Sunday, June 17, 2007

Another tough day

Austin still has a high-grade fever (104 F/ 39.8 C) that has been present for the past two days. I have a feeling he may have caught some type of viral infection which has given him the stomach flu. In addition to the high-dose chemotherapy (which makes him sick to begin with) he is having a really rough go this time around. I honestly have never seen anyone so ill in my entire life! The past two rounds of chemotherapy have left Austin very weak and this just seems too much for his little body to handle right now. At least tomorrow is a "day of rest" and hydration before his transplant on Tuesday. Hopefully this bug will work its way out of his system before too long. However, one of his antibiotics have been cut for fear that it will contribute to further hearing loss....... hopefully it isn't the one that he needs to combat this infection!!
As a result of the non-stop vomiting and diarrhea Austin requires concentrated amounts of potassium, phosphate, and magnesium which have been given throughout the day via his central line. This additional concoction adds heart monitors to the equation which is yet another alarm to beep beep beep through the night when his heart rate or rhythm fluctuates. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Please say a special prayer for Austin tonight, and send along some words of encouragement if you have a chance so I can read them to him.
Oh yeah, Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!!

10 comments:

Joanne and Dave said...

Hi Lindsay and Austin,

Sorry to hear are not going well. Dave and I went to church yesterday as we do almost every Sunday and I always say a special prayer for you. Today I will say a special one for you to end this nasty flu. I spoke to Brenda on Friday when she got back from Toronto and she said she had a nice visit with you. I bet you had a great visit with Scott. Dave and I went fishing on Lake Nipigon on Saturday and I caught a 16 lbs lake trout and Dave caught a 10lbs one. Boy was it hard to reel in! It's a rainy day here but hopefully the sun will pop out today. We only have 8 more school days left...I don't know where this year has gone. Hope you have a better day today...take care you two,
Love...hugs and kisses, Dave and Jo.

Johnny Jay said...

Hi Austin....
This chemo stuff really sucks, doesn't it. I hope you'll start feeling better very soon. Everyone we talk to asks about how you're doing, and lots of people are praying for you every day. Grandma will be seeing you in a couple of days, and is preparing for her visit right now. When you feel better, maybe you can teach her how to play the WII. That should be a hoot! Get your mom to take a picture of that. Hope to see you in a couple of weeks, myself. Meanwhile, soldier on.
Love.....Grandpa

Anonymous said...

hi
lindsay i can't begin to imagine how hard this is to watch your son go through this...mom's instinctively want to protect their kids and i know that not being able to take this away must be very difficult! we are all praying for you guys and the strength that austin has shown this far is phenomenal (as well as yours)! i hope that you guys are having a better day today and we will continue to pray for his healing from this bug and that the transplant will go well for him...chemo sucks and being sick must be awful! kick this cancer's butt austin! we know that you can do it...we're praying for you all!
charissa (meems) scheltus (hopefully lindsay you remember me...)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lindsay & Austin….. I am hoping tomorrow will be a better day. The two of you are always on my mind. The Lord test of everyday and will only put us through what we can endure. Take comfort knowing that he is looking over Austin. Get some rest. Sickids is the best place for the two of you to be. Remember no matter what difficulties you are going through someone else is going through worse. I hope these words can provide some comfort to you both. All my love Angie.

Anonymous said...

Hey Austin,

I miss you buddy. I can't wait until all this chemo stuff is done with so we can have some video game tournaments. Your little cousin misses you a lot as well, she asks about you pretty much every day. Congradulations on being over half way done your chemo, I can't believe how hard this must be for you, but I know first hand how strong you are (I still remember those mattress wars). Stay strong bud.
I love you.
Uncle Richy

Anonymous said...

Hi Lindsay & Austin:

Indeed you are in our prayers daily but we will pray particularly harder for you. Our heart and tears go out to you and Austin. We couldn't imagine what the both of you have gone through and are going through! Your mom will be there today so hopefully that will give you some support, Lindsay. Hang in there and we pray for recovery from this bug for Austin. God Bless you!

love, Auntie Millie & Uncle Peter

Anonymous said...

We are sending love and strength your way. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Victor called yesterday and they are putting something together for the summerfest parade to thank everyone for their support given to you and Danica!! They are special people just like you and Danica.

Love Shelley and Danica

Anonymous said...

hello Austin!

This is Pastor Norm from Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church in Thunder Bay! We are praying for you, buddy, and we expect good things to come your way. I admire your courage, Austin. Don't forget to eat your noodles! Say hello to your mom for me.

pbfwood said...

Keep strong Austin, you've passed the halfway mark and it's all going to be over soon. You, your mom and the doctors and nurses taking care of you are in our prayers daily. You are one brave boy, we saw all the beads you have gotten. Hugs to you and your mom as you both take things one day at a time and get through this.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Austin and Lindsay!! If you can look at each day by itself, it may help!! These rounds of chemo can be extremely hard on the body, as we have all found out. But they too will be over and you will be able to look back on it and be thankful it is all over!!
Take care of yourselves and keeping looking at the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thinking of you two often!
Rona and Caitlyn