Playing Doctor

Playing doctor....No, this is not one of THOSE kind of posts. That would be some other blog...not one about our kids who happen to be around doctors and nurses ALL the time. When you're constantly around these things, it is bound to come out in play time. More later on this subject....

Chemo Update
Carson began another 4 day round of chemo on Monday. He is still feeling great and full of energy. To top it off, we managed to give the 2nd day of chemo here at home without incident - YIPEE! Of course, we did have to visit the clinic twice on Monday (once to start the chemo, then once to fix his access site which he'd managed to rip out while turning over in bed). I guess that cancels out our non-clinic visit today. Oh well. Tomorrow we give chemo at home again and I fully expect another new "tubey" adventure. We've never been lucky enough to give TWO treatments AT HOME....IN A ROW!

Thursday we have a follow up appointment at the clinic. The blood work will tell us if he needs another blood or platelet transfusion.

Paging Dr. Carson!

Today I was reminded just how much children absorb and how they really are paying attention sometimes.

On Monday, Paul purchased an 8 foot section of 3/8" tubing and a turkey baster to do something with his car...flushing the power steering fluid? Something like that. I just remember is was something with the car. Anyway, he left those items on the counter, mistakenly thinking they would still be there when he was ready to use them. They are no longer there. (What was he thinking?!?)

Carson has decided that the tubing is a "tubey" for him or me or one of the dogs...and the turkey baster is a syringe that "gives tubey a drink". I spent the better part of the day with the tubing draped around my neck watching and listening to Carson give me my medicine.

He's got the routine down pat...this is exactly how they do it at the clinic:

• Do the "washy washy": That's what the nurses say and do on the end of the tube with an alcohol swab.

• Hold the syringe upright and squirt out a little bit to get the air bubbles out.

• Insert the syringe to the end of the tube and push in the liquid.

• Make noises that sound remarkably like a jet engine and point with your finger to indicate where the medicine is going through the tube. (Okay, so the nurses don't make noises and point. Carson has to add his own style.)

• Clamp the tube as soon as you're done. Say "CLAMP" loudly and with authority. (The nurses and doctors don't say "clamp". Carson isn't a doctor, but he plays one at home. It's either that, or he's been watching too many medical dramas on TV.)

• Be ready with explanations when needed. One time Carson forgot to do "washy washy". He explained he didn't need to do that because "he's a doctor." That makes me feel so much better.

Dr. Carson is in the house. Amazingly, there's not a dog to be found! I guess mom will have to do.

All this today was a bit of a flashback to when Francesca was diagnosed and I would give her clipped syringes to play with. She would give insulin shots to all her stuffed animals and even Daisy too. I'll be amazed if my kids don't end up in the medical profession!

-Jennifer