Day Zero

We never had given much thought about starting a blog...until today. Sending out email after email on the on the adventures of our family is sooo passé. Isn't there a better way to do things? Enter the blog.

Friday - yesterday - was a big day for us...and not in a good way. Carson, our three-year-old son, hadn't been acting quite the same, so we took him to the doctor. After a quick and polite exam at the doctor's office, however, they sent us to the ER. Um...no quick fix, like usual? Maybe some antibiotics?

At the ER we were admitted rather quickly - thanks to a call ahead by our physician. The ER staff took what seemed like a gazillion blood samples (we really have that much stuff in us?) and after a couple of hours of lab work, we were told we were dealing with leukemia.

Jennifer and Francesca, our 11 year-old daughter, were all there together. It was like a ton of bricks hit us all. I'm not sure how long it was before we could breathe again. Despite this being completely devastating news and going through some nasty blood draws, Carson was the one who was holding up strong.

Carson enjoying the 2009 Easter egg hunt.

The staff in the ER were sympathetic and helpful. After that things started to move quickly. We were introduced to a hematology oncologist and inundated with information on leukemia. (I couldn't even spell leukemia!) I walked away with this: There are two forms of acute leukemia - ALL and AML, and ALL is generally easier to treat.

First things first, we had to address Carson's high white blood cell count and boost his platelets. He received a platelet transfusion during the night as well as fluids to flush his system from the remains of the many dead white blood cells. Once that is done, he will undergo surgery for a center line port - a surgically installed port to draw blood and administer fluids (including chemo).

Needless to say, we will be spending most all of our time at Fairfax hospital for the foreseeable future. As for now, please pray for the "easier" of the two forms of leukemia to treat...ALL...and for comfort for Carson!

Thanks to all of our chaotic friends and family out there!

Paul.