Day 4 of Treatment and the Art of Racing in the Oncology Ward

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology ward at Innova Fairfax hospital is shaped somewhat like a square. Total distance around: 0.048 miles. Carson covers this route countless times a day like it's his own backyard. Sometimes he sits back and let's me push while he "drives" the blue and yellow "race car". Other times he takes out the plasma scooter and rockets himself down the hallway. Chemo has definitely not stymied Carson's obsession with vehicles and speed!

Along three sides of the ward there are patient rooms and the nursing stations. On the fourth side, however, there are only a few offices and other miscellaneous rooms. The foot traffic on this side of the ward is less than the others....so that's where we hold the races! Carson belts out his best race car imitation, complete with tire squeals and horn. We speed down the hallway at breakneck speed, leaning into the corner as we come back around by our room.

Anyway, I write all of this to say one thing: To the lady who was standing just around the corner this morning - I'm really, really, really sorry we ran into you! (In the defense of myself and partner in crime, I have to add that at least we were already in the hospital had there been any serious injuries.)

I think I forgot to mention that Carson met the Art Therapist on Monday. Now, some of you may read that and get confused and ask yourself, "The Art Therapist? Is this the same Carson?" Yes, it's still the same Carson. No, he didn't take up coloring, making things with beads, or anything like that. We just needed some scissors to cut the play chainsaw out of the box and the Art Therapist happened to offer her pair when I asked. She came into the room to talk...only to discover the true nature of our request. Carson was quick on the draw (so to speak) to demonstrate how to properly use the chainsaw. (Stand back!) The Art Therapist seemed super nice. And I felt really bad that Carson expressed absolutely ZERO interest in all of the art activities she offered. But who knows? Maybe later in life he will want to create wood carvings using his chainsaw.

Carson discovers the mobile sand box Wednesday morning and puts the emergency vehicles to the test.

On the medical front, we didn't have as good of a day today as we have for the past two days, but it wasn't a total loss. Overall Carson is doing very well.

• Today Carson's port tube pulled out a little bit. As a result, some of the fluid from his IV drip was going under the skin, and not into the port (and bloodstream). Not good. This had to be changed out immediately. Normally a new port is inserted after applying some numbing cream, but because we were changing out an existing port we couldn't apply the cream beforehand. The nurses and staff did their best to make this as painless and quick as possible. I think Carson would say the operate phrase here is "as possible," because is was still a grueling 25 minute ordeal. It goes way beyond being "not fun". You really don't want to have to do this. The nurses put in a new port tube with a slightly longer needle so we hopefully won't have to do this again.
  

• Around lunch (shortly after the port tube ordeal), Carson received another platelet transfusion. (The first transfusion was Saturday morning before surgery.) Like before, we were blessed with no negative reaction. Down the road the risk for reactions increases...and we anticipate we will need a fair number of transfusions.
  

• On the chemo front, Carson had his PEG Asparaginase injections today. These were given in the legs (one in each thigh) immediately following the platelet transfusion. Injections in both thighs at the same time is never fun, but unlike the port tube, at least it is quick. As with all the other medications, there are some serious side-effects which the nurses and doctors watch for. We are fortunate that none of those developed.

• The 0800 morning blood tests showed a white blood cell count of just over 3,500, with leukemia cells making up 37% of that number. We are heading in the right direction. Pray this continues.
  

• The next "big" day is going to be Sunday or Monday. That's when Carson will have more bone marrow and spinal fluid samples taken, as well as another round of chemo.
  

After the port tube, transfusion, and leg injections, Carson took a well deserved nap and woke up in a good mood. We spent the afternoon playing, visiting with friends and family, and getting to know Buford the therapy dog. And to top things off, nurse Sarah brought in some Spiderman tattoos. Now that's way cool!!

Brother and Sister sporting new Spiderman tatts.

Oh, obviously I ruffled a few feathers by "denying" Carson cupcakes the other day. (In my defense, I would like to point out that I had no cupcakes to "deny"...and it's not like he was "going without" and having to endure the pain of snacking on Skittles!) Nevertheless, several have taken it upon themselves to ensure this does not happen again. I'd like to thank you for your contributions. Francesca is now helping by giving us hits from her insulin pump.

Please keep the prayers for Carson coming!!

Paul.