Well, as you probably could have geussed, I came down with Karli's bug on Wednesday afternoon - and we think Oliver did too. Fortunately, it didn't get either of us going too much, but did have our tummies doing cartwheels for a while. So I took the rest of the week off just to make sure I didn't give it to any of my clients - not good customer relations.
Oliver had some diarrhoea and a very large spew - so I'm told, I was having my own little show in the bedroom - but then seemed to suffer mainly from an upset tummy. It has made him much pickier about his food, but hopefully that will disappear soon. Karli had to take him back in to hospital on Thursday because he spewed his tube up. Fortunately we had a new one put in because the other one seemed to be doing a considerable amount of leaking. He was given a once over by the doctor, but because he was drinking well and holding everything down (and in) there was no cause for alarm.
It was hard to keep myself locked up in quarantine for the day. It is special to hear him get excited whenever he heard my voice later in the afternoon though. Apparently he has some fondness for his dad.
We're all on the mend now. Still a bit tender and choosey about what we eat, but everything seems to have settled down fine.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
One Week On (or off)
Well, it seemed that maybe I didn't need to take the time off last week. Oliver was pretty good until Sunday. Even then, he hasn't been as much of a handful as he has previously. But I had the chance to get a taste of life on the other side for the past 2 days.
Sunday night Karli came down with some nasty gastro-like bug that had us both up at 3 in the morning. Karli was in no state to look after Oliver on Monday, so I took the day off to chase after him. Needless to say I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day. Mum was a little better on Tuesday, but still not able to look after our monkey, so I skipped work today too. I'm looking forward to going back Thursday for a rest! The week off has been a bit tiring. Oliver was pretty excited to see his mummy today, after she was quarantined for 36 hours - and so was I.
Oliver seems to have a bit of a sore tummy tonight. It's the same as last time. However, I've just been in to check on him andI think there was a familiar smell in the air. Any problems may have worked themselves out.
We have been given a reprieve and don't need to head in for a blood test tomorrow - Oliver's thumbs won't know themselves.
Oliver has been walking with his trolley for a while now, but in the last week he has learnt to turn himself around. Here's a bit of video. It's probably more impressive to us than you, but we think he's pretty amazing.
Sunday night Karli came down with some nasty gastro-like bug that had us both up at 3 in the morning. Karli was in no state to look after Oliver on Monday, so I took the day off to chase after him. Needless to say I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day. Mum was a little better on Tuesday, but still not able to look after our monkey, so I skipped work today too. I'm looking forward to going back Thursday for a rest! The week off has been a bit tiring. Oliver was pretty excited to see his mummy today, after she was quarantined for 36 hours - and so was I.
Oliver seems to have a bit of a sore tummy tonight. It's the same as last time. However, I've just been in to check on him andI think there was a familiar smell in the air. Any problems may have worked themselves out.
We have been given a reprieve and don't need to head in for a blood test tomorrow - Oliver's thumbs won't know themselves.
Oliver has been walking with his trolley for a while now, but in the last week he has learnt to turn himself around. Here's a bit of video. It's probably more impressive to us than you, but we think he's pretty amazing.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Cycle 7
Almost halfway. Soon we will be able to start counting down the days until we won't have such regular visits to the hospital. The day went quite well. Karli and I were both relaxed and easy going about it all today, which is fairly unusual. Oliver was his usual beautiful and cute self, playing up to all the nurses and enjoying the attention. We even managed to get him to sleep today - probably due to the fact that we were put in room 6, and so had a nice quite space to ourselves. We even managed to finally catch up with the music therapist, Louise. Every other time we have tried Oliver has either been too unwell, asleep, or we have taken off before she was available. I think Oliver enjoyed it. He seems to like music and is always keen to bop along.
We've been having troubles with his nasogastric tube of late. Apart from the couple of visits to the hospital to have it re-inserted after our ratbag pulled it out, it seems to be getting blocked more regularly, making it difficult to get his meds in. It has been more of a nuisance up until now, because for the next 5 days we will be giving him his steroids and there is a specific amount he needs to get. He also receives mercaptopurine, the one that I need to administer with gloves. needless to say, I'm not too keen on that coming out and going all over the place. It worked okay for us tonight, so we will keep our fingers cross.
As always, it is difficult to feel to sad for ourselves when we consider the plight of our friends around us. One of our little friends shaved her beautiful red hair off on Monday before it all fell out. I'm looking forward to seeing her in her blonde wig - though she may not bother wearing it to the hospital as bald heads don't really stand out. Another young bloke kissed his AFL dreams goodbye with some serious arm and leg surgery that will take years to recover from. We learnt today that 3 young teenagers lost their battles in the lead up to christmas. And unfortunately, there seems to be a fairly large number of new faces in the waiting room. Our plight is so very, very relative.
On a brighter note, one little guy who is 2 weeks older than Oliver is almost finished his treatment. It was so good to see him with some hair and colour, crawling around without a drip in tow, and to see his mum looking noticeably relaxed - as relaxed as you can get in her shoes anyway. We only pray that he has a bright future that only takes him further and further away from the hospital.
After Oliver's last treatment before christmas we decided that it might help if I stayed home for a few days after the next lot, so I'm not working until Monday again. I know, what a life.
Here's a video of Oliver with Louise, the music therapist.
We've been having troubles with his nasogastric tube of late. Apart from the couple of visits to the hospital to have it re-inserted after our ratbag pulled it out, it seems to be getting blocked more regularly, making it difficult to get his meds in. It has been more of a nuisance up until now, because for the next 5 days we will be giving him his steroids and there is a specific amount he needs to get. He also receives mercaptopurine, the one that I need to administer with gloves. needless to say, I'm not too keen on that coming out and going all over the place. It worked okay for us tonight, so we will keep our fingers cross.
As always, it is difficult to feel to sad for ourselves when we consider the plight of our friends around us. One of our little friends shaved her beautiful red hair off on Monday before it all fell out. I'm looking forward to seeing her in her blonde wig - though she may not bother wearing it to the hospital as bald heads don't really stand out. Another young bloke kissed his AFL dreams goodbye with some serious arm and leg surgery that will take years to recover from. We learnt today that 3 young teenagers lost their battles in the lead up to christmas. And unfortunately, there seems to be a fairly large number of new faces in the waiting room. Our plight is so very, very relative.
On a brighter note, one little guy who is 2 weeks older than Oliver is almost finished his treatment. It was so good to see him with some hair and colour, crawling around without a drip in tow, and to see his mum looking noticeably relaxed - as relaxed as you can get in her shoes anyway. We only pray that he has a bright future that only takes him further and further away from the hospital.
After Oliver's last treatment before christmas we decided that it might help if I stayed home for a few days after the next lot, so I'm not working until Monday again. I know, what a life.
Here's a video of Oliver with Louise, the music therapist.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Nothing to Report
It's been a while since we have written. it seems that I can't really muster too much enthusiasm for it at the moment. Hopefully, I might find some over the next few days.
Our little man is doing well at the moment. His blood counts are good, higher than they have been for quite a while thanks to the change of chemotherapy. It seems the effects of his last treatment have hung around for a while. Only today does he seem to be back to his usual self. Unfortunately, he gets another dose next Wednesday. I don't think he has ever been affected for quite so long - at least we haven't noticed it.
I have found myself wondering about his development lately. I should probably have a better idea of where he should be, but I do know enough to know that there are very large differences between children at the best of times, that he was practically bed-bound for 6 weeks at least, that the chemo puts him on such a rollercoaster that he doesn't know what's happening, and that at such a young age, he has plenty of time and opportunity to recover. Then there is the question of any side-effects that we haven't discovered yet. He's happy, crawling well, walks well behind his little block trolley, is affectionate, giggly, bright, responsive, and we think is using some very basic signs to tell us if he wants "more" food or is "all done". So I probably shouldn't worry, but I suppose all parents do.
Oliver turned 14 months old today. Tomorrow is exactly 6 months since his diagnosis - 10th July, 2008. 6 more months of treatment to go. How can one so small be so courageous.
Our little man is doing well at the moment. His blood counts are good, higher than they have been for quite a while thanks to the change of chemotherapy. It seems the effects of his last treatment have hung around for a while. Only today does he seem to be back to his usual self. Unfortunately, he gets another dose next Wednesday. I don't think he has ever been affected for quite so long - at least we haven't noticed it.
I have found myself wondering about his development lately. I should probably have a better idea of where he should be, but I do know enough to know that there are very large differences between children at the best of times, that he was practically bed-bound for 6 weeks at least, that the chemo puts him on such a rollercoaster that he doesn't know what's happening, and that at such a young age, he has plenty of time and opportunity to recover. Then there is the question of any side-effects that we haven't discovered yet. He's happy, crawling well, walks well behind his little block trolley, is affectionate, giggly, bright, responsive, and we think is using some very basic signs to tell us if he wants "more" food or is "all done". So I probably shouldn't worry, but I suppose all parents do.
Oliver turned 14 months old today. Tomorrow is exactly 6 months since his diagnosis - 10th July, 2008. 6 more months of treatment to go. How can one so small be so courageous.
Don't get too excited. This is minutes before we headed back in to the hospital to have his nasogastric tube reinsterted.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Boxing Day Rant (Merry Christmas - Part 3)
My apologies to all, but there are things I've been wanting to get off my chest and having yet had the chance to do so.
As has been said earlier, Karli and I have both hit the wall. I was hoping that an early start to my holidays and our break down in Busselton might change that, but as yet we aren't perking up too much. For my part, I have been on the verge of tears at the drop of a hat over the past week. Whether it's the extra time and space to think, or the more intense time being spent with my two babies, I don't know. I do know I don't feel particularly refreshed, and am unsure that much will change during my last week of holidays.
Our little boy is battling along. He's ratty and clingy again thanks to the steroids. Unfortunately he is also dealing with the side effects of the methotrexate, which he hasn't had for a while, and has never had intravenously. So he's a bit more lethargic and unsteady. It's nice to have so many cuddles though. The hard part is trynig to figure out what is going on for him. I'm sure he must feel really crappy, but he just can't say anything.
It was good to see some of our friends in at PMH on Wednesday. We talked to the parents of the little girl who was admitted around the same time as us. She has finished most of her treatment for now and is coming in every month or so for blood and urine tests. She looks so good now. Her hair is growing back and she has put on a heap of weight. It's lovely to see her looking better. The little guy only 2 weeks older than Oliver was able to go home for Christmas for a few days. He still needs regular antibiotics injected, but the home nurse will be doing that. Unfortunately he will be back in on Monday for daily radiotherapy. Hopefully his treamtment is coming to a successful end in the next month or so. It was lovely to see the mum and daughter who were in the room when we were initially admitted. It was heart breaking to learn that, after having completed treatment for a relapse, she has relapsed again. I couldn't believe the beautiful and genuine smile I got when I said hello to the little girl. She is amazing. And our ever present friends from Mandurah were still there, trekkiing back and forth from Ronald McDonald House. I don't think they have been home for any reasonable length of time for about 3 or 4 months.
"I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet". You may have heard this little proverb before. It kind of sums up my mindset. I find I waver between mourning the plight of my little boy and rejoicing for the way in which he is overcoming it. I want to be positive, but there is always a little voice in the back of my head reminding me that the tough part may be coming to an end, but the road ahead is still long. In the midst of my negativity I summed up life in two sayings.
Life is never so bad that it can't get worse.
You might be doing it tough, but someone else is doing it tougher.
Not the most cheery sayings, but they keep me on the cautiously optimistic side of life.
Probably not as much of a rant as I first expected, but I'm tired, and I'm off to bed. Some very cute photo's and video to leave you with. I really should be more optimistic.
Cuddles with mum in my monkey towel
Bathtime with dad
Cute cheeks
Opening a present from Uncle Gordon, Aunty Tarn, Tyran and new baby Jyden
As has been said earlier, Karli and I have both hit the wall. I was hoping that an early start to my holidays and our break down in Busselton might change that, but as yet we aren't perking up too much. For my part, I have been on the verge of tears at the drop of a hat over the past week. Whether it's the extra time and space to think, or the more intense time being spent with my two babies, I don't know. I do know I don't feel particularly refreshed, and am unsure that much will change during my last week of holidays.
Our little boy is battling along. He's ratty and clingy again thanks to the steroids. Unfortunately he is also dealing with the side effects of the methotrexate, which he hasn't had for a while, and has never had intravenously. So he's a bit more lethargic and unsteady. It's nice to have so many cuddles though. The hard part is trynig to figure out what is going on for him. I'm sure he must feel really crappy, but he just can't say anything.
It was good to see some of our friends in at PMH on Wednesday. We talked to the parents of the little girl who was admitted around the same time as us. She has finished most of her treatment for now and is coming in every month or so for blood and urine tests. She looks so good now. Her hair is growing back and she has put on a heap of weight. It's lovely to see her looking better. The little guy only 2 weeks older than Oliver was able to go home for Christmas for a few days. He still needs regular antibiotics injected, but the home nurse will be doing that. Unfortunately he will be back in on Monday for daily radiotherapy. Hopefully his treamtment is coming to a successful end in the next month or so. It was lovely to see the mum and daughter who were in the room when we were initially admitted. It was heart breaking to learn that, after having completed treatment for a relapse, she has relapsed again. I couldn't believe the beautiful and genuine smile I got when I said hello to the little girl. She is amazing. And our ever present friends from Mandurah were still there, trekkiing back and forth from Ronald McDonald House. I don't think they have been home for any reasonable length of time for about 3 or 4 months.
"I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet". You may have heard this little proverb before. It kind of sums up my mindset. I find I waver between mourning the plight of my little boy and rejoicing for the way in which he is overcoming it. I want to be positive, but there is always a little voice in the back of my head reminding me that the tough part may be coming to an end, but the road ahead is still long. In the midst of my negativity I summed up life in two sayings.
Life is never so bad that it can't get worse.
You might be doing it tough, but someone else is doing it tougher.
Not the most cheery sayings, but they keep me on the cautiously optimistic side of life.
Probably not as much of a rant as I first expected, but I'm tired, and I'm off to bed. Some very cute photo's and video to leave you with. I really should be more optimistic.
Walking with my trolley in Busselton
Cuddles with mum in my monkey towel
Bathtime with dad
Cute cheeks
Opening a present from Uncle Gordon, Aunty Tarn, Tyran and new baby JydenThursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas - Part 2
I was supposed to write last night but didn't manage it. This is the second part of my Christmas entry, the less joyful part, so be warned it may get a little negative - and could be a little disjointed too. Part 1 was written last night and is a little more upbeat.
We were back in PMH yesterday. Oliver started cycle 6 of his treatment. He received some methotrexate and vincristine, and we started his home doses of mercaptopurine and steroids last night. He could get pretty clingy today, but I think I might be in the mood to just hold him.
You might remember Karli mentioning that we had both hit the wall - thus the reason for me beginning my holidays earlier. I'd like to be able to report that we are both re-energised and have been positively charged over the past week and a half, but we are both still flat. I'm not sure what it is. It doesn't feel right for it to be about Oliver's cancer since he is handling treatment so well, all things considered. Admittedly, there is likely to be some background stress related to it, but given what I know other parents are enduring, I feel like I need to take a toughen-up pill and enjoy my child's health. I think that I might be slowly finding the time and space to process the past 6 months. Some of it is bound to be the fact that we are here and not in Canada as I had hoped this time last year.
Ooops, Christmas just started. There will be a part 3.
Have a lovely Christmas. Give your loved one's an extra tight hug.
We were back in PMH yesterday. Oliver started cycle 6 of his treatment. He received some methotrexate and vincristine, and we started his home doses of mercaptopurine and steroids last night. He could get pretty clingy today, but I think I might be in the mood to just hold him.
You might remember Karli mentioning that we had both hit the wall - thus the reason for me beginning my holidays earlier. I'd like to be able to report that we are both re-energised and have been positively charged over the past week and a half, but we are both still flat. I'm not sure what it is. It doesn't feel right for it to be about Oliver's cancer since he is handling treatment so well, all things considered. Admittedly, there is likely to be some background stress related to it, but given what I know other parents are enduring, I feel like I need to take a toughen-up pill and enjoy my child's health. I think that I might be slowly finding the time and space to process the past 6 months. Some of it is bound to be the fact that we are here and not in Canada as I had hoped this time last year.
Ooops, Christmas just started. There will be a part 3.
Have a lovely Christmas. Give your loved one's an extra tight hug.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas - Part 1
This entry will be written in two parts. This is the joyful part.
I love Christmas. How else do you explain my Christmas vest and flashing santa hat? I love this time of the year. I love shopping for presents for everyone. Secretly I feel a little ripped off by doing Kris Kringle/Secret Santa with the Tate family because I don't get to buy and wrap as many presents (but of course it's not so easy to buy for everyone anyway, so that's a good thing). I like looking at the lights and decorating the house. I like the t-shirts everyone wears, and how everyone seems to be a little bit more cheerful - I suspect that people are actually like this most of the time, it's just that they are allowed to be more jolly at this time of the year. I love that people are more generous. I love seeing the looks on children's faces as they talk about Santa and what they would like for Christmas. I love that some semi -random stranger came in to the hospital today (he was a father of a cancer survivor, and a cancer survivor himself) and handed out extremely generous gifts to sick children and their families. I love that Dr Angela wore a flashing santa hat. I love that PMH was decorated long before our house even got sight of a decoration (except for the ones I had left up from last year). I love the story that goes along with Christmas. I love that my eternity was too precious to be left up to me and so I was shown grace by the birth of a small child. At this time of the year, I'm like a child in a toy shop, and if I am actually in a toy shop, I'm worse. I wish you a very merry and joyful and loving Christmas. May the day fill your heart and remind you of all that is good, and may you have a safe, healthy and fabulous new year.
I love Christmas. How else do you explain my Christmas vest and flashing santa hat? I love this time of the year. I love shopping for presents for everyone. Secretly I feel a little ripped off by doing Kris Kringle/Secret Santa with the Tate family because I don't get to buy and wrap as many presents (but of course it's not so easy to buy for everyone anyway, so that's a good thing). I like looking at the lights and decorating the house. I like the t-shirts everyone wears, and how everyone seems to be a little bit more cheerful - I suspect that people are actually like this most of the time, it's just that they are allowed to be more jolly at this time of the year. I love that people are more generous. I love seeing the looks on children's faces as they talk about Santa and what they would like for Christmas. I love that some semi -random stranger came in to the hospital today (he was a father of a cancer survivor, and a cancer survivor himself) and handed out extremely generous gifts to sick children and their families. I love that Dr Angela wore a flashing santa hat. I love that PMH was decorated long before our house even got sight of a decoration (except for the ones I had left up from last year). I love the story that goes along with Christmas. I love that my eternity was too precious to be left up to me and so I was shown grace by the birth of a small child. At this time of the year, I'm like a child in a toy shop, and if I am actually in a toy shop, I'm worse. I wish you a very merry and joyful and loving Christmas. May the day fill your heart and remind you of all that is good, and may you have a safe, healthy and fabulous new year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)