Two week break....from the hospital

Isaiah had his last LP for this phase of treatment.  He will continue to take his meds at home but doesn't need to go back to the hospital until June 13th, yay!

The Aquarium room where Isaiah gets his LPs, is painted to look like you're under the sea.
  

Isaiah isn't very happy in this picture because he knows he's about to get some medicine that will make him feel dizzy.  They're thinking of changing the sedation next time because it has been giving him nightmares, one side effect of the ketamine.  

Laying flat for the hour.  It's nice that they have a TV for him to watch.  

Fun weekend out

We had a great weekend out with Isaiah.  Confederation park in Burnaby has a great train ride.  We all had so much fun.  

Here's a cute video of Isaiah sharing his ice cream with Adam.

Chemo Wednesdays

Here's a couple pictures and a video from Wednesay's chemo.
Isaiah is sedated with Ketamine.  He then receives Methotrexate in his spinal fluid.

Isaiah in the playroom before his procedure.  What a great playroom they have!  I love Children's Hospital!!

After his procedure

The video was taken after his procedure.  There is still some residual ketamine in his system so he seems a bit out of it. 

Feeling better

Isaiah is feeling so much better today....just in time for chemo tomorrow.  

Trusting God

It's easy to be angry with God when circumstances in life are difficult.  I can admit that I've been very angry with God this week, seeing Isaiah suffer.  Instead of being angry with God, I should be praying.

Matthew 7:7-13
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Fever

Isaiah had a fever for the third night in a row.  We saw the oncologist yesterday and Isaiah received more antibiotics.  The cultures came back negative for a bacterial infection.  The doctor thinks it's viral so we're just going to have to wait it out.

Isaiah is not feeling well at all.  He won't speak.  He gives me a blank stare as tears roll down his cheek.  He was up in the middle of the night crying but refused to speak.  Again this morning, he woke up and will not speak.  He will not eat.

Late night hospital run

Last night, Isaiah developed a fever.  We called Childrens right away and were directed to Royal Columbian Hospital.  When we got there, Isaiah was given antibiotics through his VAD.  He was not happy that we woke him up to bring him to the hospital.  I gave Isaiah the excuse that his "butterfly" couldn't sleep because he was thirsty for some red juice.  I assured Isaiah that this particular butterfly would be getting a time out from his mommy for waking him up in the middle of the night.  (His butterfly is what we call the needle that sits on his port).  

Sleeping in Daddy's arms as he receives his antibiotics.  What a good sport.  He's even sleeping with a thumbs up!!

With oncology patients, antibiotics are automatically given when there is a fever.  He's not allowed any medication such as Tylenol to bring the fever down in order to avoid masking a potential underlying issue.  

He's feeling very sick today.  He's in his bed right now sleeping.  He seems to have no energy and won't even talk to me to tell me what's wrong.  The only response I'm getting is a head nod.  I wish I could know what he's thinking and feeling.  

We have to go to Children's tomorrow to receive more antibiotics and to get checked out by our oncologist.  Please pray for Isaiah.  These little setbacks are a pain.  

On his feet again

When Isaiah was admitted to the hospital, he stopped walking because he was too weak.  Then the steroids made his muscles ache and he stopped walking altogether.  A couple days ago, he started crawling and today, he finally took a few steps on his own.  He's a bit wobbly considering his leg muscles have atrophied.  Plus he's a little top heavy with all that extra eating. 
He really challenged himself today.  He really wanted to chase Aaliyah (cousin).  He insisted he try but after taking a few steps he realized that it would be to difficult so he asked to be carried....so we chased her together.  I'm so happy he's going back to his normal self.

We had a great Mother's Day at Rocky Point park.  We sat on a picnic blanket, ate snacks and people-watched.  It was a wonderful day!  This Mother's Day was a special one.  I felt reminded that being a mom truly is a gift from God.  He planned them from the beginning of time.  I am so grateful for my two boys.  I will forever treasure every moment I have with them. 

He was so happy to be outside.

I love my boys!

The blue was not planned.

Personality coming back

Isaiah is still not walking and layed down all of today.  He has been feeling very sick from the chemo.  The good news is the steroids are slowly wearing off and little bits of Isaiah's personality are coming back.  He giggled for the first yesterday in over a month.  

He also started singing again.  I'm so happy!  

End of phase 1

Today was the last day of phase one, which means no more steroids!!!....for a while. Isaiah had his last dose this morning which means he will start to feel less hungry in a few days. It has been very exhausting this past month.  We have had many midnight snacks (meals, truthfully).

3am sandwich with mom

Isaiah's only interest has been food.  He will ask to go for car rides, only to direct me to Nana's, Grandma's or McDonald's in order to satisfy a specific craving.  He has gained over 5 pounds in the last 29 days, which is a lot for a little guy like him.  The doctors have said that it will start to drop off as he continues treatment. 

I was also informed today that his unwillingness to walk is also a result of the steroids which cause pain in the muscles.  I'm so happy that he's finished his steroids and will walk soon!! 

Today, Isaiah had his LP, where he received chemotherapy into his spinal fluid. He also had a bone marrow biopsy to ensure treatment is working.  We will get the results tomorrow. 

Isaiah after the procedure today

Making sure to lay flat for one hour after the procedure to prevent nausea and spinal headache.

Isaiah and Grandma talking about lunch

Since he is off the steroids, his appetite will soon go back to normal so we decided to indulge in a celebratory lunch at McDonald's. 

Isaiah and Uncle Anthony

Phase 2 (Consolodation phase) starts on Wednesday.  Our first month will include taking chemotherapy drugs orally every day and chemotherapy in his spinal fluid every Wednesday.

Good news today is that his ANC is normal.  This means that for the next 4 days (before it plumits after having chemo), we can go to a restaurant and be around people!  I think we will go to Saturday night service to celebrate Mother's Day.  What a gift.  Thank you God!

He's my son

This song has always meant a lot to David and I and now it takes on a whole new meaning.  Please click on the link.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YK3JR-4Wpg

Isaiah (March 2012)

Chemo side effects

Isaiah has been feeling very sick since his chemo treatment yesterday.  He hasn't walked for many days.  Some of the side effects of one of the chemotherapy drugs causes numbness and tingling in the legs and feet which can make it painful to walk.  Isaiah refuses to walk and cries if he is made to stand on his own.

I am listening to a great sermon.
http://www.gtycanada.org/resources/sermons/80-388/joseph-because-god-meant-it-for-good
God is in control and He is at work.  God loves Isaiah more than I could ever love him (which is hard to imagine), so I can trust that God is very present in this situation.

Please pray that God would take away Isaiah's pain so that he can at least feel like a little boy and play for one day before he is hit with another chemo on Wednesday.

Phase one is almost over

If all goes well, Isaiah will complete the induction portion of his treatment on May 9th, which means he gets a break from the steroids!  For how long?  I don't know yet.  One phase at a time.  I do know that after phase 1, he gets a three day break from everything.  

This week, he has become frustrated with eating.  He is extremely hungry because of the steroids but is not satisfied with the taste of food.  The chemo makes food taste "tinny" and bitter.  He has also had problems chewing and swallowing.  He will ask for something, take one bit, then ask for something different.  Only foods that are high in salt are pleasing to him.  He constantly asked for pickles, chips, hotdogs and french fries.  Unfortunately, they don't want us to give him too much salty food.  

But I sometimes do!