February 13th, 2008 - Chemotherapy Looming
Cameron began his day by watching a DVD while a dose of radioactive glucose made its way around his system, followed by the PET scan. Owen was well enough to visit Cameron today and of course, as soon as Carlton got wind of the fact that Gran, Owen and I were going to be heading down to see Cameron after dropping him at school that plan was going to change, as the tears quickly welled. So Carlton scored another day off school and the four of us got down to the hospital expecting to find Cameron glowing a light green colour. Leigh told me that the radioactive solution was delivered in a lead box that certainly looked the part… you know, like it had been retrieved from the depths of Chernobyl especially for Cameron. She was told to move away, to a safe distance – “because this stuff can cause cancer you know” – while the material was administered and the scanning procedure commenced in an entirely sealed, invisible area where Cameron’s only connection to the outside world was a microphone.
Of course Cameron did not emerge green, but was in very good spirits considering all that he has been through, including the pain and stiffness he is experiencing in a number of places from the theatre experience of yesterday. So, the kids played a few bedside games together as we began waiting to find out what the scan had revealed about the full extent of his cancer; what the treatment plan was and when it would commence. The ward was also really busy today, with a new arrival brought in by air ambulance from Nambour, but we were also brilliantly entertained by a couple of lovely volunteer clowns who had the kids rolling around with delight as they blew bubbles, sang wiggles songs and told jokes like: “Why did everyone leave Burger King? Because someone dropped a wopper!” And… “Why do fish swim in salt water?” ‘Cos pepper makes them sneeze!”. Tee hee.
Then Cam got the the ReMISSION computer game – specially configured to do battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – loaded onto his hospital-school assigned laptop and as he commenced playing he proudly told me that the occupational therapist had told him he would be the youngest person to have played the game with that particular configuration, because that particular cancer is more common among older kids and adults. After a lot of shooting, explosions and the usual all out mayhem fun of pc game warfare that had him intensely concentrated for about an hour or so, he quietly closed the laptop, set it aside and began staring rather blankly at the television with his now very back-ringed eyes. “How was the game Cam?” I asked. “It’s really, really hard” he replied.
Leigh and I spent an hour and a half with one of the more senior ward nurses who walked us through each page of the manual on coping with childhood cancer, which was probably one of the most unwelcome educational experiences that we will ever be so grateful to receive. I won’t go into all of the gory details, save to say that the A-Z of the childhood cancer sets a very unpleasant course for Cameron over the next 6-8 months. It predicts everything from the mundane loss of hair, raging temperatures and vomiting with blood showing up in places where it shouldn’t be to infections that might only cause other kids to feel a bit off, but which will be life-threatening to Cam and emergency blood transfusions to raise his platelets when his immune system is completely wiped out and a simple nose-bleed becomes unstoppable. And as soon as he recovers from one round of that and starts to feel better again, the next round will begin. Cam was right about the game.
Then it was time for the four of us to head back home and still no news. Leigh is feeling very tired and I hated leaving her there another night. I sternly instructed her that tomorrow was it… she was coming home to get a good night’s sleep and I would stay at the hospital. End of story! Ha ha. Ahem… the illusion of control that I have been so carefully cultivating over for the past 20 years or so was instantly shattered… She is not moving until we’re further down the track! So, while Leigh’s Mom and perhaps Owen will be with Leigh and Cameron during the day tomorrow, I’ll be negotiating Carlton into school, doing a spot of grocery shopping for our two households and getting on top of the mountain of unopened mail and tackling a little work before collecting Carlton and Tyler who is one of Cameron’s friends after school and making another round trip to see Cam in the late afternoon. On the way back we’ll collect Radar, the dog, who has been on holiday at Paul and Lara’s in Caloundra, which should leave me just enough time to post the next update.
Okay, okay the PET scan result… GREAT NEWS! This evening we have been told that Cameron’s cancer is presently confined to his chest. There are no signs of it anywhere else AND the tumour, mass or growth thingy that has invaded his chest has already shrunk a noticeable amount AND it is not as dense as they were expecting to find it! So… some fabulous news. Thank you Lord!
February 13th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Excellent news – just to let you know, we are all thinking about you every day and wishing you a fully recovery. Love Katie, Gordon, Ruby, Lydia and Ella x
February 13th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Hi Cameron, Remember me? Alex Ford. I won’t be surprised if you don’t. It has been AGES!!! I am going to follow your journey all the way. I know that you’ll make it through. From the sound of it, your game sounds very difficult, but I know that you’ll win in the end! Me and my family are thinking of you every day (and following your Journey too).
Ill post another message soon,
Alex
February 13th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Fantastic news Cameron we are all thinking of you here in Austria. I now the game is hard but try and try again and you will beat it. Practice makes the Master!!! Lots of love
February 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Cant even spell!!!!!! I Know the game is hard
lol
February 13th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
hey Cam
The game sounds hard but just take your time and be strong and your win it.
At this moment,we are in Singapore just stopped on our way home from the UK. My family and I are thinking of you so much and wish you a speedy recovery.
Jack
February 14th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Hi Cameron,
Just want you to know that we will miss you tonight at Lifegroup. Be assured WE WILL BE PRAYING for you. Love Trish
This is from Matt
Hi Cameron Get well soon and have a lovely day God Bless.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hi Cam
Good luck with chemo today, we are thinking of you. You keep fighting!! Love you lots, Auntie Megs, Uncle Mark, Holly and Taylor xxxxx