Seth did get his long awaited temperature, however, thankfully, it was very short-lived and the expected fierce illness didn't come. Also, his counts have recovered enough for him to be able to come home for a week. We weren't expecting such a quick count recovery and it is definitely an unexpected blessing to have him home for a while.
Seth has had further chemo but has taken it on the chin with not many side effects.
Sienna has had a visit with the Bone Marrow Team and was trying to be very brave when they put the blood pressure cuff on. She was breathing deeply and holding back the tears - she was really trying so hard. She didn't know what it was going to feel like and she thinks anything a doctor does must hurt. She has seen Seth do it a thousand times but it's different when it's her turn. It was so funny and it was hard to keep from laughing and take the whole thing as serious as she obviously was. She couldn't wait to get out of there before they thought of some other horrible thing to torture her with! After she was saved from the doctors clutches Brett and I were told about how they will take the bone marrow and what will happen to Sienna and the bone marrow etc. They will be taking 440mls from her tiny little hips - it seems like a lot to a mum. She will be pale and lethargic for a while and quite sore on her back with some bruising for a few days. She will need iron supplements for a month but they said kids bounce back very quickly and she should be fine to go home the same day as long as there are no side effects from the anaesthetic.
We came home yesterday(Monday) and we have Seth with us until next Monday when he has to go to clinic for a lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspirate and methotrexate into his central nervous system. Afterwards if he is well, we can take him home again and bring him back in for admission on Wednesday for two weeks of heavy duty chemo.
Seth will be getting his bone marrow transplant in 8-10 weeks depending upon his bone marrow results. If the cancer is being killed off the way they hope it is, then, it will be 8 weeks. If it is being stubborn about it, it will be 10 weeks. So around late June, early July there will be no going back.
Hi Brett, Ali & Seth, after reading this latest update, I am in total awe at your courage through (what I can only imagine) is the most awful experience a parent could ever go through.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't a day that goes by that we think of you all and Seth. Little Sienna is a very brave little girl too. She will always be able to look back when she is older, giving her brother the most amazing gift a person can give another.
Enjoy your week together :-) Big hugs and kisses to you all.
Love Shell, Carly & Kaitlyn Bonner xoxoxo
Dear Brett, Ali, Seth & Sienna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a difficult time for you all - again! I can't even imagine how difficult it must be but you are such an inspiration as a family! I hope and pray that everything will continue to go along the right path and that your little trooper will be strong and healthy and cancer free again very soon.
I'm not sure if you've already had some taken but I am a children's photographer and would be honoured to take some photos of Seth and Sienna together before his bone marrow transplant, if and when he is well enough.
Send me an email at ktannephotography@gmail.com if you want to talk further.
All the best,
Katie Thurlby