We're back in the hospital with another bone marrow aspiration completed and Round 2 of chemotherapy underway. It is strangely pleasant being admitted when it is scheduled.
I had an awkward mommy moment today. The nurse and anesthesiologist explained how his anesthesia would work for the bone marrow aspiration. The procedure is about a 10 minute ordeal so they use a liquid medication that lasts about 30 minutes. It is inserted directly into his Broviac. The drug puts him into a deep sleep within a matter of seconds. I was allowed to stay with him until he fell asleep. So here's how my "moment" played out. William sat in his bed playing his DS as the Child Life specialist, Jen, explained what was about to happen. I stood on the other side. The anesthesiologist started to slowly push the meds into his chest tube while William was thoroughly engaged in MarioKart. Literally, within seconds, William complained of a funny taste in his mouth and closed his eyes and the DS fell into his lap. It was awesome! Seriously Awesome! I started to laugh and then quickly thought how possibly inappropriate it was to be laughing at my sick boy who was about to have a very painful procedure done! I back pedaled a bit and commented with a smile how amazing that was.
Ryan and I have set a new goal in connection with our quest to shovel the calories into William---not to shovel the calories into ourselves! This is serious willpower, folks! It's is not an easy task to make a milkshake the size of one serving. Who loads ice cream into a blender in quantities that will produce 1-2 cups of total milkshake output? We obviously don't! I'll spare you the details of his diet, but I am an increasingly happy mother because of his eating habits the past 2 days. (Thank you for the prayers for his eating). We'll see what the scales tell us in a few days. However, I will add that I grilled a flank steak and 6 chicken thighs last night and made a double batch of lemon rice just to bring to the hospital for William. He's eaten that for lunch and dinner today.
The rest of the excitement for the night appears to be MarioKart races with dad on the Wii. (William asked to go for a walk this afternoon to find the Child Life ladies to see if they had a Wii for him to put in his room). Otherwise chemo is pumping into him and I'm heading home from the hospital so Ryan can spend the night making sure William pees every 2 hours.
I'm tired for all of you. I know how hard it is to see someone you love suffer, but I can't imagine how hard it would be to watch my child go through so much. Your strength is amazing and this blog will be such a cherished treasure to each of you as your memories fade. Know we're praying for William and your family. William looks so much like Ryan did as a kid!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that things are mostly routine and that William is eating more. I probably would've chuckled at the speed of dreamland, too. (Wouldn't that be nice sometimes...) And I highly doubt that you have to watch your calorie intake. After all, yummy milkshakes and treats could ease a lot of your stress right now!
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for all of you -- I don't even have to remind the kids. Let me know if there is anything we can do.
Love and hugs,
Anne
Laughter is good!!! Thanks for your brave and loving generosity in sharing this journey with the rest of us -- we love you dearly!
ReplyDeleteWe were so glad to see and visit with you at Balboa.
xoxoxox!!!
Kathy & Doug
I would have been wishing I could get my children to sleep that easily all the time! :) It's good you can laugh, though. "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."
ReplyDelete— Marjorie Pay Hinckley
When your child is in the hospital you find humor in the strangest places.... Good job guys! Have you tried 1/2n 1/2 in the milkshakes?? Seriously gross it's own or with cerel but makes the shakes that much more fattening! Love u guys!
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