Andrew was diagnosed with Erythroid (M6) Acute Myeloid Leukemia on November 4th, 2010 when he was almost 5 months old. Andrew is currently in remission from his cancer, after finishing his 5 rounds of chemotherapy. He is a healthy, happy toddler.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Not a Fun Day

Andrew had been surprising me for how well he's been doing, but I think our luck has run out. Andrew started feeling crummy yesterday, but his pain was still manageable then with the normal tylenol and oxycodone. Today his pain has escalated a decent amount, so we decided to give morphine a try, even though Stew's side has a bad family history with it. He's responded well to it, and is now sleeping peacefully. It's made his oxygen dip, so we're back on the pulseox and the oxygen, but what a wonderful blessing to have pain medications so readily available to us.

I think the repeated stress and lack of sleep took its toll and I started to feel pretty overwhelmed with a cold on Monday. Andrew was really energetic and peppy on Monday and Tuesday, so I had a rough time keeping up with him. My mother-in-law graciously enough flew out from Indiana to come stay with him, so she has spelled me for the last two nights and has been a most wonderful gopher for us. We're so grateful she's dropped everything to come help us out.

Andrew took a long time to bottom out. He finally hit zero today, more than a week and a half since chemo began. I've noticed he's always clingy and fussy when his ANC is low--I think there's definitely a general malaise that sets in when you don't have neutrophils.

It's been a really, really hard day. So grateful to know there is a Plan of Salvation. I'll post more on Andrew soon to keep updated. I'm sorry I've been such a lousy updater, Mom.

Some pictures:

Time at home with daddy

In for round 4, and Andrew's giving us a run for our money. We were just wiped.

Andrew's line broke the first night back, and saline and blood just got everywhere

More and more and more chemo

Somehow, Andrew was so happy even a week after chemo started

Pretty sick today
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3 comments:

  1. CJCNMarch 31, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Thanks for posting this. It is hard, I know, to write about the down times, but it helps us intensify our prayers and send you more of our love. We do love you all, so, so much! You are in my thoughts first thing when I wake and last thing when I go to bed. As Grandma would say "Keep the faith." That phrase means more and more now.

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  2. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    I was hoping to visit with you yesterday evening but when I got to PCMC Andrew was sleeping and there was the sign on the door and I didn't want to bother ya'll. I was at PCMC with Christine Latimer to visit with Kim and her family. Pres. Stobbe contacted me and said the family asked if we could go visit with them. I'm sorry, I know that adds to the difficult emotions you are dealing with. Hyrum and I are so impressed with how you and Stew are managing everything. I know you probably don't feel like it but you guys are doing a wonderful job and Andrew is so blessed to have you as parents! Keep it up!

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  3. Piano MomApril 1, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Thanks for posting the pictures. I am sorry you've been sick, but I am so glad you are getting help!!! It really helps so much to have someone else stay with your sick kiddo once in awhile. I am sure it is still hard for you to be away from him. Hang in there! P.S. It was REALLY good to run into you and Stew last week.

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