YAHOO....

We are back at Cheo. Although Mr. T's counts are not over 1.00....they are only 0.74....they called us to come in. They want to go ahead with the 2nd cycle of chemotherapy....his counts have taken too long to come up. The sooner we get this done....the better!
Today he will start his chemo....hopefully everything will go well! We are getting Mr. T's sugars under control. Since Friday...they have been between 5 & 7...and that's where the endocrinologist wants it. Smaller portions and healthier choices.
And I'm glad to be back here...as I will have access to high-speed in our hospital room.....so both of us can have our laptops on.
If everything goes as planned....Mr. T's chemo will take 2 weeks...then 2 weeks for his counts to come up again....and hopefully we can go home for a few days before we head to Toronto! So...bring it on!!

MAY 18, 2008

I haven't been able to post all week! We were sent to Ronald Mcdonald House because there is a shortage of beds....and Mr. T's counts are not high enough to start his 2nd cycle of chemo....but his counts are too low to go home for a break. His neutro-polys are up to 0.38* and they need to be 1.00* in order to start the 2nd round of chemo.

There is a lot of construction going on at Ronald Mcdonald House...they are putting in all new heaters and air-conditioners in the rooms...so the internet is down.

It is boring for Tayten here...as there is no kids his age to play with...so his days are spent playing games or watching television by himself.

He still walks over to Cheo for school....and for blood work and to see the endocrinologist. We haven't had much good news there.

Mr. T is now DIABETIC. His triglycerides should be between 0.4 - 1.4 and they are 17.69....and no that is not a typo. That number is way over the top. Friday we spent all afternoon with the endocrinologist, a diabetic nurse and a diabetic dietician. Mr. T now has a OneStep glucose meter to check his blood twice a day. He was shown how to do it himself so he could take part in monitoring his own blood sugars. He checks his blood 1st thing in the morning and before supper and enters the number into a book. Also he is on Metformin and another medication to adjust his blood sugars....as well as a special diet which he's not too happy about.

All these problems stem from his immune system which is compromised. We're hoping that with medication and diet we can get his blood sugars under control.

Mr. T hasn't complained about no pop drinks....as long as he can have Crystal Lite in his water...he's okay with that.

We have to watch the fat content and sugars in all his food...which means reading Labels constantly. Also we have to watch portion control! That doesn't make for a very 'happy camper'.

He hasn't complained about switching to brown bread, or having 2 strips of turkey bacon instead of the real thing...but he does miss chips and icecream. There is a no-sugar icecream available but its high in fat. This week I will go to Loblaw's and check out their diabetic section and try t0 make his diet a little more fun. I know they do have diabetic jams and cookie's. Now if only someone can come up with diabetic chips...life would be grand!

SCHOOL DAZE!!!

Thanks to the Western Quebec School Board.....Mr. T can now attend school. ....(when he's feeling good). Of course he doesn't like the idea one bit! They have a classroom on the 5th floor.....and he only needs to attend from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. each day...and of course he has homework. His teacher Heather is really nice.

She's funny, smart and very excited about teaching....and a whole lot of fun as well! To give you an example........on Mr. T's 1st day she gave him a Juggling Kit! It includes a book on 'how to juggle' and 3 colored balls. His first assignment was to learn how to juggle and write an essay on it! Now....that's fun!

Mr. T is doing well. His counts are coming up.....verrrrry slooooowly!

Hemoglobin is 94*

Platelets are 72*

Neutro-polys are 0.18*

Somehow his glucose levels are out of whack! Yesterday 15 and today 19....and No....he hasn't had any pop, candy or junk! They will do further tests to find out why.

Tomorrow he gets another bone marrow aspiration.

MAY 8, 2008

Great day today. Mr. T's blood counts keep going up........and that's a good thing!

Hemoglobin is 101* normal is (120-160)

Platelets are 45* normal is (150-450)

Neutro-polys are 0.05* normal is (1.8-8.0)

For a few hours a day they detach him from his I.V pole so he can walk around and go to the playroom. His appetite is great and so is his attitude!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU.......

to PONTIAC HIGH SCHOOL! On Monday....the guidance counsellor, Ms. Dubeau came for a visit and brought Mr. T.......500 stars that the students made! Wow....were we ever impressed!

Pontiac High School is a little school with a BIG HEART!

It is easy to see that a lot of love and labor went into the making of each star. To think that each and every student and teacher took the time to make Mr. T a star is truly awe-inspiring!

Mr. T had a big smile on his face just knowing that everybody was thinking about him and wishing him god-speed on his way to recovery. Mr. T spent most of the afternoon checking each and every star that was made for him.

If we weren't moved so much from room to room.....I would be happy to put all the stars on the wall as a wonderful reminder that we have so many people praying for Mr. T. If we get in a private room again....I will put the stars everywhere and take a picture for all of you.

Not only did they make a star to give him hope and strength.....but the students also had several fund-raisers.......and they raised...(drum roll please) $1,020.00 to help with our expenses when we go to Toronto for his bone marrow transplant.

That is truly a blessing. Thank you Pontiac High School for your hard work, your donations and your continuous prayers. There is strength in numbers.....and with all of you behind us....Mr. T will get through this ordeal with flying colors.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

FINALLY.............MAY 5, 2008

Mr. T's counts are coming up!
Hemoglobin is 59*
Platelets are 22*
Neutro-polys are 0.02*

Today he received 3 units of blood as well as platelets....but his neutro-polys are 0.02! When they are 1.00 Mr. T can start his 2nd cycle of chemo.....and then we'll get to go home for a few days before we continue to Toronto Sick Kids for the transplant.
Mr. T is feeling great. His appetite is good....and he is going to the playroom twice a day to play 'Rock Band'.
He's also been staying up late burning the midnight oil playing 'Grand Theft Auto 4'! This game should be 'adult restricted'.....I need earplugs....lots of swearing and violence!

APRIL 30, 2008

Today we have been here 31 days. Because of a shortage of beds....they have moved us to a double room. Mr. T now shares his room with a 14 yr old boy....who loves 'gaming'. Now, the nurses on the Unit call this the 'Party Room'! If they are not gaming....they are playing music. The other boy has lymphoma.......but that doesn't stop him. They stay up as long as they can...till about 1 a.m....and then sleep in. I guess Mr. T is practicing to be a teenager! And his appetite is back in full force.
We are still waiting for his counts to come up! Party on....boys!!

Hemoglobin is 114*
Platelets are 18*
Neutro-polys are still 0.00*