17 Hours in Two Days

We spent our first 12 hour day at the hospital on Tuesday for intensive chemotherapy. It was a long day, but we made it though. However, I was scheduled to return to the hospital the following day for Gabriel's blood transfusion. This procedure takes four hours and then there is preparation time that is not included in this time. Gabriel was somewhat angry yesterday as a result of having to be at the hospital so much. It is so difficult for him to understand these long days when most of the time he is feeling well. He is doing much better now that he is at home, but sadly, he will have to contend with a homecare coming a few days this week and four days next week to place chemo just under is skin by needle. The whole process is quite overwhelming at times. This journey has difficult days and good days. I have prayed for at least one normal day since diagnosis, but I have come to realize that normal will be very different for us until he is cured.

Tuesday's procedures involved a chemo drug called cyclophosphamide through his IV. This drug is particularly serious as it requires two hours of IV fluid prior and 6 hours of IV fluid after to ensure he is protected. In addition, Gabriel had his first dose of a drug called Cytarabine inserted into his IV, but thereafter, this drug is given as a needle in his leg at home. Gabriel also had a spinal tap where another chemotherapy drug called Intrathecal Methotrexate was inserted to prevent leukemic cells from spreading into his central nervous system. Gabriel continues with one chemo drug at home called Mercaptopurine and the medications to suppress nausea from the chemo drugs. I keep a chart at home to make sure I am properly administering all medications .

Thank you once again for following our blog. I will be updating this blog at this time once or twice a month or when any particular news arises. Please don't hesitate to e-mail or call. All the best to you all.