2nd chemo cycle

Adam completed his second cycle of chemo treatment yesterday (Tuesday). This was done as an outpatient at the Infusion Center here at CHLA. We will soon come to know this place really well. It was a very long day, that started at 9:00 am and finished by 6:00 pm. His chemo treatment was followed by a few hours of fluid infusions to ensure he’s well hydrated. Here’s our little guy right before infusion, still so happy:

The next 24-48 hours will be a crucial time. We will be on close watch to make sure he doesn’t spike a fever, which can commonly happen after any chemo treatment. A fever in a cancer patient is always considered an emergency because it can indicate an infection in his central line, so we would have to go to the emergency room if his fever is over 38c.

Adam has been eating well, in fact a little too well, that we had to dip into our freezer stash of breast milk because he’s consuming more than mom is pumping. But such good news that he’s eating so well. Yesterday, he drank 37 ounces of breastmilk! (Growth spurt?)

Stsrting tonight, we will be giving him injections in his upper thigh to stimulate his white blood cell count (as they will be dropping because of the chemo, which will bring his immunity down). And starting next Monday we will need to go back to the hospital 2-3 times a week for blood draws until his WBC count has increased to a stable level. In the meantime, we are still looking for a pediatric home care nurse who can come to our home to do the blood draws.

Current prayer burdens:

• Adam would continue to eat and sleep well and not get a fever in the next 24-48 hours
• The chemo medication would not make him nauseated
• That the doctor would have some clear direction regarding how we should proceed given the inconclusive biopsy results
• Our insurance would be able to find a pediatric home care nurse within network who can come to our home to do blood draws (background: so far our insurance has contacted 13 companies, none of whom are willing to come to Pasadena)

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!