I'll call them Frank

After I wrote my last blog entry on Monday I definitely should have knocked on wood. The rest of this week has been far from predictable.

WARNING

If you are a little squeamish about gastrointestinal issues you might want to skip today's post.

Tuesday afternoon we found out that Connor's X-rays (from Monday) showed some moderate constipation. We were warned that his chemo drug Vincristine can cause some constipation, but we weren't really aware what a terrible cycle it can really become.

Because of his constipation:

1. He doesn't really want to eat, or drink (which really limits how much oral stool softener he receives).

2. He gets cramping which makes him nauseous (which expells the stool softener before it can effective), and the cramps make it difficult for him to want to walk around (which would normally help with the bowel movement).

On Monday we were advised that the Dr. Wanted to to avoid an enema or suppository for risk of infection.

On Tuesday we were advised to double his Oral stool softener.

On Wednesday we stayed after radiation treatment from 1-5pm. He was given an enema and a suppository and a glass of Miralax. ALL with no luck. We were advised if he had no movement by Thursday AM they would insert a nose tube (under sedation) and we would check in around 10:30 am and spend the day in day treatment while they filled him up with Golytely until he was productive.

So Today: The tube insertion went good. We got over to day treatment and we were advised they wanted to place us in an inpatient room (because those rooms have private restrooms). We were advised it would be about a 3o minute wait. We entertained Connor and told him not to get too comfortable. 30 minutes turned into an hour, which turned into about 3 and a half hours before we got in a room.

The doctor advised us that it would probably take about 4-10 hours for Connor to take in all the liquid. YIKES! He had another x-ray (which was very compacted) So, after a later start than expected, Connor got started and within an hour and a half he got sick and expelled the tube.

He had a second tube placed while he was awake (he was a world class champ !!!!!!!)

So our Schedule will be:

Tonight: Sit and Wait for movement, Spend the night here.

<----------- Where I will be sleeping (definitely not a sleep number bed)

Friday:

2am: The nurse will stop his Golytely (Since he can't have anything in his stomach for Anaesthesia tomorrow morning)

8 am: Go across the street and have Radiation Treatment

10am: Post Radiation Treatment we will come back to our room and finish his "Liquid Magic" and wait for it to do it's thing.

The Child Life specialists are keeping him entertained with lots of video entertainment (and the Verced is keeping him calm).

Note to self: Avoid future constipation issues at ALL costs.

Something funny Connor said: We were talking about Christmas songs and I asked Connor if he could remember the names of all Santa's Reindeer's. "Rudolf", he said. "There are more" I told him. Connor said, "I don't remember their names mom, I'll just call them ALL Frank."

I'm glad that: I packed an emergency overnight bag

I'm thankful: that Connor will be feeling much better in the next few days.

I've added a link to the left if you are interested in purchasing cards. (Thanks to everyone who has been supporting Connor's fundraiser!).