with the next treatment block but nice to see for now.  Some form of appetite is beginning to return for now too, so he pretty much gets what he wants.  Just nice to see him eating!  Overall we're feeling pretty good. 

The week that was.

Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2013

Mitch is still in hospital after his high temp due to an infection.  There were lots of samples of all sorts taken and tested but it wasn't clear, as it apparently rarely is, to identify the source of the infection.  All things going well he should finally come home on Monday.  His immune system has to be seen to be recovering before they'll discharge him.
A pretty tough week with lots of antibiotics and his chemo injection every second day. 
More tag teams this week with an appreciated third member to ease the load.  Thanks Nan!

On Saturday his platelet counts were low so a transfusion was on the cards.  Shortly after it began Mitch started itching his ears and said " Dad, I think I might be reacting to this lot too".  Surely not.  I couldn't see a rash...at first....  Five minute later it was everywhere, his temperature jumped by 1.4 degrees and he was super itchy all over.  The nurses administered some antihistamine and then the doctors prescribed some steroids.  No immediate relief unfortunately, so out came the trusty Calamine Lotion.  Finally, 45min later, at little comfort.

All Pink...Not Happy!

Not sure what we do if he needs another platelet transfusion from here but reports today are saying they are going up on their own.

Finally we are at the end of the 'Consolidation' Phase.  No more injections for now and in to 'Interim Maintenance', depending on  the results of an imminent bone marrow aspirate.  At 25.5 kgs we are hoping an apetite returns soon too.



Mmmm...Nutella  (Oct 2003)