Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Update

Well Kristoffer's white blood cells are still zero! It looks like he will need platelets again today. His red blood cells do look good though. He still will not eat so we are starting TPN today. TPN gives nutrients into the vein. It is of course not as good as real food but it will at least give him the nutrients he needs. It will be a lot less traumatic than a tube down his nose. As far as nurse nasty is concerned, I called in the director of the pediatric floor yesterday. I told her that this nurse was not allowed to take care of Kristoffer again. Her bedside manner was horrible and she said things like "white blood cell counts of zero can be deadly." You don't say stuff like that to a mother. Does she think I don't already worry about that? Why do you think he is here and what would you like me to do about it? Anyways, the director apologized and said she would take care of it. I hate being a tattle-tale but I don't want her in here again!!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Feeding tube???

Well we are still in the hospital. This round of chemo has really kicked Kristoffer in the behind. He still won't hardly eat so we are talking about putting in a feeding tube to help him get some much needed nourishment. I have always been very happy with the nurses here but the nurse we had yesterday was mean. She acted like we were bad parents because Kristoffer wouldn't eat. She was the most confrontational negative nurse. Kristoffer still has a white blood cell count of zero. I am hoping his labs today will show some improvement!! I'll take anything above zero! He is just getting weaker from not eating and being in a hospital bed!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Back to the hospital

Well we are back to the hospital. Kristoffer's fever started to rise. I could give him Tylenol but I don't want to cover up an infection. He can't fight it off so I need to know what his true temperature is. He has no white blood cells. He also needed platelets last night and they had to fly in O positive blood for today because apparently we are out here. He is getting the blood right now so hopefully that will perk him up. He doesn't have much of an appetite right now so I am hoping this will help! Connie is sitting with him right now so I can be home with my other kids for a while. At least it is better than being in Albuquerque.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Darn fever

Kristoffer is starting to run a slight fever. He is still below 100 so we are just keeping an eye on him. It is stressful. I have to sleep in his room and set an alarm to go off every 2 hours to take his temperature. This stinks!!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Home Sweet Home

I love being home. Kristoffer is doing great. We are trying to keep him home to protect him from germs but he is doing really well. We are expecting a fever to hit by around Thursday or Friday. We are expecting the worst but hoping for the best. We have been fortunate that he has not run a fever with the last two treatments. He has always run a fever with the 5 day treatment though. He has just been having so much fun being home, I would hate for him to have to go back to the hospital!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Kristoffer is feeling better



Kristoffer was discharged from the hospital today. He did not throw up at all since Tuesday morning. The Zofran is working and the hardest drug is finally out of his system so we decided to take a trip to the zoo.



The zoo had 3 little babies. A baby zebra, giraffe and monkey. They were soooo cute. The boys just loved them.



Kristoffer is still hooked up to IV fluids so we rented a stroller, sanitized it (cause it was filthy dirty) and let the boys ride through the zoo.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Nausea, nausea and more nausea

Poor Kristoffer!! He had a really strong round of chemo yesterday. He did really well yesterday but today he has been vomiting. They finally gave him some more Zofran at 1p.m. and he is feeling better. I am not sure if we will take him back to the camper or not today because he has never been sick with the chemo before. He still will be on IV fluids at the camper so we will see. We still have 3 more days of chemotherapy to go for this round. The first day was the strongest drug so hopefully the rest of the week will get better.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The two things a mother should never hear!!

I hope that this will be the only time in my life when I will hear the two things a mother should never hear...

1. Your child has cancer!
2. Your child has been in a car accident!

Earlier tonight Ashley was traveling home with my mother-in-law from a church swimming party and they were hit from behind. Everyone in the car was buckled (thank you Connie) and just sore. No major injuries. We are grateful to have all of our children SAFELY at home tonight.

Radiation is over


These are the people who showed such great patience with Kristoffer. Having to say "hold still" that many times can get old.



This is the radiation machine. Now you can see why Kristoffer was intimidated!


They have to align the machine just right to make sure they only radiate the spots that need it and not the spots that don't.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

One more day



Kristoffer is doing really good. He went swimming today and played baseball yesterday! He also lost a tooth. When I say lost I mean he lost it. He didn't even know it fell out. Tomorrow is our last day of radiation. Yeah!! Then we will just have our 15 weeks of chemo to finish!!




Connor is sweetest when he sleeps.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sweet Boys???



This picture is so decieving. These two naughty boys had just climbed under Aunt Gaylee's covers when they weren't supposed to. That is why they are smiling so big. Kristoffer is feeling great. No fever yet. We are crossing our fingers that he doesn't get one and have to stay here. He has twice as much energy since he got a blood transfusion. I think the blood came from someone very hyper. Only one more radiation treatment this week. Then we will be home for the weekend. Yeah!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Beautiful Bella



Look at my beautiful niece Bella! She is precious! I could just hold her all day!

Nice Boys



I love it when my boys play nice with each other. It is a rare quiet moment.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Back at UNM for radiation



Well we made it to Albuquerque yesterday. Kristoffer had his 4th treatment out of 11 today. He did awesome. The medication made him drowsy so he looked like a drunk little 6 year old. But he did hold still for his treatment and he has not had any nausea (thank you Zofran). My Aunt Gaylee came with me for the week to help with Connor. We are so grateful for everyone who takes time out of their schedules to help corral our kids. I like to keep Connor with me but it takes an extra adult to keep track of him while I am helping with Kristoffer. Thanx to Grandma Melva and Sherri for the bag of fun toys. The boys are loving all of them. It is helping them stay very busy which helps mom out too.