Went in eeeeeaaaarly this morning and Ethan's counts were still a bit low so he did end up getting a blood transfusion. We wanted to make sure he wasn't in the hospital for Christmas so we took a little extra precaution. He also got his short dose of chemo. He handled it all quite well of course.
The clinic has been showering Ethan and Brynn with toys every time we go in. Today, Ethan got a fooseball like hockey game. He loves it! Brynn got yet another teddy bear. We have stuffed animals coming out of our ears!!! Can't complain too much though, the kids definitely get use out of them.
Looks like we're in good shape for the holiday. Hope you all are too. Be safe and Merry Christmas.
-Love to All
About Me
- Ethan Black
- Hi, I am an adorable, blonde, blue-eyed young man. I had Medulloblastoma - cancer. I had a successful resection of my brain tumor, completed six weeks of radiation, 15 months of chemo, and countless surgeries and therapies as the result of treatment effects. These entries journal much of my treatment and progress. I have come a long, long way and I am doing awesome today! Feel free to read and share my story.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Platelet transfusion:
We came in early this morning to check counts and sure enough Ethan needed platelets. He was at 23 and needs to be above 30. His hemo is also low, now at 8.1, but he'll get that transfusion Thursday along with his outpatient chemo. He has definitely been a bit weaker but doing well otherwise. He's getting excited for Christmas!
Brynn has had a cold for a few days but none of us have caught it. Ethan's ANC is at 1,000 with a high neutrophil count so he has managed to avoid getting her cold.
We will update again after Thursday's check up.
Love to all,
Nikki & Fam
Brynn has had a cold for a few days but none of us have caught it. Ethan's ANC is at 1,000 with a high neutrophil count so he has managed to avoid getting her cold.
We will update again after Thursday's check up.
Love to all,
Nikki & Fam
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Check Up:
Went in for Ethan's weekly check up and his out-patient vincristine. The check up went smoothly. His counts were fairly low, but not enough that he needed any transfusions today. We will have to go in again on Monday to check again. We don't want his platelet count to go below 30-50 and today it had already dropped to 84. Brain tumor patients are more at risk for a bleed so we have to keep the platelets up.
Ethan hasn't been vomiting as much as he usually does. Perhaps I've finally figured out a way to lesson the nausea. He has been fairly tired the last couple days, his right eye is a little gooey and less responsive, and he has a bit of a head tilt. These symptoms always come around when counts are low. Thus, we're getting pretty good at guessing what Ethan's counts will be based on how he looks and feels. I guessed 9-10 for his hemo and it was 9.4 today. He'll definitely need transfusions at some point next week.
Aside from the above, he is playful and in good spirits. We went to the zoo after his check up and spent most of our time looking at the smaller monkeys. Ethan never wants to stay very long, but it is still nice to get the kiddos out into the fresh air.
Whelp, I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. We will post again after each check up.
Love, Nic & Fam
Ethan hasn't been vomiting as much as he usually does. Perhaps I've finally figured out a way to lesson the nausea. He has been fairly tired the last couple days, his right eye is a little gooey and less responsive, and he has a bit of a head tilt. These symptoms always come around when counts are low. Thus, we're getting pretty good at guessing what Ethan's counts will be based on how he looks and feels. I guessed 9-10 for his hemo and it was 9.4 today. He'll definitely need transfusions at some point next week.
Aside from the above, he is playful and in good spirits. We went to the zoo after his check up and spent most of our time looking at the smaller monkeys. Ethan never wants to stay very long, but it is still nice to get the kiddos out into the fresh air.
Whelp, I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. We will post again after each check up.
Love, Nic & Fam
Sunday, December 12, 2010
MRI, PEG Tube Button, & 4th Round of Chemo:
Ethan went in Tuesday for his MRI and to switch out his peg tube from a tube hanging out of his belly to a button. He had anesthesia of course and it was a long day. We got there at eleven but they didn't start till after two. We didn't get home till sixish. He recovered quite well though and was up and playing at full throttle by Wednesday.
His MRI looked really good; no changes, only improvements. There was nothing that concerned the doctors with regard to tumor growth. With regard to the right side of the face, there is no longer any white enhancement on the film but there is a significant difference between the right and left muscles. We continue to look for signs of movement on the left, but nothing is jumping out at us yet. However, overall, his face seems to be looking more lifted and natural. He is eating quite a bit more too. We'll just keep praying that everything wakes up.
We went in Thursday for his fourth round of chemo. We got it started in the clinic to get things going faster than if we were admitted to the ward and started it. After he got the big dose, we moved over to the ward. Needless to say, things got going much faster. Which meant we got out before dark the next day. It went well. Ethan has started vomiting two-three times a day now and he'll probably continue this for another week or two then it will slow up a bit. He looks really tired today and has been sleeping more than usual but he has been in a really good mood.
Grandma Greenwood is visiting and Ethan and Brynn are having a good time. We have taken her around town a bit and enjoying the Christmas decor here. The town is really lit up.
We go in next Thursday for outpatient chemo, so, until then, we hope you all have a happy and safe week.
His MRI looked really good; no changes, only improvements. There was nothing that concerned the doctors with regard to tumor growth. With regard to the right side of the face, there is no longer any white enhancement on the film but there is a significant difference between the right and left muscles. We continue to look for signs of movement on the left, but nothing is jumping out at us yet. However, overall, his face seems to be looking more lifted and natural. He is eating quite a bit more too. We'll just keep praying that everything wakes up.
We went in Thursday for his fourth round of chemo. We got it started in the clinic to get things going faster than if we were admitted to the ward and started it. After he got the big dose, we moved over to the ward. Needless to say, things got going much faster. Which meant we got out before dark the next day. It went well. Ethan has started vomiting two-three times a day now and he'll probably continue this for another week or two then it will slow up a bit. He looks really tired today and has been sleeping more than usual but he has been in a really good mood.
Grandma Greenwood is visiting and Ethan and Brynn are having a good time. We have taken her around town a bit and enjoying the Christmas decor here. The town is really lit up.
We go in next Thursday for outpatient chemo, so, until then, we hope you all have a happy and safe week.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Check up was quick
We were in and out this Thursday. They took his blood and sent us down to audiology where Ethan had another hearing test. He did much better this time since the ear surgery. Still a little hearing loss on the right, but much less than before. I doubt they'll modify the chemo due to it, but we shall see.
Since we've been home from our last unplanned stay, things have been going well. Ethan's eating more and more. He's slowed a bit on the physical activity, but sitting on your butt in the hospital for a week will do that to you.
Next week he has an MRI and gets a button for his feeding tube. Then, on the 9th, he goes in for his fourth round of chemo. It's a one night stay followed by two more outpatient chemo visits day 8 and 15. Then a 3 wk break before we go in again (6 wk cycle).
Wish our little guy luck. He's been doing great!
Love you all!!
Since we've been home from our last unplanned stay, things have been going well. Ethan's eating more and more. He's slowed a bit on the physical activity, but sitting on your butt in the hospital for a week will do that to you.
Next week he has an MRI and gets a button for his feeding tube. Then, on the 9th, he goes in for his fourth round of chemo. It's a one night stay followed by two more outpatient chemo visits day 8 and 15. Then a 3 wk break before we go in again (6 wk cycle).
Wish our little guy luck. He's been doing great!
Love you all!!
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