November Health Journal

Xander Rhys Lowry

November Health Journal

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Last November xander had a transfusion of platelets and red blood cells. He also had the nast spinal that caused the "spinal headache" That one was 10 days in bed without moving except for the bathroom. Even the Flu is so much better!!!

Nov. 30th.

Chemo seemed to go well today. If Xander is going to have a spinal headache it might not show up for a couple of days so we will watch close. His blood counts are outstanding, and he lost 5 lbs so he didn't need to increase his med. dose. His weight is more normal for him now. His spinal was more painful today then in the past, but Nurse Heidi talked game systems with him for the entire procedure, and he only winced without stopping the endless chatter. Not only did Aunie (my mom) come, but his grandparents on his dad's side as well. That ment Xander spend the min. up until the procedure playing conect 4 with grampy, and he sent Heidi off to collect Grampy as soon as the procedure was over so he could play more while waiting his half an hour before sitting up.

The other highlight of today was meeting Gage and his mother Lauren. Xander said Lauren was boring, but then she was a mom so it was ok. Gage on the other hand hit it off right away with Xander. If you look under Xander's buddies page you will find Gage. This little angel has spent nearly the entire month of Nov. inpatient at Doernbecher waiting for his counts to go up. When they finally do he gets to joy of having a bone marrow transfusion. ( a nasty and harsh procedure, but critical ) I have to tell you I felt like I have known Lauren my whole life. I think it was our common history with the boys health, but she is GREAT!!! Xander seemed to feel the same about Gage. They started off talking cartoons, and have all the same favorites. We are heading up to visit Gage again next Friday. I hope they have gone home by then, but this is cancer and you just don't know. If you get a chance head to Gage's web site and have a look at another life struck by cancer and a little soul who should be your HERO!!!

Nov. 27th,

Xander is doing much better. His color isn't good though, and I'm worried we could be close to low blood counts. I'll update after chemo on Thursday.

Nov. 24th

Water apears to be staying down!!!!!

Nov. 24th

Sick Sick Sick. Xander hasn't kept anything down since last night. The last sip of water he took hasn't come back yet, Cross your fingers. We don't want sever dehydration to set in. So far his brother Wayne has not vomited, and is looking a tiny bit better. Charissa has joined those of us feeling nauseated though. Nichole and Xander's dad are symptom free at this point.

Nov. 24th

The evil stomach flu has hit our home!!!!!! Xander's brother Wayne hasn't thrown up yet, but it is coming soon. Xander is horribly ill. I'm hoping my nausea is do to Xander's vomiting and not my own flu coming on. The last time Xander had a stomach flu we ended up in ER. The Dr. almost hospitalized him. On a side note the Candlelighter party Xander has waited all year for is this Sunday. Grrr. its all has to happen at once. Xander didn't catch the "cold" yet, but if his immune system is down with the flu then he is bound to get both.

If you haven't had a chance to add your information to Xander's Christmas card list please hop over and do that. He bought cards and is excited about sending them out.

Click here to go to Xander's Christmas Card List!!!!!

Nov. 22

Xander's sisters, and dad are down with a cold. This cold comes with a fever so we have to keep a close eye on Xander. Also next thursday when Xander has chemo they will most likely be adjusting dosages du to his current size. This will likely affect his blood counts. It could be a tricky time for all of us. So far though he is healthy and happy.

Nov. 19th, If you guys recall last november was filled with blood transfusions and hospitalization risk. Its so great to report that today Xander is feeling good.

Nov. 16th

Xander is doing great right now. He is training hard for his karate test on Dec. 2nd and counting the days until Christmas. We have two Candlelighter Christmas parties to got to this year and they sound wonderful. Some very generous "rich" individual is donating "large" gifts for the cancer kids at the local Candlelighter party. There will be presents for all the siblings as well. Its fun watching the teenagers climb up on Santa's lap ( a requirement ) to receive their gift. Xander is going to be delighted. There are a few pics. in the canclelighter page of last years party. I'll post new ones as they are developed.

Nov. 9th,

All is well with Xander. He got his first hair cut since his hair came back today. Its so nice to have hair long enough to cut!!!!! Its been two weeks since his last nose bleed so I think we finally have that problem in hand. It turns out that Fifths is a problem for Xander. Most people only get a rash, but it effects your quick dividing cells (blood cells) which are already being effected by the chemo. We need to take extra precautions, but since Xander's counts are doing good right now the Drs. are not worried that it would be a big issue.

Nov. 9th.

Its so nice to not have anything to report. I'm still worried sick about cold and flu season, but we wont know until we get there. Fifths is going around Homesource right now. The girls had it years ago. For a healthy person its only a rash without even a fever. I'm calling Doernbecher today just in case Xander is different. since its such a harmless problem parents are not even asked to keep there kids at home. As long as Xander is not a health risk I agree with that stand.

Nov. 3rd

Xander's blood counts were great. He has been limping and had tired legs for the last 3 days, but the Drs. found nothing of concern. His chemo visit was just fine, not eventful.

Nov. 1st

Halloween went very well. Xander won a prize for his costume. I'll try to post pictures by this weekend here. He went as a cyborg, and although I had to do the grunt work putting the costume together he did the designing. Xander is "into" creative originality right now and that is why he won. Out of the maybe 40 other contestants 2/3 wore "store bought" costumes. His health is great right now. His last nose bleed was last Wed. so things are looking up.