Dec. 31
Xander's apt. went great! He did not get a spinal headache with this procedure. His Aunie came
over and spent a couple of days with him this week, and his Aunt Bon visited as well. A busy happy week for the little guy.
Dec. 26
Xander had Chistmas with his Aunie (grandma) and his Grandpa Jack. He says it
was his best christmas ever. His health apears to be great, but we get blood counts on Wed. and spinal chemo on Thursday.
He is having a full sedation for the chemo so I'm hoping we can avoid that spinal head ache this time around. Today he is
a bit "off" in his emotional behavior, Those of us with kids know it could be a sign of impending illness. Lets all hope not!
Dec. 18
Everything is great. Xander is excited about Christmas.
Dec. 14
Xander is fine today. He is growing back some tiny baby hair over that bald spod in the back of his
head. I don't have the heart to tell him it will fall out again in Feb. and March.
Dec. 11
Today everything is good. Xander is feeling good. He sat in Santa's lap at the local Candle Lighter
holiday party today to receive gifts, and was very impressed.
Dec. 9
Xander is great today. He just got his first official Christmas card in the mail and is estatic.
Dec. 7
Xander is almost back to normal (for a child undergoing chemo treatment) his back hurts a little,
but thats about it. His blood counts have risen nicely. ANC = 1100 Hemoglobin = 11 platelets = 210. This means no more blood
counts until Dec. 28.
One of Xander's grandma's childhood friends send Xander notes and gifts on occasion. Today a box
from Linda arrived. Xander had so much fun running out to the mail man to collect his box, and even more fun opening the many
small gifts inside. I've just been ordered to come play dinosaur. Thanks Linda for making his day special!!!
Dec. 6
Xander is doing better today. He has almost no head pain, and his appetite is slowly improving. We
are having blood counts done tomorrow and I'll post the results when we know them.
Dec. 5
Xander threw up 3 or 4 times yesterday (it all blends together after awhile). The vomiting was all
due to the head and neck pain caused by his spinal. Today there has been no vomit, and I think less pain. Less is a
relative term, but he seems more comfortable, and isn't using pain killers. As long as he can rest on the couch things seem
to be ok. Tomorrow he should be greatly improved.
Dec. 3 night
Xander is seems to be doing much better. He still needs to lie
down, but his appetite and thirst have returned. He even felt up to a game of Chess and one of Chutes and Ladders from a reclining
position.
Dec. 3
No parade today for Xander. His sisters are walking in the parade, but he still has a spinal
headache and needs to stay in bed. There isn't any real discomfort as long as he is does not move and stays laying
down. By tomorrow he should be much better.
Dec. 2 (B)
The (A) portion of this day was written mid morning. By noon
Xander's pain had increased, and he was unable to sit up or stand without whimpering in pain. I made the needed phone calls
and was told to head to Sacred Heart Hospital for an evaluation. After hours (really! It was about 4 in total) we were told
it was ONLY a spinal headache and would go away in about 1 1/2 to 2 days. This occurs when the chemo is added to the spinal
fluid and instead of sealing right back up the spine continues to leak fluid. The pain usually begins 2 - 4 days after the
spine is accessed. The fluid that is slowly seeping out is the same fluid your brain floats in. As it seeps down the spine
your brain sinks to a point were it is no longer floating, but rests on your skull instead. Xander's body will rebuild the
fluid on its own very quikly and the leak has probably already stopped on its own. Xander rascal that he is, was very prompt
in asking the Dr. if this meant he could not participate in the Springfield parade. His Dr. said if he was feeling well in
the afternoon he could, but needed to be aware that by evening his headache could be back.
Dec. 2 (A)
Xander is having a less then perfect day. His head is causing
him pain. Along with the head pain he is fatigued. I've spoke with the Dr. about the head pain and they feel at this point
its just a side effect of the chemo. We will continue to watch him closely. Xander has made it clear that a "little" head
pain is not going to keep him from the Springfield parade. We will have to see if there is rain or not. I'm walking with him
and can take him out of the parade if he exhibits to much exhaustion or other symptoms.
