Nico is home after a long day in the hospital. We arrived at the medical center at 8:00 am and Nico got some extra fluid in his IV (PICC) and then two different types of chemotherapy in his IV. One type is very nauseating, so the clinic pre-medicated him for that. Once he finished his chemotherapy, we went to the OR where Nico had a port placed, the PICC line was pulled, he got more chemotherapy (this time in his cerebrospinal fluid via a lumbar puncture) and received a flu shot. Apparently there was some difficulty placing the port, and Nico ended up with an extra (very small) incision. After the surgery, a wise nurse loaded him up with Fentanyl and rather than his usual screaming after anesthesia, he just seemed to sleep it off. When he finally woke up, he immediately demanded McDonald’s and recited his order to the recovery room nurse. Once we got home (after 6 pm), he ate chicken nuggets (don’t judge) and watched an hour of Dora the Explorer. When the local anesthesia wore off, he started to really hurt and the site looks terribly painful to me, but we are generous with oxycodone and will continue to be for the next few days. We are really amazed by how well he did. He is a very brave and tough little man, and we could not be prouder of him!
Nico will have to take additional chemotherapy by mouth at bedtime every night for the next two weeks and we will also be giving more chemotherapy via his port once a day over the next three days. The amount of chemotherapy is unbelievable really, especially when considering his age and size. But this is a result of his being “high-risk,” and we would rather treat him aggressively now and then be able to close this chapter for him once and for all. I say we will close the chapter for him and not for us because the reality is that once your child has gotten a diagnosis like this, you will never truly be able to relax again. It is just the reality of the situation. But we will do everything that we can to contain that fear so that it does not affect Nico.
After sitting in the pre-op waiting room today, I can confirm that leukemia is not the worst condition to have. Trust me. So for tonight, we will be grateful that our little guy is home, doing well, and has a treatable condition. There is a solution. There is a cure. There is a light at the end of this very long tunnel. It will not be easy, but we can do this and we will do this.
Thank you for all your love. I have posted pictures of some of the awesome people that wore their Team Nico shirts today in support. Thanks again.
PS – Thank you everyone the Valentine’s! We even found a Valentine’s from Danny Briere (of the Philadelphia Flyers) – an autographed hat and two photos with special messages for Nico. We are continually amazed by all the love and support. Thank you.
Nico will have to take additional chemotherapy by mouth at bedtime every night for the next two weeks and we will also be giving more chemotherapy via his port once a day over the next three days. The amount of chemotherapy is unbelievable really, especially when considering his age and size. But this is a result of his being “high-risk,” and we would rather treat him aggressively now and then be able to close this chapter for him once and for all. I say we will close the chapter for him and not for us because the reality is that once your child has gotten a diagnosis like this, you will never truly be able to relax again. It is just the reality of the situation. But we will do everything that we can to contain that fear so that it does not affect Nico.
After sitting in the pre-op waiting room today, I can confirm that leukemia is not the worst condition to have. Trust me. So for tonight, we will be grateful that our little guy is home, doing well, and has a treatable condition. There is a solution. There is a cure. There is a light at the end of this very long tunnel. It will not be easy, but we can do this and we will do this.
Thank you for all your love. I have posted pictures of some of the awesome people that wore their Team Nico shirts today in support. Thanks again.
PS – Thank you everyone the Valentine’s! We even found a Valentine’s from Danny Briere (of the Philadelphia Flyers) – an autographed hat and two photos with special messages for Nico. We are continually amazed by all the love and support. Thank you.
RSS Feed