Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Update

We were back in hospital for Oliver's weekly treatment today. Because he is doing so well they have dropped it to one visit per week on Wednesday when all the other lymphoma patients are treated. So we now have just a midweek trip to the hospital and the opportunity to talk to other's who are being treated for the same cancer.

It's always a bit difficult to deal with the amount of time spent waiting in the hospital. We arrive early and get Oliver's blood tests done, which take about an hour to process. he needs to be weighed and measured, checked over by the doctor, then given his chemotherapy, which 2 weeks out of every 3 takes 10 minutes tops from the time we walk in to the treatment room until the time we walk out. In theory, we only need to be there for the length of time it takes to get his blood test back. In reality it took 4 hours today. We understand that there are many others who are coming in for treatment, that there are only so many nurses, and that treatment is given on a needs basis and not on a first in basis. This is fine by us, but why do we need to come in in the morning. Oliver is doing well enough that he usually ends up being close to the last to receive his treatment, so why not come in after lunch when everyone else has been done. I think next time we are going to head in at 1 and see how that goes.

That said, I have nothing but the highest praise for the medical staff at PMH that we have dealt with. Nearly all of them have been fantastic, aware of peoples desire to be as quick as possible, and always happy to help.

Oliver's 'roid rage' has disappeared as quickly as it came on, and he is becoming more energetic and playful each day, which is both exciting and exhausting. He is yet to crawl, but has figured out how to push himself backwards on his tummy, and is starting to pick up on how to bring his knees forward. Once he learns how to transfer some weight on to his legs and feet he'll be off.

1 comment:

Noelene Tate said...

Oh-oh I'll have to start moving breakables at my place and Bindi the dog could find herself having her tail pulled once Olly gets moving. He'll love the slip siding cork floors too. won't it be wonderful to see him progress to that from our miserable little man when first in hospital.
Can imagine Simee's frustration with all the waiting; likes to be on the move and doing things outside does our Simon, like riding his bike from Hamersley to Claremont. Maybe we should enter him in the Tour Down-under with Lance!!
Lets go Olly. Love nanna. xo