Archive for April, 2009
4/18 Evening Update
Today has been quiet but busy on the hospital front. Since we were admitted, Ryan has had another blood transfusion, another platelet transfusion, a chest x-ray, three rounds of IV antibiotics, and tylenol to keep his fever down. His fever spikes about every four hours, as soon as the tylenol wears off. No cause is for the fever evident yet, but everyone here seems to be okay with the situation since it is being controlled with medication.
With the rain and dreary day outside, he and I watched movies all afternoon and are just now going to bed. Thank you for your continued prayers, phone calls, and support.
Good night and God bless!
Fever strikes!
The title says it all.
Chemotherapy + no immune system + fever = Hospital Admission.
We were home enjoying a quiet evening as a family when I hug Ryan and noticed that he felt warm. A quick thermometer check later (actually about 4 checks just to be sure) we confirm a 102.1 fever. We call the hospital per their prior instructions and they told us to give him a dose of Tylenol and start packing to head that way. We are now admitted on 3C yet again. The Tylenol is masking the fever, currently 100.1. They will be running multiple cultures to see if they can find the root cause. They are also starting strong antibiotics tonight to be safe. The doctor on staff said it would likely be a minimum of three days as that is how long it takes for the cultures to grow.
Ryan’s spirits are high; he is laughing and playing with the nurses. He is not shy about letting you know that he would rather be at home though! 
He didn’t cry or get anxious when they accessed his port. I was so proud of him! I wish we could hide the pain, medications, nausea, tests, poking and prodding. It is a sad fact that he is getting used to them, but least everything is not so traumatic for him now.
On our way here tonight, Ryan was asking some questions about his cancer. I asked “And who has been there with you and won’t leave you to fight this alone?” (thinking he would say me or Victoria.) I was wanting to encourage him that Victoria and I had been with him the whole time to support him and would continue to do so. His answer was “Jesus has been with me and is even at the hospital waiting for me even now.” When filling out his paperwork tonight, I had a chance to share a bit of Ryan’s story and our faith with the admitting clerk. May those opportunities never be missed!
Good night and God bless!
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. — 2 Sam 22:31
4/17 update
This morning, I got everyone up and out of the house so I could get Ryan to the clinic for the blood transfusion. We were there by 7:45 and we left at 11:30. The only thing we have to do now is watch his temperature. He has no immune system right now, so if the temp goes up, he goes back in the hospital. Pray that his temp stays normal.
It is amazing the difference in Ryan before and after the blood transfusion. But because I had to get him up early this morning, he is taking a nap right now. He has been such a trooper through all this
Ryan is scheduled to go back in the hospital on April 26 for the last scheduled round of chemo. After that, we will have to re-evaluate him to see if more chemo is needed.
4/16 evening update
Ryan’s counts were down, which I could tell. He wasn’t his old self – so tired and out of it. He received a platlet transfusion today, and tomorrow morning he will receive a blood transfusion. It takes 2 hours to type his blood and then 3 more hours to do the transfusion – so Ryan decided that instead of being admitted to the hospital for the transfusion, he would go back in the morning. His ANC is 0 – not SEGS and a WBC of 0.35.
It has been a long day, and hopefully it will only be a long morning. They did the blood typing tonight so all we have to do and go in and start the transfusion – hopefully. 
4/16 update
Sorry for not updating this week, but with Ryan home, there really isn’t anything to tell. The first thing he said after getting out of the hospital was “I want to see my classmates.” So that’s what we did Tuesday. We only stayed for about 10 minutes, but he was glad to see his classmates. Ms. O’Mire, his teacher, has been coming over to do schoolwork, and he is so smart that it won’t take him long to catch up on his work.
Today Ryan will go to the clinic to get his counts checked. Not sure what will happen (i.e. blood transfusion, etc.), but it is a part of our life now. I’m not even sure when the next round of chemo will begin, but I will post it as soon as I know.
WOOHOO!!!
Ryan is getting what he wants most right now – he is getting to go home. I am waiting on the nurse to bring all the discharge papers to me so I can sign and get him out of here. Thanks so much for your prayers – they have been answered.
4/13 afternoon update
Well, we are closer to going home. Ryan’s MTX level was 0.11 – that’s right, 0.11. The doctor doesn’t know at this point if he can go home. She has had to go and look at all of his records to see if he is part of a study that he must follow the procedures of or not. I haven’t heard yet, but I will let everyone know as soon as I know something.
4/12 Evening Update
I spent the night at the hospital with Ryan last night. He is resting well, but as has been said a million times, he wants to go home. His MTX level is dropping, but still not at the magic 0.1 that is required. He was at 0.22 at noon today, and was at .30 at midnight. He must stay at the hospital tonight and Victoria will be there with him.
To celebrate Easter and our anniversary, we went as a family and had lunch in the hospital cafeteria. It was nice to all sit, laugh, and talk around the same table. The cafeteria was even giving out dyed hard boiled eggs in a special container. Deanna is still carrying hers around. I’ll have to take it before it gets lost and goes bad. PHEW!
In looking at the calendar with Ryan’s next round of treatment, he is very hopeful to be able to participate in the March of Dimes March for Babies. I may push him in a wheelchair, but we both want to complete the walk as it was so important to him before his getting sick. I did increase our goal just a bit, so this is my shameless plea for you to support the March of Dimes!!!!!
Thank you all, God Bless!
4/11 Evening Update
I haven’t posted in a while, so it’s my turn! Ryan’s MTX levels are still too high, so no going home today. Prayerfully they will come down tonight and the rest of his tests will remain in a range that will let him go home for a few days. He is exhausted right now, both physically and emotionally. He is tired of not being at home. He is tired of dealing with the effects of the cancer and the chemo. One of the other kids here was wearing a shirt that said simply “Chemo Sucks.” We are truly thankful that it is available, but the side effects are tough to deal with.
Ryan and I just had a good cry together. He was just getting over a bout of nausea and vomiting. He started whimpering, turned to me and said, “I’m sorry Daddy. I’m sorry for getting this cancer.” We both started crying and held each other. We then had a long talk about everything, including the fact that he didn’t do anything to “catch” cancer. We talked about God’s love, we talked about the sacrifice that Christ made for us (always fitting, but even more so with Easter being tomorrow.) We prayed for comfort and healing. It was one of the most touching times he and I have had together.
Speaking of tomorrow, it also marks Victoria and my 12th wedding anniversary. I love my wife and would have completely lost control long ago if not for her (not just with Ryan’s cancer, but life in general.)
Happy Easter everyone, thank you for your prayers, we love you.
Happy Anniversary Vic, thank you for your devotion, I love you.
4/11 report
I just talked to Troy – Ryan’s MTX level was .4-something – which means he won’t be coming home. The MTX level has to be below .1 for him to come home, so it has a way to go. I don’t think Ryan will be home for Easter, which stinks, but it is all part of this journey we are on.
Please pray that the MTX level goes down so he can come home – he really wants to be home.