March 6th, 2008 - The pain and pride
Sorry to have left the last update hanging… I really need to work out how to file these updates using my mobile phone. Anyway, Cameron was not at all well last night and has been admitted once again. Seems this second cycle of chemo is hitting him much harder than the first. He’s being given various medications to counteract the nausea and to pre-empt the onset of any infection that may be attempting to gain traction in his system, which is generally indicated by any abnormal temperature readings. His temperature appears to keep dropping. When I arrived he looked and felt dreadful. When Leigh asked if I had eaten supper he immediately groaned from his half sleep “Don’t say the ‘F’ word!†which is of course ‘Food’. Can’t say I blame him, because nothing he had eaten that day was staying down. I won’t go into any more detail, but to say that he is well versed on cytotoxic clean up procedures and was quick to point me to the right gloves when the need arose.
Cameron did manage to score a private ward this time around, in the bone marrow transplant unit, which is an especially sterile, self contained ward with a small number of private rooms within the oncology ward. These rooms overlook a lovely courtyard filled with tropical plants and a small pond, which the nurses call the fairy garden. Being here meant that both Leigh and I were able to spend the night at Cameron’s bedside, which felt like a real treat compared with the more open ward arrangements, where restrictions limit one adult to overnight bedside sleeping. I definitely had the best of the two sleeping options on a proper, well… foam mattress, whereas Leigh had the lazy-boy recliner, which is great for watching telly, but not really conducive to a good night’s sleep. I think she managed two hours. I’m not sure Cameron managed much more.
First thing this morning Cameron was feeling much better and perked up for about 10 minutes, managing to sit up and have a good hearty laugh when the flash from Leigh’s camera set off the special sensor that operates the water in the sink (as opposed to regular tap – to prevent the spread of germs). So each time Leigh took a picture of Cameron the water came on. Cameron thought it was hilarious. However, within 10 minutes he was feeling ill again and his temperature had dipped, but he had to wait a little while until he was allowed more of the medication that works against the nausea. And while he was laying there the nurse came in and asked him “How are you doing Cameron?†He delivered his trademark response, “Fine thanksâ€. Of course you could tell just by looking at him that he was nothing like fine. His spirit is just irrepressible and we are so proud of our little man.
Leaving the hospital to return to home today was very difficult. He was sobbing as he told me how he is scared. I reminded him of the nature of the journey he is on and that we’re all right there with him, but also how proud we are of the way he has been handling his situation and his attitude, which would ensure that he got to the other side of all this. There’s no question about what he is afraid of. His little friend ‘M’ who is around the same age as Cameron, has Leukaemia and is really having a very hard time and lately, for over a week, refusing to eat as he can’t stand throwing up anymore. His parents are distraught as he has lost way too much Weight and his system is completely run down, to the extent that had to be readmitted to the ward and will need to be force fed by the end of the week if he doesn’t get himself restarted on the food.
Then there is the saddest of sad stories. A little 7 year old girl ‘A’ who had Leukaemia three and a half years ago and was cured. She was recently re-diagnosed and after a few early rounds of chemo, in fact on the day Cameron was released to the lodge, she was given the all clear. She still had some way to go on her chemotherapy, but in the past week developed a number of terrible complications, including a badly infected bowel that is so swollen the morphine has little effect on the pain, which has also prevented any further chemotherapy and opened the door for her cancer to return. Then last night she suddenly had to undergo emergency surgery to remove parts of her nose and cheek due to a fungal infection underneath the skin. There are real concerns about her survival and if she does, she will require facial reconstruction surgery. Leigh has become quite close to the parents and been comforting them.
This evening Cameron is still not feeling great. His potassium count is down, which means they have to give him an infusion of that tomorrow and he remains very emotional, but is also very proud of the fact that he has kept his lunch – a croissant – down. He remains hopeful that he can be home sometime over the weekend. I’m not so sure. Let’s hope he can pull off a come-back like the last one. Carlton’s shingles have cleared up nicely (in case you hadn’t already gathered). Both he and Owen are fine. Carlton has taken to fund-raising for the Leukaemia Foundation at school and promising to colour his hair for the event. Today I received a visit from a local newspaper reporter. They are helping to promote the Shave for a Cure event that is being promoted here on this site and so they’re doing an article on Cameron, so I hope we will get lots of visitors to this site donating to this most worthy cause.Â
March 6th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
We are all sharing this un-explainable journey with you Cameron (and your family). Fight off all those nasty invaders with all your power and strength.
We’re all barracking for you.
Ashley Yr 7 SCGS(Mum & Dad: Karen, Gary & Jasmine)