I don't know about anyone out there but having a toddler boy alone can be challenging. They want to communicate, but don't have all the skills to and get rather upset. Well, add cancer to that... then add a terribly hard medication and... things get really interesting.
A couple of days after we initial got here (I'll write more about that later), Reece had a procedure to have a line put in (if you really want to see a photo just google Broviac Central Line). And that is how he receives all of his chemo treatments. There are pros and cons to it - pro, he doesn't have to keep getting an IV, the medication goes directly near his heart to better and faster distribute, cons, it's really gross to look at, very sore after the procedure, and very very very difficult to bathe him because it absolutely can not get wet. (If you want more information on the line itself please comment and I'll write another post about that).
Anywho, a couple of days after he got his line, chemo started. The first day of chemo was the hardest, only because he got a fever. It was the first day that we saw Reece really sick. Before, he was a totally normal boy, running around, getting bruises, laughing, having mini tantrums, learning to talk, everything you would expect of a normal toddler. This day, he had his first round at 10 am, then 10:30, and then the last one didn't end until 1:30 PM (can you just imagine all of medicine pumping through such a tiny body!)
Despite all of the medicine, he was still being "normal" Reece. Playing with his toys, learning his alphabet...
And then 5:00 PM comes around and his temperature goes to 102.3! Just like that... then 30 min. later it shot up to 104.9!!! They gave him some Tylenol and antibiotics, and a prescription for a lot of cuddle time with mom and dad.
The fever finally went down. They found that it didn't have anything to do with an infection, rather it's just a side effect that he gets with Chemo...
Day 2 of Chemo, the doctors decided to give him a steroid with the chemo and NO FEVER ALL DAY!!! What does that mean?! Play time for Reece all day (I swear with all the toys, dogs that come to visit him, fun nurses, other kids to play with he's going to like the hospital more than our house.)
Day 3 of Chemo was again anti-climatic (which is AWESOME!!!) It amazes me how resilient and strong kids are... The doctors told us that if any of us were to go through this same treatment we would be on our hands and knees crying and super sick, but Reece is playing with every toy he can get his hands on! Not only is he playing like no other, they are even taking him off of the precautionary medicines (anti-nausea medicine, Benadryl, antibiotics) because he seems to be doing so well!
As far as his blood counts, they are doing really well too. His platelets are up, hemoglobin up, and the white blood cells that have the Leukemia in them are down.
God is good, and we continue to thank him and keep continue to pray for the doctors and nurses taking care of him, and how his body is responding.
I'll write some other posts later on to update the other side (how parents are dealing with everything). I am also planning on writing (and showing pictures) of the [minimal] symptoms/signs that we saw to take Reece to his pediatrician which then led to this huge snowball.
As always, please feel free to leave comments and ask any questions that I will answer in a later blog!
In the meantime, I'll leave everyone with this,
Psalm 27: 1-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation -
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -
of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
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