Today's excitement included yet another trip to pediatric sedation to get a very good short nap while long needles are jabbed into the back. I think this is the 7th time he has had intrathecal chemotherapy (chemotherapy injected through a spinal tap). He's an old pro. He listened to Rockelbel's Canon by Piano Guys over and over on my phone while he was waiting to be put to sleep. If you have never heard this, check it out here. J was actively involved in the idle conversation in the procedure room as we waited for all the players to arrive. So nice to see him so happy. As soon as they put him to sleep, we are dismissed from the room, and we decided to go get lunch and meet him in his hospital room after the very short procedure. When he arrived he wanted two things. Food and the pulse oximeter removed from his finger. He received both. He had pizza on a piece of naan. One piece wasn't enough. He ate two.
Chemotherapy was started later in the day. He passed the time with his school teacher who came to tutor him. The report is that after the school work was finished, they played a game of Scrabble, and J managed a victory over his teacher. He finished The Empire Strikes Back. That's 5 of the 6 Star Wars movies in two days. What a champ. His nod to the Cinco de Mayo celebrations was to have some tortilla chips with nacho cheese for dinner. Maybe not the most amazing celebration, but he was trying.
The most important detail of the day is just how pleasant he has been. He will interact with the nurses and doctors. He's pretty polite (still an 11-year-old boy and needs some reminders). He likes to joke around. He likes to laugh. I hope as the week progresses he doesn't get too beat down. It's so nice to see him this way.
That sounds like a good day! I'm glad he is happier and acting more like himself!
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