October 27, 2020

-

 Definitely not the day nor the outcome we expected.


An early start to the morning to aim to get to the hospital for 730.  We did pretty good with that respect.  I undressed and dressed Marlon while he pretended to be asleep.  For the drive, he rests against me.  So tired.

Finger poke and then go to clinic with the assumption he will get his chemo and be sedated for the lumbar puncture.  The clinic was all decorated for Halloween week.  The theme is construction and the nurses and helpers are all dressed as construction workers.  We were very impressed.

The wrecking ball of the crane, a door covered with a tarp, the construction tape.

There was a wall decorated with a bristol board bulldozer. The door to washroom decorated as an outhouse (Royal Flush). Another door decorated as a food truck. Danger and construction signs all over. One of the signs read 'Danger due to no caffeine'. Wonderful creativity and humour. Each child at clinic in the week will also receive a treat bag.

I meant to take more pictures but was distracted.  We heard that, because Marlon's blood counts were still low, there will be no treatment this week.  No hospital visits required until next Tuesday, and then be prepared for 4 days in a row.  Change of direction!  When Louise (her birthday today) dropped us off, I said we would be at least 2 hours, likely more. Then I was messaging her an hour later saying we were almost done.  Marlon didn't need to get his port accessed.  The doctor came by and told us that, realistically, he shouldn't have been treated last week.  The platelets and neutrophils were below the recommended level.  No treatment allows the blood to rebuild.

Marion was a little disappointed because he had thought he might dress up like so many of the others were doing.  Last night he decided not to knowing he had 3 more days.  Once that disappointment was taken care of he was happy to consider the week.  'I want to see friends!'  Another good thing for Marlon was that book 6, final book of a series he has been listening to, was available for download from the library.  

Louise treated Marlon to a breakfast sandwich and gave us a scenic ride up the mountain on our way home.  Back before 11am.  For the rest of the day, Marlon either plugged into his book or had minecraft time with friends.

He was feeling pretty good and I expect he will be feeling pretty good for the rest of the week.  Though what do I know?! This whole thing has been such a ride and so unexpected.


Another picture with half the bulldozer. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

July 7, 2022

-
Image
On May 23rd, the week before the chemo that weakened Marlon enough to put him in the hospital, the dog, the boy, and I drove to Montreal. (I am aware of the use of the word 'go' when writing. In German, the verb 'to go' means walking. You don't 'go' in a car.) Before we left, as I was packing up the car, I noticed a fair sized spider web between the driver's side view mirror and the car. I left it alone, figuring the wind would blow it off. It was so nice to see Linsy and Moira and spend time with them. I have missed having Linsy around. It was neat that, when we got there, Olivia, Jamey, and Roka, their dog, were there. They live 15 minutes away from us but were there visiting their son. Mina was definitely happy to see Roka (and all the others too).   Mina got used to walking on sidewalks and being in the city. Other people and dogs, not so much. Moira has given me a belt with a dog lead on it for hands-free walking. It worked but was even bett
Read more

November 10, 2022 (2)

-
Image
Today, I dropped Marlon off at outdoor school and met up with a friend I have only seen a handful of times in the last 20+ years.  She was in the area for the passing of a family member. i then went for a walk with Mina.  I watched and she poised herself in hunting position and pounced.  I saw a squirrel run up a tiny little tree but also heard this pitiful whining.  At first, confused, I wondered if she had pounced on a nest in the ground.  But the dog ran to me, crying and whining, holding up her paw.  We were a ways from home and she hobbled carefully home after we sat for a while and she calmed down.  She will often run the perimeter of fields, running this way and that.  I saw her longing to run the field as we made our way back but she was uncomfortable and limping. A short while later, I went to pick up Marlon and watched in amazement as he hobbled to the car.  Yes, he had hurt his foot within an hour of the dog hurting herself.  Both boy and dog are limping.  Just as they were
Read more

July 5, 2022

-
Image
Decision was made that Marlon was to go check blood counts on Monday.  We drove down to Hamilton together, quick finger poke, and then leave again.  A couple of times, we drove around the parking garage for almost a half-hour looking for a spot, but Monday was smooth.  Busy place. Blood counts are good so dental work begins.  Marlon's doctor was impressed with the dentist when she spoke with him last week.  In support, I sit next to him in the dentist's room and hope my own anxiety, discomfort, and fear don't affect him. Halfway through the drilling of four teeth which was quite intense, they took a little break to check in with Marlon and see if he was up to continue.  He agreed to do more but said he was most concerned about the tastes of the filling material.  With the pain and discomfort of the first part, one would think that would be the least of his worries but he is very sensitive to taste and flavour.  As it turned out he didn't gag or react too strongly so I g
Read more