Day 28 - The Shannon Family

We have to thank Christa and Amy for putting together this website. We have received many complients on how useful and how often our friends and family read the updates. I decided to make a couple of changes because we always have lots to write about and Nick's favorite color is green. We would also like to thank everyone who have provided us delicious home cooked meals.... from our family, neighbors, long time friends and the SC Johnson crew. These meals have made the days much easier, espeically when we have clinic or when Nick is in the hospital. The gift cards have been great too... The gifts for Nick has helped cheer him up and keep his mind focused on 'play time'. He brings the toys and stuffed animals to the hospital for comfort. To the grandparents, siblings and playdate pals for the kids who have extented their time to help us out, we call out a big THANK YOU to everyone who supports us. It is people like all of you that remind us how lucky we are!
PS- Nick is still home, keeping mom busy with his demands. He now likes his 'button', (port) and thinks it is COOL.

Day 26 - The Shannon Family

Grammy and I took Nicholas to outpatient client yesterday for a chemo treatment. It was heartwrenching to see how upset he was to go. He said he was scared of the hospital now (I can't blame him). He understands he has to go, but just does not want to. He was okay once we were there. He was very curious about what his 'port' looked like, so nurse Angie took one out and showed him. He seemed to think it was cool that he has one. We met with the doctor and they feel confident that after day 32 he will start his 'remission' phase. This is the start of a 2 year process. He will be admitted next Tuesday to start consolidation phase 1. He will have a bone marrow and spinal done in the morning and he will start a very heavy chemo treatment the next day. One of the chemo treatments will drip through his port for 24 hours. We have to wait until it flushes out of his system before we can go home. We have not told him he will be staying in the hospital yet. We are learning to give him little bits and pieces of information to him and not to far in advance. The hospital has many support associates that help him and us deal with the stay there. We plan to enjoy this week, while Nick is home and then start packing up for next week. His blood counts are back up to normal (for now) and his energy is back. Although I will be happy to see him stop taking the steroid drug..... he eats all the time, very demanding and cranky to.