Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Xrays of Jake's Ankle

Below are x-rays of Jake's ankle that were done in March of 2012 when the cancer was discovered.  Dr. Scott, the Oncologist, is the one that made the markings on the x-rays.  He is pointing out the tumor and the abnormal bone growth on Jake's ankle.




Saturday, May 19, 2012

Frosted Mini Wheat's

Saturday May 19, 2012 - Jake pretty much sleep all day yesterday, they had a hard time getting his nausea under control.  He really struggled.  This morning he is sitting up trying to get down some frosted mini wheat's.  He is still nauseated but trying to get past it so he can eat something.  The Dr. is going to give him a shot as to help his immune system to recover fast so he doesn't drop off and end up back in the hospital the last time he had this chemo.  If he is feeling up to it we will get to go home in the morning! 

Friday, May 18, 2012

A Ray of Sunshine

Friday May 18th 2012 - The week off was so good.  It rejuvenated both of us.  Jake was feeling good and he had only had a couple of days of nausea.  It was almost as like this cancer was only a bad dream.  Wednesday night was met with some anxiety know what lie a head.  

Thursday morning came and we were to check in at 11:00 in the morning.  As soon as we got at Primary Children's they hooked Jake up to the IV and started it on high as to get his kidneys pumping.  It is always a wait, it took a mere 8 hours to start the chemo.  The first chemo is Doxorubinson it is a slow infusion of 24 hours.  It is red and causes hair loss, extreme nausea, ache bones.  There are more symptoms just can't recall all of them,  after that had infused for a couple of hours they start Cisplaton, it is almost yellowish is color and this infusion is 4 hours. It comes in a larger bag but is infused faster.  It also causes extreme nausea and achy bones.

Oh, before the chemo started we had a visit from two of the nicest people.  Kris (Mom) had commented on the blogspot and we had emailed a couple of times.  She made a comment of how she has a son (Eric) that had the same cancer as Jake almost in the same spot and the same age.  She brought Eric to meet Jake.  That was such a ray of sunshine for us both.  He is now 18 soon to be 19 and has his mission call to Sacramento California and leaves in July.   We talked about the cancers and he showed us his prosthetic an how it works.  He gave us tips on who to go with when we needed to get a prosthetic.  He gave Jake some tips on what to tell people when they ask "what happened to your leg".  He had us laughing.  What a great Young Man and great example!  We were so glad to meet them.

Today comes with lost of nausea!  He will be sleeping a lot!!!   Tonight will be the second infusion it will start again at 8.  Hopefully we will be able to come home on Sunday.


(If you'd like to read more about Eric's amazing story visit:  http://ericmerk5.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The BEST GIFT - Home for Mother's Day!!

Wednesday May 9, 2012 - We are home!  I have such great news, the doctor that has been over Jake's care, talked Jake's doctor into letting us have this week off and returning next Thursday!!!!! He thought it would be better for Jake to rest and get better for the next round and give his port wound more time to heal.   Both Jake and I agreed ;).  So yeah!!!! As it turns out it is Mother's Day on Sunday,  I had no idea it was even time for that yet.  I don't know if that was also a motivator to let us stay home this weekend but I am grateful that he let us.  Wow, you become so oblivious to time while you are in the hospital, days just run into nights until it is 2 months later. 

Jake is feeling better as far as the fevers go but the dreaded mouth sores are making their play once again.  He is feeling tired but very much wants to go to school a couple of days before it ends.  Maybe by Monday or Tuesday if his counts are still good.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

When Jake is feeling better = Hungry!

Sunday May 6, 2012 - Today Jake is doing a little better.  Yesterday was quite a struggle.  The nurses had a hard time getting his nausea under control and as a result he threw up a few times.  Then to top it off he got a fever,  they did some cultures but are not sure what it is related to unless it is infection in the wound.  By 7 or so that evening after adding two different nausea medications, a lot of sleeping and a antibiotic he was feeling a little better.  First clue to me was that he was hungry. ;)   This morning he is a little nauseated but the mouth sores are starting again.  I was able to attend Sacrament meeting and the Elders brought Jake the Sacrament to his room.  Hopefully his counts will drop enough and he can come home tomorrow.  As long as everything goes good between now and Thursday we will come back on Thursday to start the 2nd cycle of Chemo with Doxorubison and Cysplatin.

Friday, May 4, 2012

3rd Round of Methotexate

Friday May 4, 2012 - We arrived at PCH yesterday at 10:00 in the clinic (that is Dr. Wright's office) they wanted to make sure he was healthy enough to continue on with the Methotexate.  After what seemed like a long time the time the Dr's agreed that they didn't want to hold off the chemo another week.  The port site hadn't closed much but it is important to keep the process going.  So they would have the wound team keep an eye on the port and we would start the chemo. 

      As he was sitting on the bed waiting I could see the look of anticipation in his eyes and hear it in the deep sighs as he looked longingly out the window.  I could only imagine what was going on inside him as he struggles with this on going battle,  wanting to play some ball and of all things he said to me yesterday as we saw someone jogging down the street,  "Mom I wish I could run".  (and he has never enjoyed running).  It is hard to watch knowing that he can't enjoy the things that a teenage boy should be able to enjoy.

   When they finally hooked him up to all the iv's and got the fluids pumping it was 1:30pm and it took until 1:30 am to start the Methotrexate.  They have to make sure that his kidneys are full and working so the chemo exit's the kidneys as fast as it comes in.  He also has to have a medicine in the iv that will ph balance the body levels as to cause less damage to the kidneys and bladder.   So the morning comes and now it is the waiting game.  He can't leave until the Methotexate is less than .01.  Hoping and praying for it to leave quickly!!