The only real indication of fall for us is the drop in temperature. Everyone else has started a school year. We really haven't. Derek was cleared to attend school the 1st week for 1-2hrs a day. So he went til morning recess. We got oober lucky to have the same teacher he had for kindergarten (she now teaches 1st grade- we love Mrs. Benware!) Derek is such a quick learner and loved every second he got to be with all his classmates.
The last weekend of August we spent up at my sister's house for what we called "The Donovan Show." My sister, LaNan, had one son returning from a mission and another leaving for a mission (all within a week) so they both spoke in church. For the 1st time in a few years all my sisters and I were together. It was a par-tay! I went hiking with Minae (the oldest) and basked in the presence of my dynamic and powerful sisters. I needed their strength, love, and support. My 2 nephews whose missions brought us all together are stinkin' hilarious and completed the whole experience. Did I ever mention I am an aunt to the most rockin', cool, purely awesome nieces and nephews? If not, I just did.
That Sunday night, after arriving home, Derek developed a fever. This does NOT mean we give him Tylenol and send him off to bed. We have very specific instructions on how to handle fevers- depending on how high it is, duration, etc. We were instructed to take him to the ER. Blah. Blood cultures were drawn, but he seemed to be OK, so we were sent home about midnight. Bottom line, he'd gotten a cold and since he practically has no immune system, all his body has as a defense mechanism is to heat up, hence the fever.
Given all that, we figured school the next week was out of the question. So, we tried to start a pseudo school routine at home. Yeah... I think Mrs. Benware has much better motivating skills than me. We did OK. Guess we have lots more time to practice since the school year just began. It's extra difficult when Benjamin gets bored and gets in Derek's face. Thankfully he starts preschool this coming week. It will be good for him on many levels, and therefore good for the whole family.
Thursday was a loooooong chemo day for Derek. He and Tyler got home about 6p. Not long thereafter Derek got a fever. Again. I left work early and rushed him to the ER at the childrens hospital. He'd received a blood transfusion as part of his clinic day and so the doctors were extra cautious to make sure it wasn't a transfusion reaction. His blood counts were quite low at the ER visit and he was admitted (smart Me hadn't packed anything for an overnight stay- brilliant!).
Derek stayed 2 nights, just long enough to make sure a new set of blood cultures wasn't going to go positive. I got some of the best sleep being there with him. Who knew?! Not having housework to worry about and little Benjamin to be an alarm clock I almost felt like a teenager on Saturday morning again. But, we were very ready for discharge. We can all only handle so much screen time.
Benjamin was an angel through it all for Grandma and Grandpa Canova. Zachary did OK. He's teething and was therefore a bit of a pill. Thank goodness for a patient grandma and Tylenol (totally justifiable in this circumstance, phew!).
Well now that was a fun, large, hiccup in our life!
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
On to Phase 2
The 1st month of Leukemia treatment (Induction) is now over. At Day 8 they tested for what they call Minimal Residual Disease (MRD). They like the leukemia cells to be less than 1%. Derek's came back at 1.4%. What does that mean? Good question. All we know is that he will be put on the "high risk" course of treatment, perhaps the "very high risk" depending on his MRD value after this 1st month. We get that result tomorrow. At this point we know that means is Derek will get higher doses of chemotherapy, a few more hospital stays, and I'm not sure what else.
The crazy part: he's hardly been sick. He's not his usual active self, but is still happy, does stuff, plays with Legos, colors, reads, etc. Yes, we went through a phase where I was continually coaxing him off the couch, but no longer (he probably tired of my nagging). His oncologist said it's super rare for a child to not really be sick like he's been. We are beyond grateful! However, she also said this next phase or 2 of treatment can be pretty harsh. So, guess we'll brace ourselves. He's done with the appetite-increasing steroid, for now. The oncologist said it can be a good thing that the children put on weight from it since the next phase can seriously decrease appetite, so it's like they've built up some fat stores for what's ahead. Oh boy...
School starts in a few weeks. Apparently the district has a program for children with chronic conditions so the children can get their assignments, work somewhat with the teachers, etc. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but will soon find out. I figure we'll get a taste of home school to see how we like it?...
We met a family at a soccer game whose son just finished his 3 years of treatment. Apparently the mom saw the funny way Derek's buzzed hair sits on his head and immediately recognized it as a "chemo head." Needless to say, we became instant friends.
Derek turned 6 yesterday. He has a new love for Spiderman and therefore got a Spiderman hat, toy, mask, balloon, and cake (Tyler did a pretty awesome job decorating it). He requested hot dogs, mashed potatoes, and oven fries for his birthday dinner. Hello potatoes! He also got more Legos. No surprise there!
Benjamin and Zachary are their cute, normal selves. Zachary is a size of a 6-9 month old (at 11 weeks) and the most delicious baby. Period. Benjamin loves playing in the tub and the other evening we overheard him, "Where. Is. My. Supersuit?" (from "The Incredibles") He got a new Dusty Crophopper backpack for preschool and wore it through the store. Tyler sat him up on the belt for the person at the cash register to scan it without Ben having to take it off. What a good dad!
Sometimes I tell myself it's a good thing I run marathons thus giving me an idea of enduring things that are long, arduous, and grueling. Then again, I know we have no clue what we're in for. One treatment at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time. All with the Lord by our side.
The crazy part: he's hardly been sick. He's not his usual active self, but is still happy, does stuff, plays with Legos, colors, reads, etc. Yes, we went through a phase where I was continually coaxing him off the couch, but no longer (he probably tired of my nagging). His oncologist said it's super rare for a child to not really be sick like he's been. We are beyond grateful! However, she also said this next phase or 2 of treatment can be pretty harsh. So, guess we'll brace ourselves. He's done with the appetite-increasing steroid, for now. The oncologist said it can be a good thing that the children put on weight from it since the next phase can seriously decrease appetite, so it's like they've built up some fat stores for what's ahead. Oh boy...
School starts in a few weeks. Apparently the district has a program for children with chronic conditions so the children can get their assignments, work somewhat with the teachers, etc. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but will soon find out. I figure we'll get a taste of home school to see how we like it?...
We met a family at a soccer game whose son just finished his 3 years of treatment. Apparently the mom saw the funny way Derek's buzzed hair sits on his head and immediately recognized it as a "chemo head." Needless to say, we became instant friends.
Derek turned 6 yesterday. He has a new love for Spiderman and therefore got a Spiderman hat, toy, mask, balloon, and cake (Tyler did a pretty awesome job decorating it). He requested hot dogs, mashed potatoes, and oven fries for his birthday dinner. Hello potatoes! He also got more Legos. No surprise there!
Benjamin and Zachary are their cute, normal selves. Zachary is a size of a 6-9 month old (at 11 weeks) and the most delicious baby. Period. Benjamin loves playing in the tub and the other evening we overheard him, "Where. Is. My. Supersuit?" (from "The Incredibles") He got a new Dusty Crophopper backpack for preschool and wore it through the store. Tyler sat him up on the belt for the person at the cash register to scan it without Ben having to take it off. What a good dad!
Sometimes I tell myself it's a good thing I run marathons thus giving me an idea of enduring things that are long, arduous, and grueling. Then again, I know we have no clue what we're in for. One treatment at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time. All with the Lord by our side.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Christmas in July
Mmm. Where to begin. It feels like we've lived a lifetime over the course of the past 2 weeks. Chemotherapy for Derek has begun (he seems to responding well so far), Zachary got his 2 month shots and was declared the size of an almost 4 month old (just shy of 15lb and 25in long), and Benjamin continues to be the Energizer Bunny (I oughtta do speed workouts with that kid- I'd get my running speed back super quick).
We have been overwhelmed with gifts, help, prayers, etc. Kind people from my work, friends, family, and people we don't even know have demonstrated their generosity. My children have a load of new toys, coloring books, etc. We've received discounts on yard materials as we work towards making our backyard more child-with-leukemia friendly (Derek can no longer play in the dirt and our yard is, well.... a diamond in the rough?, maybe). And, with lots of stray cats in the neighborhood that seem to infest our yard, we don't want him getting sick from all the microscopic nasties they carry (I really don't like cats anyways), we're going to finally fence in the yard.
This past Thursday evening a group of strong, burly men in the neighborhood helped tear down an old, dilapidated, wasp-infested shed in our backyard. Lo and behold a skunk was discovered living beneath it (yes, you read that right, a skunk). Thankfully no oatmeal baths were needed. The varment wandered off quietly.
Derek's medication makes him emotionally volatile, gives him a few girth units, promotes strange food cravings, and increases appetite. So, it's kinda like dealing with a pregnant woman, but it's a 5 year old boy. For breakfast this morning he ate:
1. 4 pancakes (2 with peanut butter and syrup)
2. 2 scrambled eggs
3. smoothie
4. a few glasses of milk
By 11am he was asking if it was lunch time yet. No! I'm not your slave in the kitchen!
His cravings as of late are potato chips, cottage cheese with salsa and chips, milk, and eggs. We've gone through a gallon and a half of milk in 3 days. Thankfully the particular med that has these wacky side effects is only to be taken every day during this 1st month.
We sincerely appreciate all the prayers, well wishes, gifts, service, offers for help, babysitting, etc. And if you've done something for us I didn't list, we thank you just the same. We're looking to make life as normal as possible. Mission Impossible, essentially.
Forward Ho!
We have been overwhelmed with gifts, help, prayers, etc. Kind people from my work, friends, family, and people we don't even know have demonstrated their generosity. My children have a load of new toys, coloring books, etc. We've received discounts on yard materials as we work towards making our backyard more child-with-leukemia friendly (Derek can no longer play in the dirt and our yard is, well.... a diamond in the rough?, maybe). And, with lots of stray cats in the neighborhood that seem to infest our yard, we don't want him getting sick from all the microscopic nasties they carry (I really don't like cats anyways), we're going to finally fence in the yard.
This past Thursday evening a group of strong, burly men in the neighborhood helped tear down an old, dilapidated, wasp-infested shed in our backyard. Lo and behold a skunk was discovered living beneath it (yes, you read that right, a skunk). Thankfully no oatmeal baths were needed. The varment wandered off quietly.
Derek's medication makes him emotionally volatile, gives him a few girth units, promotes strange food cravings, and increases appetite. So, it's kinda like dealing with a pregnant woman, but it's a 5 year old boy. For breakfast this morning he ate:
1. 4 pancakes (2 with peanut butter and syrup)
2. 2 scrambled eggs
3. smoothie
4. a few glasses of milk
By 11am he was asking if it was lunch time yet. No! I'm not your slave in the kitchen!
His cravings as of late are potato chips, cottage cheese with salsa and chips, milk, and eggs. We've gone through a gallon and a half of milk in 3 days. Thankfully the particular med that has these wacky side effects is only to be taken every day during this 1st month.
We sincerely appreciate all the prayers, well wishes, gifts, service, offers for help, babysitting, etc. And if you've done something for us I didn't list, we thank you just the same. We're looking to make life as normal as possible. Mission Impossible, essentially.
Forward Ho!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)