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Home Sick
By Margot | December 17, 2008
 Watching the Christmas Parade
In the Wagon being pulled to the parade.
Sammy has been home sick all this week with a bad sore throat and feeling cruddy in general. His eyes are all red underneath and he’s lost his voice. Andy was home most of last week with high fevers and headaches that finally turned into a cold.  We took Sam in to get a strep test on Monday. I tired to take him to the minute clinic at CVS around the corner (silly me) because our pediatrician is an all day deal with the wait unless you get there the very first thing in the morning. It was pouring rain and cold and I didn’t want to make Sam hang out all day in the doctor’s office. Colleen got little Joe tested at the minute clinic and was telling me how easy and fast it was. I figured just for a strep test, they couldn’t screw it up too much. Sure enough there was a guy there just waiting for a patient to show up. He seemed excited to have us and got the strep swab out and all ready to go and Sam sat on my lap feeling yucky while we gave him our name, address, insurance, primary care doctor. Lastly, he asked me if Sam was on any medications. I looked right by my elbow and there was the strep test, just waiting to be used.  I pondered, should I just say no medications? Of course I didn’t and as soon as I started rattling off what Sam was on, all bets were off and he had to get all kinds of authorization to give Sam a strep test. I assured him that Sam was in no way immune suppressed and called Jayne, our case manager at Children’s, who gave him authorization immeidately but he still had to talk to some high up mucky muck at CVS who wasn’t answering his phone so Sam and I left with no strep test.  It was frustrating to say the least. But it turned out we had to be in the hospital anyway that afternoon. All three boys had a dentist appointment (our dentist is at Children’s) so I told Jayne I’d stop by the clinic to get the strep test before taking everyone to the dentist.  As soon as I got the clinic they said no dentist today for Sam, should have figured that one out on my own I guess since his throat hurt so badly he didn’t even want to brush his teeth before leaving but I’d postponed the dentist about 17 times now and was afraid for his teeth. Anwyay, he had a fever which bought us a bed and a blood culture and all day stay in the clinic for a doctor’s check, a strep test (negative by the way) and IV antibiotics to cover any possible line infection. Neil came from work and spelled me in the clinic so I could take Charlie and Andy to the dentist (Charlie got his first teeth cleaning and did great by the way).
We bundled the boys up in the wagon on Sunday (right before Sam started feeling really awful) and took them to the Christmas parade where Andy ran out and got all of the candy, toys, and whatever other goodies that were being given out and then distributed them to all waiting on the sidelines. He even got a Hooters card for free wings with a candy cane on it. Had he been a little older he might have appreciated the giver more than the candy cane.  Charlie was more excited about the Fire Truck that Santa rode on than Santa himself. Sam and Dad went home early because Sam’s throat was really starting to bother him. His eyes even look a little red in these pictures. He was doing better last night and running around with his brothers so I thought he was on the mend but he still feels cruddy this morning.
We got the tree and the lights up and decorated. Little by little, I’m making some progress on Christmas.  The boys are very excited. Andy sang in the Christmas program last night. He did great, he danced and belted out all of his songs perfectly. He had a little reindeer hat that was so cute. We all went to see him. Sam was supposed to sing too but still has no voice to speak of. He was a little sad but he perked up a bit when I told him that there is still the end of the year program. He asked me, “Will you come and see me in that one, Mom?” As if I would ever have something better to do.
We have scheduled radiation with a Velcade push (Velcade is chemo and a radiosensitizer) Velcade 15 minute infusion is on Friday, follow up Monday and radiation through the Christmas holidays (What are you getting for Christmas?) and into the new year.  We are hoping that will beat back the one big spot on Sam’s leg. His urine numbers from last week were pretty much unchanged 21 and 13. His LDH dropped from 890 to  690 which is good but was back up this week probably due the crud he is currently fighting.
Both Neil and I are coaching basketball. Neil is coaching Sam’s team and I’m coaching Andy’s team so it’s a little crazy around here.  Coaching the little guys is fun but I was marveling at the attention span difference between Neil’s team 8-10 and my team 5-7. Wow. Games start in January so I’ll keep you posted.
Here is the quote of the week from my mom (she’s not even here yet), “Margot, I’m writing my Christmas letter and I’m going to have to edit out about half of it. It just goes on and on and on and………”
MargotÂ
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Topics: Progress Reports | 4 Comments »
December 18th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Ho HO HOOO!!! We missed you this week Sam – even though you and Natalie are not in the same cass – she gives me daily Sam updates – ‘he smiled at me today’ .. “today sam said hi to me!” So cute. this week it was – ‘I have’nt seen Sam much – I hope he is OK.’ Margot – you need a break. You are an amazing caregiver- you never seem to tire. I never see you in any mode other than – ‘Hair on fire’- For you this Christmas I wish a Spa day – after a cure for cancer. Love you guys!! M- lets get kiddos together over break – Nate and Natalie are asking for a playdate – See you soon – Rebecca Storch
December 18th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Margot – please post more quotes from your mom! She never ceased to make me laugh when we were kids and it looks like she hasn’t changed a bit. Tell her I said hello when she visits for x-mas.
I’m thinking of you and, as always, sending good vibes your way. Love to you and all of yours.
Hallie
December 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Hey Margot,
Slack on updating your blog is a very good thing!!! Dan is looking forward to seeing the boys today at the b’game. Sam and Andy are looking more and more like twins.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:45 am
Hi Margot and Neil,
If you can do chemo protocol design, I think you’re qualified to administer your own strep tests My pediatrician gave us the kit for Hannukah last year. Just go online and buy a OSOM Strep A test. Ask Jayne if this is what she gave Sam. I hope Sam feels better soon.
Nancy Goodman