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School’s Out, We’re in the Hospital, Chemo starts tomorrow
By Margot | June 16, 2009
Sam and I are in the hospital today. The plan was to have a 10am blood check, an 11am doctor’s check and then come back this evening around 6pm for a direct admit, a full night of hydration and start chemo tomorrow. Of course we all know things don’t always go according to plan. Sam spiked a fever last night of 102 and Neil brought him for a direct admit since we were coming in today anyway and would have had to have a four hour emergency room stay for anti-biotics for his line.  We’ll be in for four days of chemo so through Saturday and now we just need to keep occupied. So far we’ve built some legos, played a sports hangman game a nice volunteer gave us from the playroom and Sam is now playing the hospital Wii.Â
He had a great last day of school. They did a field day and pizza party. I came by to give him pills and later to bring ice cream sandwiches for the class and he was out doing tug-of-war, he was the anchor for his team, then playing kickball and four square. He and Andrew came home and played for a while and then he went to basketball practice where he practiced the whole time, ran a suicide and made three shots in the scrimmage. He was really excited because he thinks they will have a good team this summer.  Last night at bedtime, he felt hot and we found he had spiked a fever. We got in our spaceship and blasted back to Planet Cancer and here we are getting hydration in prep for chemo. Sam is feeling fine and has no fever today at all. We’ve had a good timing goofing around this morning. I think the fever might be disease related. His platelets are getting hit. They are still nice and high (170) but he’s been running around 250 to 300 so the disease is eating up his platelets. Also right before he went to bed last night he said his leg hurt when he walked on it. So, as much as I want to say, “But he looks fantastic and is feeling so well and look at him run and play,” his numbers are beginning to tell the tale of an “impressive amount of disease.” His LDH today was over 1000.Â
Colleen just came and brought up some pills from home we forgot. Thank goodness for you, Colleen.  Thank you so much for all your help. Elizabeth is going to bring up Andrew and Charlie this afternoon and I’ll take Andrew to his basketball practice. He graduated from kindergarten yesterday and was so cute. He had a speaking part in the music program and he did it very well and very seriously and then he was a very animated singer. He did all of the moves so enthusiastically, it was about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I have it on video so now with the new version of Word Press I think I can post videos pretty easily. I was so proud of Andy and his teacher, Miss Sussman told me again what a joy he was to have in class.  Both boys had good report cards. Almost all of Sam’s grades were up which was great. He got pretty much the equivalent of all Bs which we are very happy with.
Charlie has equated the hospital with New York City. He was carrying the lego box I had bought for Sam around last night and said “Mom, we have legos, see the legos.” I said, “Yes, those are for Sam. He has to be in the hospital this week and he will get bored so we want to have something for him to do.” “Oh,” says Charlie, “I will get bored too when you bring me with you to New York City so I’ll do legos with Sam.” And then the rest of the night he kept saying, “You will let me come with you to New York City tomorrow and I will do legos with Sam.” I told him we were not going to New York City and that he will see me but he kept dropping little hints about him coming with us.  “When I come with you to New York City, we will play.” It was cute and a little sad at the same time.
So that’s all the news I have to report. I’m off to get Sam some lunch. Dr. Willert is helping us premedicate him with everything that can possibly help alleviate mouth sores, nausea, and other effects of high dose chemo.  We are giving him some supplements that will help as well. I’ll keep you posted as to how things are going.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 10 Comments »
June 16th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
What a start to summer. Here’s to unremarkable for the rest of the week. Does Sam get into jigsaw puzzles at all?
June 16th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
hugs and love all around..
June 17th, 2009 at 2:05 am
ldh 1000 really…
ok, sam…abs and i are praying and sending good thoughts for you and that you beat back this son of a bitch that is on to you.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:20 am
Sounds like every kids start to summer….you know, minus all the hydration, cancer, high dose chemo, and inpatient time.
We are all veryhHopeful that this kicks things back where they belong while just as importantly not delivering as swift a kick to your wonderful boys strength, spirit, and resolve so that he gets do all the fun summery things that boys just love to do (like qualifying for a trip across the country for 3F8’s and a rocket ship ticket back to planet earth). Thinking of Sam always.
Pat & Dina
June 17th, 2009 at 5:07 am
anchor for the team … wow !!!
That is just Sam’s style… carrying everyone on his back with his strength and determination !
GO Sammy GO !!!!!
We love you all, loved all the NYC photos and we send tons of love and many hugs… wish we were there to visit you all,
xoxo, the Kuhn’s
June 17th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Margot,
As always its seems Sam has to do things the “interesting” way….I’m sure you will keep busy this week. We are here praying for you and yours.
With Hope
Abra
June 17th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Thinking of you all often. I marvel at Sam’s incredible spirit and the joy in your family. The three little smiling faces are inspirational. Good luck this week, as always, I am hoping for the absolute best.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Marg and family – thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way – today and especially this week. Fight on Sam!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I’ll be praying for an uneventful hospital stay made better by lots of games and visitors. I know Sam will beat back this cancer and be ready for 3F8’s and more Mars2112(thats where I wanted to take him!)
June 17th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Hang in there. Hope that the side effects are bearable and the results will bring Sam back to having summer fun. One day down, only 3 more to go… Thinking of you all. Jan