Ugh Steroids

We are half way through steroid week and Nick is good. He seems more down lately than usual and very sensitive. He is eating a lot and a mixture of all the stuff he usually eats. It is the last week of school and I am not sure if he is just so excited about everyday during spirit week or really not feeling well. He has complained the past 2 mornings that he did not want to go to school. He gets all dressed up in his clothes and then decides he wants to stay home. We are making him go to school since it is the last week and there is so much fun stuff going on. He did not make it to daycare all week either. Today was his last day there for the summer and with him being so upset this morning, I decided to have come right home after school. Of course, the wonderful daycare center completely understood.
It just times like these that I hate watching him change so much over a week period. I know he will be back to himself hopefully by Sat. or Sunday. We have a busy weekend planned with grad. & Bday & baseballs parties, I really hope he gets to go to it all. He is sleeping now and his brother will be home soon to play.

I found this on another Caringbridge site and it sums up what I am sure most parents feel:
When you hear of a child with cancer your heart immediately goes out to them and you can't help but feel sorry for them. Facing the mortality of your child has to be the worst experience any parent faces. As a parent of a child with cancer, the emotions you feel are like a ride on an emotional roller coaster. The bad times are likened to an extended bereavement and the good times are compounded, with joy and sadness at the same time. Your emotional state is somewhat heightened to the point of being hyper sensitive and extremely protective. The only way to get through the emotional roller coaster is to think positive and be positive about the whole situation. (This is easier said than done.) We are told by the experts, childhood cancers are easier to cure than adult cancers, although this is some consolation in the early days, it is short lived, when you learn more about the cancer you have and the cocktail of drugs needed to cure the disease. With each drug administered you have to deal with all the potential side affects, the range of which is frightening at best but terrifying in general. The effects of cancer on the family will test it's relationship to the limit, some families won't make it but the ones that do, I believe come out stronger for the experience. The most important piece of advice I can offer any family in this situation is to be honest with each other. And not to underestimate the child's understanding of the situation.

Last Week of School

This week is the last week of school for Colby & Nicholas. We are so excited for the boys to finish this week and start summer vacation. I can reflect back in Nov. 08 when I was signing Nick up for kindergarten. He was dx in Oct. 08 and I was not sure if he would make it to kindergarten come Sept. I had the option of signing him up for half or full day. I originally planned on sending him full day but of course ended up signing him up for half day. Definitely a good choice, given the circumstances. He missed quite a few days this year but we know he is a very smart kid. We believe he has excelled in kindergarten and is now ready for 1st grade. We always have in the back of our minds side effects, especially ones from radiation. We will be taking him back to neuro psychologist sometime this summer for an evaluation. I really do not have much concerns for today, I believe he is right on course for his age.
His counts are good this week and the doctor has decided not to change his 6mp or Methotrexate dose for this cycle. He received Vincristine, Meth., 6mp and steroids. Yep, another steroid week.
WBC: 4.6
Red blood cells and Plts: normal
APC: 2,500

Take Care, Karen