Sam Conquered A.L.L.: July 12

July 12

So just when you think things are going pretty good, things change. Thursday morning sam felt great. Thursday afternoon Sam felt lousy. By Friday he had a fever and by Friday night we were in the Emergency at Children's and he was re-accessed and getting fluid and anti-biotics and IV gravol. We stayed 5 hours and then got to go home.

He went in today as well to get another round of anti-biotics and althought the fever comes and goes, he doesn't really feel much better. We're hoping that he won't have to stay in the hospital for a 10 day stint but it is seeming more and more likely unless he recuperates tomorrow. The blood work will come back tomorrow and tell us whether or not he has a bacterial infection.

Gotta go to bed.

Thanks for your prayers.

Ger

3 comments:

Kyle Alleman said...: Goertzens,
Remember that everything has a reason! We may never now the reason, but there is a reason. All you have to do is stay strong and remember that lots of people are praying for you. We can pray that there is no infection, and God will answer it in his own way. Stay strong!
Kyle; July 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Praying for you....

Janice Giesbrecht; July 12, 2008 at 10:56 PM
jakeandjeanne.blogspot.com said...: Dear Debbie:
I have been reading your blog off and on. It sure does bring back memories of our time in Prague with Connie and al and the cancer bout Andrea had in this past year. She too was 11 when it was discovered.
Will you be at the Reunion on Sat? Al, Connie and family will also be there, so maybe you can connect there. Jake and I are coming and we look forward to seeing everyone.
With our continued prayers for Sam and your family - this is tough stuff!!
Love, Jeanne (cousin) and Jake; July 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM

Raining

The flower with all the petals and leaves on it is the healthy flower. It has a sad face because it is raining. The wilted, bald flower is the cancerous flower. It may be a little wilted and have no petals or leaves but it is happy to be alive even if it is raining. The healthy flower doesn't know how lucky it is to be alive and have all its petals. All it's worried about is the rain. This is true in real life as well. When I was getting my chemo in the hospital I would listen to what people were complaining about and I would think "If that's all you have to worry about then you are doing pretty well." People would act like it were the end of the world if the fan was blowing too hard on them or if they would get home in time for dinner but I was worrying about whether I would get better or would I die?
Melinda, age 13

Consolidation "Summer"

Day 1: (June 25) - LP- IT Methotrexate, IV - AraC, Mercaptopurine, Septra
Day 2-4: IV Ara-C, Mercaptopurine
Day 5-7: PO - Mercaptopurine
Day 8: LP- IT Methotrexate, IV - AraC, Mercaptopurine, Septra
Day 9-11: IV Ara-C, Mercaptopurine
Day 12 - 14: Mercaptopurine
Day 15: LP- IT Methotrexate, IM - PEG-Asparaginase, IV - Vincristine, Septra
Day 22: LP- IT Methotrexate, IV - Vincristine, Septra
Day 29 - 60: Repeat Day 1-29 except without the IT Methotrexate
Day 61: Recover and Wait for Counts to Improve to start Interim Maintenance Stage - Probably 1 week, maybe 2

Prayer

We have all enjoyed having a yard. We have played many games of croquet with friends and family.
We are really enjoying our second "home " here in Vancouver. It is close to the hospital, lots of trails to walk, run, and bike in, and just a few minutes from the beach.
We are thankful for the exceptional people we are surrounded with who are supporting us in prayer and in so many practical ways...you have blessed us tremendously.
Pray that Sam will not get an allergic reaction to the Asparaginase injections on August 13.