In the last few days, it seems like Collin's fatigue may be turning the corner. He has been napping less (or not at all) during the day, but is still going to bed early and sleeping 12-13 hours at night. Thursday night was our trick-or-treat night, and Collin was excited to go. I expected him to just make it to a few houses and then want to come home, but he surprised me! We were out for an hour, and he enjoyed every minute of it! We did have to put him into his stroller after the first few minutes, but he didn't ask to go home once. After each house, he'd say, "Now what? Another house?" When we got home, he had fun looking at his candy. It was really great to see him have fun just being a kid!
This morning we had the honor of presenting the official Iron Butt Association certificates to the Guardian Knights who rode over 1000 miles in under 24 hours for Collin this past September. As always, we had a lot of fun with this great group of people. We really are blessed to have them in our lives!
The rest of this weekend we will be preparing for Sandy's arrival. Lee flooded our basement in the beginning of September of 2011. For nearly two months, our house was in a state of upheaval while the basement dried out and was repaired. The last thing that needed to be done to get the basement back together was installing new carpet. That happened on October 25 last year. The very next day was the MRI that showed Collin had relapsed (for the first time). We haven't had any down time since that storm and Collin's relapse (and really not since he was originally diagnosed in 2010). That storm last year was supposed to be the "once in a lifetime" storm, but now here comes this storm which sounds even worse. I can't handle the thought of flooding again. I am mentally and emotionally drained, and was really looking forward to having some time just to breathe after we got the great MRI results last Friday. But thanks to some other unforseen events this week, and now this approaching storm, a break is apparently not in the cards just yet. Collin is supposed to be seen in clinic and start his maintenance meds on Monday. I'm not sure if we'll even be able to get to the clinic; if we do, we have some concerns about starting Collin on a new drug in the midst of the storm, because if he has any serious reactions, it could be difficult to get to the hospital. The only thing we can do is take one day at a time, hope for the best, and never forget that things could always be worse.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Collin has continued to have a lot of fatigue since my last post. On Saturday October 13, we decided to make a trip up to State College to attend the THON 5K. My hope was that Collin would sleep in the car on the way there and back, and hopefully be able to have a few hours of fun in between. It was a beautiful, brisk fall day, and we were excited to see our THON students and fellow Four Diamonds Families. Unfortunately, it turned out to be too much activity for Collin; he was pretty unhappy the entire time we were there, and just kept saying he wanted to go home. Throughout last week, he has asked to go to bed around 6:00 pm, and has been sleeping eleven to twelve hours a night, as well as two to four hours during the day. When awake, he hasn't wanted to play much; he's been playing on the iPad, looking at books, or watching TV...things that don't take a lot of energy.
Last Friday, October 19, Collin had his first post-radiation MRI. To say I was anxious would be a huge understatement. The night before the MRI, I barely slept. I couldn't focus, and I couldn't turn my mind off. I wanted the results to be all clear more than I've ever wanted anything. I truly felt like I couldn't breathe. I was terrified. It was a horrible, dark place to be in. Friday morning, everything at the hospital went smoothly. Collin said he didn't want to go to the hospital to have his "pictures" taken, but when it came time for him to be put under, he sat on the table, calmly held my hand, and didn't fight the anesthesia. Finally, late Friday afternoon, we got the call. There is no evidence of any tumors in Collin's brain!! There is an area at the bottom of Collin's spine, where his original tumor had spread to in 2010, that has always been watched closely. Thankfully there are no changes in that area either!!
I can't describe the feeling of relief that we feel with this news!! We are so very thankful for this blessing, and the blessing of the love, support, and prayers of so many around us!! We will finish 2012 with cautious optimism, and renewed hope that Collin will beat this once and for all. Our fight is far from over, but it's nice to be able to breathe again. Our next step is to decide, with the help of Collin's oncologist, whether to start Collin on more maintenance drugs that will hopefully kill off any cancer cells that may be left, or just wait and watch.
Last Friday, October 19, Collin had his first post-radiation MRI. To say I was anxious would be a huge understatement. The night before the MRI, I barely slept. I couldn't focus, and I couldn't turn my mind off. I wanted the results to be all clear more than I've ever wanted anything. I truly felt like I couldn't breathe. I was terrified. It was a horrible, dark place to be in. Friday morning, everything at the hospital went smoothly. Collin said he didn't want to go to the hospital to have his "pictures" taken, but when it came time for him to be put under, he sat on the table, calmly held my hand, and didn't fight the anesthesia. Finally, late Friday afternoon, we got the call. There is no evidence of any tumors in Collin's brain!! There is an area at the bottom of Collin's spine, where his original tumor had spread to in 2010, that has always been watched closely. Thankfully there are no changes in that area either!!
I can't describe the feeling of relief that we feel with this news!! We are so very thankful for this blessing, and the blessing of the love, support, and prayers of so many around us!! We will finish 2012 with cautious optimism, and renewed hope that Collin will beat this once and for all. Our fight is far from over, but it's nice to be able to breathe again. Our next step is to decide, with the help of Collin's oncologist, whether to start Collin on more maintenance drugs that will hopefully kill off any cancer cells that may be left, or just wait and watch.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Despite being a bit nervous about getting his teeth cleaned, Collin did a great job at the dentist yesterday! He watched me first, and then when it was his turn, he climbed right up in the chair by himself and let the hygienist clean his teeth with no fuss. Best of all, he had no cavities! The dentist said he does have some staining on his teeth, and that his permanent teeth may take longer to come in. The permanent teeth may be weaker because of the effects of chemo and radiation, but he said there are things that can be done to help strengthen and protect them once they come in.
As soon as we got home from the dentist, Collin wanted to put his pjs back on. It seems his fatigue has been increasing, especially over the last few days. He had a nap after lunch, and then was asking to go to bed at 6:30 pm. I was able to get him to bed at 7:30, and he immediately fell asleep. This morning he woke up at 6:00 am, and was pretty cranky. He fell asleep for about 30 minutes around 9:50 this morning and woke up around 10:20. Then he went downstairs, climbed up on the couch, and almost immediately went back to sleep. We were planning on going out today, but I cancelled our plans because clearly Collin just needs the rest. I knew extreme fatigue was a possibility after radiation, but it still makes me sad to see my poor kiddo with absolutely no energy or desire to do anything.
As soon as we got home from the dentist, Collin wanted to put his pjs back on. It seems his fatigue has been increasing, especially over the last few days. He had a nap after lunch, and then was asking to go to bed at 6:30 pm. I was able to get him to bed at 7:30, and he immediately fell asleep. This morning he woke up at 6:00 am, and was pretty cranky. He fell asleep for about 30 minutes around 9:50 this morning and woke up around 10:20. Then he went downstairs, climbed up on the couch, and almost immediately went back to sleep. We were planning on going out today, but I cancelled our plans because clearly Collin just needs the rest. I knew extreme fatigue was a possibility after radiation, but it still makes me sad to see my poor kiddo with absolutely no energy or desire to do anything.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Guardian Knights Motorcycle Club
As you probably know, one of the blessings we have received along Collin's journey has been the amazing kindness and support from the Guardian Knights Motorcycle Club. This past September, they held a fundraising ride, called an Iron Butt Ride, in which participants rode 1000 miles, from Harrisburg, PA to Lexington, KY and back, in 24 hours.
I had very much wanted to be there to see the riders off and to welcome them home, but it wasn't possible since Collin, Neya, and I were still in Houston when the ride took place. Today I got to read the account of the whole event, from the idea, through the planning, to the ride itself, written by Guardian Kight Rick Cagno. Once again, I am humbled by the incredible dedication and generosity of people around us. I had no idea the amount of time and effort that went into this event, and I don't know how to begin to thank John, Rick, and this wonderful group of people for all they have done for Collin and our family. Take a few minutes to read Rick's blog entry...you'll be glad you did.
http://rcagno2010.blogspot.com/p/collin-1000.html
I had very much wanted to be there to see the riders off and to welcome them home, but it wasn't possible since Collin, Neya, and I were still in Houston when the ride took place. Today I got to read the account of the whole event, from the idea, through the planning, to the ride itself, written by Guardian Kight Rick Cagno. Once again, I am humbled by the incredible dedication and generosity of people around us. I had no idea the amount of time and effort that went into this event, and I don't know how to begin to thank John, Rick, and this wonderful group of people for all they have done for Collin and our family. Take a few minutes to read Rick's blog entry...you'll be glad you did.
http://rcagno2010.blogspot.com/p/collin-1000.html
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Collin had his first clinic appointment back at Hershey yesterday. While I was very happy to see our social worker, nurses, and Dr. Comito, poor Collin wasn't overly thrilled to be there, as he has really had his fill of medical appointments. When we first got there, he refused to take his sunglasses and jacket off, and he wouldn't say much. As we sat in the waiting room, I said to him, "Oh good, make sure you don't smile, they don't like it when you smile here. No, no, don't do it!" Soon my teasing (and maybe some tickling) had him back to his smiling, charming self!
While we waited for Dr. Comito, Collin went to sleep on the exam table. His fatigue, along with the fact that he looked pretty pale, had us thinking that we might need to return to clinic for a blood transfusion today. When it was time to get his blood drawn, his only concern was whether he'd go home with a tubie or not. We told him the tubie would come out right after the blood draw was done, and he happily exclaimed, "I take regular bath tonight. I HATE sponge baths!" He barely flinched when his port was accessed, and later I was very happy to hear his lab results. His white count was good, his hemoglobin was still high enough that we didn't need to return for a blood transfusion, and his ANC was 3740, which means his immune system is good! The fatigue is expected following radiation, and hopefully it won't increase any more, or last for a long time.
Tomorrow Collin has his first dental cleaning. He said to me tonight, "I have go ANOTHER doctor?" As much as I hate to make him go, I know the chemo and radiation can affect the health and growth of his teeth, so it's important to get him in for regular dental check-ups. He told me he would watch me have my teeth cleaned first, and then I could watch him "be like a big boy!" I think things will go pretty smoothly; he's watched Neya have her teeth cleaned before, so it's not completely new to him, and in the end he always has a way of just handling what he has to do.
Collin's first post-radiation MRI is scheduled for the end of next week. I can tell myself that logically, with the recent chemo and the radiation, results should be good, but the fear can still be paralyzing. I keep tamping it down as much as I can so it doesn't take over, but it's hard to do. Please keep Collin in your prayers for a clear scan....I'll share the results as soon as I know them!
While we waited for Dr. Comito, Collin went to sleep on the exam table. His fatigue, along with the fact that he looked pretty pale, had us thinking that we might need to return to clinic for a blood transfusion today. When it was time to get his blood drawn, his only concern was whether he'd go home with a tubie or not. We told him the tubie would come out right after the blood draw was done, and he happily exclaimed, "I take regular bath tonight. I HATE sponge baths!" He barely flinched when his port was accessed, and later I was very happy to hear his lab results. His white count was good, his hemoglobin was still high enough that we didn't need to return for a blood transfusion, and his ANC was 3740, which means his immune system is good! The fatigue is expected following radiation, and hopefully it won't increase any more, or last for a long time.
Tomorrow Collin has his first dental cleaning. He said to me tonight, "I have go ANOTHER doctor?" As much as I hate to make him go, I know the chemo and radiation can affect the health and growth of his teeth, so it's important to get him in for regular dental check-ups. He told me he would watch me have my teeth cleaned first, and then I could watch him "be like a big boy!" I think things will go pretty smoothly; he's watched Neya have her teeth cleaned before, so it's not completely new to him, and in the end he always has a way of just handling what he has to do.
Collin's first post-radiation MRI is scheduled for the end of next week. I can tell myself that logically, with the recent chemo and the radiation, results should be good, but the fear can still be paralyzing. I keep tamping it down as much as I can so it doesn't take over, but it's hard to do. Please keep Collin in your prayers for a clear scan....I'll share the results as soon as I know them!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
We flew home one week ago today, and our homecoming was more amazing than anything we could have imagined. Our friends, the Guardian Knights, met us at the PA/MD border to escort us home. When we pulled up alongside them and got out of the car, they applauded for Collin. When we got back on the road, they rode in front of and behind us, and where necessary, they even stopped oncoming traffic to let us pass/turn. Then when we got to our house, we were greeted by more friends and neighbors. We pulled into our driveway to find it had been decorated with chalk drawings done by some of our awesome THON family. We walked into our house to find it decorated with banners, streamers, and balloons, also courtesy of our THON family. We felt very loved, and blessed that Collin received a hero's welcome home.
When we turned the corner into our development last Sunday night, Collin and Neya suddenly yelled at the same time, "We're home!!" Collin was excited to see his toys, and for two days he kept telling me, "I glad be home!!" Ten weeks was a long time to be away, especially for Collin and Neya. We've spent the last week getting back to our "normal" routines. Neya has started back at her school and dance class. Collin has had a quiet week at home, relaxing, with no appointments to go to. Bailey (our dog) is back home too, so we are all finally under the same roof again. I have unpacked some of what we came home with, and have made our travel arrangements for Collin's eye surgery in Houston on December 3rd. I have a lot more on my to do list, but I'm having trouble finding energy and motivation to get things done. I feel tired and burned out, and I have to figure out how to snap myself out of it.
Tomorrow we have our first clinic appointment at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital with Collin's oncologist since coming home. Collin's counts will be checked, and we'll talk to Dr. Comito about the next step in Collin's care. I'm looking forward to seeing our care team-it's been a long time!
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| Our Guardian Knights |
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| Neya & Collin admiring the driveway in the daylight |
When we turned the corner into our development last Sunday night, Collin and Neya suddenly yelled at the same time, "We're home!!" Collin was excited to see his toys, and for two days he kept telling me, "I glad be home!!" Ten weeks was a long time to be away, especially for Collin and Neya. We've spent the last week getting back to our "normal" routines. Neya has started back at her school and dance class. Collin has had a quiet week at home, relaxing, with no appointments to go to. Bailey (our dog) is back home too, so we are all finally under the same roof again. I have unpacked some of what we came home with, and have made our travel arrangements for Collin's eye surgery in Houston on December 3rd. I have a lot more on my to do list, but I'm having trouble finding energy and motivation to get things done. I feel tired and burned out, and I have to figure out how to snap myself out of it.
Tomorrow we have our first clinic appointment at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital with Collin's oncologist since coming home. Collin's counts will be checked, and we'll talk to Dr. Comito about the next step in Collin's care. I'm looking forward to seeing our care team-it's been a long time!
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| Collin spending the day relaxing at home, in his pjs |
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