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Updates
Day 1
Today Gabriel began the 2nd phase of treatment for Leukemia
called "Consolidation". This phase will cover
a period of 28 days. Overall he did very well.
He seems to be getting more comfortable with the routine
of his treatment. He received his chemo and underwent
his first of 3 spinal taps. All went very well with
no adverse effects.
Over the past 5-7 days, Gabriel has been emerging
from his drugged like dopy state. For the past 5 weeks
he has slept almost all the time except to eat. He
rarely spoke with only an occasional whine of almost
undecipherable sounds trying to tell us he needed
to go to the bathroom or what it was he wanted to
eat.
But now, as he begins this new phase after having
almost a 2 week break from the treatments, he is talking,
laughing, joking with us, playing with his brothers
and going for evening walks with us. Right now he
likes to ride his little tricycle as Carol and I walk
behind him. He gets very upset if either one of us
tries to help by pushing him. I feel this exercise
is very important for him since he has gotten very
weak in his legs from not being able to walk much
for the past month or so, and because of the
chemo he is receiving. One of the side effects of
the chemo is a reversible nerve problem which effects
the way he walks. We have noticed he is very unstable
while walking and needs help to get over the slightest
step. But he is getting stronger everyday and continues
to improve regularly.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. We have
a long road ahead and we thank God we have you to
walk that road with us. God bless you.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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Day 8
Today was Gabriel's 8th day of treatment of his
Consolidation Phase. He received chemo, had a blood
test and a spinal tap where the doctors injected a chemo
drug called methotrexate. I think the hardest part of
the treatment day is removing the tape that is placed
on his little chest to hold the needle that they use
to access his port that was placed under the skin on
the right side of his chest. Gabriel does not like removing
that tape.
Following treatment, Gabriel fell asleep and slept
until late in the afternoon. By dinner time, Gabriel
was returning to his old self, playing with his brother
Joshua and his monster trucks. Treatment days knock
him out for about 6-8 hours but he recovers quickly
especially when all our children are here at the house
when he wakes up.
God bless you.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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Day 9
Today at 3pm, Gabriel began to run a slight fever.
By this evening he was at 101.6. After speaking with
Gabriel's cancer doctor, she did a direct admission
and we are back in All Children's Hospital. Not sure
how long we will be here but it will probably be at
least 3 or 4 days. It all depends on the blood cultures
and urinalysis results.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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Day 13
Well, four days after admittance into the hospital and
we still don't know what has caused Gabriel's fever.
All cultures have come back negative. He hasn't had
any sign of fever since 8pm Monday evening so the doctors
are going to send us home today. Gabriel is anxious
to get home as well. This morning he said to Carol,
"Mom, my head is cool, and you know what that means,
I get to get out of here!? He was so cute. It is amazing
what he is able to pick up and process.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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Day 15
Today Gabriel had another blood
test and spinal tap. Doctors again injected the drug
methotrexate into his spine. His blood count was pretty
good but his hemoglobin levels were a bit low. That
means Gabriel's next treatment may include a blood transfusion.
He slept most of the day but, what is becoming "normal",
he was returning to his old self by dinner time.
Gabriel has lost almost all his hair and is starting
to ask questions which are hard to explain. Questions
like, "What is this thing in my chest?"
and "Why does the doctor keep hurting me with
that tape?" and "Why do I have to keep taking
medicine?" His evening medicine time is starting
to become "Question and Answer time with Dad".
I do my best to satisfy his curiosity and he usually
ends my explanations with a simple "OH".
He is being a real trooper though and tries to cooperate
with Carol and I, the doctors and nurses the best
he can. It is a real emotional roller coaster ride
for us all but our love for each other and our faith
in God is holding us together. Thank you for all your
prayers and support.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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Day 22
Today Doctors expected to have to give Gabriel
a blood transfusion. However after doing a blood
test, they discovered Gabriel's blood levels came up
on their own during the week. Thank God, he is now able
to take a weeks rest from all the chemo and treatments
until next week. However, next week July 12th begins
Day 1 of his Standard Interim Maintenance phase. It
will begin with a spinal tap, chemo, and a return to
steroids. Please keep Gabriel in your prayers.
Good night...
-Tom
"Whenever my enemy
provokes me to combat, I try to behave like a soldier."
St. Therese, the Little Flower
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