Inpatient vs. Outpatient

When we began the last cycle of chemotherapy last week we talked with the attending oncologist about when we would go home.  We opted to go home Sunday night after the last dose of chemotherapy finished.   They started treatment about 7:45 pm, which meant ideally he would be done at 7:45 pm.  Great, not too late in the evening. We confirmed that we would take him home Sunday night as we headed into the weekend.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel and a Little Sympathy

No, not that light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Chemotherapy Making Its Gains

Chemotherapy seems to be catching up to J today.  Appetite is going down.  He's still eating, but it takes much longer to decide on something that sounds good.  A throw-up bowl has become his bedside companion.  He has requested more medication for nausea.  They give Zofran as a scheduled medicine, meaning they give a regular dose at certain times of the day.  If he feels nausea on top of that he can have Ativan or Benadryl as needed.  He has taken a liking to Ativan.

Top 10 Things to Pass the Time While In the Hospital

This is a list of the top 10 things to help J pass time in the hospital.  (This list is his, editorial comments are mine.)

Cinco de Mayo

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.

May the Fourth Be With You

All good things seem to come to an end, like vacations from treatment.  J has returned to the hospital.  Would have been better if he it was tomorrow, The Return of the Fifth.

The Last Night

It has been a nice break in between treatment.  J was able to attend school on Friday.  This is the first time he has been to school since February 11.  Grandpa took him to school.  They were having a Harry Potter Day.  This would be the first year at Hogwarts given that he is 11.  Crazy, he could be learning spells and flying broomsticks.  Makes going through chemotherapy seem kind of dull and boring.  His class was happy to see him.  Apparently when Grandpa dropped him off, someone in the class yelled 'Jonathan is here" and in a moment the class was surrounding him.  He then told Grandpa he could go.  Mom was worried the whole time that he would be tired or feeling unwell, and I had to hold her back from checking in with the teacher to make sure he was OK.  He lasted the whole day.  One of the teachers thought he had shaved his head just for the event.  He was dressed up as Voldemort.  Maybe someone has pictures that will make it to us, and I can post.

He took his medications without complaint for the last several days.  He had a friend visit today.  He ate bone-in pork chops and enjoyed eating the meat straight from the bone.  He took a walk with the family around our neighborhood tonight and I noticed just how scrawny his arms have become.  He's in bed now, hopefully asleep.  This is last night to sleep without somebody coming in to his room and waking him.  This is his last night to sleep without getting so many IV fluids that he makes a trip to the bathroom every hour.