Today is a very important day... day 15.
We have completed two weeks of chemotherapy and the bone marrow biopsy taken today (results will not be available till Monday) will tell us if we are using the right agents in the right amounts. Jacob's first biopsy on the 16th showed that over 85% of all cells being produced in the marrow were leukemia cells. By the 23 of May that number was down to 15% and the magic number we are looking for from today is <5%. If we are under the magic 5% then we will continue with the set course, complete two more weeks of the induction phase and then move on into consolidation. If we are over 5% then they will ramp up the chemotherapy for the remainder of the induction phase and until remission.
Over all, Jacob is doing really well. We are so happy that
**We interrupt this blog posting with new info**
Dr Odom just called, the pathologist stayed late and is reporting a leukemia count of less then 5% from Jacob's bone marrow today!!! Thank you Jesus!!!
...Talk about good news to send you into the weekend! If I have not said it before, let me say it now, "We have the best medical team EVER!" They treat Jacob as if he is one of theirs and they make this sucky journey seem survivable.
Jake is making his way through this induction phase with only minor side effects to the chemo. We are having some fatigue and tiredness as a result of the meds, but most days he still manages to take a walk, engage with the family, build with legos. He is hungry all the time. The families bringing us meals have been the best blessing and you keep the family morale really high. Jacob usually asks who's bringing what during the latter part of his breakfast and then dreams and fantasizes about it off and on during the day. The same steroid that makes him hungry also gives him mood swings so surgery days where he has to wait to eat can be a bit dicey. Fortunately, once we get to the clinic they have cup of noodles and oodles of other foods and snacks. This is essential to get back into Jacobs good graces.
Speaking of the hunger - it is back. We are off to Sonic for a lil ice cream treat! Mmmmmmmmmmmm
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Quick Jacob Update
Blood tests from today showed that his ANC was down to about 75. It looks like his cell counts and platelet levels were at a level where he will not need a transfusion prior to his surgery tomorrow morning. They will do one more blood draw in the morning just to make sure things will be fine.
We received a call from Dr Wagner again letting us know that he will be the anesthesiologist again for this surgery. He has been incredible at checking in on Jake throughout the last 2 weeks. He said he can give Jake the anesthesia via a mask with some watermelon scent added in. Jake really liked it last time and talked about it quite a bit.
We received a call from Dr Wagner again letting us know that he will be the anesthesiologist again for this surgery. He has been incredible at checking in on Jake throughout the last 2 weeks. He said he can give Jake the anesthesia via a mask with some watermelon scent added in. Jake really liked it last time and talked about it quite a bit.
Back to the routine
Here are a couple of updates on where we are today......
Today Jacob will be heading back to the Clinic for some blood work. He is preparing for surgery tomorrow and they want to make sure his blood levels are at an acceptable level for the procedure. This is the same routine that he has had to go through for the prior two surgeries. If the counts are good, then there will not be a need for a transfusion. With the very encouraging visit we had to the Dr. on Tuesday, we are optimistic that things are moving in the direction they need to be.
While Jake and Tanya are at the clinic, I will be accompanying Josh and his class to the Science Museum. He is very excited to introduce me to all of his friends. As someone who has a need to be the center of attention on a regular basis, this ordeal has been tough on Josh in different ways than the rest of us. He has started to understand and accept the situation for what it is. That doesn't mean he likes it, but he is starting to find his groove with it now. We'll take some pictures at the Museum today and get them posted here as well.
We have always joked in the past about how someday our boys are going to grow up and eat us out of house and home. Well, that day seems to have come much faster than we anticipated. Thanks in part to the steroids, Jacob's appetite has hit an incredible all time high. He is putting away more food than I have ever seen someone his size eat. He is eating so much, that after a meal is immobile for a while as he allows his body to process what it just consumed. Last night, after dinner, he laid on the couch and apologized to his belly for eating so much. We talked about this last night a little, and we have decided to blame this dilemma on all of the wonderful people who have brought us some amazing meals!!!!
Today Jacob will be heading back to the Clinic for some blood work. He is preparing for surgery tomorrow and they want to make sure his blood levels are at an acceptable level for the procedure. This is the same routine that he has had to go through for the prior two surgeries. If the counts are good, then there will not be a need for a transfusion. With the very encouraging visit we had to the Dr. on Tuesday, we are optimistic that things are moving in the direction they need to be.
While Jake and Tanya are at the clinic, I will be accompanying Josh and his class to the Science Museum. He is very excited to introduce me to all of his friends. As someone who has a need to be the center of attention on a regular basis, this ordeal has been tough on Josh in different ways than the rest of us. He has started to understand and accept the situation for what it is. That doesn't mean he likes it, but he is starting to find his groove with it now. We'll take some pictures at the Museum today and get them posted here as well.
We have always joked in the past about how someday our boys are going to grow up and eat us out of house and home. Well, that day seems to have come much faster than we anticipated. Thanks in part to the steroids, Jacob's appetite has hit an incredible all time high. He is putting away more food than I have ever seen someone his size eat. He is eating so much, that after a meal is immobile for a while as he allows his body to process what it just consumed. Last night, after dinner, he laid on the couch and apologized to his belly for eating so much. We talked about this last night a little, and we have decided to blame this dilemma on all of the wonderful people who have brought us some amazing meals!!!!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Round 3
We had our Dr visit today and the numbers are going up. Jacob's ANC count rose to 150 which indicates that the bone marrow is producing healthy cells. Yippee!
The results of last Friday's bone marrow biopsy show more leukemia cells then desired at this point of treatment. We had been hoping to be under 5% and are actually closer to 15%. This is not a major problem - but to be on the safe side they will do another biopsy this Friday. If the numbers from that one are not under 5% they will intensify the chemotherapy regiment for the rest of the induction phase. The Doctor is not expecting this based on the results showing in his blood counts.
Overall the visit was good and Dr Odom is pleased with the progress Jacob is making. Jake was happy overall with the visit and pleased that he was given permission to eat a bag of chips by the Dr (that was his pressing concern to voice in this visit). Not so happy by the trade off that there will be no more until the weekend - oh well.
The results of last Friday's bone marrow biopsy show more leukemia cells then desired at this point of treatment. We had been hoping to be under 5% and are actually closer to 15%. This is not a major problem - but to be on the safe side they will do another biopsy this Friday. If the numbers from that one are not under 5% they will intensify the chemotherapy regiment for the rest of the induction phase. The Doctor is not expecting this based on the results showing in his blood counts.
Overall the visit was good and Dr Odom is pleased with the progress Jacob is making. Jake was happy overall with the visit and pleased that he was given permission to eat a bag of chips by the Dr (that was his pressing concern to voice in this visit). Not so happy by the trade off that there will be no more until the weekend - oh well.
Monday, May 26, 2008
New Rule
So here is my new Rule #1
If you are reading this - if you know Jacob - if you know Jesus - PRAY!
We need God to heal our baby and the God of the universe has a history of
answering the prayers of his people.
Please know that one of the highlights of our day - helping us get through this diffucult time - is that people click on this blog to check on Jacob. How amazing that there are people around the world to whom our family is even a blip on your radar. That you mention our names in prayer. That you comment with words of encouragement to let us know we are not alone. Thank you for that precious gift - it is truly a life line right now.
- At the end of a junky day, NEVER google anything to do with your 7 year old's cancer!
If you are reading this - if you know Jacob - if you know Jesus - PRAY!
We need God to heal our baby and the God of the universe has a history of
answering the prayers of his people.
Please know that one of the highlights of our day - helping us get through this diffucult time - is that people click on this blog to check on Jacob. How amazing that there are people around the world to whom our family is even a blip on your radar. That you mention our names in prayer. That you comment with words of encouragement to let us know we are not alone. Thank you for that precious gift - it is truly a life line right now.
Tired! Very, very tired.
I am not sure what is going on at our house - but the overwhelming feeling is, "I am tired!"
Jacob had 3 long naps today, struggled to dig up the energy for a walk around the courtyard and was only able to after being told that it would help him better appreciate the Popeye's chicken that was being brought in answer to his craving. (It hit the spot - thanks Traci!)
Brian and I were barely able to muster the energy needed to hang ceiling fans (thanks Milgm - they make the bedrooms so much nicer to sleep in) and have been more or less on the couch since then.
Joshua, who normally lives life like the energizer bunny on speed, has been at a slower pace today as well.
Not sure if it is the weather (the dull gray and high humidity reminds me of a MN day) or it is part of the process in accepting all that is going on. I am all for resting - and I know that my number one way of handling stress is taking a nap - but tonight I will be praying that tomorrow comes with more energy and sunshine.
Jacob had 3 long naps today, struggled to dig up the energy for a walk around the courtyard and was only able to after being told that it would help him better appreciate the Popeye's chicken that was being brought in answer to his craving. (It hit the spot - thanks Traci!)
Brian and I were barely able to muster the energy needed to hang ceiling fans (thanks Milgm - they make the bedrooms so much nicer to sleep in) and have been more or less on the couch since then.
Joshua, who normally lives life like the energizer bunny on speed, has been at a slower pace today as well.
Not sure if it is the weather (the dull gray and high humidity reminds me of a MN day) or it is part of the process in accepting all that is going on. I am all for resting - and I know that my number one way of handling stress is taking a nap - but tonight I will be praying that tomorrow comes with more energy and sunshine.
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