Day 1 of Treatment

Note to Carson's Leukemia cells: We've got your number and are coming after you!

Today we are beginning a new chapter. At around 1230, less than 48 hours after walking into the ER, Carson started his first wave of chemotherapy. This is the induction period and will last 30 days. In my book, the previous 24 hours of endless tests was simply preparatory ground work for the counter-offensive. We are now officially at war. Time to kick some leukemia butt!

Terrorizing the ward on the plasma scooter!

Before I jump into the highlights of the day, let me first pass on a few notes about visitation. Now that treatment is underway and Carson is more susceptible to the various germs we carry around, we need to be extra careful about visitation. VISITORS OF ALL AGES ARE STILL WELCOME and ENCOURAGED. Please note the following rules:

• If you are sick, please stay home. It's not that we don't want to see you. It's we don't want to catch you.

• If you have had any cough or sneeze or some form of malaise in the past two weeks, we will ask you to wear a surgical mask.
  

• EVERYONE will be required to copiously apply hand sanitizer prior to entering our room. For your convenience (and Carson's health), hand sanitizer is conveniently located in the hallway next to our door and is provided FREE of charge. What a deal!! If you have some sort of hand sanitizer phobia, this place isn't for you.
  

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. We've got 'em all.

Now back to the highlights of the big day today:

• During yesterday's surgery the doctors took a sample of Carson's spinal fluid. The tests came back today - NEGATIVE for leukemia!! Spinal fluid is an area where leukemia can hideout during chemo, so not finding any bad cells there now means the treatment is somewhat more straight forward.
  

• All-in-all the first round of chemo seems to be going very well. There are oral and IV medications. The true chemo IV was administered around 1230 and everything went like clockwork. Well, everything was clockwork except for the evening oral meds. He was tired and cranky and I'm sure the meds tasted like...well, bad...so that took some work. But I'm not complaining. We couldn't have asked for anything better.
  

• Carson's super high white blood cell count is still super high, but down about 20%. And that's just with fluids. His uric acid is back in the normal range. His platelet levels are below normal right now, but are considered high for leukemia patients. What's all this mean? So far, we seem to be right on track.
  

The pediatric hematologist oncologist came by several times during the day...which is a good thing. Most of the visits were to update us on Carson, but one of the visits was for some boneheaded father who signed a consent form in the wrong place. (Wonder who that could be?)

I can't say enough great things about our doctor. He is on top of his game when it comes to leukemia, yet can relate to his young patients like he's one of them. He puts Carson at ease in an instant and has the energy of the Duracell bunny. We are fortunate that he will be Carson's oncologist throughout treatment. And when it comes to outpatient visits we will visit him at his practice...which interestingly enough is located in the same building as Francesca's pediatric endocrinologist. Did I mention that the oncologist is also a Type I diabetic? I won't say this is too weird...but it's getting close.

Paul.