Home sweet home

We finally made it back home yippee !!! Nothing like a night in the hospital to remind you how much you miss your own bed.

Connor had some movement around 7 last night and on-going for every 30 minutes until about midnight. Fortunately he was able to sleep solid from midnight until 7:30 this morning. After radiation we went back to the hospital and resumed his "Golytely" (Which is anything but lightly BTW), and around 5 ish this evening he was acceptable to be discharged.

He's feeling like a million bucks tonight. Totally back to his normal self. Playing Video games against dad right now (and probably dominating the game).

Something funny: The Nurse asked Connor if he would like Ice Chips or a Popsicle, "Yes", he said "I'll have both please, I'll make you work today".

I met with Connor's radiologist and he told me that Connor has been aligning "Beautifully", he was very pleased.

SO DO YOU KNOW WHAT MONDAY IS ? It will be our 20th radiation session (Only 10 more to go !!!!!!)
I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Something I appreciated today: My son's strength, and my husbands love.

Monkey Business

Connor's Monkey had a great time in P.E today!

Thanks for the update Miss Horn! We just love them!

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!).

Week 4 of radiation

It seems that our daily activities are becoming somewhat predictable.

Our highlight of the day was meeting Connor's Chemo pal (a program sponsored by Children's Cancer Association). Connor's pal is named Nick and he brought a really cool toy bag full of fun toys hand picked for Connor. We played a game of Old Maid, and Connor colored a custom paint job on a race car craft project. Nick will be Connor's pal throughout his Chemo process. It's nice to have some someone break up the monotony of the day, and be a constant friendly face throughout the process.

The Oncologist had Connor take an X-ray to see if she could rule out anything that might be causing his back and tummy cramps. It's possible that he has some constipation from some of his medicines.

It was an extra long day at the hospital, but the ride home was peaceful with Connor looking out the window telling me about all the "Cloud Animals" he saw in the sky.

Some things that made me chuckle:

A Recap of Connor telling our favorite nurse that he could speak to animals.

Candace: "Really? that's awesome!! I need you to come to my house and talk to my cat! He lays on my head and licks my face while I'm trying to sleep".

Connor: "Well you see, it's really easy you just say meow for each length of the word"

Candace: "oh so if I want to say, "Stop licking me", I would say "Meow meowmeow meow"

Connor: "You got it!!!!"

We love Candace!! she SO understands kids (and mommy's and daddy's)

A Recap of Connor telling Dr. (Pirate Gold) Rose about his weekend

Dr. Rose "So what was the BEST thing you did this weekend?"

Connor "I got my H1N1 shot!!!"

Connor declared Dr. Rose the BEST DOCTOR EVER today.

Halfway through radiation!

Friday marked our halfway point with radiation. Connor will finish up on the 30th, and then we will have a much needed 4 week break before starting the maintenance phase of his Chemo.

Fortunately for us his 4 week break coinsides with Christmas yay !!!!

On Friday, Connor was able to get the H1N1 vaccine (thank you so much Nikki!!). He had a nice tutoring session with Miss Horn, and we enjoyed a nice time at the movies. Only in a small town can go to the movies and have there be only one other family besides yours in the theater.

Saturday I was able to visit with a friend, and we were able to do our weekly grocery shopping (along with everyone else lol). Connor's back has been hurting him a lot, but so far we are able to keep the pains at ease with Tylenol. We'll be meeting with an Oncologist tomorrow to discuss his pains.

Connor has lost about 99% of his hair. It's amazing how little it bothers him. Throughout this journey I've found it's actually me that needs the body armour to handle to the new stares and comments from strangers. Connor just waves and smiles.

Tonight was Catan night. It was long overdo. Pink next time Scott, PINK!!! Nikki was so sweet she dyed her hair for Connor. (Purple and red actually look really nice on her!).

Connor's new fundraiser website is complete. If you are interested in helping him raise money to purchase a DVD player for another child going through 30 days of radiation treatment, please check it out at: http://www.connorsfans.weebly.com/

The best part of the weekend: Cuddling up with Connor, listening to to the rain and reading fairy tales.

Something I'm interested in doing: Speaking to Dr. Kee (Connor's radiologist) to see if there is any new information from the Conference he went to.