Not leaving the hospital

On Mother's Day Austin was allowed out on a day pass away from the confines of his hospital room. We attended a brunch at the Ronald McDonald House, which was a real treat. In the morning Austin practiced swallowing "candy pills" to make things easier with oral medication intake. He began by swallowing tiny sprinkles, then medium sized cake decorations, mini M&M's, and finally some tic-tacs. He was so proud of himself! I was so relieved that he was able to overcome this obstacle - it will really make a huge difference in the long run now that pills are an option in his care plan (as opposed to liquid meds - YUCK!!!)

Unfortunately, on the day Austin was going to be released from the hospital (Monday), he sprang a very high fever. His fever is getting higher as I type this quick blog entry, and I have never seen one so high (his whole little body is red). He has been put on IV antibiotics and is taking steady doses of Tylenol to keep his temperature down. Hopefully the antibiotics will work to kill the virus in his system and bring down the fever before he begins his next cycle. It looks like he will not be getting out of the hospital in-between chemotherapy rounds this time.