Update:

Nicholas finished treatment on 11/18/2010. He will continue to go for blood work for the next 3 years. He is still in remission.

Friday, October 15, 2010

2 Years Ago Today




As a parent you always want the best for your kids. You might not be prepared for what is thrown at you but you have no choice but to go with it. 2 years ago today our lives changed forever. I can say forever because I do not believe there will be a day that goes by we will not remember this day. I can still remember Nick the day before I had to take him for blood work. The week before I had taken him to the pediatrics office because his neck (lymnodes) were so swollen and he was snoring at night. The doctor sent us immediately to the ER for blood work and warned us that they were checking for Leukemia. All his blood work came back normal and so we were sent home. The following week, we went back for more blood work because his neck was still swollen. This was on the 14th and the call came in on the 15th, while Nick was at daycare and enjoying picture day. (see picture) We drove to The Tomorrow Fund Clinic and was there all afternoon waiting for the final diagnosis. We told it was Leukemia and that there are 2 types (Pre-B and T-cell). The next morning it was confirmed that Nick had T-cell Leukemia, which is high risk and will endure more than 2 years of treatment. Here we are 2 years later and we are so proud of how Nick has done through treatment while still trying to be a fun 4,5 and 6 year old. I know I have shed more tears than he has through this battle.
We leave tomorrow for our Disney trip and of course we are all excited. I have attached a picture of the Pluto cake that the Make A Wish pals brought us. The limo will be picking us up bright and early tomorrow morning. The boys do not know about the limo yet, we are trying to keep some things a surprise. Tommy is battling a little cold so we are keeping him away from Nick. Greg and I are very appreciative of Make A Wish and what they have provided us for our trip. The generousity is amazing and we hope to pay it forward someday. We hope everyone has a great week and we post again soon. Take Care, Karen

Update: Tommy has an ear infection. I just gave him one dose of his antibiotic and hope to give another tonight. Nick and Colby seem to be fine for now....

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

We have had a great week and getting ready for our big trip. We leave Saturday for Disney World through the Make A Wish Foundation. They have granted Nicholas his wish and we will be staying at Give Kids the World. The kids are super excited and even Tom is walking around the house calling for Mickey Mouse. Greg & I are a little stressed and trying to get everything ready, but hey, no complaints we just want to get there. Nicholas learned how to ride his bike last week with no training wheels. We have been trying with him for a couple of months now and he was never interested in learning. I think he has seen some of his friends in the neighborhood ride and wants to join them. Nicholas has been feeling well but his counts do not show it. I took him to clinic yesterday and found out his counts had dropped. On the advice of our nurse we decided to keep Nick home today, as a precautionary. If he gets a fever, he would be admitted. He is acting great and you would not know it, but we also do not want to miss our trip.

WBC: 2.6
RBC: 10.1
Plts: 441 - this is high and has been, I guess it goes hand in hand with whatever virus he is fighting off
APC: 1,100 - high enough to receive his methotrexate
ANC: 300 - anything below 500 you get admitted if you have a fever, they consider you neutropenic

I will be updating one more time before we leave...... Friday Oct. 15th 2010.... 2 years ago on this same day..... Karen