Enthusiasm

For the first time in several days, Austin was actually (mildly) excited that he was able to play his favourite on-line game (Runescape) in the comfort of his hospital bed. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see him smile! He received another hit of chemo today, which made him feel very sick. He is resting peacefully now and is no longer feeling ill after throwing up. From this point on, we just have to let his body recover enough to get out of isolation. Austin has been very fortunate that he has not contracted an infection during his "immune compromised state" (his white blood cell count is less than 0.1)! I am constantly washing and disinfecting things to ensure everything is germ free - to keep him safe.....hopefully it helps!!

Platelet Transfusion Time!

Austin had his first platelet transfusion this morning. He had no reaction to the plaletets because they were from a single donor. Usually when a bag of platelets is ordered, it is a combination of many different donors all in one bag (much higher risk of allergic reaction). So.....he lucked out this time as the "better stuff" was available. He has not been himself the last couple of days, and does not seem interested in doing much of anything. We just had our first out-of-town visitor, Scott (mom's boyfriend), leave today from Toronto. Austin has quite a line-up of visitors next month coming down, as well, which helps to "break-up" a long period in the hospital. We hope he will have been transferred into a "step-down" unit when they arrive so he can visit with them face to face.

The counts drop

Austin's blood counts have dropped off drasically in the last 24 hours, and he is very neutropenic. Normally, his white blood count should be between 4-10. It is currently at 0.3, which is very low. The doctors came by today and prepared him for a blood and platelet transfusion in the near future (probably the next couple of days). We finally have permanent internet access in the hospital room, and Austin really enjoyed reading everyones comments on his blog (he can now check it every day). I also read him the e-mail comments sent to my yahoo account. If you want to post a comment, and don't have a google account, you can "post" as an anonymous person on the blog. Thanks for all the encouragement and messages of care and concern for Austin!

Food Fight!

Austin had a really good day today, and he stayed awake and alert for the majority of the day. He was quite talkative, and joked around and laughed. We finished reading the novel "Hatchet" together and then had a food fight with the fruit salad he attempted to eat. Although his fever has not returned, the doctors have decided to keep him on his antibiotics, and change the medication for his nausea to something a bit stronger (he is still throwing-up). I hope that tomorrow will continue to be an uplifting (new) day for Austie.

Another Day in Isolation

Today was relatively uneventful, and Austin had a relaxing day. We had a visit from the pharmacist today, and Austin immediately told her to stop from coming in by raising his hand and saying "NO." The doctors and nurses have repeatedly told him about the importance of ensuring each and every individual that enters his isolation room be gowned and washed before opening the sliding doors. The pharmacist neglected to follow the procedure........so Austin reminded her (it was quite humorous)!!!!

Entering Isolation

Austin was moved into a reverse isolation unit today where he received his first stem-cell (bone marrow) transplant. His blood counts are slowly dropping as the chemotherapy drugs take effect, so the isolation protects him from outside infections. Austin has not had any side effects from the transplant as of yet (ie. drop in blood pressure, fever, breathing difficulties, etc..), so things appear to be better today in comparison to yesterday. On another positive note, it looks like his fever has "broke", and the added morphine has taken away his pain & discomfort. He still has no interest in even looking at food, and he told us today that he wishes he could always be fed through an IV, so he would never have to eat again! He literally throws up anything that enters his mouth - but it doesn't really phase him anymore because he is so used to vomiting by now. Tomorrow Austin will begin receiving a drug that helps to rapidly grow new white blood cells, which as a result, helps to repair his damaged immune system.

The Chemo Hits

Austin is really beginning to feel the effects of the chemotherapy drugs and is quite ill at this point. After vomitting some blood up yesterday, the doctors decided to give him a medication to try and stop any throwing-up, which has been partially sucessful. Trying to keep track of all the drugs that go through his IV is a time-consuming and endless task! He has been complaining of double-vision, so the hospital team has decided to cut 1 of the 3 anti-nausea medications he is receiving. As a result of the chemo, he has also developed a very sore throat and sore ears, so they have started him on a steady dose of morphine. Austin's fever is still present, and he is on several different antibiotics. He is not eating or drinking, so he relies 100% on TPN and lipids to sustain him. Tomorrow Austin will be moved into an isolation unit due to the drop in his blood counts (as a result of the chemo), and will receive his first stem-cell transplant.

Another Day of Chemo

Austin developed a fever overnight and has been given antibiotics to combat whatever it is that is causing it. The doctors have taken cultures to send to the lab, but do not receive any results for 48 hours - so they hope that the antibiotics prescribed will work. Today is a repeat of the chemo drug he had yesterday, which he seemed to tolerate quite well. Austin is being very cooperative with all of the hospital staff, and they comment regularly on what a sweetheart he is. Although he sleeps most of the day, when he is awake he is in good spirits.

Day 2 of Round 1

After his first day of chemo, Austin slept most of the time. This morning during some awake time, he was humming some familiar tunes to himself. He is receiving medication to combat the nausea, but it isn't 100% effective. Austin received his next dose of chemotherapy this afternoon, and everything went quite well. He had a relatively good day, and his spirits were up compared to yesterday.

How it went today

Yesterday involved some clowning around, but today things got down to serious business. Austin began the first day of his first round of chemo at approximately 2:30 this afternoon. The drugs are so toxic, the nurse requires protective gear to administer the chemo. It went better than I had anticipated. Austin has been sleeping most of the day. He had some minor shakes when the chemo entered his system, but this subsided after a few minutes. I am hesitant to be optimistic, though, because I have heard a whole lot of horror stories from other parents (when their children received the same drugs). It just seems like today went too well without any major complications... (talk about setting yourself up for unnecessary stress and worries). With the help of my dad, we have set up this blog for Austin with pictures and daily updates on his progress through treatment. I hope you can check in on occasion, and post a comment for the little guy.

Finally it begins...

After an infection developed at the beginning of the week, Austin was put on antibiotics to deal with the issue. His fever slowly went down over time, and he has now been fever free for at least 48 hours. Therefore, Austin will receive his first chemo treatment early this afternoon.

This is a scary time for Austin and his whole family. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

Better day today

Well, today was a much better day for Austin. His fever is slowing going down, and it is hoped that his chemotherapy procedures can begin on Thursday. Meanwhile, Austin enjoyed a music therapy session today. It's just one of the activities that is offered for the children at Sick Kids.

Austin begins next phase

Here's a quick update on how Austin is doing:
After a "post-radiation break" back home, Austin arrived at SickKids again last week and underwent a series of tests on his heart, lungs, kidneys and hearing. He also had A LOT of bloodwork and a lumbar puncture. He has a central venous line inserted to receive his chemotherapy drugs, have blood taken and receive medications, etc. This will cut down the number of "pokes" he will need to receive.

Austin was scheduled to receive his first doses of chemo on Monday, but developed a high fever and infection overnight. They have taken cultures to determine what the problem is. His chemo is therefore being postponed for 48 hours. They are now running broad-spectrum antibiotics through his lines, and will be giving him TPN (food through an IV) due to his declining weight and appetite. Austin is a bit down in spirits, so I am trying everything to cheer him up.

Austin just came back from visiting the Starlite room (see pic) which is booked at certain times just for kids in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, to eliminate exposure to other sick children. It was a chance for him to get out of his hospital room for a bit. I will be checking my e-mail everyday now, so if you would like to send a message to Austin ( I will print it out and read it to him) feel free. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.........Lindsay

Back to Toronto

.................Click on image for a full size view.................

After the radiation treatments were completed, Austin was able to take about a 5 week break, until after the Easter weekend.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Austin and Lindsay left Thunder Bay for Toronto's "Sick Kids" this evening, to begin the chemotherapy treatment phase.