Weekend pass!

Austin has fully recovered from his engraftment syndrome, and is no longer itchy (which is a huge relief - the little guy can finally get a good nights rest!) He has been completely taken off his IV food and only requires 12 hours of hydration at night. Austin has had a great deal of trouble keeping down his required oral antibiotics (a safety precaution) and will be attempting his fourth new type of antibiotic medication. I guess the doctors are hoping they will find one that will not make him vomit instantly. I don't blame Austin for not being able to keep down this stuff - I have tried it and almost threw-up myself! Unfortunately, Austin is allergic to the "standard" penicillin medication, so he has to take the really "yucky stuff" as an alternative.

The last couple of days have included an echo cardiogram, a pentamidine inhalation session (to protect Austin against pneumonia) and a pulmonary functions test. His kidney function was also assessed yesterday, and we are waiting for vision and hearing tests, as well. These tests are to determine if the chemotherapy has done any damage to his system. There will be more extensive tests after round two of chemo.

Austin is very anxious to get active again - and was excited to tour around the hospital a bit (he insisted to take the stairs instead of the elevator - and was sore the next day). We played some football in the halls, and went for a wheelchair ride outside. Austin also visited his friend Sarah yesterday, who is staying in the hospital, as well. Austin received day passes for the weekend, so today we went to the Toronto Botanical Gardens and to the park. I am so glad that Austin will be out of the hospital for most of Mother's Day - what a wonderful gift for us both!